ABOVE Best Upgrades Guide: Top Priority Upgrades for Your Resort

Understanding the Upgrade System in ABOVE

In ABOVE, managing your 1960s alpine resort requires strategic investment. Upgrades are not just about making things look better; they directly impact your ability to rescue climbers, expand your shelter, and unlock new storylines. Every resource you earn must be carefully allocated to ensure your resort thrives through the harsh winter. Knowing which upgrades to prioritize will save you time and prevent frustrating bottlenecks.

The upgrade system is divided into several key categories: Shelter Facilities, Rescue Equipment, Route Infrastructure, and Staff & Services. Each category offers a tree of improvements that unlock progressively as you invest resources and complete specific in-game milestones. This guide breaks down the absolute best upgrades to focus on first.

Top Priority: Shelter & Comfort Upgrades

Your shelter is the heart of your operation. Without a warm, safe place for climbers, your reputation will suffer, and you will lose potential income. The following upgrades should be your very first investments.

• Improved Heating System: This is non-negotiable. A basic stove will not cut it during blizzards. Upgrading your heating increases guest satisfaction and prevents illness, which directly impacts your daily resource generation.
• Expanded Bunk Area: More beds mean more climbers can stay overnight. This is crucial for completing rescue missions that require sheltering multiple people simultaneously.
• Basic Kitchen Upgrade: A simple kitchen upgrade allows you to prepare better meals. Well-fed climbers are happier and more likely to leave positive reviews, attracting more visitors to your resort.

Prioritize these three upgrades in order. Once your shelter is stable, you can turn your attention to the mountains.

Essential Rescue & Route Upgrades

Rescuing stranded climbers and opening new paths is the core gameplay loop. Efficient rescue operations are vital for progressing the story and earning the trust of the local mountaineering community.

Investing in these items will make your daily operations smoother and allow you to tackle more challenging story events. For a deeper dive on rescue mechanics, see our Gameplay Overview.

Mid-Game: Staff & Service Upgrades

Once you have a solid foundation, your staff becomes your most valuable asset. Upgrading their capabilities allows for automation and improved efficiency.

• Hire a Cook: Automates meal preparation, freeing you up to focus on rescue coordination.
• Basic Medical Training: Your staff can treat minor injuries on-site, preventing small problems from becoming major crises that require expensive external help.
• Guest Services Desk: A dedicated desk improves check-in times and provides a central point for guest complaints, boosting your overall resort rating.

These upgrades are not as immediately critical as shelter or rescue gear, but they become essential for maintaining a high score and unlocking the game's deeper narrative elements.

Late-Game & Specialization Upgrades

In the later stages of ABOVE, you will face unique challenges that require specialized upgrades. These are often tied to specific story chapters or character arcs.

Upgrade Category	Best Choice	Why
Route Specialization	High-Altitude Shelters	Allows climbers to rest at checkpoints, enabling multi-day expeditions to the summit.
Rescue Tech	Motorized Sled	Dramatically speeds up rescue times on long, flat sections of the mountain.
Shelter Luxury	Sauna & Lounge	A major end-game attraction that significantly boosts guest satisfaction and revenue.

Focus on these only after you have mastered the basics. They are expensive but provide the edge needed to complete the game's most difficult objectives. For more on end-game strategies, read our Progression Guide.

FAQ: Common Upgrade Questions

What is the single most important upgrade in ABOVE? The Improved Heating System is universally the best first upgrade. It prevents guest sickness, reduces resource waste, and is a prerequisite for nearly every other comfort-related upgrade.

Can I refund an upgrade if I make a mistake? No, ABOVE does not feature a refund or respec system for upgrades. Planning your path carefully is essential. This guide is designed to help you avoid costly errors.

How do I unlock more upgrade tiers? Most upgrade tiers are unlocked by completing specific story missions or reaching a certain resort reputation level. Pay close attention to the character requests in your journal, as they often lead to new upgrade opportunities.

Are there any upgrades I should avoid? The "Decorative Flags" upgrade is purely cosmetic and offers no gameplay benefit. Avoid it in the early game when resources are scarce. Save it for late-game when you have surplus funds.