3 Uber Luxe Ski Hotels That Promise Incredible Adventures On The Slopes And Unmatched Savoir-faire
Les Trois Vallées situated in the Tarentaise Valley is the largest connected ski ground in the world and when snow begins to descend, it creates infinite possibilities of rolling on 600 km of ski slopes making way for high-tech ski lifts and a race down between pine forests taking in the panoramic views of legendary peaks. Perched on these high grounds are mountain palaces as hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, and tailor-made experiences of world-class skiing abound. If 2024 is your year to tick off a memorable ski holiday in the idyllic French Alps, then DP’s curated selection of luxury ski resorts will take you one step closer to knocking it off your bucket list.
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#1 A Celebration of Savoyard Lifestyle At L’Apogée Courchevel
From its ski-in and ski-out approach to hydrotherapy in a private hot tub, the refined French dining options and its location in the world’s most desirable destination, L’Apogée Courchevel continues to be the most glamorous ski hotel in the world to date. Awarded the French Palace distinction in 2019 which speaks for its distinguished design, architecture, dining and hospitality, its high standards in the decor come alive in the designer duo – Joseph Dirand and India Mahdavi’s vision to bring urban refinement to the mountains. Minimalism in design fuses with plush elegance to create distinctive ambiences overflowing with inspiration. The hotel comes with cosy, comfortable suites and chalets that resemble a luxurious alpine home.
If you fancy authentic French cuisine, Le Comptoir headed by the Executive chef Jean-Luc Lefrançois serves the freshest produce and the courses are vitally French. After an intense day on the slopes, the Spa L’Apogée by La Prairie promises to ease bodily fatigue by introducing skiers to its whirlpool baths and salt cave for halotherapy.
Families can indulge their children at the VIP Kids’ Club expertly designed to amaze munchkins with music, play, games, and other entertainments on offer. ‘The Sunset in Style’ is a classic apres-ski experience inviting guests on a snowcat ride to the summit of its highest peak— patrons can add on aperitifs, delightful petit-fours and cocktails prepared by the chef to make the experience more enjoyable.
#DP Loves: The Ski Room Shop, where you’ll find cutting-edge ski gear and the latest fashions for snow wear and athleisure.
#2 A Luxury Ski-Hotel Brimming With Alpine Heritage At The Four Seasons Hotel Megeve
Pure Alpine tradition and contemporary design in an intimate setting best describes this mountain retreat. At the foot of the Mont d’Arbois, The Four Seasons Hotel Megeve is the former residence of the Rothschild family– the famous banker clan in France who was instrumental in turning Megeve into a ski resort in the 1920s. At the entrance, the La Cry ski lift provides direct access to the area’s famous Les Mandarines piste, making this the only ski-in ski-out hotel in Megève. The hotel features 55 rooms and suites and was brought to life by architect Bruno Legrand and interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon who stayed true to the rich legacy of the Rothschild family. The rooms and suites take a modern approach to the classic mountain chalet and come fitted with panoramic windows and private balconies with a stunning view of the French Alps. There are scores of snow adventures to sign up for that range from ice-fishing to dog-sledging when they’re not skiing.
The luxurious spa takes visitors on a sensorial journey through its signature treatments — hydrating pine tree oil body treats, Edelweiss extract facial massage and others from the extracts of Nordic plants. The Michelin-starred La Dame de Pic is a must-try as its where guests enjoy the re-imaged Savoyard cuisine showcasing the chef’s quest for new complex flavours.
The ski concierge arranges for an exclusive helicopter ski safari to scout the beauty of Mont Blanc and some of the Alps’ most spectacular ski resorts. For the first time, Japanese classic flavours meet alpine produce at the Kaito, the Japanese fusion fine dining restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Megeve. The snowshoe excursion in the surrounding fir forest followed by a candlelit dinner at an authentic Igloo is an extraordinary experience that they offer, signed Four Seasons Megeve collection, they serve a delectable assortment of charcuterie, local cheeses, and comforting mulled wine.
#DP Loves: The luxurious Four Seasons Megève’s wine celler that houses 15,000 bottles including all the Edmond de Rothschild Heritage vintages making it an ideal place for wine tasting paired with chef Annie-Sophie Pic’s Savoyard menu.
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#3 Reinvent The Idea Of A Holiday In the Alps At Cheval Blanc Courchevel
Perched at the highest village in the Alps known as Courchevel 1850, Cheval Blanc Courchevel is a modern chalet that boasts direct access to the slopes of the Les Trois Vallées. With 36 rooms and Maison suites, Cheval Blanc Courchevel gives out an exclusive residential experience. The interior designer, Sybille de Margerie enlivens the space with contemporary art. Furnishings pair with a rich colour palette to give that signature experience Cheval Blanc prides itself on.
The rooms and suites come decked in an artful fusion of classic comfort, a restrained modern aesthetic and a flash of vibrant colours like Vesuvius orange, violets and chocolate brown that make it radiant. They come with signature Cheval Blanc mountain chic amenities like a private terrace or balcony with views of the mountains and a spacious powder room outfitted with a bathtub and hammam-rain shower equipped for chromotherapy. The Spa Cheval Blanc will enrobe you with ultimate relaxation treatments from Guerlain as wellness is of utmost importance here. The stunningly designed indoor pool is great for a warm soak while the outdoor Russian banya and hot tub help to warm chilly fatigued limbs post-ski sessions. Le 1947 Cheval Blanc, the only restaurant in Courchevel awarded three Michelin stars is the perfect venue for a post-ski celebratory dinner. The cigar yurt and the Le Restaurant which extends to a terrace dining framing the gorgeous Jardin Alpine sets you in the spirit for the Savoyard lifestyle.
Cheval Blanc Courchevel has designed creative activities for outdoor lovers to enjoy the snowy trails like sliding down the highest slope in the Trois Vallées at the break of dawn, exploring the mountains on e-bikes with a night sky illuminated by over a million stars, and riding above the Mont-Blanc glacier on a private plane––all of which promise to be exceptionally thrilling.
#DP Loves: The Cigar Yurt, a traditional framed circular tent outfitted in wood and skins, woolen rugs serving as the best lounge for skiers to sample some fine Havana cigars.
Staying in these iconic hotels would mean entering a realm that is brimming with art and savoir-faire. The famous villages of Courchevel and Megeve are conceived to be exceptional sanctuaries at the height of the Alps that have all the ingredients for a modern luxury ski resort with the Savoyard charm.
