Luxury ski holiday - suggestions?

[AdvocatusD]

We're planning a ski trip end of January for about 3 couples.

The boys are keen skiers but the girls aren't quite so hot on doing just that. As a result we've agreed to find a resort and hotel that hits the following criteria :

1. Luxurious (for the girls) with hot tubs, heated swimming pools, spa, etc.
2. Great food.
3. Plenty to do if you are not skiing.
4. Preferably ski in and out or very close to the lifts.

Boutique hotels, big hotels and everything in between considered!

Any other suggestions towards a luxury trip for 5-7 days gratefully received.

Hyperlinks and pictures and as much detail as possible please. Sweet deals always welcome too!

[stourbridges2tvr]

There's plenty, and everyone will have an idea, but you could start looking at Courcheval 1850, les grandes alpes, not great if you don't like Russians though.

[FactoryBacked]

There's luxury and there's luxury.

The first chalets I worked in called themselves luxury and served reheated frozen bread at breakfast.

The last chalets I worked in called themselves luxury and cost £150,000 per week and had a chef, a chauffeur and nothing was too much trouble.

Resort wise I'd say look at Val d'Isere. Great free bus service for the girls to get to the shops, cafes and restaurants. A lot of the mountain restaurants are accessible by pedestrian lifts so they can meet you for lunch. There's the Oxygene leisure centre / spa and loads of freelance beauty therapists. Great après and nightlife too.

[williaa68]

Waldhaus in flims does 3 of the 4 - fabulous spa, grey food but not that much else to do

[IanMorewood]

Cortina d'Ampezzo, Spa Hotel Cristallo; swimming pool, sauna, spa, golf, shuttle bus.

Cortina is the place to be seen in Italy, terrific shopping and local amenities, all the sports stuff you could want with ample skiing available on the super ski dolomites pass.

[Vytalis]

I guess America / Canada would be too far for 5-7 days? Otherwise, whistler may be good as they could take a trip down to Vancouver etc. outside of the skiing.

[pgtips]

Take a look at the Village Montana - 4* Suites in Tignes. Ticks all the boxes you need, with the possible exception that Tignes itself may not be 'pretty' enough for the girls.... they can always take the bus rund to Val D'Isere for coffee and croissants.

[AdvocatusD]

Thank you for the suggestions.

We've been to Val d'Isere so I am turning my mind to:

1. Cortina (Italy)
2. Verbier (Switzerland)
3. St Anton (Austria)

US not an option due to time contraints.

Any suggestions chaps?

[anonymous-user]

Add St Moritz and Kitzbuhel to the list.

From what you've said though, I'd say it's a toss up between Verbier and St Moritz.

[Rosscow]

St. Anton

[Rosscow]

[redacted]

[DoubleSix]

Another vote for Courcheval 1850, some remarkable luxury accomodation in the 3 valleys.

[IanMorewood]

[redacted]

[Freakuk]

Whistler, plenty to do.

[Cheib]

Can't help you with other resorts but Verbier ticks all the boxes....I've been there a lot. I rented an appartment for a few seasons with some mates.

Great skiing and plenty of decent restaurants. I don't think there are enough shops to keep the ladies happy for more than a day though.

This place is very good and reassuringly expensive

http://www.chalet-adrien.com/

It's not ski in/ski out but literally a 20 metre walk from the front door to one fo the lift stations...it's also right by the bus stop for the other lift station. Not near the shops though.

More hotels

http://www.kingsverbier.ch/en/kings-parc-hotel/1

http://www.hotelnevai.com/verbier-hotel

Kings is older and slightly more traditional....Nevai has just been refurbed and is very contemporary. Both are in town and very close to each other....5 min bus ride to main lift station.

Hotel with best situation for shops and the main lift station is the Hotel Rosalp which is 5 star and had a Mcihelin star restaurant in it but I think it's being refurbished.

Oh and there's the Verbier Lodge which is a small boutique hotel run/owned by Virgin. Branson uses it as his private chalet and blocks it out over Xmas and New Year. Also very close to the main lift station. http://www.thelodge.virgin.com/

Edited by Cheib on Monday 29th October 14:53

[marcosgt]

I'd recommend Banff if you could stretch to 10 days (might even still do so with just 7), loads of non-skiing activity, proper town, hot springs and Calgary only an hour or so away on a major highway but St Cristoph near St Anton always strikes me as the ultimate getaway location (not a lot of nightlife though!).

Verbier's BLOODY expensive, but if you don't mind that is supposed to be great fun to stay in - We went many years ago and skiied hard all day and went to bed early. Only holiday I ever came back with spending money from!

Kitzbuhel's a lovely town and plenty of shops, etc and ski-in (or nearly) accommodation.

Good luck!

M.

[Rosscow]

What about Aspen?

I'd like to go one day just to experience it

[rhinochopig]

A bit of a left-field suggestion but by far the best Skiing holiday we ever had was in Levi in Finland. It's very cold, and the runs are quite short, but the Snow conditions are incredible - like skiing on damp sugar - it is a venue on the world cup circuit if you like fast and steep, and the accommodation is superb.

The big bonus though are the things to do beside skiing. You can do the Ice hotel, go on a dog sled safari, or do the same on Skidoos out into the wilds, and there's a good chance you'll see the Northern lights in a display that will amaze you.

[Cheib]

Rosscow said:

What about Aspen?

I'd like to go one day just to experience it

Nightmare journey for a week. Been there done it!

Long flight followed by a four hour minibus transfer......you can get a connecting flight into Aspen but it's very expensive at popular times. Great skiing and certainly plenty to keep the ladies happy though. Much more expensive than Europe when I went six or seven years ago.

[AdvocatusD]

Thanks again. We're sticking to Europe as the travel to the US is not worth it for a short period of time.

If there are any personal hotel recommendations, please do keep them coming. I suspect a hotel is more likely to fit the bill than a chalet.