The Shade Mountains are located in the middle of the Shores of Winter, creating a natural barrier between the cold lands around Frostkeep and the Shadewood Forest to the north, and the more temperate areas to the south such as Tarloc and the Fields of Kheldom. They are a high range of peaks and to travel by foot is considered a dangerous idea by many. The pathways leading across the Shade Mountains are treacherous at best with avalanches likely in certain areas.