C’est Chic: The Most Stylish Ski Resorts To Visit For The New Season
From under-the-radar villages in the Austrian Alps to iconic ski towns in the Rocky Mountains, we round up the best places to hit the powder as soon as the slopes open.
As we power through autumn, there are many of us dreaming about those glorious days on the slopes: Schussing down and off-piste after a fresh dumping of powder; Aperol Spritzes on sun-dazzled mountain terraces; cozying up by the fire in an elegant chalet or getting acquainted with the Spa at a boutique hotel.
At 84 Rooms, we are all about channeling positive vibes for the upcoming Ski Season, so we have scoured Europe and the US to handpick the chicest spots to put on your radar. Including Alpine Lodges, Grand Hotels, and private Chalets, here is our edit to bookmark for the months ahead.
Meribel, French Alps
Meribel in Les Trois Vallees has upped its style stakes in recent years with a flurry of smart new openings. Ski-in ski-out Le Coucou is one of the finest examples: designed from scratch by architect and designer Pierre Yavanovitch, it packs a colorful, tactile punch and makes a refreshing change from the classic alpine look. For beautiful seclusion, overlooking Meribel, look to Chalet Les Brames. Surrounded by snow-capped trees, it boasts seven ensuite bedrooms, a hammam, an outdoor jacuzzi, and an ice bath — private chef, yoga and ski instructors can all be organized too.
Details:
Alta Badia, Italian Dolomites
Skiing in the Dolomites is like stepping back to another time, specifically a very glamorous one immortalized by photographer Slim Aarons. Add first-class Italian food and wonderful hotels into the mix and you have quite the ski holiday lined up. In Alta Badia’s San Cassiano, you will find the Rosa Alpina, now part of the Aman Family, which has contemporary but cozy interiors and a three Michelin-starred restaurant — ask for our favorite, the chalet loft suite. Over in Corvara, within the same UNESCO-rated region, check into the family-run La Perla, with its classic old-world charm and easy access to fashionable Cortina, the ‘queen of the Dolomites’.
Details:
Breuil-Cervinia, Aosta Valley, Italy
The Breuil-Cervinia Valtournenche Zermatt ski area is one of the largest in the Alps, with a varied and skiable domain beyond compare, which stretches through three valleys in two countries, Italy and Switzerland, from the 3,883 m of the Piccolo Cervino descending to the 1,524 m of Valtournenche. Ski runs offer the chance to ski all day without ever repeating the same run twice, alternating easier runs with those of increasing difficulty. Designed with sober elegance by the famous architect Savin Couelle, Saint Hubertus Resort combines exclusive apartments with top-quality hotel services (restaurant, bar, champagne bar, library, swimming pool with thermal waters, spa, and gym) making this resort truly unique.
Details:
Wengen, Swiss Alps
Arriving at Wengernalp is an experience in itself, giving you time to relax and enjoy the majestic mountain scenery. The quaint Wengernalpbahn mountain cog train that departs from Lauterbrunnen climbs up through Wengen’s wooded slopes to the Kleine Scheidegg mountain pass at 2,061 meters, stopping en-route at the tiny station directly beneath the Hotel Jungfrau Wengernalp. This traditional family-run hotel, originating from the 19th century, has been lovingly restored and modernized in several stages and is one of the most charming hotels in the Alps.
Details:
St.-Luc, Val d’Anniviers, Swiss Alps
To get to Switzerland's Val d'Anniviers in the canton of Valais, you first need to head to Sierre, a larger town in the Rhône valley. From there you can either take the iconic Postal bus or simply drive the 30 minutes into the hidden valley. Founded in 1859 by the Pont family, the Hotel Bella Tola today still counts several real treasures, such as the Salon Vallet, which has retained its wood paneling, original floor as well as painted ceiling courtesy of Raphael Ritz. Likewise, Edouard Vallet’s private collection of etchings. Renovated with flair and fantasy, the hotel has been accorded great attention to every detail, including the antique furniture and rare objects, thereby creating an air of elegance in which refinement and simplicity have been fused without the least contradiction.
Details:
St Moritz, Swiss Alps
One of the grandest dames of the Swiss Alps, St Moritz is the last word in timeless elegance. The home of the world-feted Cresta Run, an enchanting lake that freezes over in winter for games of polo and a clutch of truly glamorous hotels. The fairytale Suvretta House is our first port of call, overlooking the Engadin Mountain scenery. For a more low-key, almost hidden stay, check into Villa Flor, a seven-room beauty with very artful furnishings.
Details:
Gstaad, Swiss Alps
In the Bernese Mountains lies glitzy Gstaad, beloved of the European jet set and packed with swanky boutiques and grand old hotels. Originally a winter resort, Gstaad attracts about half of its visitors in the summer. At 1,000 meters or 3,280 feet, above sea level, the idyllic mountain town is worth visiting every season. You can hire our Chalet, a 10-minute drive from Gstaad in the picturesque village of Rougemont.
Details:
Aspen, Colorado
High up in the Rocky Mountains, Aspen is perhaps the most iconic ski town in all of America with the dedicated glitterati following to prove it. With four epic mountains accessible from Aspen, and easy private jet access less than 3 miles from the town center, expert skiers will struggle to get bored. Stay right in the thick of it all at the Jerome, a landmark hotel that has been in business since 1889 and Colorado’s silver rush. Recently given a slick head-to-toe makeover, its Old West feel remains, not least in the legendary J-Bar, which Hunter S. Thompson once frequented for a nightcap, and the subterranean hot spot, Bad Harriet. Or if you’re looking for ski-to-door access, it has to The Little Nell — it is the only hotel in Aspen to have it. No typical mountain lodge, The Little Nell is more: design-led contemporary residence with a killer art collection.
Details:
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Caldera House, located within walking distance from the tram and just a few minute's drive to Grand Teton National Park, offers both ski-in, and ski-out convenience, and access to Jackson Hole’s breathtaking scenery. “Jackson Hole is entirely about the experiences that happen outside the four walls where you stay,” notes owner Wesley Edens. Travelers from around the world are treated to an immersive local experience that delivers unmatched convenience, exceptional service, and exclusive adventures--all in the stunning natural setting Wyoming provides. The impressive property boasts four 5,000-square-foot four-bedroom suites and four 1,500-square-foot two-bedroom suites. A distinct restaurant and café, a private bar, lounge, locker room, ski valet, and ski shop, all on-site, translate to a one-stop oasis for its guests.
Details:
Read also: An Insider’s Guide To Aspen, and Alpine Hideaways.