When it comes to luxury group ski holidays, you can’t beat an Alpine chalet. You have all the privacy and freedom you desire, coupled with the attentiveness of a private staff. However, not all chalets are created equal. The following five go above and beyond to create extraordinary and unique experiences.
Chalet Bighorn, Revelstoke, Canada
The very definition of a luxurious mountain retreat, the timber-framed Chalet Bighorn sits at the foot of Revelstoke Mountain. Nestled amongst the pine trees, it has breathtaking river and mountain views, as well as access to some of British Columbia’s best back-country skiing. The chalet itself has a private helipad, so you can take full advantage of the millions of acres of stunning heliskiing terrain surrounding the resort.
Along with eight bedroom suites – each with their own designer en-suite – the chalet has some exceptional common areas. The triple-height Great Room is a sumptuous space to gather and share tales of off-piste adventures, as is the on-site cocktail bar. For a quieter evening, you can retreat to the cinema room or pamper yourself in the chalet’s world-class spa, complete with outdoor hot tub.
Chalet Shemshak Lodge, Courchevel 1850, France
Right on the slopes of Courchevel 1850, this ski-in, ski-out chalet is an idyllic base for keen skiers who want to spend as much time on the slopes as possible. As well as unrivalled access to the legendary runs of Les Trois Vallées, the chalet also has incredible panoramic views from its numerous terraces and balconies. With furnishings by a top London-based interior designer, each of the five en-suite rooms exudes both comfort and glamour.
An entire floor of the chalet is given over to an in-house wellness centre, which includes a swimming pool, sauna and gym. The hot tub sits beside full-length windows, so you can enjoy the soothing sensation of the warm bubbles as you gaze out across the snowy Alpine landscape.
Chalet Joux Plane, Morzine, France
Making its debut for the 2017/18 ski season, Chalet Joux Plane promises to be one of the most lavish options in the extensive Portes du Soleil ski area. It has an exceptional elevated position above Morzine, with one wall made almost entirely of glass for a captivating view. Adept skiers will be able to ski-in and out of the property using a short, off-piste run.
Designed to be a truly exciting place to stay, Chalet Joux Plane emanates eccentric billionaire style. It’s accessed by a private 15-metre long tunnel, a subterranean entryway which leads from the garage, through a boot-room and into the very heart of the chalet. Rest your ski legs by the open fire in the state-of-the-art living space. Other spectacular additions include an indoor-outdoor pool, a floating mezzanine dining area and indoor swings. A chauffeur will be on hand to whisk you to and from the resort’s centre after an evening of après-ski.
Chalet Marco Polo, Val d’Isère, France
Set back from the road in the heart of Val d’Isère, this newly-built chalet combines tradition with tailor-made modernity. Alpine style is done with panache, with honey-coloured wood and furry throws lending each room a sense of cosiness. The entire second floor is a private wellness suite, with a gym, swimming pool, hot tub and adjoining relaxation area with massage rooms.
This chalet was built for jovial evenings with friends and family. The large terrace has an outdoor kitchen – perfect for sundowners – which sits off the spacious, open plan living space. Centred around a roaring fire, this is a cosy place to gather. It has a games room and a cinema screen, which drops tastefully from the beams. It even has its own cave and fromagerie: an underground wine and cheese cellar where you can sample the best local produce.
Dent Blanche, Verbier, Switzerland
Combining elements of local Swiss design with opulent luxury, the Dent Blanch is a beautifully decorated and contemporary Alpine chalet. Each room in the four-storey property has incredible views of Verbier – the village is just two minutes’ walk from this secluded spot. A chauffeur is on hand for the two-minute drive to the Médran ski lifts, and the services of a private chef can be organised when you fancy a gourmet evening in.
The property has an exclusive private spa with a heated pool, Turkish style hammam, Swedish sauna and modern gym. You can unwind in the outdoor Jacuzzi, stargazing while submerged in skin-tingling warmth. After drying off, retire inside and enjoy a tipple at the private bar or a film at the high-tech cinema.
By Craig Burton, Managing Director of Ski Solutions.