Dan Lever
Jun, 20 - 2025 - 6 mins
Top 10 Most Luxurious Ski Resorts
Nowhere does luxury quite like the mountains. From fine-dining in Michelin-starred restaurants with panoramic views to watching guests arrive via private airstrip, luxury living is quite literally elevated to another level when you’re up in the clouds. Dream destinations for rubbing shoulders with models, moguls (in both senses of the word) and the otherwise moneyed, we’ve rounded up the 10 most luxurious ski resorts in the world below.
Whistler, Canada
The Canadian resort of Whistler is high on bucket lists throughout the world. Combine top restaurants with endless skiable terrain, and you’ve got yourself a resort that attracts the rich and famous. Sometimes referred to as the 'Aspen of Canada', Whistler offers 200km of piste to explore, carefully curated wine cellars and a traditionally pretty vibe throughout the alpine-style pedestrian centre.
Year opened: 1966
Most luxurious hotels: Four Seasons Resort & Residences and the Fairmont Chateau Whistler
What the Snomad community think: “Powder was amazing. Loved the village & the restaurants. Hotels were incredible too, and a lot of them. People were friendly and from all over the world” - Sharon, Feb 2025
Megève, France
Megève is one of the best luxury ski resorts in France and was a popular holiday destination for the Rothschild family, who contributed to its development. The epitome of old money, this classically French alpine resort forms part of the Evasion Mont Blanc ski area, although you’re more likely to see skiers rocking cashmere on the slopes as opposed to Gore-Tex, in the same way that après is a more refined affair of fine wine and fondue as opposed to flugels. Home to some of the best restaurants in the Alps, the thrice-Michelin-starred Folcons de Sel is a favourite. Walk the village’s quaint cobblestone streets to browse designer shops including Hermès, Yves Saint Laurent and Poivre Blanc. Ultimately, it’s the quiet, understated and sedated alternative to Courchevel.
Year opened: 1914
Most luxurious hotels: Le Chalet, Four Seasons Hotel Megève
What the Snomad community think: “Megeve is a very beautiful resort, the village is very picturesque, and there are many upscale restaurants and bars. Lots of very cool mountain restaurants, etc. There is also a large sports centre with an ice rink, pool and spa. I recommend a visit to I'deal for lunch, you can go on foot via the Mont d'Arbois telecabin if you are not skiing. Very easy access from Geneva.” - Kirsty, Jan 2025.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
Often referred to as the ‘Queen of the Dolomites’, (there’s a very luxe book documenting the private homes of the area with the same name), Cortina d’Ampezzo brings glitz and glamour to the Italian ski scene; think La Dolce Vita on snow. The town itself is essentially a live-action catwalk, lined with Gucci, Moncler and Prada shops and the place for enjoying a sophisticated après spritz.
Set in the Dolomiti Superski area, the skiing opportunities are endless, with over 1,000km of downhill skiing to explore - so good that everyone from the likes of Sophia Loren to George Clooney have been spotted hitting the slopes here.
Year opened: 1956
Most luxurious hotels: Hotel de Len, Grand Hotel Savoia, Rosapetra SPA Resort
What the Snomad community think: “Cortina has some of the best slopes in the world with incredible views to enhance your skiing experience. While it can get quite busy during the high season, the spread of lifts across multiple mountains lets you always find less crowded slopes. Skiing in the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites is an experience anyone should do at least once in their lifetime” - Michele, Jan 2025.
Lech, Austria
Lech is one of the most exclusive resorts in Austria, if not the world. Favoured by royalty, discreet billionaires and elusive aristocrats, the resort forms part of the huge ski Arlberg area, which offers an impressive 305km of pistes. It has great links to the neighbouring ski resorts St. Anton, Zürs, Warth and Schröcken. There’s a strict cap on visitor numbers, which helps the uber-wealthy retain some privacy and adds to the exclusive feel of the resort. You also won’t find any flashy logos and designer brand shops here, it’s all very understated and equally as expensive.
Year opened: 1906 (first ski lesson taught)
Most luxurious hotels: Hotel Zürserhof, Gasthof Post & Hotel Arlberg Lech
What the Snomad community think: “Lech is a fantastic resort if you are looking for great snow and a slightly more relaxed vibe. This is not for party animals, nor the most affordable resort, but that does mean it's less crowded and in general a lovely location to go skiing, with access to miles of runs as well as connectivity down to St Anton, which is all about the apres.” - Paul, Jan 2025.
Gstaad, Switzerland
Still retaining its fairytale Alpine charm despite development, Gstaad in Switzerland is another ultra-exclusive ski destination, and one of the world’s most expensive. The town’s slogan of “come up and slow down” can be admired in full effect in the pretty centre, where everyone from Beyonce & Jay-Z to Roman Abramovich has been spotted relaxing, shopping and simply being seen. The centre is also car-free, making for a leisurely experience as you browse shops such as Louis Vuitton and Cartier. On the mountain, skiers can explore 200km of immaculately groomed slopes with very few crowds.
Year opened: 1913
Most luxurious hotels: The Gstaad Palace
What the Snomad community think: “Lovely town in a great setting. Very useful to have the airport in Saanen. Skiing is not always the best as it’s quite low, but great shopping and restaurants and some of the higher towns have better skiing, such as Launen. There is the Glacier 3000 nearby, which usually has better snow.” - Tomas, Dec 2024
Aspen, USA
Host of everything from Fashion Week to everyone in Hollywood, Aspen lies in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. One of America’s most luxurious ski resorts, it features a vast ski area with four designated zones - Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. If you’re looking to arrive in Aspen in style, the ski resort even has its own airport. With its own private airport (obviously,) the resort is known for its phenomenal restaurant and arts scene, with designer boutiques to boot. Beloved by somewhat of a somewhat younger money crowd, you’re likely to find the Kardashian-Jenners, Elon Musk and the Hadids here.
Year opened: 1946
Most luxurious hotel: The Little Nell
What the Snomad community think: “Amazing experience at Snowmass, unforgettable. Great powder and groomed trails. Some of the best ski lifts I've been on. Both family-friendly and good for younger skiers/snowboarders who want more liveliness.” - Ada, Jan 2025.
Verbier, Switzerland
Often referred to as a ‘Freerider’s Mecca’, Verbier forms part of Switzerland’s largest ski area and the third largest in Europe, the Four Valleys. It can be considered the hotspot for the ‘cooler’ wealthy crowd, and it is frequented by the likes of Prince Harry, The Beckhams and Richard Branson, who owns The Lodge mentioned below. With over 410km of slopes and a top altitude of 3330m, this scenic resort of sprawling wood chalets backed by pine forest has a world-class reputation.
Year opened: 1927
Most luxurious hotels: Mostly high-end chalets like The Lodge, but hotels such as Hotel de Verbier and Chalet d’Adrien are also known as luxury spots.
What the Snomad community think: “Wildly expensive and luxurious, the only thing you have to do for yourself is ski, or possibly decide which ritzy bar or restaurant to grace with your VIP presence apres ski. From warmed boots to massages, very upmarket ski hire, hot chocolate brought to you in the jacuzzi to wonderful catering on tap - this is also party central.” - Josephine, Feb 2025.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Elevated, elegant and offering eye-watering views of the Matterhorn, it’s not hard to see why Zermatt is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world. The (car-free) streets are lined with designer shops, twinkling lights line the buildings, and charming market stalls offer roasted chestnuts and fine wine. A fairytale come to life, the vast ski area boasts 360km of terrain, connected by state-of-the-art lifts.
Year opened: 1928
Most luxurious hotels: The Omnia, Mont Cervin Palace, Chalet Zermatt Peak & Riffelalp Resort 2222m - the list goes on.
What the Snomad community think: “Been here a few times and it is hard to see past it. Stunning scenery, great variety of runs, long runs with huge vertical. Most amazing, never-ending run down to Valtournenche in Italy. Not the cheapest but the best!” - Al, Feb 2025
Courchevel, France
Courchevel is where excess comes home to roost. Beloved by oligarchs, royals and the Hollywood elite, what was once a mere cluster of pastures now has the highest concentration of five-star hotels in France outside Paris, and the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the Alps. You’re likely to see fur-clad supermodels sipping on slopeside spritzes and private jets touching down at the nearby altiport. Part of the largest ski area in the world, the 3 Valleys, Courchevel is the epitome of go big or go home.
Year opened: 1946
Most luxurious hotels: L’Apogée Courchevel, Cheval Blanc (Le 1974 restaurant here has an impressive three Michelin stars) & Six Senses Residences
What the Snomad community think: “Lots of runs with good variety, and no major bottlenecks. It links up to Meribel and beyond brilliantly, making it the best resort I've skied at.” - Richard, Jan 2025.
St Moritz, Switzerland
By far the most esteemed and oldest in this line-up, there’s just no beating St. Moritz when it comes to opulent ski environments. Widely regarded as the birthplace of winter tourism, the resort sits in the Engadine Valley and the ski area offers a fantastic 326km of pistes to enjoy with spellbinding mountain views. The wealth of 5-star hotels and indulgent private chalets here means that it has long been a hotspot for European nobility, international business behemoths and the icons of high society - think Claudia Schiffer, Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn.
Year opened: 1864
Most luxurious hotels: Kempinski Grand Hotel, Grace La Margna St Moritz, Carlton Hotel & Kulm Hotel
What the Snomad community think: “Huge expanse of skiing with great on-piste restaurants. 'Always' sunny with fantastic views. a haven for skiing and après-ski A place to see and be seen....” - Nick, Dec 2024
