If you are looking for a memorable ski holiday, with a taste of luxury in the mountains, there are a number of exclusive ski resorts that not only offer a five star experience but have perfectly groomed pistes, 20,000 bottles plus wine cellars and designer boutiques galore to welcome you for the most upscale weekend skiing experience of the lifetime.
Courchevel
This resort which sits on the Three Valleys is not only one of the most exclusive in France but has an incredible ski area to match as well. This luxury ski destination can be booked via trusted sites such as iGO SKI. The resort has its own airstrip and helipad where jetsetters can fly in using their private planes.
Out of the four villages in Courchevel, 1850 is the most upscale with the highest concentration of five star hotels and the most Michelin starred restaurants, such as Cheval Blanc. Courchevel is an ideal base for a short weekend break for skiing in the largest ski area in France.
Les Gets
Located just an hour away from Geneva International airport, ski breaks in Les Gets have grown in popularity, especially during weekends, because of the short transfer time and the availability of flights from all parts of the world. Moreover, the Portes du Soleil and its 650 km of pistes makes it one of the largest inter-linked ski areas in Europe.
The range of selected chalets and hotels offer unrivaled comfort for a premium luxury ski weekend. Spoil yourself at the exclusive Hotel Chamois d'Or, Les Gets for an enhanced skiing experience and other bespoke ski luxuries.
Morzine
This pretty Alpine town in the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area buzzes with life at all times. For a weekend luxury skier, there is nothing better than enjoying quick access from all the great hotels and chalets, notably Hotel Philbert and Chalet Austin, which are only a transit time of one hour from the Geneva International Airport. Morzine comprises twelve ski villages that span a number of borders, meaning you can ski Switzerland and France on the same ski pass.
Chamonix
An alpine village known to be located in the highest mountain in Europe with an abundance of nightlife as a bonus, Chamonix offers unprecedented skiing on weekends, both on and off the slopes. The fabulous accommodation options range from Classic to Premium Luxury, which includes top class service right from the airport to the resort. If you are traveling from the UK, you can reach a resort in Chamonix in around four hours, depending on the prevailing traffic conditions. Beginners, intermediates and advanced skiers have a lot to get excited about Chamonix, its marked off-piste routes and guaranteed good snow. Stay at the upscale Hotel Heliopic for an unparalleled weekend ski vacation.
Tignes
Located in the sprawling Espace Killy Ski area, the upscale ski resort of Tignes in the heart of the Tarentaise region benefits hugely from its high altitude of 2100 m. This means it is arguably one of the best places to ski in with assured snow covered slopes, right till the end of May.
With over 300 km of pistes, the terrain here is suitable for all levels of skiers, and the exceptionally good lift system makes Tignes an ideal weekend destination. The luxurious Chalet Josephine adds a touch of class to the resort of Tignes. Close to the slopes with a focus on gastronomy, the exquisitely styled chalet is ideal for families and couples looking for an enjoyable weekend of high altitude skiing.
Meribel
Meribel is a great location for weekend and short breaks as it is easily accessible from all major airports from where transfers are readily available at all times. If you book an early flight on Friday morning you can be on the slopes in the Three Valleys by afternoon and back to your home on Monday after three days of exciting skiing.
The superb premium plus Chalet Cretet offers a luxury stay option for your weekend in Meribel as it is located close to the slopes and apres ski options will keep everyone happy. Moreover, the catered chalet is close to the resort center, has en-suite bedrooms, a mezzanine and a Jacuzzi hot tub and sauna. The in-house facilities are cut above the normal chalets, while the open living and dining rooms enjoy great mountain views.
La Plagne
Enjoying one half of the Paradiski ski area, La Plagne has become a top selling resort as evident by the large number of people visiting it year after year. Its 425 km of pistes are available for all levels of skiers, while the ten little villages which comprise this purpose-built luxury ski region all have a unique character of their own, worth exploring after an exhilarating day of skiing.
Thanks to its luxury ski-in and ski-out accommodation, guests can spend more time on the slopes, especially if you intend to ski only on weekends.The Chalet Elegant is an excellent resort to stay in, and once you are back from the slopes there are a number of fine bars and restaurants to choose from, both on the mountain and down below in the villages of La Plagne.
Val D'Isere
Along with nearby Tignes,the Val D'Isere ski area forms a part of the famous Espace Killy Ski region, self-proclaimed as the most beautiful ski area in the world. Skiing here is suitable for all levels of skiers who can access Val D'Isere easily by a ninety minutes drive from the Geneva International airport. This resort is known for its extensive shopping and vibrant cafe culture teeming with nightlife with some bars and clubs staying open till 4am. In terms of luxury in Val D'Isere there are number of hotels and chalets that raise the bar a notch with gold-leaf painted swimming pools, wellness facilities and even a bathtub in one of the master bedrooms.
Les Arcs
Sitting conveniently on the edge of the Vanoise National Park, Les Arcs enjoys a breathtaking location not to be found anywhere else in the French Alps. This is another luxury purpose-built resort made up of four villages Arc 1600, 1800, 1950 and 2000, all of which are linked to each other.
For those who want to give their ski legs a run for their money, the glass bottom Vanoise cable car allows you to explore the nearby resort of La Plagne. Les Arcs is three hours from Geneva airport, but if you time it right you can still get your fill of three days of weekend skiing.
The distinctive high end accommodation in Les Arcs is the five star Taj-I Mah hotel, the first of its kind here which opened in 2017. The cleverly designed hotel boasts of public areas with views of the surrounding mountains.
