Skiing is just in the European blood. How else can you explain that three-year-old who just smoked you on the slopes? It doesn’t hurt that Europeans have some of the best ski resorts in the world. Add these lodges in France, Italy and en Suisse to your must-stay, must-ski list.
The Hotel: Cheval Blanc Courchevel
Location: Courchevel, France
Overview:
When LVMH is involved, that’s pretty much a guarantee that you’ll receive creature comforts you’d only dreamed about. And as far as top European ski resorts go, Cheval Blanc‘s ski-in and ski-out means access to 375 miles of powder. Moreover, any notions that luxury and coziness are mutually exclusive will be discarded after a stay in Cheval Blanc’s rooms. Enjoy the best of all worlds with both a Hammam shower and bathtub to warm your bones. Admire the Alpine views from the windows.
Additionally, Cheval Blanc has seven food and beverage options to satiate all types of appetites. From fine-dining experiences to breakfast the French way to a yurt where you can puff elegantly on imported cigars while playing cards, you’ll undoubtedly find something to love. Le 1947 à Cheval Blanc is the most exclusive of dining options. People clamor for famed chef Yannick Alléno’s creations, so it’s the hardest reservation to score in town.
The spa features winter-inspired Guerlain treatments, designed specifically for Cheval Blanc. Of course there’s a swimming pool, a sauna, and a whirlpool, along with a unique outdoor Russian banya. Beyond skiing , Cheval Blanc hosts a variety of unique experiences, from para-gliding over the alps to mysterious golden-ticket evenings.
The Hotel: Aman Le Melezin
Location: Courchevel, France
Overview:
When it comes to Les Trois Vallées, the biggest area of linked ski slopes in the world, your ears perk up at the sound of “Courchevel.” Aman Le Melezin is situated in Courcheval 1850, one of the three villages. Lucky for you, this also means ski-in, ski-out access to mountain after mountain of the powdery stuff. Aman’s wood-paneled suites and chambres give you a warm fuzzy feeling you associate with a good old-fashioned log cabin. However, they team has elevated some key elements: style, comfort, and luxury abound in these accommodations. Just as you like your European ski resorts.
Aman’s dining experiences are available for guests and non-guests alike, as long as you have a reservation that is. In other words, this is lucky for anyone visiting Courchevel because “Nama,” Aman’s Japanese cuisine, has gained popularity in the area. Moreover, Aman offers cozy hideaways for various tastes. This includes a bar room with a seriously impressive selection of Japanese whiskey, a library, and a salon where you can enjoy a fireside hot toddy.
Moreover, Aman takes wellness seriously. We’re talking two out of the hotel’s four floors dedicated to it seriously. You’ll want to bide your time so that you can go to an Après-ski foot massage at the spa, a hydrotherapy session, a visit to the fitness area, and a few laps in the pool. Currently, Aman also has a Chinese medicine practitioner in residence. If you’re looking for a reset button in the new year, his three- to five-day Daoist medicine journey might have all the answers you need.
The Hotel: Mandarin Oriental Cristallo
Location: Cortina, Italy
Overview:
If you haven’t already heard, Italy will be hosting the 2026 winter Olympics. And in the Dolomites no less. In true Italian fashion, hospitality is of the utmost importance, which means that the dreamy mountain village of Cortina is getting a host of new European ski resorts. Notably, the Mandarin Oriental hotel group is launching its first alpine resort, Cristallo. The original hotel Cristallo will be getting a facelift, with 83 accommodations prioritizing magnificent views of the Dolomites. It’s currently still under the previous management, and not even open yet, but we already know this will be one of the top European ski resorts. After all, it is the Mandarin Oriental, and it is Cortina.
The hotel is also set to be the home of new restaurants, bars, and event spaces. These exciting renovations mean that Hotel Cristallo will be closing in the second half of 2023, and reopening under the Mandarin Oriental umbrella in the summer of 2025. Now you’re in the know early, so you can get those coveted reservations in asap.
Additionally, the new Hotel Cristallo promises a spa and indoor-outdoor pool. This is not just a winter destination. Summer guests will be able to golf, play tennis, and mountain-climb.
The Hotel: Suvretta House
Location: St. Moritz, Switzerland
Overview:
There’s something to be said for the test of time, and the foundation of Suvretta’s House charming castle was laid in 1911. Moreover, private access to the Corviglia ski area? Most European ski resorts can only dream of perks like that. To sweeten the deal even further, Suvretta House‘s ski-in, ski-out access comes complete with a private ski lift. Pair this with 181 rooms, including 10 suites, with views of Upper Engadine lake and the mountains, and you’re seated comfortably in luxury and exclusivity.
At Suvretta House, they understand the meaning of après-ski. In addition to the three in-house restaurants, there are two more in the mountains. Stopping at Chasellas or Trutz mountain restaurant is the perfect excuse to soak up the sun on the terraces while taking in breathtaking views of the mountains, up close and personal. For a more upscale atmosphere, dining at the grand restaurant and Suvretta Stube offer classic, elegant cuisine with a dress code to match.
You’ll find your wellness fix at the Sports & Pleasure Club. Swimming pool? Check. Outdoor heated whirlpool? Check. Solarium and sauna with finnarium, sanarium, vaporium or caldarium? Check, check, and check. You’ll also find a variety of fitness classes to keep your body moving when you’re off the slopes, including yoga, pilates, and gymnastics.
The Hotel: Badrutt’s Palace Hotel St. Moritz
Location: St. Moritz, Switzerland
Overview:
When it comes to European ski resorts, you want old-world charm accompanied by all of your favorite creature comforts. It’s safe to say that Badrutt’s Palace Hotel is the closest thing you can get to living inside a fairytale, which means it hits the balance just right. The 155 guest rooms boast views of St. Moritz Lake or the picturesque village center. Oh, and the mountains of course. Skiing and snowboarding are 5-10 minutes from the hotel; and a bit further, cross-country skiing is available. In addition to skiing, you can ice-skate, practice your curling, or go tobogganing.
Badrutt’s offers ten restaurants and three bars. The highlight, of course, is IGNIV by Andreas Caminada, which holds two Michelin stars. The dishes at IGNIV are small plates that are meant to be shared. In other words, if you’re committed enough, you can try just about the whole menu. For those made giddy by historical haunts, any of Badrutt’s three ornately decorated bars grant you a peak into the past.
For wellness enthusiasts, Badrutt’s has Spa Suites. Rent Suite Iris or Veronica for a private oasis, complete with jacuzzis, saunas, and treatment beds all to yourself. Additionally, the spa offers a diverse range of treatments and packages, from facials to anti-inflammatory massages. You’ll also find a fitness center, pool, and Palace Coiffeur (hair stylist).
The Hotel: Rosa Alpina
Location: San Cassiano, Italy
Overview:
Tucked into the scenic village of San Cassiano, Rosa Alpina offers premier access to the best of the Dolomites: Alta Badia. For a peaceful ski getaway, this family-run hotel and spa is a charming escape. Beyond 52 rooms and suites, Rosa Alpina has spacious accommodations for larger parties. The three-bedroom penthouse boasts a sauna, living room, bar, kitchen, dining area, and fireplace. Or opt for Chalet Zeno, with three bedrooms, a bar, kitchen and dining areas, a private garden, an outdoor sauna, and a jacuzzi.
With four unique dining experiences to choose from, every meal promises to offer something special. Start your day with breakfast at Limonaia and end it with fondue at Fondue Stube. For elevated fine dining, chef Norbert Niederkofler’s St. Hubertus has three Michelin stars. Per Italian cuisine standards, the menu capitalizes on the rich seasonal and local offerings of the mountains.
When the Aman group heads a European ski resort, you know the wellness offerings are top-of-the-line. The hotel’s spa prioritizes holistic treatments, including signature pathway treatments that target areas such as grounding, purifying, and nourishing. For families, there is a designated pool area. For adults only, a gym, steam and sauna area, yoga studio, and indoor pool and relaxation area will welcome you from the slopes.
The Hotel: The Alpina Gstaad
Location: Gstaad, Switzerland
Overview:
The Alpina Gstaad is small and private. In other words, an exclusive sanctuary. Embellished with an impressive art collection, vibrant gardens, classically Swiss architecture, and views of the Bernese Alps and the Saanenland, you’ll be surrounded by beauty at every turn. The 56 rooms are unicorns: hand-built fireplaces, locally-sourced materials, and traditional Alpine woodwork mean that as far as European ski resorts go, the team here has captured the “home away from home” feeling.
If one on-premise Michelin-starred eatery isn’t adequate, no worries. Chef Martin Göschel has earned his accolades at three restaurants: Sommet, Megu, and Swiss Stübli. Sommet takes influence from Göschel’s global travels and features a refined vegetarian menu. Megu is one of the most respected Japanese restaurants in the area. Finally, Swiss Stübli is your stop for all things Swiss, including raclette and fondue.
If you’re like us, where Six Senses Spas are, you follow. Luckily, Alpina Gstaad falls in that category. Renowned practices inspired by Asian medicine are curated to nourish all of your senses. In addition to almost every traditional spa amenity you can imagine, the spa also hosts six multi-functional treatment rooms, hydrotherapy, color therapy, a Salt Room, and a Cave Room. Moreover, there is a fitness center and day spa.
The Hotel: The Lodge
Location: Verbier, Switzerland
Overview:
Sir Richard Branson’s chalet in Verbier is now available to rent for you and 17 of your closest friends. The Lodge might be the most exclusive of the European ski resorts. Nestled into the mountains, the main ski lift is only 800 feet away, offering you access to more than 120 miles of ski fun on Les Ruinettes, Les Attelas, Savoleyres, and Bruson slopes. The Chalet offers nine bedrooms, including a bunk room for children, so this destination is also ideal for large families.
The three chefs will be happy to listen to your preferences. On the menu is a variety of Swiss cuisine with international flair. Customize the menu to suit your needs, and enjoy service at the communal dinner table. Should you need some intimate one-on-one time away from the kids, it is possible to organize a private dining experience for two.
A resident beauty therapist is available to fulfill your spa needs, offering facials and massage therapy. The lodge is also fully equipped to provide some much-needed R&R after a day on the slopes (or keep the fun coming, whichever you prefer). You get a heated pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, a steam room, a gym, and a party room that includes a pool table and a disco ball.
The Hotel: The Chedi Andermatt
Location: Andermatt, Switzerland
Overview:
Asian-influenced design is at the forefront of the Chedi Andermatt‘s exquisite decor, along with European sensibilities and the unmistakable essence of the Alpines. This year, the Chedi’s courtyard morphs into the Winter Village, featuring pop-up dining experiences and a village square. 123 accommodations are available, including suites that can host up to 10 guests. The wood-paneled rooms are pulled together with 17-century-inspired murals.
The Restaurant and The Japanese are the stars of the dining scene at Chedi Andermatt, with global fusion flavors and open kitchens. Moreover, the team offers abundant selections of cigars and wine at their respective libraries. As a part of the winter village, you can also dine at the Chalet, promising a cozy evening of raclette and fondue around open fireplaces.
With a day spa, fitness center, and salon, you’ll look and feel your best during a stay at Chedi. The spa features 12 spa suites and offers hydrotherapy, aromatherapy treatments, Omorovicza facials, rituals, and massages. At the winter spa, guests can reserve time to soak their cares away the Finnish way, with a traditional barrel sauna and a hot tub.
The Hotel: L’Apogée Courchevel
Location: Courchevel, France
Overview:
No cabin in the woods for you or your notoriously well-to-do Courchevel cohorts. If you’re looking to show off your new Dior on the slopes (or during the après-ski, we don’t judge), L’Apogée Courchevel is your go-to ski destination. Among European ski resorts, this one is for serious skiers. A private conveyor belt offers ski-in, ski-out access. If the 53 guestrooms aren’t up to your standards of luxury, there’s also a luxurious penthouse. Moreover, two chalets have their own spas, home cinemas, and private ski-in, ski-out access.
L’Apogée houses three restaurants. Le Comptoir de L’Apogée is where you’ll find fine French fare with stunning presentations and the freshest of ingredients. Additionally, you can opt to dine at Koori, where resident sushi masters present immaculately fresh Japanese cuisine. For lunch, the inviting Le Bar de L’Apogée offers hearty classics to fill you up after a morning on the slopes. Those who stick around after dark will find the place transformed by live music.
La Prairie’s spa is available for a diverse range of treatments, all certified organic. The mosaic pool, whirlpool bath, sauna, and salt sauna are the perfect solutions to warm up and rejuvenate your exhausted limbs. The fitness center is fully equipped, and for if you’re aiming to up their look for a night out, you can book an appointment at the hair salon and/or beauty parlor.
The Hotel: Six Senses Crans-Montana
Location: Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Overview:
You’re trying to find European ski resorts that have it all? Crans-Montana is set to open in early 2023. Between the spirited village life, the spa, and ski-in ski-out access, you won’t want to leave. Oh, and add champagne skiing and an open-air cinema to really clinch it. The 78 rooms have a chalet-like atmosphere and include terraces overlooking the alpine forest. The three-bedroom Terrace Suite and Prestige Apartment each sleep up to six guests. So yes, bring entourage.
The two restaurants at Crans-Montana serve healthful and hearty meals, so that you can keep your energy up before and after all that skiing. Wild Cabin, the brasserie, is open all day and has its own ski-in, ski-out access. Byakko takes its inspiration from the Japanese mountains and serves up ramen, hot pot, and grilled fish that will warm up your snow-chilled bones. Ora bar and lounge is where you’ll sit back and sip on a cocktail overlooking the pistes.
It’s not a secret that where Six Senses is involved, the spa experience will be transformational. From the indoor to the rooftop pool, natural elements are incorporated into the spa design to exhilarate your senses and revitalize your body. From wellness screening to biohacking, treatments are catered to analyze and target your body and mind’s specific needs. Beyond nine treatment rooms, you’ll also discover plunge pools, three kinds of saunas, a fitness center, a yoga studio, and a beauty salon.
