How To Get To The Snow Region Elden Ring

Alright, settle in, grab your metaphorical (or literal, I'm not judging) mug of something warm, because we're about to talk about the Mountaintops of the Giants in Elden Ring. Think of it as the "Icy-veins-of-steel-required" region. You know, the place where even the snowflakes are aggressively frosty and the bears are probably fueled by pure spite.

Getting there isn’t exactly a walk in the park. More like a brisk jog across a battlefield littered with the corpses of Tarnished who thought they were totally ready for it. Spoiler alert: they weren't. But fear not, fellow Tarnished! I'm here to guide you, with humor and (hopefully) minimal casualties. Mainly your own. I can't guarantee anything about the wildlife. Or other players. Let's be honest, sometimes they're the wildlife.

The Great Plateau Pilgrimage: Step-by-Step to Snowy Bliss (and Agony)

Okay, so the first thing you need to realize is that you can't just waltz into the Mountaintops. There are prerequisites. Think of it like applying for a really exclusive snow club. You need to be "of a certain level" (read: ridiculously overpowered) and have done a few little...tasks.

Step 1: Beat the Queen, Become the Elden Lord (Almost)

This is kind of a biggie. You need to defeat Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, at the Academy of Raya Lucaria. No big deal, right? Just a sorceress who throws books at you and turns your ass into furniture. Easy peasy. Once she's down, you get her Great Rune. This is your "student ID" for getting past some important magical barriers later on.

Step 2: The Two Fingers, Two Runes, and Two Much Trouble

Next, you need to collect at least two Great Runes. Rennala's counts! The other popular choice is Godrick the Grafted. He's the dude with all the arms. You know, the one who desperately needs a hug (and maybe a therapist). He’s at Stormveil Castle. Think of it as a particularly aggressive haunted house.

Now, you might be thinking, "Hey, can't I just grab any two Great Runes?" Technically, yes. But Godrick's is pretty straightforward and Rennala's is mandatory. Save yourself some grief and just smack these two around. Once you have them, it's time for a chat with the Two Fingers at the Roundtable Hold. They'll tell you to head towards the Erdtree and become Elden Lord. Which sounds great on paper, until you realize how much stands in your way.

Step 3: The Royal Capital Rumble: Leyndell, Here We Come!

This is where things get really fun. You need to navigate your way to Leyndell, Royal Capital. This involves quite a bit of exploration and probably getting eaten by things. I recommend leveling up your Vigor stat. It's basically your "don't die so quickly" meter. Max it out. Seriously.

Getting into Leyndell itself is a bit of a puzzle. You can either brute-force your way through the front gates (prepare for a massive fight) or sneak in via a side route. The side route involves a bit of parkour and some strategically placed ladders. It's like the Elden Ring version of a playground, except instead of scraped knees, you get your face ripped off by gargoyles.

Step 4: Morgott, the Omen King: The Final Gatekeeper

Once you're inside Leyndell, you'll eventually face Morgott, the Omen King. He’s a bit of a grumpy Gus who’s not thrilled about you trying to usurp the throne. He's also surprisingly agile for a guy with horns and a hunchback. Think of him as the ultimate gatekeeper to the Erdtree. He’s got serious daddy issues. Beat him, and you're one step closer to freezing your butt off.

Step 5: Melina's Grand Sacrifice: Burning the Erdtree

Okay, this is where things get emotional. After defeating Morgott, you'll reach the Erdtree. Surprise! It's locked. You need to burn it down to gain access to the Mountaintops. And the only way to do that is with the Flame of Ruin. To get the Flame of Ruin, Melina (your spirit guide) will bravely offer herself as kindling. Yes, it's sad. Yes, it feels a bit wrong. But hey, gotta burn the tree, right?

Important Note: There's a secret way to burn the Erdtree without sacrificing Melina, but it involves a very long and complicated questline involving the Three Fingers and becoming the Lord of Frenzied Flame. This ending is... let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. Or those who value their sanity. I recommend sticking with the Melina route for your first playthrough. Unless you really hate her, I guess. But why would you?

Step 6: The Grand Lift of Rold: Welcome to the Ice Age!

After Melina does her thing (or you embrace the Frenzied Flame), you'll be transported to the base of the Grand Lift of Rold. This is your VIP pass to the Mountaintops. But there's a catch! You need the Rold Medallion to activate the lift. Don't worry, it's not hidden in some obscure dungeon. It's pretty much handed to you by Melina after you burn the Erdtree (or after you've become the crazy flame person).

Once you have the medallion, head to the Grand Lift of Rold, equip the medallion, and… up you go! Prepare for a scenic ride with absolutely breathtaking views. And by breathtaking, I mean the freezing wind will literally take your breath away. Also, there's probably a dragon lurking somewhere nearby. You know, just to keep things interesting.

You've Arrived! Now What?

Congratulations! You've made it to the Mountaintops of the Giants. Now you can look forward to:

• Blinding snowstorms: Because who needs to see where they're going?
• Giant skeletons: Because regular-sized skeletons are just too pedestrian.
• Fire Monks: Because nothing says "cozy" like a religious fanatic wielding a flamethrower.
• More difficult enemies than you've ever faced: Because you weren't challenged enough already.
• The satisfaction of conquering another incredibly difficult area: Okay, this one's actually pretty great.

So, gear up, level up, and prepare to brave the icy wastes. And remember, always bring a flask of Crimson Tears. You're gonna need it. Good luck, Tarnished! And try not to freeze to death. Or get eaten by a bear. Or both. That would be really embarrassing.

Happy snow tromping and may the Elden Ring guide your way...or at least point you in the general direction of where you're going.