How To Get To The Snowy Area In Elden Ring

So, you wanna chill with some snow in Elden Ring, huh? Good choice! The Mountaintops of the Giants are epic. But getting there? It's a bit... involved. Think of it as a really long, slightly violent road trip. Don't worry, I'll break it down.
First things first: You gotta git gud.
Yeah, I know. You've heard it before. But seriously, the snowy area is not for the faint of heart. You'll want to be, like, level 80 minimum. Ideally, closer to 100. Trust me, the enemies up there don't play nice. They'll one-shot you back to Limgrave before you can say "Torrent's having a bad day."
Also, upgrade your weapons! A +15 weapon is practically a necessity. Facing down a Giant and realizing your sword's tickling it? Not a good look. Go explore and upgrade your weapons, it is important to invest some time in Weapon Level before approaching the snowy mountains.
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Conquering the Capital: Leyndell, Royal Capital
Okay, remember that giant tree blocking your way? That's the Erdtree. To even think about getting to the Mountaintops, you gotta deal with it. That means conquering Leyndell, the Royal Capital. Think of it as your final exam before earning your snow legs.
Leyndell is a sprawling city, full of knights, gargoyles, and general unpleasantness. Navigate its streets, fight its bosses (like Godfrey, First Elden Lord), and generally make a nuisance of yourself. It's all part of the process.

Defeating all the bosses in this area will eventually lead to the Erdtree. You'll need to find a way past the thorns blocking the entrance. Good luck with that. A bit of exploration and some fiery assistance should do the trick.
The Grand Lift of Rold: Your Ticket to the Top
Alright, you've conquered Leyndell. Now, the real journey begins. After dealing with the Erdtree (no spoilers!), you'll gain access to the Grand Lift of Rold. This is your ticket to the Mountaintops of the Giants!
Finding the Lift itself is pretty straightforward. Follow the critical path, and you can't miss it. Just... be prepared for some tough enemies along the way. These are some strong enemies here, so remember to upgrade your armor and level up!

But here's the catch: You need the Rold Medallion to activate the lift. If you missed this, you're going nowhere fast. Don't worry, it's not too far off the beaten path. It's given to you by Melina. So, if you haven't been chatting with her regularly, go back and do that now.
Activating the Lift: The Moment of Truth
Got the Rold Medallion? Great! Head to the Grand Lift of Rold, equip the medallion, and... voila! You're rising to the Mountaintops. Feel the anticipation! Smell the pine needles (virtually, of course). Prepare for snow.
Before stepping out, take a deep breath. The Mountaintops are unforgiving. The weather is brutal, the enemies are relentless, and the scenery is... well, breathtakingly bleak. But that's part of the charm, right?

The Secret Path: For Those Who Like a Challenge
Now, here's a fun fact: There's actually a secret, alternative way to reach a portion of the Mountaintops. Instead of using the Grand Lift of Rold, you can take a more… treacherous route. This involves a side quest with White-Faced Varré.
It's a longer, more complicated process, involving invading other players' worlds and soaking a cloth in maiden's blood. Yeah, it's as weird as it sounds. But hey, if you're into that sort of thing, it's an option! This is a late-game quest line, so you need to have explored a fair portion of the game, and to be on the right quest at the right time.
Taking this route will transport you to the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum, which is technically part of the Mountaintops region. However, it doesn't give you access to the main Mountaintops area. So, you'll still need the Grand Lift of Rold eventually.

Welcome to the Snow!
Congratulations, Tarnished! You've made it to the Mountaintops of the Giants! Now get out there, explore the snowy wastes, fight some epic bosses, and try not to freeze to death. And remember: Level vigor!
The Mountaintops of the Giants offer some incredible challenges and rewards. You can find more powerful weapon smithing stones to upgrade your weapons, fight new and terrifying bosses, and also find new armor sets to further customize your character.
Enjoy the snow, and try not to die too much!
