The ultimate guide to luxury ski holidays in the Alps: Top resorts and expert tips
Spanning eight countries across Europe, world-class skiing and rich cultural heritage make the Alps a top choice for luxury holidays amidst breathtaking mountain scenery. With dramatic peaks, reliable snow conditions and unique alpine ambience, the Alps provide a wealth of winter activities. The exceptional skiing captivates visitors, drawing them back year after year!
In this insider’s guide to the best ski resorts, our on-the-ground team, who know each resort inside out, will unveil their expert tips to share with you a snapshot of what your next luxury ski holidays in the Alps could hold…
Zermatt, Switzerland: The best ski resort in the Alps for high-end dining
One of Europe’s highest resort Zermatt is unique in every aspect, not only because of its car-free streets but also because of its unmatched landscapes – the omnipresent Matterhorn will leave a lasting impression on your holiday in the resort. Zermatt restaurants provide a varied range of dining options, whether you’re looking for cosy mountain huts or glamorous venues, your desires will be fulfilled. Thanks to its prime location near the Italian Alps, you can take a lift to Cervinia and savour delicious truffle pasta for lunch!
Harriet, our Operations Director in Zermatt gives us a glimpse of her top recommendations: “Go ski touring to Fluhalp, a fantastic restaurant, perfect for indulging in rustic dishes like fondue with Matterhorn views on the sun trap terrace. You can even spend the night there if you wish! Despite being on the side of the piste, you get an amazing feeling of being out in the elements.”
Verbier, Switzerland: The best ski resort for seasoned skiers looking to explore thrilling freeride terrain
With its Swiss chalet-style architecture, Verbier has one of Switzerland’s largest ski areas. Offering perfectly groomed runs and steep slopes on 410km of linked pistes, Verbier delivers top-notch skiing for advanced skiers and thrill-seekers, with a multitude of patrolled off-piste trails. Freeride is deeply rooted in Verbier’s culture – it hosts the impressive final of the Freeride World Tour on the awe-inspiring north face of the Bec des Rosses each year.
Our Pre-arrivals Manager, Elin, highly recommends the Fontanet piste starting at the top of the La Chaux Express lift, and going all the way down to the Mayenzet restaurant: “This slope is often really quiet due to its hidden location, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. Make sure to stop at Chez Dany for sundowner drinks and snails to wrap up a perfect day in the mountains. During peak weeks, head off to Bruson, when Verbier’s slopes can get a little busier. You’ll discover unbeatable tree skiing and a different perspective of the resort!”
Lech, Austria: The best ski resort for a blend of luxury, tradition and exceptional skiing
Lech is nestled in the renowned Arlberg ski area, encompassing some of Austria’s premier ski resorts, such as St Anton, Zürs, and St Christoph. Ranking among the highest average snowfall in the Alps, Lech skiing is outstanding, combining pristine slopes with fantastic off-piste and backcountry experiences. It is a true haven for luxury ski holidays in the Alps. The village oozes a luxurious yet authentic atmosphere, with plenty of restaurants both on the mountain and within the village.
Alen, Resort Manager of Lech, shares his expert tips: “My go-to piste is the Madloch run; it’s got a perfect mix of challenge and beautiful scenery. After a morning on the slopes, I often head to Rud-Alpe, a slope-side restaurant with a cosy atmosphere and delicious Austrian cuisine. Their Kaiserschmarrn is a must-try!”
St Anton, Austria: The best ski resort for lively apres-ski and off-piste terrain
Known as the birthplace of modern alpine skiing, St Anton lies in the Tyrolean Arlberg valley and is linked to the largest ski area in Austria. The resort caters to all ability levels with its prepared slopes, varied terrain, and numerous patrolled off-piste itineraries for those seeking powder adventures.
St. Anton Resort Manager, Richard, reveals his top skiing advice: “I recommend Run 44 Gstans for its excellent snow and stunning panoramic views from the top of the mountain. If you go to the left side of the t-bar lift you are likely to be alone as most people miss the entrance and you have nice, changing terrain. There is an abundance of off-piste in St Anton as well. The Arlberg Ski area that connects Lech and St Anton is vast so you have plenty of pistes to explore. For lunch, ski over to St Christoph and visit the Hospiz Alm to indulge in exquisite dishes like goulash soup and Gröstl.”
As the day draws to a close, it’s time for a well-earned apres-ski: “St Anton’s apres-ski scene is not to be missed. Put your skis away and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of legendary venues like Mooserwirt and Krazy Kangaruh!”
Val d’Isère, France: The best ski resort for intermediate skiers and long, wide ski runs
Nestled in the Savoie region of France, Val d’Isère is a top-tier resort with 300km of slopes connected to Tignes. With over 60% of slopes above 2,200m, Val d’Isère is known for its abundant snow conditions and varied ski terrain, offering world-class skiing. Not to mention its buzzing après-ski spots like La Folie Douce or Cocorico and its great variety of restaurants!
To help you plan your next luxury ski holidays in the Alps, Richard, Val d’Isère Resort Manager unveils his perfect day in the resort: “I would start early and catching the first lifts and go for a ski in the Fornet sector. Next head up the Pyramides chairlift and then ski down the Petit Bois, a exciting blue slope. Val d’Isere ski area presents huge potential for big-kilometre skiing for intermediates, with long ski runs, fast lifts, and typically good snow conditions. La Peau de Vache, off the main tourist trail, would be the place to have lunch.”
Courchevel, France: The best ski resort for an extensive ski playground with a chic atmosphere
Courchevel is located in the heart of the extensive Three Valleys, the world’s largest interconnected ski area. Experienced skiers will appreciate the incredible skiing on wide, perfectly groomed pistes as much as beginners. The resort exudes elegance with its high-end boutiques and fine-dining restaurants, while still being a haven for snow sports enthusiasts!
We asked our Courchevel Resort Manager, Gaëlle, for her best tips in the resort: “Courchevel is made for every type of skier with plenty of blue slopes and “zen” areas to satisfy every first-time skier, but also challenging ones such as l’Eclipse. You can access both the high altitude slopes of Val Thorens and cruse the pistes of Meribel, making it difficult to get bored. For lunch, I would head to La Cave des Creux in Courchevel 1850 for its amazing menu and live band. And why not end the day with a drink at Le Schuss in Courchevel 1650!”
Méribel, France: The best ski resort for every skill level in the French Alps
Nestled in the centre of the Three Valleys, Meribel provides varied ski terrain for all levels, from 1,450m to 3,200m in altitude. With local slopes spanning 150km of ski runs, it serves as an ideal base to access the expansive ski networks of Val Thorens and Courchevel. Boasting a modern ski lift system, scenic views and a blend of traditional and luxurious atmosphere, Méribel stands as the perfect ski resort in the French Alps.
For an ideal day in Méribel, Resort Manager Perçy shares her favourite suggestions: “I’d start the day early, skiing the beautiful pistes from the peaks of Roc De Fer, Cherferie, and Tougnette, with Choucas and Blaireau being my top picks. Then, I would head to the Altiport area for a late lunch at Le Blanchot, where you can enjoy great views and share a bottle of rosé in the sun. In the evening, I’d go to Le Rond Point Bar for live music and a lively après-ski vibe. It is a perfect place to watch the sun go down on the Meribel Valley. I’d recommend wrapping up the day with a traditional Savoyard fondue at La Fromagerie!”
Contact our talented sales team today and let us help you craft your next luxury ski holidays in the Alps!
20th June 2024
Courchevel Courchevel skiing Interview Lech Lech skiing Méribel Meribel skiing Mountain life On-mountain tips Resort Information St Anton St Anton skiing Tips & Tricks Val d'Isère Val d'Isère skiing Verbier Verbier skiing Zermatt Zermatt skiing
