Magnificent snow-capped mountain views, powdery slopes, uncompromising accommodations and discerning hospitality—these are the hallmarks of the luxury skiing holiday of every traveler’s dreams. However, there is more than meets the snow when it comes to the best skiing destinations. Some of the most selective skiing aficionados search for exclusive, stylish and sophisticated home-away-from-homes mixed with exhilarating winter adventures.
The world’s hippest, most resolute skiing destinations allow guests to enjoy all the perks of a luxury accommodation alongside every exciting aspect of a winter vacation. Let’s take a look at some of the world’s best skiing-holiday destinations, which take high-touch hospitality to the pinnacle.
Gstaad Palace (Gstaad, Switzerland)
© Gstaad Palace
For more than 100 years, the Scherz family’s world-renowned Gstaad Palace has stood as one of if not the best of Switzerland’s premier skiing destinations. It sets itself apart because of its attention to detail, which remains unparalleled thanks to the Scherz family members, the palace’s custodians over three generations.
The Gstaad Palace is nestled among towering, snow-dusted fir trees against a dreamy mountainous background, a picturesque setting for an intimate family or romantic vacation. Gstaad, in the southwestern part of Switzerland, is more than just a sleepy mountain town. It’s the holiday destination of royals, celebrities and billionaires—and many of them seek a stay at Gstaad Palace, the melting pot of the world’s who’s who.
© Gstaad Palace
And no wonder. Apart from its long-standing and opulent history, Gstaad Palace never fails to keep up with the times. Towering over the Alpine town, the stone castle’s understated luxury radiates warmth and houses 90 grandiose rooms that spell elegance. From the double rooms to the spectacular Penthouse Suite with three bedrooms overlooking the Alps, everything is made from quality materials designed to create unforgettable experiences. The rooms, with some featuring steam baths, private saunas and breathtaking panoramic views of the Swiss mountains, offer warm respites with all the comforts of top-notch concierge services.
© Gstaad Palace
The hotel also provides a plethora of wellness amenities to help guests relax after their days out on the packed powder, with indoor and outdoor pools and eight superb treatment rooms along with a relaxation lounge decked with a large fireplace.
Cheval Blanc (Courchevel, France)
© Cheval Blanc Courchevel
A contemporary haven overlooking the famed River Seine, Cheval Blanc is the gem of the City of Light. One of the world’s most sought-after skiing destinations, Cheval Blanc offers a delicate balance between traditional and modern. With its local French architecture and timeless elegance juxtaposed against its bold Art Deco interior with contemporary inspirations, it comprises a rare category all its own.
© Cheval Blanc Courchevel | Cigar Evening Lounge
With craftsmanship and hospitality pushed to the extreme, the hotel is a testament to the French sensibility with its thoughtful approach to service that wins it a prestigious following the world over. Its 36 rooms have been painstakingly crafted to cater to the most discerning guests, with enormous windows that let in the French Alps sun, while the amenities ensure utmost comfort down to the last details. Private balconies offer views of the town and the snow-capped mountains beyond. Meanwhile, generous Savoie-chic bathrooms provide private oases from the winter frost.
© Cheval Blanc Courchevel
Guests are treated to full winter retreats each day, starting with Cheval Blanc’s world-class and signature breakfast. Newbies can learn how to snowboard or ski in private lessons for one or the entire family. The First Tracks experience also allows patrons to be the first to leave their ski marks and footprints on the pristine snow. The Maison’s ambassadeurs are also ever-present to attend to every guests’ needs and fancies, ensuring them a memorable Courchevel retreat to which they can look forward to reliving and revisiting over and over.
The Little Nell (Aspen, Colorado, US)
Little Nell © Shawn O’Connor
On the other side of the Atlantic, Colorado’s The Little Nell luxury hotel in Aspen is far from small when it comes to providing outstanding hospitality. Colorado’s only five-star and five-diamond skiing destination, Little Nell offers luxurious amenities as pristine as its snow-white landscapes.
Aspen’s relaxed nature is echoed in every cozy, hygge-inspired and well-appointed detail of Little Nell. While it is the see-and-be-seen destination of the well-heeled, it is also the perfect winter escape for those who are after the discreet and intimate. It offers the luxury of a modern residence, and the ski-in/ski-out access ensures the smoothest way to hit the slopes.
Little Nell © Shawn O’Connor
Little Nell’s attentive concierge team provides the utmost in warm hospitality, from handling guests’ shopping lists to keeping their boots warm for the next morning—when steaming demitasses of espresso will be at the ready. In the summer, the team also arranges cycling and hiking excursions as well as climbing trips to satiate the most adventurous patrons’ tastes for the outdoors.
Little Nell © Danielle Hamilton
Meanwhile, the hotel’s outdoor pool and bathtub offer guests the chance to sink into warm, relaxed oblivion. And for those with an appetite, the hotel’s Element 47 serves the region’s best New American cuisine, paired with the finest wines care of Carlton McCoy, master sommelier.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences (Whistler, BC, Canada)
Four Season © Christian Horan
At the heart of North America’s largest ski resort is the prestigious Four Seasons Resort and Residences in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. This luxurious mountain hideaway is nestled at the foot of Blackcomb Mountain; it and Whistler Mountain are celebrated as the twin giants.
With its eclectic mix of rustic modern charm and contemporary European elegance accompanied by dark wood accents, the Four Seasons deftly offers the utmost comfort and concierge attention that earns it its spot among the top resorts in Canada, making it well known among ski-lovers and winter vacationers across the globe.
Four Season © Christian Horan
The hotel complex features 273 rooms, all expertly equipped to provide welcoming warmth to guests. Each of the rooms and suites offers large bathrooms and double vanities along with private terraces and expansive glass fireplaces. The impeccable touches of five-star luxury continue to its lavish amenities and through its superlative staff.
Four Season © Christian Horan
Meanwhile, its celebrated restaurant, the SIDECUT Modern Steak+Bar, further embodies the hotel’s ardor through its hardwood interior. Guests are invited to cozy up and enjoy its locally sourced fare beside an open fireplace or on the sun-soaked patio.
From the highly adventurous to the downright laid-back, these winter-holiday havens offer not just superbly attentive staff but prime accommodations and enriching experiences, from inviting comforts beside a wood-burning fireplace to tensions high up on a chair lift surrounded by exhilaratingly crisp air. These famed destinations represent some of the world’s best in providing guests of every skiing or snowboarding level with unforgettable winter experiences.