Exploring the World’s Most Enticing Luxury Ski Resorts

Thurnher’s Alpenhof, Zürs, Austria

Do you dream of staying in an Austrian chalet for your ski getaway? Thurnher’s Alpenhof may be the destination of your dreams. According to Travel + Leisure: “Situated in the country’s largest linked ski area, the elegant five-star hotel doesn’t just ooze luxury, it treats you like royalty.” For hard-core skiers, there are several wonderful perks, including having staff on hand to wax your skis. Do you have novice skiers or snowboarders in your party? The hotel will assign teachers to them. This luxury ski resort is also well-equipped to handle private jet traffic and offers personal valets for packing and unpacking. When you aren’t skiing, enjoy the fine dining, the rooftop terrace and the piano bar, or take a dip in the indoor pool before attending an event in the screening room.

Four Seasons Hotel Megève, France

While you don’t have to be a ski buff to stay in this enchanting French Alpine village, avid skiers swear by the Four Seasons Hotel Megève, delightfully located on the slopes of Mont d’Arbois. Every aspect of this ski hotel is pure luxury. Spend your day on the slopes and recover in the spa, the largest in the region according to Departures. One-time playground of the Rothschild family, this luxury ski resort welcomes indulgence at Le 1920, a two-star Michelin restaurant and beckons with extraordinary accommodations. Departures recommends staying in “the Rocheburne suite, an expansive chalet-loft with views of the valley and a rooftop terrace.”  When you need to unwind, be sure to explore the cobblestone, pedestrian-only streets that are aglow at night.

Cristallo, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

Perched in Cortina d’Ampezzo, travelers staying at Cristallo can enjoy what is thought to be some of the best skiing in all of Italy. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dolomites will demand your attention, and the views from the luxury resort are astounding. There are four excellent dining options within the resort, from fine dining at La Stube 1872 to a more casual, but no less delicious, rustic Italian restaurant. If you need to relax weary muscles after long days of skiing, Departures suggests that guests “[u]nwind in the Finnish sauna and Turkish bath après ski, or swim in their enormous indoor swimming pools.” To pamper yourself, seek out the après ski rituals that are the signature of their oasis-like spa. You’ll feel refreshed and ready for another day on the slopes.  

Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, Switzerland

As Departures marvels: “Lake St. Moritz is a luxury ski destination in the Swiss Alps that somehow gets 300 days of sunlight a year.” The views from the resort are astonishing – it is no wonder that the hotel park has played host to the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympic Games twice. While the upscale rooms will cocoon you in luxurious comfort, you’ll be dazzled by the amenities. From the K restaurant led by twice Michelin-starred chef Tim Raue to a Peruvian restaurant that offers contemporary takes on classic dishes to the “Alpine-style bar,” there is something to make every foodie smile. To recover from your skiing exertions, stop by the resort spa for a saltwater grotto treatment. 

Grand Hotel Zermatterhof, Zermatt, Switzerland

If your goal is to stay in the “saddle of the Matterhorn” as you enjoy terrific skiing in Zermatt, experts tell Travel + Leisure that visitors should reserve their place at the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof. It’s not just the panoramas that will wow you. As David Lowy tells Travel + Leisure, the hotel is a delight not only for its ideal setting but also for “its light-filled rooms with gingerbread details, gabled ceilings and balcony views.” You can travel by horse-drawn carriage or pamper yourself in their luxury Alpine spa. Savor the fine dining options and relax in their lounges. And when the day is done, you’ll love sitting by the cozy fire in one of their impressive deluxe suites. 

The Ritz-Carlton Santiago, Chile

Santiago is one of those rare ski destinations that allows for spectacular action on the slopes in the morning and beach-side sunsets at night. The Ritz-Carlton Santiago makes the most of its unique location in Valle Nevado, at the base of the Andes. As Departures notes, the resort offers comprehensive ski packages during the winter that may be too enticing to resist. And when the day is done, their luxury rooftop spa is a perfect way to relax and rejuvenate. The spa also is ideal for any members of your party who don’t want to spend every day on the slopes, as are the attractions of the nearby Las Condes district.  

The Little Nell, Aspen, Colorado

Aspen is home to four ski mountains and is beloved by skiers from all over the world. There is talk of mobile Champagne bars being towed around the mountains, private evening mountain tours and hi-tech amenities. Luxury ski resort lodgings are exemplified by The Little Nell. Travel + Leisure explains: “As Aspen’s sole Five-Star and Five-Diamond hotel, The Little Nell offers a prime location at the base of the Silver Queen Gondola.” The slope-side resort is pet-friendly and features a host of personal services. Decorated with contemporary art, velvet furnishings and appealing fireplaces, the luxury hotel offers an indulgent atmosphere. Enjoy a party vibe at Chair 9, a lounge open during ski season that features DJs and live music, relax in The Living Room (complete with fireplace) or dine at Element 47 while sampling a bottle from their more than 20,000-bottle wine cellar. 

The Lodge at Blue Sky, Utah

Among the slate of new and upcoming properties in Utah, Departures raves about The Lodge at Blue Sky in the Wasatch Mountains. Filled with resort amenities, editors reveal that The Lodge at Blue Sky offers “46 contemporary rooms, as well as access to the Auberge Spa; a ski-in, ski-out lounge; and heli-skiing expeditions thanks to a new partnership with CloudVeil.” While The Lodge is a new addition to the luxury scene, the area has been a beacon for adventure travelers for years. In addition to the challenging skiing options, the area tempts with an award-winning whiskey distillery, a sporting clays course and a notable equestrian program.

St. Regis Deer Valley, Utah

Deer Valley has been drawing in skiers for decades. From ski-in and ski-out opportunities to all-inclusive luxury getaways, the resorts are worth exploring. While you are planning your escape to the Wasatch Mountains, consider the St. Regis Deer Valley. “The St. Regis Deer Valley deluxe suite comes with two fireplaces, a private balcony overlooking the Wasatch Mountains, and butler service,” according to Departures. Share a nightly Champagne toast after enjoying the hotel’s sabering ritual and sample the fine dining options. Are you looking for something special? The Magazine reveals that the ski resort also offers “personalized dining in the St. Regis Wine Vault.” To reinvigorate after a long day on the slopes, schedule an après ski spa package or sink into their outdoor hot tub.

Eichardt’s, Queenstown, New Zealand

For those who love to combine seclusion and luxury, Eichardt’s Private Hotel in Queenstown, New Zealand is an absolute “must visit.” Set adjacent to Coronet Peak, the hotel, reported to be “the most awarded private hotel in the country” by Departures, can do everything from facilitating your ski lift tickets to offering delectable tapas and drinks in a special après ski package. For an unparalleled experience, experts recommend that travelers reserve the luxury penthouse. Not only can you enjoy extraordinary views of Lake Wakatipu, but the “terrace has a spa pool and fireplace,” and a sauna awaits you inside. Private chefs, butlers, drivers and cars are also at your service for a truly elevated ski resort experience.