15 Beautiful Ski Resorts to Visit This Winter
Given that cold air unleashes crowds of eager skiers and snowboarders, it’s no surprise you may be looking for ski resorts to visit this winter. From the Rockies to the Alps, snow-covered mountains offer thrill seekers and those who abstain from sports the pleasures of natural beauty. And after hours of gliding down mountains, anywhere with a pillow and a blanket may suffice as a good place to crash, but why not stay somewhere as beautiful as the surrounding landscape? After all, there’s plenty of eye-catching architecture to be found in these snowy spots besides the gorgeous scenery. From a Swiss hotel with a striking spa to a UNESCO World Heritage site in Alberta, Canada, these getaways feature dramatic designs, luxurious accommodations, and access to world-class slopes. Here, AD surveys 15 incredible ski resorts around the globe that are, architecturally, as breathtaking as the mountains that surround them.
Photo: Alamy1/15Tschuggen Grand Hotel (Arosa, Switzerland)
Architect Mario Botta designed the striking spa at the Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Arosa, Switzerland. The alpine retreat, which was built in 1929, features 130 rooms and suites with opulent interiors by Carlo Rampazzi.
Photo: Alamy2/15Cartlon Hotel (Saint Moritz, Switzerland)
Located in Saint Moritz, Switzerland, the Carlton Hotel boasts 60 luxurious suites that blend old-world grandeur with contemporary elements. The resort is also home to the Michelin-starred restaurant Da Vittorio.
Photo: Alamy3/15Gstaad Palace (Gstaad, Switzerland)
The Gstaad Palace in Switzerland opened in 1913 and has catered to jet-setters and stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, and Marlene Dietrich throughout its long history. The castlelike hotel overlooks the streets of Gstaad, which are filled with high-end boutiques.
Photo: Courtesy of Vail Resorts4/15Pines Lodge, a RockResort (Beaver Creek Village, Colorado)
The Pines Lodge, a RockResort, is a rustic Colorado retreat with ski-in, ski-out access set above Beaver Creek Village. After a long day on the slopes, guests can enjoy views of the Rockies from the acclaimed Grouse Mountain Grill.
Photo: Alamy5/15Cheval Blanc Courchevel (Courchevel, France)
Designed by architect Sybille de Margerie, the intimate Cheval Blanc Courchevel in Courchevel, France, is the ultimate in Alpine luxury. The resort, which is owned by LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault, is also filled with blue-chip artwork by Michel Othoniel, Xavier Veillant, and Bruno Peinado, whose Trojan Horse sculpture is seen here.
Photo: Courtesy of Fairmont Hotel6/15Fairmont Banff Springs (Alberta, Canada)
Founded by railway tycoon William Cornelius Van Horne in 1888, the Fairmont Banff Springs is set within Banff National Park and offers stunning views of the Canadian Rockies. The sprawling hotel, which was inspired by a Scottish baronial castle, includes 764 rooms and suites and nine restaurants and bars.
Photo: Courtesy of The St. Regis Aspen Resort7/15St. Regis Aspen Resort (Aspen)
The St. Regis Aspen Resort in the Colorado Rockies received a $40 million makeover by interior architect Lauren Rottet in 2012. Set at the base of Aspen Mountain, the hotel includes 179 rooms and suites outfitted with Ralph Lauren beds and desks and marble-lined baths.
Photo: Courtesy of Hôtel des Dromonts/P. Doignon, C. Arnal, MPM, F. Ducout & DR8/15Hôtel des Dromonts (Avoriaz, France)
The ski-in, ski-out Hôtel des Dromonts in Avoriaz, France, was built in the 1960s by architect Jacques Labro, who was inspired by the work of Le Corbusier and Charlotte Perriand. The interiors of the distinctive angular building were recently refreshed and upgraded by designer Jocelyne Sibuet.
Photo: Courtesy of InterContinental Davos9/15InterContinental Davos (Davos, Switzerland)
Munich-based firm Oikios Architect took inspiration from pinecones for the design of the InterContinental Davos in Davos, Switzerland. The oval façade uses over 790 curved, overlapping steel panels to create the scaled appearance. Inside, 216 tasteful guest rooms overlook the city—home to the World Economic Forum—and surrounding mountains.
Photo: Courtesy of The Chedi Andermatt10/15The Chedi Andermatt (Andermatt, Switzerland)
Offering a unique combination of Asian-inspired design motifs and Alpine rustic touches, The Chedi Andermatt is one of the Switzerland’s most wonderful offerings. The boutique hotel is located 4,747 feet above sea level and includes a 25,833-square-foot spa to take advantage of when you’re not out on the slopes.
Photo: Courtesy of Zannier Hotels.11/15Le Chalet Zanier (Megève, France)
With rustic and understated architecture and interiors, Le Chalet Zanier is designed to mimic the natural beauty of the surrounding Mont Blanc mountain range. The resort is made of a 12-room main structure as well as a separate three-bedroom private cottage. Like the snowflakes that top the roofs, no room is exactly like any of the others.
Photo: Konstantin Volkmar. Courtesy of Forestis.12/15Forestis (Dolomites, Italy)
Located in a densely wooded area, Forestis is situated exactly where the Austrian monarchy established a tuberculosis sanatorium in 1912. Designed with simplicity in mind, the rich stone, wood, and glass of the hotel are inspired by the nature that surrounds it.
Photo: Courtesy of El Lodge.13/15El Lodge (Granada, Spain)
For a five-star getaway in Granada, consider El Lodge in the Andalusian Sierra Nevada. As the highest point in continental Spain, the area is a popular among skiers and one of the southern-most ski resorts in Europe.
Photo: Courtesy of Aman.14/15Aman Le Mélézin (Courchevel, France)
Aman’s outpost in the French Alps is a four-story hotel outfitted in calming serene decor. Acting as both a ski-in, ski-out resort and a luxury spa, the location even offers a hot-air balloon excursion that lets you experience the Alps in a whole new way.
Photo: Chadchai Ra-ngubpai/Getty Images15/15The Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa (Kashmir, India)
Located just steps from the the second longest and second highest cable car in the world, Gulmarg Gondola, The Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa is a great option for anyone looking to ski the Kongdoori Mountain. Clad in pine and slate, the hotel is designed to mirror Kashmir’s architectural legacy.
