+44 (0) 207 183 1094
Europe’s most luxurious ski resorts, 2024. Early December to late April, Europe’s ski season is the perfect romantic winter break. What says romance more than breath taking views nestled together on a ski lift, an adrenaline filled day on the piste followed by a cosy dinner for two? Here we explore where to ski in style at Europe’s most luxurious ski resorts.
Coucheval 1850, France the most famous of Ski resorts
Part of the world’s largest ski area, The Three Valleys. Courcheval just might be one of the most famous ski resorts in not just Europe but the world. Being a vast area not all of Courcheval is made equal. If you are looking for luxury then you have to take it to the top, quite literally and head to Courcheval 1850.
Grab your Prada ski goggles and Louis Vuitton Keepall before checking into one of Courcheval 1850’s 19 five star hotels. There is just as much opulence here as snow. Every designer on the streets of Knightsbridge has a store here from Armani to Zegna. Celebrities and A listers flock to Courcheval, it is not just a place to ski and snowboard but a place to be seen. In your best salopettes of course.
Cheval Blanc Courchevel, Le Jardin Alpin, 73120 Courchevel 1850
The crème de la crème of ski resorts. You and a gorgeous companion can arrive in style via Geneva airport. Either take a car for 3 hours or charter a private helicopter for a 30 minute ride to your very own icy eden. Cheval Blanc is synonymous with luxury, unparalleled luxury. From St Tropez to St Barth all five Cheval Blanc locations are heaven on earth. Cheval Blanc, Courcheval is an alpine dream.
With a yellow exterior (mustard, instead of their usual canary yellow branding) with tonnes of priceless art, lots of polished wood and a whole zoo of animal furs dotted around. Cheval Blanc’s symbolic horse takes form as a marvellous mirrored sculpture that greets guests at the entrance. Rooms and suites are tastefully decorated in muted tones with pops of jewel colours. Softly lit, accommodations are luxurious but very much a minimalist aesthetic. Since Cheval Blanc prides itself on spas the you would expect the bathrooms to be impressive. Some bathrooms even have double hamaan showers, chromotherapy sauna’s and giant baths.
Ski in and ski out, trek the forest or take a husky ride at the gold standard of ski resorts. After a hard day on the slopes enjoy apres ski at the spa with a glass of champagne in the outdoor hot tub or at Le Terrace. For dinner book a table at 1947 which hold’s an incredible three Michelin stars and feast on lobster, scallops and steak conjured u by the talented Yannick Alénno.
Verbier, Switzerland where Chelsea ski
The Sloaniest of all ski resorts. Where Chelsea ski. If the Kings Road was suddenly 1500m elevation instead of approximately 8m and covered in snow then it would be Verbier. Ski resorts do not come much more serious and sophisticated than Verbier. You will be expected to ski all day and apres ski all night. The guests in Verbier have been skiing their whole life. So, if you’re a newbie then you may want to get a few hours in at your local snow dome first. Verbier offers great runs for moderate yet experienced skiers but also some terrifying black runs.
W, Rue de Medran, 70 Verbier, 1936
Just over ten years ago W decided to expand into ski resorts and came to Verbier. 123 rooms and suites offer the perfect stay for days on the slopes and evening’s on the piste. As always with W hotels it is a world within itself; several restaurants, two outdoor pools, a spa with 9 treatments rooms, a state of the art fitness centre and of course, a Living Room bar.
Be as active as you like with ski, cycling and hiking or as slow as you like at the spa. The Swiss Alps is such a magical place where you and a gorgeous companion can enjoy an unforgettable romantic few days on the slopes.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy not just a car from the 80’s
In 1986 Madonna released Papa Don’t Preach and in the video she wore a black t-shirt emblazoned with “Italians do it better”. Nearly forty years later she is not wrong. Italy has some fantastic ski resorts however none as luxurious and chic as Cortina. In fact, Cortina d’Ampezzo was where Lady Gaga and Adam Driver filmed the St Moritz scenes in House of Gucci. Situated in the Dolomites in northern Italy it has always been one of Europe’s most glamourous and iconic ski resorts. Sophia Loren opened the Winter Olympics here in 1956. Nows some 70 years later, in two years time Cortina will again host the Winter Olympics along with Milan. The perfect location for style and substance when it comes to skiing.
Hotel du Len, Via Cesare Battisti, 66, 32043 Cortina d’Ampezzo
Hotel du Len is a new kid on the block in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Opening in 2022, Hotel du Len translates as “made of wood”. The centrally located plot was once occupied by Hotel Impero but has undergone extensive renovations to be reborn as a stunning, boutique eco hotel. A small but mighty luxurious hotel of just 22 bedrooms, a spa, bar and restaurant with majestic views of the mountains. Each room is simple but smart with pale walls, exposed beams and crisp furnishings. No tacky taxidermy here. Everything is simplistic but of course to a high standard. Rooms with a terrace offer beautiful views and of course that alpine air.
The spa is on the top floor and is jam packed with everything a wellness connoisseur could desire. A bio sauna, steam room, outdoor hot tub and ice waterfall. Perfect to recover from a long day on the slopes or just to relax before a night of cheese and vino. Hotel du Len has impressive sustainability credentials. The hotel boasts Magma 13 panels made from reclaimed wood, a mountain water fountain, refillable water bottles in each bedroom, and of course pens and straws made of recyclable paper. Ski resorts are increasingly under pressure to become more environmentally friendly due to the use of fossil fuels, deforestation and water usage but Hotel du Len take their earth saving efforts seriously. The hotels ethos is based on sustainability and the “Rules of Ampezzo” which aim for man and nature to coexist and survive for generations to come.
Hotel du Len’s restaurant is all day dining focused on fresh, local produce and health. Ask for the Piatto Quadro which allows you to sample four dishes at once on a square plate. Satisfying your cravings and appetite without writing off the afternoons skiing because you’ve had a decadent lunch. Portion control at it’s finest. The bar is a relaxed but smart affair where some say you can enjoy the best cocktails in Cortina.
To make a date with your very own ski bunny just call Agency Allure on +44 207 183 1094 or use the online booking form