The ski season has returned after a difficult period of not taking to the slopes for some adventure, relax in a spa, enjoy the great outdoors, or simply take a quiet break in the mountains to spend quality time with loved ones. This cold sessions, we wanted to show you the greatest European ski resorts for your travel inspiration!
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VAL D’ISÈRE
Val d’Isère, nestled in a valley at the foot of the mountains, is one of Europe’s top resorts for intermediate and expert skiers, thanks to its extensive courses. It also has, possibly, the most remarkable gastronomic offering. Michelin-starred La Table de l’Ours is well-known for its nuanced interpretations of seasonal cuisine and offers a gourmet experience. Loulou at Airelles is a new Italian restaurant featuring art by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac that combines Italian delicacies with alpine traditions. Gigi at Le Refuge de Solaise and Cucùcina by la Folie Douce Val d’Isère are two other Italian restaurants that have just opened.
The companion property to Courchevel 1850, Le K2 Chogori, will open for the first season in December. The hotel features the Peruvian restaurant l’Altiplano 2.0, which overlooks the Église Saint Bernard’s snowy peaks and bell tower. Although the fresh, citrus-laced seafood meals aren’t exactly what you’d expect to find on a ski vacation, they’re a refreshing contrast from the usual ski fare. Airelles Val d’Isere is one of the most anticipated new properties in the area, reopening for winter 2021 after a limited opening in December 2019. The hotel, which is positioned on the edge of the piste, also has a Guerlain spa for some post-ski treatment.
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MEGÈVE
On Megève’s tree-lined slopes and open bowls, a less-crowded alternative to France’s bigger resorts, make fresh tracks in the snow. The mediaeval center’s cobblestone walkways are great for evening strolls (or a horse-drawn sleigh if your legs are aching from a day of skiing) – and there’s also an open-air ice rink that’s popular with families. It’s also a good choice for parties of non-skiers due to the mountain routes for walkers.
L’Alpaga is a beautiful hotel that feels almost village-like, and it was recently refurbished by interior design studio Charles & Co. It’s a great winter refuge for anyone looking for a sleek, luxury stay with a touch of quaintness, tucked away in a small village with Mont Blanc on its doorstep. La Table, the hotel’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant, provides a classy dining alternative, while Le Bistrot de l’Alpaga is a more relaxed lunch option.
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MÉRIBEL
The picture-perfect scenery of Méribel, filled with wooden chalets, creates a beautiful winter resort. With 150km of pistes ranging in height from 1,100 to 2,952 metres, the charming French resort is both big and sheltered. This provides a broad skiing experience, with freeriding, freestyle, snowboarding, cross-country, Nordic, and downhill skiing all available.
The magnificent accommodation at the five-star Hotel Le Coucou consists of 55 spacious suites and two private chalets, each with a pool, steam room, sauna, treatment room, games area, ski room, and fully equipped kitchen. Igloo-building, snow yoga and boxing, forest treks (on snowshoe or snowmobile), dog or pony sledding, hot-air balloon excursions, and paragliding are among the hotel’s recently launched non-ski-based activities. If you’d rather stay indoors, the Tata Harper Spa will help you relax and re-energize while pampering you with 100 percent organic therapies.
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LECH
If you’re looking for a quiet ski vacation with top-notch service and accommodations, the Austrian village of Lech is a fantastic choice. Lech is one of Europe’s most snow-sure resorts, with a significant level of snowfall each year. Lech and neighbouring Zurs have the highest density of award-winning restaurants per capita in the world, including lunch places directly on the slopes with terraces viewing the vistas for foodies. There will be less people and lineups on the slopes this winter thanks to the addition of two new ski lifts.
The Alpine Retreat, a private and spacious alpine hideaway overflowing with rustic charm, is a luxury boutique hotel Severin’s. Slate soaking tubs and Minotti furnishings are two design highlights. Bramble Ski, an ultra-luxury chalet provider, has four new units for the next season, sleeping up to 14 people and providing plenty of space for après-ski entertainment.
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VAL THORENS
Val Thorens is Europe’s highest ski resort, so you’ll undoubtedly improve your skiing skills. There are also moderate, gradual slopes that are great for little children, beginners, and people who wish to take it easy. For the most daring, there is plenty of off-piste terrain to be discovered. Come December, the festive season is in full swing, with concerts, holiday markets, fireworks, and carol services all taking place in the charming town centre.
During the tourism quiet of the previous two years, two iconic, well-loved hotels – Le Val Thorens (one of the resort’s very first hotels, dating back to the 1970s) and Le Fitz Roy – have undergone renovations and both have newly remodelled spas. The pool at Le Fitz Roy was carved out of the mountainside, and an open-air bar on the terrace was created with ski-in/ski-out accessibility in mind. With Michelin-starred chef José Bailly preparing beautiful dishes, the restaurant has become a must-visit for connoisseurs of fine dining.
SHOP SKI STYLE
