The world’s ultimate... luxury ski lodges

Just a scenic two-hour drive from Geneva, Verbier offers some of the most prolific skiing in the Swiss Alps, with an après scene to match. It’s also home to one of the region’s most exquisite slope-side hotels—Hôtel La Cordée des Alpes. Bringing together a stunning combination of chalet-inspired design and chic, modern amenities – such as a 15m pool and spa – its guests will want for nothing. If you can bear to pull yourself away from your cosy place on the sofa in front of the stone fireplace, you’ll find yourself right in the heart of some of the most renowned ski terrain and nightlife in the Alps.

There are at least ten ski areas worth visiting within 90 minutes of Zurich. One of the very best is Engelberg and the famous Mount Titlis, accessible by a rotating aerial tram that offers breathtaking 360° views. The Kempinski Palace Engelberg (which opened in June 2021) is the first and only international five-star hotel in this idyllic mountain village. You don’t see many rooftop infinity pools in ski resorts, so this one demands having an Aperol spritz in hand.

You don’t need to go far from Innsbruck to find Austria’s most famous ski area, Sölden, home to the World Cup ski races and the Hotel Bergland. For the ultimate high-end experience, book the Summit Suite, where you can relax in the sofa lounge in front of the expansive open fireplace or soak in the view of the Ötztal Alps from the double bathtub. Host a private dinner or venture to the top of Gaislachkogl by gondola and indulge in the best fine dining on the mountain at the glass-walled Ice Q restaurant.

Arrive in bustling Vancouver, then make your way to Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia’s premier ski destination. Upgrade to a Fairmont Gold room at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and enjoy a private check in and benefits such as access to the Fairmont Gold Lounge on the hotel’s eighth floor, which offers complimentary breakfast, snacks and evening cocktails and canapés, as well as spectacular views over Blackcomb mountain. Get ready for the ski day with complimentary morning yoga classes or wind down with a treatment at the on-site Vida Spa.

Salzburg makes an excellent base for plenty of skiing in the Austrian Alps. One hidden gem is the enchanting Hochkönig ski area, where the new Landal Resort Maria Alm offers the perfect balance of luxury and charm. After a day on the slopes – which are right outside the door – relax by the wood stove in the penthouse before enjoying a festive evening and the taste of traditional Austrian tavern classics at nearby Lilli’s. End your evening with a soak in a whirlpool bath, so you’re feeling fresh for another day on the slopes.

There is no shortage of nearby skiing when you arrive in the ‘Mile High City’ of Denver. For the ultimate luxury ski experience, make your way to the iconic Hotel Jerome on Main Street in Aspen. With four nearby mountains to choose from, and a long list of high-end culinary hot spots, Aspen is the place to visit for an indulgent ski vacation. Since its opening in 1889, Hotel Jerome has been the social hub of this classic ski town and its deluxe rooms have every modern amenity wrapped in charm and elegance. A tip? Don’t miss the lively happy hour in the legendary J-Bar, which offers a host of excellent spirits and wine.