If you’re an experienced skier, past the days of budget holidays and hungry for a luxury resort experience that can offer you challenging, well-manicured slopes, the most striking views, and the most comfortable accommodations with high-end facilities, then look no further. Here, we’ve curated a selection of the world’s best resorts that offer you the complete package by just about every measure, while maintaining a firm handle of their own distinct cultural identities and traditional roots.
Zermatt, Switzerland
A small, picturesque village is tucked away, high up in the Swiss Alps and enjoys its own brand of splendid isolation, accessible only by a single train that delivers food, resources, and 2 million visitors per year. Sitting at over 1600 meters above sea level, Zermatt attracts visitors from all corners of the globe and enjoys the very best skiing conditions throughout the season, all while offering heavenly views of some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in our solar system. The Matterhorn looms over the village like a slumbering giant, and is visible from almost all of the resort’s ski runs, which – be advised – are designed with more advanced skiers in mind.
You’re spoilt for choice as far as accommodation is concerned: The Grand Hotel Zermatterhof is loved by European royals, but if you’d prefer a more bespoke chalet experience, Mountain Exposure is preferred by political leaders and Hollywood stars. The village itself is bustling with skiers and snowboarders, fine dining options, fondue restaurants and Zermatt’s trademark electric taxis, which whizz through the streets at all hours of the day.
Selva Val Gardena, Italy
Over in Italy, the crown jewel of the Dolomites boasts a horizon full of snow-capped, sharply sculpted peaks, and at its centre, the striking Sella Group. In Selva Val Gardena, divine Italian cuisine, expansive panoramic views and endless, sweeping ski runs come together to create an unforgettable alpine experience.
Selva doesn’t share Zermatt’s isolated, otherworldly atmosphere, but it has its own distinct identity; it’s a more authentic town that celebrates its winter-sport roots and local traditions in a more relaxed way. That said, you’ll be able to find a luxury hotel or chalet in every corner of town, like the Alpenpalace Luxury Hideaway and Chalet Apurio, which has its own private swimming pool and gym.
Fujiten Snow Resort, Japan
Skiing with Mount Fuji in your sights doesn’t feel real. It’s like a dream that you don’t want to wake from, especially when you’re gliding through inches of powder and followed only by clouds of snow that billow from the back of your skis, like some sort of snow-powered rocket. Fujiten is a must-visit for any skier, let alone luxury travellers chasing the highest levels of comfort and hospitality. The Fuji View Hotel does exactly what it says on the tin and a whole lot more. The sophisticated hotel offers guests a polished experience which harkens back to traditional Japanese hospitality. It’s hard to beat standing waist-deep in an open-air onsen, watching the steam curl up to your morning view of one of our planet’s most iconic peaks.
Narusawa village is a charming settlement, dripping with rich cultural traditions and is based just beyond the forests of Mount Fuji. You’ll struggle to find any designer clothing outlets or high-end jewellery stores; there won’t be any paraiba tourmaline jewellery in sight. Instead, you will find serenity and substance: locals whose families have occupied their wooden homes for generations and quiet, sleepy roads lined with cedar trees. It’s certainly less glitz-and-glamour than the other picks on this list, but Fujiten will blow you away with its unmatched views and authentic ambience.
Lake Louise, Canada
On the other side of the Atlantic, in the province of Alberta, a vast lake expands through the basin of the rugged Rocky Mountains and remains frozen throughout the winter months. Beside it, a palatial hotel rises through the snow, like a castle from a winter fantasy. The Fairmont Château Lake Louise’s quality is unmatched by any other accommodation in the country, let alone the resort. Its walls have housed heads of state and superstar athletes who return time and time again for the exceptional levels of comfort and hospitality, authentic fine dining, and its world-class wellness sanctuary.
The views around Lake Louise and Banff combine the formidable snow-capped Rockies with acres of towering, untamed pine forests. When you’re on the slopes, you’ll be bombing down downhill straights and through the twists and turns of narrow tree-lined routes. It is worth pointing out that Lake Louise is a more desolate resort. The nearest town of Banff is a 45-minute drive from the slopes, so if you prefer a livelier base of operations, this might not be the place for you. But the place’s expansive, undeniable natural grandeur is enough to inspire awe in the most jaded and well-travelled winter sports enthusiasts.
Chamonix, France
Nestled in the shadow of Europe’s highest peak, Chamonix offers visitors an elite blend of advanced skiing, lavish hotels, the finest in French dining, and an electrifying nightlife scene. The mighty Mont Blanc is the star of the show; it towers over every inch of the resort and will pierce the backgrounds of your holiday photos. The skiing in the resort is second to none; given the resort’s altitude of 1000m – 3275m, the runs themselves receive healthy smatterings of snow and are, perhaps unsurprisingly, perfectly manicured by piste bashers on a daily basis.
It’s hard to put your finger on it, but when you’re in Chamonix – whether in the town or carving down its ski runs, you feel the unshakeable sensation that you’re really in a legendary place where titans of mountaineering and winter sports have perfected their respective crafts. At the same time, you have no shortage of high-end comforts all around you. The Hotel Mont-Blanc and the Grand Hôtel des Alpes each offer you the traditional luxury experience, while Chalet Amazon Creek offers a selection of three chalets with exceptional spa facilities and an outdoor infinity pool, enjoyed by the likes of Penelope Cruz and Michael Fassbender.
In Conclusion
If you’re planning your next luxury skiing getaway, you are truly spoilt for choice with the number of must-visit destinations scattered all around the world. Each offers its own distinct spin on the luxury formula, calling back to their local traditions and presenting their breathtaking local scenery front and centre. So what are you waiting for? You don’t need to be swooping down black runs to get the most out of these locations; whether you’re an intermediate skier or are more advanced, you’ll be well-equipped to handle each of these resorts on your own terms.