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Revealed: World’s top luxury ski resorts and chalets
Make the most of the winter season with these extravagant selections
Les Fermes de Marie: If you want to enjoy a rustic experience but do not want to give up luxurious service, head to this hotel and spa featuring countryside-style chalets paired with high-end service. It’s located in ski resort village Megève in Southern France within close proximity to several ski lifts and restaurants to which it offers complimentary shuttle service. The hotel houses a fitness centre, an indoor pool and a spa.
Solis Sochi Hotel: What better place to go skiing than where the 2014 Winter Olympics took place? Sochi is known for its prominent ski resorts including Krasnaya Polnaya which hosted the games. This particular hotel is one of the area’s most popular. It’s known for its enormity and breath-taking mountain views as well as luxurious amenities. It also features a spa and wellness centre, several restaurants and direct access to ski slopes.
The Green Leaf: Typical skiing destinations such as Switzerland and France are great, but overlooked countries such as Japan have a lot to offer too. This resort is located in Niseko’s United Ski Area known for its long winter season. It runs from early November to late May. The Green Leaf is one of the town’s best resorts and offers ski-to-door access as well as natural hot-spring baths. The rooms boast beautiful views of the surrounding wilderness while the resort’s bar is directly connected to the ski slopes and include a wood-burning fire pit.
Rosalp 4: We couldn’t shy away from Verbier, Switzerland where some of the world’s best ski resorts are located. This particular chalet is situated in the centre of Verbier and just a few minutes’ walk from the main Médran lift. It sleep eight people and features four bedrooms and four bathrooms decorated in rustic contemporary style. The living area also comprises an open plan kitchen and dining area as well as a separate spacious living room which overlooks expansive mountain views.
Arctic Lodge: If secluded luxury is what you’re looking for, this chalet in Val D’Isere, France, is our ultimate recommendation. It is unconnected to other chalets or a tour operator but is located near 88 ski lifts. It is sophistically decorated with elegant chandeliers and a traditional all-wooden theme but also houses contemporary touches such as a modern indoor pool as well as an outdoor Jacuzzi on the deck. The lodge is part of the Alpine Private Members Club.
Chouqui: Large enough for 20 individual, this luxury property in Verbier comprises two interconnecting chalets. It is one of the area’s newest editions and features unobstructed views of Mont Blanc mountain range. It boasts a large dining terrace with additional sofas and sun loungers as well as an outdoor hot tub and fire pit with BBQ rack. It has two sitting rooms, nine bedrooms, large private indoor swimming pool, bar, cinema room, hammam and games room.
Highland Lodge: We had to include Norway on the list since it’s known for its snow-kiting, dog sleighing, cross-country and downhill skiing. This particular hotel is situated just 10 minutes away by foot from Geilo Train Station and features a gym, sauna and pool. Its dining venues boast Hardanger Mountain views and include a bakery, a bar and a restaurant. It is also located near the Hardanger Plateau national park with rivers, lakes and waterfalls.
Palais Coburg Residenz: Our favourite 5-star luxury hotel is located in a historical Austrian palace built between in the 1500s in what is now the centre of Vienna, Austria. Today, it comprises spacious suites, gourmet restaurants, a fitness centre, a spa, hot tub, indoor pool and sun terrace. It is a short walk from the histoic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Stadtpark, several underground stations and a short distance from a number of ski lifts.
Copperhill Mountain Lodge. Supremely located on top of the Förberget Mountain in Sweden’s Åre district, this hotel boasts mesmerising views of the area. Best of all, it has direct ski-in/ski-out access with a cross-country ski track and hiking trail found directly outside the property. Rooms at the lodge are cosy yet contemporarily designed. Amenity-wise, it features an award-winning spa with indoor and outdoor pools, hot springs and sauna. The hotel also houses a traditional restaurant and lounge bar.
Hotel Aurelio Lech: One of Austria’s newest ski and spa hotels is located in the luxurious Lech am Arlberg ski resort known for its 5-month winter season and top-class slopes which reach this hotel’s doors. The Aurelio itself boasts modern-style rooms equipped with spacious balconies which overlook nearby mountains. The hotel is also famous for its spa which includes an indoor pool.
Hickory: Our last selection is located in the centre of favourite ski resort village Verbier in Switzerland and is probably the closest option to a cosy, traditional wooden winter chalet. Designed with lively furnishings, the self-catered property sleeps five people and comprises two-bedrooms, bathrooms, a Jacuzzi and a living room with an open fire with stone surround. It also boasts a fully-equipped open plan kitchen as well as a dining table.
