European ski season is finally upon us and you’re in for a treat if you’re looking for the best hotels for skiing in the Alps this winter.
European hotels and resorts have upped their luxury ante this season, catering to everyone’s needs, whether you’re traveling with kids, family, friends or solo and no matter if you’re a beginner skier, a black diamond fanatic or an off-piste adrenaline seeker.
Here is a list of the best luxury hotels in Europe for your next ski holiday in Europe, including timeless classics in France, small hotels with the best gourmet dining in Austria and family-run hotels with a new social club concept that’s launching this winter.
L’Apogée Courchevel, France
The luxury hotel group Oetker Collection says it finds ”true masterpieces” in the ”world’s most desirable locations”—no wonder the elegant ski resort L’Apogée Courchevel in the French Alps is part of the portfolio: Driving up past snow-covered pine forests towards the hotel’s impressive, castle-like façade feels like rolling up to a picture-perfect movie set in Hollywood. On top of that, the hotel’s location high up on the mountain allows for easy ski-in/ski-out access to the famous slopes of the world’s largest ski area, Les Trois Vallées.
The design on the inside features wooden beams, roaring fireplaces and high-end, cozy textiles to create a modern Alpine lodge vibe that carries over into the hotel’s 53 rooms and each of its grand, chalet-sized suites.
A typical day at L’Apogée starts with freshly baked croissants and pre-warmed and even scented ski boots. Later on, the hotel’s cocktail bar summons those skiers looking for a highly sophisticated version of French après ski, while the salt grotto pool in the beautiful, subterranean La Prairie Spa aims to recharge guests’ empty batteries just in time for a dinner at one of the three in-house gourmet restaurants.
Hotel Post & Das Traunsee, Austria
Austria’s best kept secret for foodies are the sister properties Hotel Post am See and Das Traunsee in the Upper Austrian part of the Salzkammergut. The award-winning in-house chef Lukas Nagl put the tranquil lakeside village of Traunkirchen on the map and turned these two lakeside properties into year-round destinations worthy of a detour. On top of that, even Austria’s best sommelier works her magic here. Both hotels belong to the third-generation, family-owned Gröller Hospitality group, known for their excellent and kind staff, dedicated to creating a memorable experience for guests.
The Hotel Post am See just underwent major renovation and re-opened with a brand new rooftop spa with an infinity pool, ice grotto, steam bath and a Finnish sauna overlooking the peaceful scenery in and around lake Traun. Ski fans enjoy the free shuttle service to 63 miles of ski pistes and 55 ski lifts at the nearby ski resorts of Feuerkogel and Kasberg. Activities for non-skiers include guided snowshoe tours, adrenaline-filled tobogganing and husky sleigh rides nearby.
Forestis, South Tyrol, Italy
An immediate sense of calm takes over in this remote location, 6000 feet above sea level. The Forestis in South Tyrol is a wellness and ski haven with mesmerizing views of the Dolomites, the stunning mountain range and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The closest town is eleven miles away and the hotel can only be accessed by winding mountain pass roads, but once up here, guests not only enjoy the view but also the direct access to the ski lifts of the Plose ski region with 30 miles of slopes ranging from easy to intermediate levels and featuring the longest valley run in South Tyrol.
Forestis was built with sustainability in mind, it uses its own natural spring and wood heating and 100% of its energy use comes from renewable sources. The spa and restaurant make use of natural products found in the surrounding forests and meadows, while the remaining items on the menu of the ’Forest kitchen’ restaurant are sourced from local farms. New this season is the addition of a private villa with its own garden and spa that can be booked for a stay of up to ten people.
Hotel Arlberg, Lech, Austria
Built in the heart of the Lech ski resort, a haven for the rich and famous over the years, this five-star hotel is ideal for skiers looking for discrete luxury. The Hotel Arlberg offers a culture of pampering with everything taken care of, from dog-sitting and chauffeur services to a sunlit ski suite and a 10,000 square feet panoramic spa staging.
New this season is the ski club Arlberg Club House, a social club promising members ‘a celebration of the good life,’ with opportunities for shopping, dining and drinking in a charming space under one roof, with its own restaurant, bar and common space for skiers and snowboarders to get together, unwind and forge new friendships.
The Arlberg territory is Austria’s largest interconnected ski resort, featuring 85 lifts, ultra-modern cable cars, and over 186 miles of runs, from beginners’ blue slopes to steep runs for the more ambitious skiers and 120 miles of varying off-piste terrain for freeriders.
Four Seasons Hotel Megève, France
The hottest home to the coolest skiers, Megève has plenty to do off piste, from horse-drawn carriage rides and snowmobiling to dog-sled rides and heli-ski safaris. In the heart of the French Alps, and with just 55 exclusive rooms and suites, the Four Seasons Hotel Megève brings five-star care to every guest, whether relaxing in the largest spa in the region or enjoying one of the unique culinary experiences of Japanese fusion, French cuisine, or gourmet Alpine dishes.
For 2024, the hotel has introduced the Emily in Paris experience, with an unforgettable night in the Suite Idéal—the highest accommodation in Megève—featuring a personalised dinner, champagne, and unique access in the morning to the untouched slopes before taking a carriage ride through the streets of the town for the ultimate luxury.
Gstaad Palace, Switzerland
This fairytale ski resort hosts 130 miles of pistes, toboggan and sled runs, magnificent winter hiking routes, and the renowned black ‘Tiger Run’ route on the Wasserngrat, accessible by chairlift. With a long tradition of luxury hospitality, the Gstaad Palace provides 90 sumptuous rooms and suites, housed in the incredible castle towers that combine modern classic design and coziness with specular views over the Swiss peaks.
A 19,000 square feet spa with log fire and plant-based treatments, hammam, saunas and steam bath, or a horse-drawn sleigh, nine toboggan runs, or a snow-tired e-bike; there’s something at the Gstaad Palace to give you the ski holiday of a lifetime.
Le Coucou, Meribel, France
Ski-in ski-out from this luxurious alpine hideaway onto the world’s largest ski area, with 344 stunning slopes and 159 lifts. Featuring gorgeous Scandi decor and cosy terraces, Le Coucou blends seamlessly into the mountain scenery of the Three Valleys and provides everything a guest could need, from ice-driving and dog-sledding to zip-lining and snowga (yoga in the snow, of course).
The hotel spa promises to restore calm and serenity, with pioneering Tata Harper organic treatments, indoor and outdoor trompe l’oeil pools, and personalised pilates classes, and the three restaurants embed Le Coucou as Meribel’s chicest spot, and a winter trip to utterly treat yourself.
This story was originally published on forbes.com.
