Skiing is the world’s most popular winter sport and as such, there are many exclusive ski holiday destinations to explore ranging from Europe to Asia. Whether a skiing holiday in France takes your fancy or a snowy adventure on the slopes in North America sounds like fun, there are plenty of great ski destinations to choose between that offer high end services and opulent ski chalets for rent. Couples, families and groups of friends can enjoy taking to the powder white slopes of some of the world’s most luxurious skiing destinations and there are options to organise everything from tuition for novices to night skiing for more experienced snow bunnies.
So, where are the world’s most exclusive destinations for avid skiers and what makes them so luxurious?
Let’s take a look at the top ski destinations in Europe:
- France
- Switzerland
- Austria
- Italy
A high end ski destination will boast a variety of well-known designer shops, Michelin starred restaurants, opulent chalets and of course – some of the world’s best slopes and runs. The easiest way to book a holiday to one of Europe’s most exclusive ski resort towns is to find a specialist travel company that will be able to help you to plan your trip. High end luxurious ski holiday destinations in Europe are usually found in the Alps and you will need to conduct some research on everything from the accommodation through to the entertainment venues in order to work out how luxurious each destination really is.
A good quality travel company will be able to advise you about which destination to choose, where in the town you should stay, what type of accommodation suits your needs, and help you to organise other portions of your trip. It is vital to ensure that the travel company you choose to use has a solid reputation in the sector and with the Alps being such a popular hotspot with skiers and snowboarders – you might want to look for a company that specialises in this area.
When you are looking for luxury, it is important to set out a budget so that you know how much you want to spend on your high end holiday.
Consider all of the following:
- The location
- The type of accommodation you want to stay in
- The cost of food and drink
- The cost of entertainment and excursions
- Travel costs
It is vital to ensure that you know what amenities the resort town offers, as you may want to stay somewhere that is home to expensive designer stores so you can enjoy an afternoon shopping or you might prefer to relax in a spacious chalet that has an open fire, a private hot tub on the balcony and an on-site gymnasium.
Luxury means something different to everyone and if you prefer to travel further afield to enjoy your skiing trip, then you might want to explore North America.
Check out the following for some ideas on the most popular destinations for avid ski enthusiasts visiting this part of the world:
- Wyoming
- Aspen
- Utah
- California
If you decide to travel with little ones as part of a family group, then you may need to organize a child minder to help you to take care of your children while you take some time out on the slopes. Depending on how old the children are, there is also the option the get them involved with the activities and you can easily organise for an instructor to teach them how to ski or snowboard if they have an adventurous side.
The world’s most luxurious ski resort towns will also provide their guests with a wide variety of non-ski based activities to enjoy.
These can usually be organised through the same travel company that will book your accommodation and will often include the following:
- Dog sledding
- Sleigh rides
- Ice skating
- Helicopter rides
- Spa days
- Massage treatments
- Mountain biking
You can indeed explore the local terrain without putting any skis on but if you want to visit a luxury ski destination in order to enjoy some skiing, then you will need to ensure you find a destination that will suit your needs. For example, you will need to take your skiing abilities into consideration in terms of whether or not you need to employ someone to teach you, as well as what your budget is and what other types of activities you want to enjoy. Do you want to dine out at world class restaurants or hire a private chef to cook at your chalet? How many bedrooms need to have en-suite and do you want a private swimming pool and gym at your chalet?
Luxury chalets are easy to find in the world’s most luxurious ski destinations and some of the most prestigious chalets can be found in the following places:
- Morzine
- Courchevel
- La Plagne
- Sainte Foy
- Alpe d’Huez
- Chamonix
- Avoriaz
- Canyons Mountains
- Park City
- Snowmass
- Jackson Hole
A luxury chalet can only be considered luxury if it has numerous convenient amenities and facilities that can range from indoor swimming pools and games rooms to fully equipped gyms. Any good travel company will be able to take you through what each of their chalets offer and it is important for you to think about the types of amenities you want to use in order to help them to match you with a chalet that is perfect for your needs, your style and your budget.
Whether you decide to explore the slopes in Europe or North America, you will need to conduct some research into each specific area to find somewhere that best suits your sense of adventure. Renting a luxury chalet is a great way to enjoy staying in really opulent surroundings and this also provides you with the ability to relax après ski in a comfortable and private environment away from the often crowded slopes.
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Related post: What to Take With You on You Ski Holiday to Save Little Money
Images credit (under CCL) by order: Eerko Vissering, Barney Moss (2)
