Europe is home to some of the most luxurious ski resorts in the world. If you are looking for a luxury escape this winter at one of the most lavish and stylish ski resorts in Europe, then look no further.
Many European ski resorts have emerged as go-to luxury destinations for the best of action and relaxation. Picture being pampered in a 5-star hotel’s luxury spa before heading to a Michelin-star restaurant boasting delectable dishes and panoramic mountain views.
These expensive, luxury ski resorts are worth every penny when it comes to their second-to-none amenities and service. There’s nothing quite as magical as a luxury retreat in the mountains!
For those wanting to spoil themselves on their next ski trip, we have rounded up some of the very best luxury ski resorts in Europe. Fit with luxury spas and fine dining, what more could you ask for after a long day on the slopes?
Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt tops our list of luxurious ski resorts. Accessible only by train, Zermatt is a charming car-free resort that pulls in celebrities year after year. With countless world-class restaurants, designer shops and sophisticated bars to enjoy, this luxury ski resort has much to keep you entertained throughout the duration of your stay.
Zermatt is home to a wide selection of 5-star hotels and top-tier private alpine chalets. One of the most iconic and sought-after hotels in Zermatt is the 5-star Omnia Hotel. The hotel features sweeping views of the Matterhorn and the surrounding mountain scenery, and amenities that will make it incredibly hard to leave the hotel, even on a bluebird day!
One of the most luxurious dining spots in Zermatt can be found at 2,130m in the hamlet of Findeln. With views that will take your breath away, Chez Vrony is over 100 years old and offers fine Swiss dining. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or aperitif in front of the Matterhorn in this old-style chalet. Needless to say, make sure you book in advance!
In Zermatt, you will also find a number of nightclubs and après-ski parties or trendy jazz clubs and piano bars if you are looking for something more laid back. All in all, the experience of holidaying in Zermatt is one of luxury and exclusivity, you don’t just go there for the 250km of ski pistes, but all that the resort has to offer! Read our ultimate guide to Zermatt here.
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Courchevel, France
Courchevel is a glamorous ski resort nestled in the heart of the Three Valleys ski area in the French Alps. The luxury resort particularly appeals to fine dining enthusiasts, with a total of 8 Michelin-star restaurants to choose from!
You can find one of these restaurants inside Les Airelles, one of the most exclusive hotels in Courchevel. The hotel, which resembles a fairytale castle, offers everything you could need for a wonderful vacation on the slopes. You can dine in at restaurant Le Palladio then head to La Mer Spa to wind down for the evening. For exclusive outdoor activities, you can book plenty of winter activities through the hotel such as dogsledding, heliskiing, and even a 5-star picnic in the snow.
There is a wide selection of five-star hotels in Courchevel to choose from. In fact, Courchevel has the highest concentration of 5-star hotels in France, so you are spoilt for choice when it comes to luxury accommodation. In Courchevel 1,850, you will also find all the luxury shopping that your heart desires. The town is filled with designer stores from Hermès to Rolex!
If the 600km of pistes aren’t enough to keep you entertained, you’ll find plenty of top restaurants, bars and clubs in Courchevel. If you are looking for an extravagant destination with luxury around every corner, then Courchevel is calling your name!
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St. Moritz, Switzerland
St Moritz is a luxury alpine ski resort located in Switzerland’s Engadin Valley. St. Moritz is known as classic luxury; it has always been considered an exclusive destination and it has continued to grow in appeal for the elite.
Thanks to hotelier Johannes Badrutt, St. Moritz transformed from a chic summer destination into one of the most exclusive ski resorts in the world. The hotel that Bardutt founded is known today as Klum Hotel St. Moritz and is a very in-demand destination for anyone visiting the resort. This exclusive hotel is home to a Michelin-star restaurant, K by Mauro Colagreco, along with countless luxury services and amenities for its guests. Exuding historic exclusivity, the hotel is up there as one of the most luxurious in the Alps.
To really live the full St. Moritz experience, make sure to stay in Dorf. On the lakeshore of St. Moritz, this village is where you will find most of the glitz and glamour. Dorf is known as the place to shop, party and dine at the chicest restaurants in the area.
For the days when you’re not out skiing on the perfectly groomed pistes of St. Moritz, there are plenty of exclusive activities to enjoy. From high-end shopping to ice skating or watching polo on the resort’s frozen lake, there is much to keep you entertained off the slopes. Synonymous with style and sophistication, St Moritz is the place to go for a high-end luxury ski trip – it even attracts royalty!
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Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
In the heart of the Italian Dolomites, you’ll find Cortina d’Ampezzo “The Queen of the Dolomites”. As one of the oldest ski resorts in Europe, Cortina has been a top location for wealthy skiers and weekenders coming from Milan and Venice since the 1930s. Unlike other luxury ski resorts, in Cortina, you won’t find big loud, flamboyant parties, but instead a quieter and more refined ambience.
Cortina is home to numerous 5-star hotels that have hosted VIPs from all around the world. A timeless classic in Cortina is the Grand Hotel Savoia. Built in 1912, the hotel has since been remodelled as part of the Radisson Hotel Collection. Hosting guests including the likes of Winston Churchill, Tolstoy, and many other prestigious figures, it remains a place where you are likely to run into famous faces.
The culinary scene is also enviable in Cortina. The resort is dotted with award-winning restaurants, including Michelin-star restaurant, Tivoli. Whether you are out on the slopes or down in the town, there are plenty of restaurants in which to enjoy a delicious meal.
What Cortina may lack in size it certainly makes up for in exclusivity, charm and its draw-dropping scenery! The streets in the car-free centre are lined with designer stores and high-end art galleries, perfect for an afternoon browse. The renowned resort held Italy’s first Olympic games in 1956 and will host the Olympics once again when the games return to Italy in 2026!
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Gstaad, Switzerland
Located in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps, this exclusive ski resort has managed to keep its alpine roots intact despite its growing popularity. Gstaad has remained a town of traditional alpine chalets and locally operated cheese shops and bakeries, which now go hand in hand with 5-star luxury hotels, Michelin-star restaurants and exclusive nightclubs. Topped with a picturesque castle overlooking its centre, anyone looking for a glamorous and luxurious ski trip should have Gstaad on their list.
With multiple Michelin-star restaurants in Gstaad, there are plenty of options for fine dining. We recommend a night at Sommet restaurant, located inside the 5-star hotel, The Alpina. The decor is worth the trip alone! La Videmanette boasts a terrace overlooking the Bernese and Vaud Alps, making it the perfect spot for a mid-ski-day lunch stop.
Gstaad is home to a wide array of luxurious accommodation options. Along with The Alpina Hotel, of note is the Gstaad Palace Hotel. The decadent hotel opened its doors more than 100 years ago and through the years it has been a common vacation spot for royals, celebrities, and politicians.
Gstaad exudes luxury and exclusivity. Home to some of the most prestigious international boarding schools in the world, it is well known amongst the rich and famous. With 200km of immaculate ski pistes to explore, Gstaad has it all – it even has heated seats on its chairlifts, now that is a real luxury!
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Fancy an Elevated Experience in the Mountains?
These luxury ski resorts offer the best of the best when it comes to glamorous ski holidays and, as such, they are some of the most expensive ski resorts in Europe! For the most exclusive hotels expect to pay upwards of £500 a night. Whether you choose to stay in the charming, bustling village of Zermatt or the glitzy commune of Cortina, you will find the ultimate in comfort and exclusivity in an unrivalled mountain setting, and you’ll be sure to be well taken care of!
If you want to elevate your luxury experience in the mountains even further, why not book a private ski instructor who can show you around the resort and help you to advance your skiing! You can expect 5-star service from our selection of expert instructors in your chosen resort as 90% of ski & snowboard lessons reviewed through Maison Sport are rated 5 stars.
These popular, luxury ski resorts are in high demand, so make sure that you book your trip well in advance. While you are making your winter plans, also make sure to book your independent ski instructor and get ready for a luxurious escape to the mountains to remember!
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