40 Great European ski hotels

This hedonistic mountain retreat is housed in a striking all-wood and glass building in a spectacular setting: a 1,800m-high alpine meadow with a backdrop of peaks and pinnacles.

Seiser Alm is Europe’s largest high-altitude plateau, dotted with alpine huts and barns, the mighty Dolomite mountains as a backdrop.

There is direct access to 60km of gentle slopes, with the top elevation rising above 2,200m, so snow cover is generally good. Skiers can also venture further afield to the vast Sella Ronda ski area.

The Dolomites are one of the world’s most dramatic mountain ranges, and this hotel has front-row seats – you get towering, jagged peaks from almost every window. The best place to soak up the vista is from the pool, with huge panoramic windows.

If the views are the primary attraction, the food is a close second. Michelin-starred chef Giovanni D’Alitta heads the kitchen, and treats guests to a multi-course gourmet menu. A courtesy minibus service is provided to the main ski lifts during the winter season.

For all its glitz and stylishness, Madonna di Campiglio is a ski resort with a refreshingly easy-going ambience; families, first-timers and die-hard adventurers all flock here for the same reason: the skiing.

Camp Zero is a ski-in ski-out hotel with something of an identity crisis (in the best possible way). It has all the trimmings of a five-star hotel, from the sleek spa and fine-dining restaurant to the super-attentive staff.

The hotel’s wild card is its private helipad; you can be whisked to one of 15 approved heli-skiing landing zones, giving access to areas around Cervinia, Mont Blanc, Zermatt and the highest heli-ski zone in Europe, Lys Pass.

Families love the quiet slopes and unhurried atmosphere of Champoluc, along with its unspoilt, traditional village centre. It’s the largest resort in the Monterosa ski area – Italy’s own ‘Three Valleys’ – which has 180kms of pistes that suit intermediates best.

This chic yet cosy boutique hotel is located in the small, under-the-radar village of Chandolin, famous for being one of Europe’s highest villages – with views that are, predictably, pretty special.

The restaurant is a highlight, serving wholesome food with finesse, and an excellent cheeseboard. Guests can ski directly back to the hotel, or take the two-minute free shuttle bus to and from the lift.

Situated at the top of Forberget Mountain, with skiing from the front door, this is the sort of hotel that families are eager to return to after a day on the slopes. There’s an award-winning spa, with wonderful views of Mount Areskutan from the pool and relaxation area. There’s also a kids club.

The restaurant focuses on traditional Nordic dishes and local ingredients, and there are plenty of other cafes and restaurants nearby.

Are is Scandinavia’s top downhill ski resort, with a charming lakeside town, lodgings scattered along the valley and two ski areas linked by a ski bus. The slopes are ideal for beginners and intermediates. There are three decent snowparks and several sectors (including a families-only area) are floodlit for night skiing.

Viennese architect Ike Ikrath has managed to create a hotel with both the charm of a traditional Alpine chalet and the flair of a high-design hotel. Rooms have a retro feel, with 50’s style chairs and brightly-tiled bathrooms. Panorama rooms have long balconies with sweeping views of the Gastein valley; some also have hammocks, for really soaking up the vista.

The superb Aveda spa has therapeutic thermal baths fed straight from Bad Gastein’s healing waters. Bad Gastein is a charming ski town that sits atop a giant reservoir of bath-temperature thermal water – this is a resort of ski and spa lovers alike.

The resort has more than 220km of slopes that are ideal for all abilities, especially intermediates. Cross-country skiers will be happy too – there are multiple trails ranging from easy to difficult.

Elegant, hip and full of character – this is what makes the Eden Hotel so popular among regulars to Bormio.

Housed in a striking wood, glass and stone building, the hotel was designed by a team of award-winning, Milan-based architects.

Esteemed Neapolitan chef Antonio Borruso is in charge of the food; suppers are renowned for refined Alpine dishes.

The hotel is in a prime location, 100m from the Bormio-2000 cable car. Bormio is an attractive historic hamlet, distinctly Italian, with the main slopes just a short walk from the town centre.

There are some snow-sure nursery runs, but most of the blues are fenced in by reds, so beginners will have to learn fast to get the most out of the mountain.

The location of this four-star hotel is unrivalled; 2,300m elevation, with direct access to Val Thoren’s snow-sure slopes, and just a short ski from the Peclet bubble lift and ski school meeting point. Rooms have a retro-chic vibe, and families can choose from a village or piste view.

Purpose-built Val Thorens is the highest altitude ski resort in Europe, making it one of the most snow-sure spots in the Alps. There’s a strong apres-ski scene, yet families will feel right at home – the tourist board produces a handy guide to weekly, child-friendly activities.

Val Thorens is part of the vast Three Valleys lift system, meaning there’s skiing here for everyone, from beginner slopes to challenging blacks.

Housed in an iconic building dating from 1864, this is the oldest and largest five-star hotel in St Moritz. Many original features remain, including the beautiful frescoed ceiling and porcelain fireplace in the Enoteca restaurant.

The two Michelin-starred Cà d’Oro, which serves creative Mediterranean cuisine, feels just as opulent with its crystal chandeliers.

After skiing, guests retreat to the ginormous spa, which boasts a marble column-flanked indoor pool, as well as various saunas and Kneipp baths.

Glitzy, fashionable and exclusive – St Moritz is the place to see and be seen. But people don’t just come here to prance around in their Prada ski suits – the resort attracts serious skiers, too.

The childhood home of owner Evelyn Ikrath, this 1920s spa hotel has recently undergone a stylish revamp. Despite its slick and elegant interiors, Haus Hirt still manages to feel informal and friendly – children are welcomed.

Bad Gastein is a charming ski town that sits atop a giant reservoir of bath-temperature thermal water – this is a resort for ski and spa lovers alike. The hotel has a modest yet sublime Aveda spa. The indoor pool is framed by floor-to-ceiling windows, boasting spectacular views of the Bad Gastein valley.

The resort has more than 220km of slopes that are ideal for all abilities, especially intermediates. Cross-country skiers will be happy too – there are multiple trails ranging from easy to difficult.

Annapurna is one of those rare 5-star hotels that feels luxurious and exclusive, yet is wholly family-friendly. There’s a kids’ club for little ones, a hang-out room for teenagers, with a pool table, games consoles, table football and cinema. Parents, meanwhile, can enjoy the beautiful spa (children welcome), with its panoramic mountain views from the hot tub.

There’s a lively bar for apres-ski and a superb restaurant. The location is perfect for families, set at the top of Courchevel 1850, with direct access to the slopes.

See our destination guide for Courchevel 1850 for more details on the ski resort.

Les Gets is the ultimate family ski resort, boasting numerous top-rated family chalets and hotels; the centrally-located Chamois D’Or is up there with the best of them. The clean, urban design is softened with Alpine touches – a wood-framed bar, fake fur throws on the beds – creating a smart but comfortable feel.

It keeps little guests happy with bunk beds, a games room and chefs who are happy to adapt the restaurant menus to suit kids’ palates. Parents are ensured some R&R in the spa (children welcome) and cosy bar, which serves up craft beers and a wide range of gins.

Run by the welcoming Pezzei family, this hotel goes above and beyond for guests – nothing is too much trouble.

Italians take their food very seriously, as does Col Alto; at breakfast, there is a vast buffet, with omelettes and crepes made to order at the egg station. One night a week, the restaurant lays on a four-course, Ladin-themed dinner, to introduce guests to the local cuisine. The spa is also a highlight, with a herbal bath and salt steam grotto.

The hotel is a short walk from the slopes, and it’s possible to ski back to the door at the end of the day.

Set in the handiest location in St. Anton, right beside the main gondola lift up to Galzig, the Bergschlossl is a beautiful, turreted old village home converted into a small, boutique hotel.

It manages to combine Alpine charm and romantic cosiness with modern comfort, flair and style. Each room is individual in size, shape, decor and furnishing – and accommodation is flexible enough for groups or families.

The hotel is only a minute or two from the bars and restaurants of the village centre – but set just apart, so is amazingly tranquil at night, away from any village noise.

See our destination guide for St.Anton for more details on the ski resort.

Quirky, fun and with hardly a right angle in sight – welcome to the Hotel des Dromonts. The eclectic design is 1960 meets 2050 – retro yet futuristic (with lots of curves).

Guests can choose from an assortment of rooms, from pod-like dens with built-in furniture, to family suites. There are two highly-rated restaurants plus a small wellness area – the relaxation room, with its suspended, cocoon-like armchairs, is the ultimate post-ski, chill-out space.

Avoriaz is a high, snow-sure resort and you can’t get more central when exploring the Portes du Soleil – skiing is from the front door, making this an ideal choice for beginners or families.

The Eden’s quiet location in Les Praz is ideal for accessing Le Flegere lift – a few minutes’ walk away – and offers fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.

The hotel belies its three-star rating with simple but comfortable rooms, a homely atmosphere and a very well-regarded restaurant.

There’s a simple, nature-focused, heart-of-the-mountains ambience about the place, helped by the regular exhibitions of mountain artwork.

2km outside Chamonix’s centre, it’s easily reached by taxi, bus and train, making it a great location for keen skiers and mountian lovers who don’t need to be in the centre of the action.

See our destination guide for Chamonix for more details on the ski resort.

Centrally located – but with great views of the surrounding mountains – Le Hameau Albert 1er is a classic, century-old hotel with a rustic-style farmhouse and two bijoux chalets to stay in. It mixes traditional Alpine looks with contemporary exterior and interior styling to create a hip-but-relaxed mountain vibe.

Excellent dining options include a two-star Michelin restaurant and the more rustically styled La Maison Carrier farmhouse restaurant. Meanwhile, the spa (which is open to the public as a day spa, too) features an indoor-outdoor pool with incredible views of Mont Blanc.

See our destination guide for Chamonix for more details on the ski resort.

In a resort filled with five-star accommodation, this chalet-style boutique hotel stands out for its intimate atmosphere and cosy alpine charm. The serene forest setting is a 10-minute walk from the 1850 village centre, with direct access to the piste.

This is the ultimate hotel for dog lovers – canine companions are treated to half-board, and can be cared for by the hotel’s team of dog-sitters while their owners hit the slopes. Apres ski cakes and crepes are served in the fire-warmed bar/lounge, while elegant suppers are served in Le 1850 restaurant, with dramatic lighting made from tree branches.

See our destination guide for Courchevel 1850 for more details on the ski resort.

Located right beside the slopes in Courchevel 1850 and with easy access to the resort’s main lifts, the rustic-chic Chabichou is a luxurious family-run hotel with an attractive white exterior and traditional alpine interior.

Large, well-appointed rooms have a cosy alpine feel; there’s a two Michelin-starred restaurant to dine in, and a spa.

It’s well located for accessing all the main pistes, and within easy walking distance of the village centre. There’s the buzz of happy skiers schussing past during the day, but it’s peaceful at night, and the glorious restaurant means you’ll be tempted to dine in.

See our destination guide for Courchevel 1850 for more details on the ski resort.

With its chic, utilitarian design, this trendy boutique hotel feels like it has been transported from the slopes of Scandinavia. But make no mistake, you’re right in the heart of France’s extreme skiing capital.

Housed in a modest townhouse, some of the rooms are on the smaller side, but they are all perfectly comfortable and cozy.

Guests spend most of their time in the charming lounge, where home-made cakes and hot drinks await after a day’s skiing, and in the hot tub. There’s no restaurant, but plenty of cafes, bars and eateries within strolling distance.

Although experts will definitely get the most from Chamonix, there’s plenty of great skiing for all abilities, combined with spectacular mountain panoramas and great apres-ski. Access to the Brevent slopes is via the Savoy ski lift, less than five minutes walk from the hotel.

See our destination guide for Chamonix for more details on the ski resort.

When it comes to location, Hotel Mirabeau takes some beating – guests can walk to Verbier’s main ski lift, the Medran, in under two minutes (in ski boots).

Hotels in Verbier normally charge through the roof for that sort of convenience, making this great-value, B&B-style hotel a real gem.

Upmarket shops, swanky restaurants, vibrant après-ski, and some of the most exciting off-piste skiing in the Alps – Verbier packs quite some punch. Part of the Swiss Four Valleys, there are some good beginner and intermediate-friendly slopes, but really Verbier is a resort for skiers who like to push their skiing to the max.

Although boasting every comfort, Le Samovar has the atmosphere of an old-fashioned ski hotel. Heavily timbered, inside and out, each room has its own individual character – as do the staff. The restaurant serves up traditional mountain specialties, while the fire-lit bar lounge has take-away options for a more relaxed supper.

Set in La Daille, a little outside Val d’Isere proper, the hotel is in a great location for those happy to be away from the hub of activity. It’s a ski-in/ski-out location – and directly opposite the Funival mountain railway up to Bellevarde.

See our destination guide for Val d’Isere for more details on the resort.

In a village boasting some very special hotels, Les Barmes de l’Ours is one of the most luxurious and exclusive.

Built in Alpine chalet style, it has an unbeatable ski-in ski-out location at the foot of Bellevarde and is a short walk from the village centre. The hotel has different styles on each floor, including an American loft look, stark Scandinavian, rustic Savoyard and contemporary.

The elegant, Michelin-starred La Table d’Ours restaurant sits alongside two less formal restaurants, specialising in rotisserie and Savoyard cuisine. There’s a lovely spa and indoor pool, too.

See our destination guide for Val d’Isere for more details on the ski resort.

This family-owned hotel has just 13 suites, giving it a cosy and exclusive feel. Located in the centre of Selva Gardena, it offers easy access to the local shops and ski lifts (there’s a hidden path where you can ski back almost directly to the hotel).

The hotel’s gourmet restaurant brings back guests year after year, with a different theme each evening, offering everything from Italian classics to cheese buffets and olive oil tastings. The indulgent spa has indoor heated pool, sauna, multi-sensory showers and an outdoor hot tub with mountain views.

With just 39 rooms, the smallest of Kitzbuhel’s five-star hotels strikes a perfect balance of luxury and intimacy – like staying in the private home of a very wealthy aunt. Much of the furniture and antiques in the bedrooms of this former farm belong to the owners, the Pasquali family.

There are three restaurants – the gourmet restaurant has won awards for its innovative dishes. The Tennerhof’s cellar houses over 400 wines, many from the most esteemed Austrian wineries.

Kitzbuhel itself is luxurious yet charming and lively; the slopes are mostly easygoing; and the fast lift network is one of the best in Austria. The diverse area will suit intermediates best, as well as powder enthusiasts – there is an extensive amount of exciting off-piste terrain.

Following a major renovation, this iconic hotel has been restored to its former Belle Epoque glory. Rooms are plush and spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing mountain views.

The property’s centrepiece is the state-of-the-art spa, with its indoor pool housed inside a glass cube, showcasing 360-degree panoramic views. The four on-site restaurants, take guests on a gastronomic journey through the Alps, Italy, Lebanon and Thailand.

Flims has a traditional village-y feel at the foot of the slopes. It and neighbouring Laax share one of Switzerland’s largest, and most snowsure, ski areas. with plenty of excellent piste and off-pisete skiing to to suit all levels.

Located at an altitude of 2,551m, in what was originally the upper station of the Solaise gondola, La Refuge claims its place as the highest hotel in France. Reached by skis or gondola, the hotel has chic and spacious family rooms – some overlook the village and valley, others have mountain views.

The views continue in the spa, where the swimming pool and hot tub face the mountains; if guests time their dip right, they’ll catch the spectacular sunset.

First tracks are guaranteed every morning. See our destination guide for Val d’Isere for more details on the ski resort.

Nine centuries-old wooden chalets and mazots (outbuildings) were transported from areas of the Savoie and reassembled, beam by beam, into a luxury hotel, just a five-minute walk from Megeve’s medieval village centre to create the ultimate rustic-chic hotel.

All of the rooms are individually designed and super-cosy, with furry bed throws and plump cushions, and the huge spa boasts two pools – one for children, one for adults.

Megeve’s car-free centre is as charming as they get – all cobbled streets lined with chic shops and sophisticated bars and restaurants. The ski area is massive, and accessible to all abilities.

This hidden gem of a hotel – a short shuttle bus service from the ski lifts – is for people who value their food as much as their skiing. Run by owners Sandrine and Xavier, who together invent and prepare the meals, it’s thanks to Xavier’s background as a chef (working in several Michelin-starred restaurants) that the food here is so standout.

As for the five bedrooms, they all have minimalist Scandi-style decor and balconies overlooking the valley.

Les Orres is a low-key, purpose-built ski resort with a dramatic, high-altitude setting – the scenery is spectacular. The terrain is varied and intermediate-friendly, with larch forests, some good steep sections and fun off-piste spots.

Located in the shadow of the majestic Mont Blanc, this hotel is a masterpiece of contemporary Italian design; think industrial-chic lighting, tree-trunk bedside tables and stags’ heads adorning the walls.

The double-height, glass-clad restaurant serves up local, inventive and immaculately-styled cuisine; for something more casual, there’s a bistro serving up wood-fired pizzas.

The area boasts remarkably crowd-free pistes, with excellent beginner and intermediate slopes. There are plenty of off-piste options too.

The perfect base for families – there’s a ski rental shop right next to the hotel and the button lifts are just 10m away. The family-friendly hotel has a children’s playroom, and offers buffet dinners where kids can indulge at the help-yourself ice-cream station.

The spa (kids welcome) has indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs.

Built around the picturesque Trysilfjellet mountain, Trysil is Norway’s largest ski resort. Favoured by families for its excellent ski schools, reliable snow and child-friendly slopes, there’s a large children’s ski area on both sides of the mountain.

The oldest of St. Anton’s 5-star chalets, this is a luxury, boutique hotel a couple of minutes’ walk from the centre, run by the Raffl family with scrupulous attention to detail. Service epitomises Tirolean tradition and hospitality, combining charm with discreet formality.

No two rooms are the same, but all are stylishly presented – mischievously combining rustic Austrian features with bright contemporary furnishings and arty accessories.

The location is superb; just out of the busy main centre but only a couple of minutes’ walk from the action. The hotel has its own ski depot beside the main Galzig gondola – store skis and boots here for free and head straight to the apres ski.

See our destination guide for St.Anton for more details on the ski resort.

This is one of the most authentic hotels in the high Alps, with great style, killer views and an adventurous spirit. Built in the 1880s to provide accommodation for mountaineers exploring Europe’s highest peaks, the building was recently modernized by high-end hotel company Maisons et Hotels Sibuet.

Located at 1,913m, it’s tricky to reach – you have to go on foot (or skis), or catch a funicular railway from Chamonix (taking 20 minutes), which only runs in the daytime. This does mean, though, that guests have the refuge – and the breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and glistening blue Mer du Glace glacier – to themselves at all other times.

See our destination guide for Chamonix for more details on the resort.

There are five-star ski hotels aplenty – but there’s only one Riffelalp.

Set in a small hamlet 2,200m up the mountain, above the town of Zermatt, it’s an isolated ski in ski out spot, but one that’s worth the (exciting) ride up (by train, then snowmobile), and one you won’t want to leave.

As you would expect from a five star, it comes with the usual complement of beautifully appointed, cosy bedrooms, fine dining, and exceptional spa facilities, making any stay an extremely comfortable one.

What really sets it apart is the jaw-dropping view over the magnificent Matterhorn – best appreciated from the steamingly warm inside/out pool.

See our destination guide for Zermatt for more details on the ski resort.

Housed in a beautiful building dating back to 1850, this family-friendly hotel welcomes kids with slippers and bathrobes. There are separate kids menus in the restaurant, a games room and a family-friendly spa (there is a separate adults-only spa, too).

Children’s activities can be arranged, from cookery classes to guided tobogganing, and 24-hour babysitting is on offer, to enable parents to enjoy a quiet supper for two at the Michelin-starred restaurant.

San Cassiano itself is a charming, quiet village – one of six that make up the Alta Badia ski area. The local slopes, shared with Corvara, are mellow and well-groomed – ideal for beginners just starting out.

More confident skiers can venture further afield to the Sella Ronda circuit, a vast circular network of connected slopes that suits intermediates particularly well.

Housed in a couple of converted Edwardian houses in the middle of Engelberg, it’s run by two Swedish former ski bums who spent several seasons in the resort before setting up the business in 2009. They (as well as their staff) know the resort like the back of their hands, and are only too happy to give guests advice on where to find the best snow.

The Ski Lodge bar is a popular post-ski meeting place for locals and visitors alike, who gather to refuel on tasty burgers while discussing the best runs of the day.

Engelberg is a bucket-list destination for advanced and expert skiers. It boasts an astonishing amount of superb off-piste. The scenery is stunning, the snow reliable – and for a small resort, there’s a strong apres ski scene.

Despite being one of La Clusaz’s newest boutique hotels, it has the feel of a plush English gentleman’s club: guests are welcomed into the wood-panelled lobby with its leather banquettes, velvet footstools, chess boards and shelves stacked with books.

Guests can divide their time between the indoor pool, sauna, Kneipp hydrotherapy jets, ice cave and relaxation room. The hotel provides a free shuttle to the slopes each morning.

Pretty La Clusaz has a rustic village charm. There are some lively bars and restaurants, but overall the atmosphere is low-key and welcoming. The resort is spread across five mountains, offering a good mix of runs for all abilities.

There are two things that make the Cambrian stand out; the slick design and the outstanding views.

The 19th-century ski lodge, set high on a hill in the centre of Adelboden, has been transformed into a slick spa hotel, using local stone, wood and slate. The lounge, winter garden, restaurant and outdoor pool showcase the best of the mountain valley views.

The restaurant serves local and healthy Ottolenghi-inspired cuisine, with lots of platters for sharing.

The Chedi Andermatt is located in a beautiful spot at 1,447m, at the crossroads of three mountain passes. Inside is a chic fusion of Alpine and Asian design; wooden beams and roaring log fires alongside Japanese paper lamps and latticework panels.

The Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant serves up multi-course kaiseki dinners and has an extensive sake selection, but the real draw is the hedonistic spa, with its stunning pool and Asian-inspired treatments.

Andermatt has undergone a huge amount of development in recent years, transforming this sleepy, low-profile village into an international ski resort.

Zermatt is home to some of the most highly-rated, five-star hotels in the world, and The Omnia is one of the most outstanding.

The location is exceptional – the hotel is perched high on a rocky ledge above the town. Guests enter via a Bond-esque underground tunnel, which leads to panoramic glass elevators that whisks them up to the lobby.

Rooms are sophisticated and spacious, and some boast views of the Matterhorn from their balcony, with more stunning vistas from the indoor-outdoor swimming pool.

See our destination guide for Zermatt for more details on the ski resort.