For these luxury ski chalets, it’s all about location, location, location
The last thing any snow-seeker wants to do is trek through town in head-to-toe equipment, or schlep your skis back to your hotel after a long day on the mountain. When it comes to ski holidays, convenience is one of the greatest luxuries – whether it’s direct access to the slopes, or an on-site ski shop and boot warming room. These luxury ski hotels are making snowsports effortlessly easy, so all you need to do is step into your skis or strap on your board – then point yourself downhill…
1. Le Coucou Méribel, Méribel – France
Top right and bottom left images by @mister_tripper
Snuggled into the Méribel mountainside with Le Rond-Point des Pistes on its ski-in, ski-out doorstep, Le Coucou comes with as much style as it does substance. Watch skiers on the Belvédère piste from your suite’s balcony, chocolat chaud in hand, then hit the slopes with personalised equipment set up each day for you in the elegant Ski Room, with its own take-off terrace. Return to your chic Pierre Yovanovitch designed suite, or one of the hotel’s two independent chalets to be cocooned in a world of sink-into teddy bear chairs, soft fabrics and alpine woodwork.
Good to snow: For an après ski snack, tuck into the finest cuts of meat at Beefbar which has a terrace you can ski straight onto for lunch in the mountains.
2. El Lodge Ski and Spa, Sierra Nevada – Spain
With a golden exterior crafted from Finnish wood, El Lodge Ski and Spa is an enchanting Alpine-style boutique retreat in Sierra Nevada’s fairytale landscape. 45 pistes and six off-piste ski runs surround the hotel, and Chairlift Parador 1 is just 50m from the front door. Outside, you can enjoy après-ski on the Sun Deck, with the only ski-in ski-out restaurant in Sierra Nevada – here, you can stay warm between runs with faux-fur throws and artisan tables with built-in fireplaces and an exclusive boot warming service.
Good to snow: Some of the Finnish wood panelled Royal Suites and Deluxe Rooms come with their own outdoor Jacuzzis if you’re looking for a more private après ski plunge.
3. FORESTIS, Brixen – Italy
Forests and snow-dusted peaks stretch out in every direction from FORESTIS, a summit-level sanctuary in a sheltered, sunny spot in the Dolomites – with secret access to the Plose ski region which boasts the longest valley run in South Tyrol. A quiet forest path leads directly from the FORESTIS ski room to the slopes and to the valley station of the chairlift, which takes you to the mountain station on the Plose. From there, you reach Plose’s 45 kilometres of ski slopes via numerous modern chair lifts, ranging from easy to intermediate level, plus a cluster of cosy mountain huts dishing up local cuisine, hot drinks and great views of the surrounding mountains.
Good to snow: Soothe ski-weary muscles in one of the FORESTIS natural wood and stone saunas, before taking a front-row seat to watch the sunset from one of the crescent-shaped tables at the hotel’s alpine inspired restaurant.
4. Bergwelt Grindelwald – Alpine Design Resort, Grindelwald – Switzerland
Alpine adventures, big and small, begin at Bergwelt Grindelwald. With the Swiss Alps as its backdrop, many of the Swiss wood-crafted suites overlook the north face of the Eiger – best enjoyed from your balcony with bottled water drawn from the glacier to drink. For peak privacy, up to five bedrooms can be combined into spacious residences, whilst the serenely styled apartments match up to the mountains in size and beauty. Just a snowball’s throw from the ski-run entrance to Jungfrau, one of the world’s most iconic ski regions, the very best ways to explore the Eiger are at your feet.
Good to snow: Mountaineers can regain their strength in the Fire & Ice Spa, which draws on the raw power of nature. Think steam baths and frosted fountains, roaring fires and relaxing pools, including one outdoors that’s inspired by the Grindelwald glaciers.
5. Hôtel Pashmina Le Refuge, Val Thorens – France
Perched at 2,300+ metres, you’ll have panoramic views of the magnificent Tarentaise valley from the comfort of Hôtel Pashmina Le Refuge. To reflect the epic landscapes outside, rooms and suites are fresh, airy spaces. Cosy Homes come with a large social lounge and open plan kitchen – perfect for families or groups of friends – while the two Igloo Pods are an out-of-this-world option for couples looking to stargaze the night away, with dips in your very own Nordic bath overlooking the Péclet massif.
Good to snow: Pick up skis at the on-site Goitschel shop and step straight onto the Val Thorens slope, or hop aboard the hotel shuttle for village visits.
6. Art & Relax Hotel Bergwelt, Obergurgl – Austria
Set high on a sunny plateau above the pretty ski resort of Obergurgl, Art & Relax Hotel Bergwelt is a delightfully traditional-looking alpine lodge that is directly connected to the ski slopes. Step into your skis and onto 110 kilometres of perfectly groomed pistes, with 23 modern lifts on your doorstep. The Obergurgl ski area in the Ötztal is blessed with the most snow in the entire Alps, so you’ll be best placed at Art & Relax Hotel Bergwelt for whatever winter sports take your fancy. The hotel is also home to the highest pool in the Alps, so you can swim as well as ski, snow-board, sled, and skate to your heart’s content.
Good to snow: Obergurgl’s scenic ski runs are popular with beginner and intermediate skiers, while Hochgurgl, with its steeper, more challenging runs, is just a short gondola ride away for more the more advanced.
7. Hôtel Le Strato, Courchevel 1850 – France
Set in an enviable ski-in ski-out position, Hôtel Le Strato sits at the foot of the Cospillot piste and is only five minutes from La Croisette. With a soul-stirring spa, a gourmet restaurant, and just 25 enticing rooms and suites, this is the place to wake each morning to views of sparkling white mountains. Slide open the glass doors of the hotel boot room kitted out by French Olympian Bernard Orcel and find yourself right on the piste. Drop off your skis at the same sliding door after a day on some of the world’s most exclusive slopes, where you’ll be welcomed back into the warmth with freshly made crêpes and hot chestnuts.
Good to snow: Courchevel 1850 is the highest and most famous of the three ski resorts bearing the Courchevel name. This is where dedicated skiers come to enjoy themselves. A week’s ski pass will also allow you access onto the two other valleys of the vast area known as Les Trois Vallées.
Feeling inspired? Browse and book from our curated collection of ski hotels, where you’ll be suited, booted, and stay in some of Europe’s best undisputed snow territory.