

One of the most popular winter pastimes, skiing (and snowboarding) has become an arctic activity embedded into vacation plans around the world. Whether loading up the SUV for a road journey or traveling light and renting gear at the slopes, ski trips act not only as a bonding experience for families but a leisurely getaway for couples and singles alike.
When the snow season rolls around, nothing compares to the ritual of throwing on layer after layer of padded equipment and waddling through trenches of white powder in clunky boots, just to tumble down the alps for a few hours. Couple this with a roaring fireplace, a cup of hot cocoa, and sore body parts, and you’ve got yourself a pleasant weekend away from home.
However, these polar escapes are not defined solely by the slopes themselves. The most renowned resorts offer guests top-tier shopping, accommodation, fine dining, and other amenities to enhance the luxury experience. In this article, Chic Icon presents the top ski resorts – because what fun would skiing be without stopping halfway down the mountain for a glass of champagne?
Verbier, Switzerland
First, we head to the Swiss Alps, where skiing is ingrained in the culture and the children are given a set of ski poles at birth. The largest of Switzerland’s Les Quatre Vallées ski region, Verbier is considered one of Europe’s most famous off-piste ski resorts. Interlinked with five other resorts, the 4 Vallées ski pass offers over 400 kilometers of marked runs and elevations of up to 3,330 meters. Although the steep, powdery hills and backcountry slopes appeal more to advanced riders, children and beginners have their share of simple runs.


A two-hour drive from Geneva, the village of Verbier lies in the French-speaking, southwest part of Switzerland. On top of its alpine beauty, visitors of all backgrounds are attracted to the acclaimed resort for its cosmopolitan feel and après-ski entertainment. Day spas, nightclubs, and top-flight accommodation will ensure a luxurious winter experience. Additional activities include dog sledding, paragliding, numerous hiking trails, and various ski and snowboarding schools offering private lessons.


For the ultimate luxury experience: Book a few nights at the W Verbier Hotel and ski directly from the piste to your doorstep and enjoy some local fondue in front of the fireplace.
Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
The next location on this list is one of the most popular winter destinations in North America. Comprising the terrain of Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass, this ski resort has hosted Hollywood celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Rita Ora, and Elton John. Suitable for riders of all levels, Aspen Snowmass offers everything from beginner-level, family-friendly runs down Buttermilk to world-class glades and double-black-diamond terrains of the Aspen Highlands.


Quaint yet vibrant and chic, this Colorado hotspot offers world-class restaurants overlooking the alps and historic sites such as the John Denver Sanctuary and Ashcroft Ghost Town, a notable settlement for silver mining in the 1880s. For the non-skiers, take a trip on the Silver Queen Gondola or brush shoulders with A-listers over a cocktail at The Little Nell Hotel.


The town’s late 19th-century architecture will leave you both breathless and well-accommodated – take Hotel Jerome, for example. A quarter of an hour from the airport, the hotel’s in-house Prospect restaurant welcomes guests with a blazing fireplace and a decorative mix of old west charm and modern opulence.
Can’t wait for the winter? Don’t hesitate: Many resort activities are readily available for the summer!
Courchevel, France
Not to be confused with the Four Valleys mentioned earlier, Courchevel is a part of the interlocked ski resorts known as Les Trois Vallèes, the largest ski domain in Europe comprising the valleys of Courchevel, Méribel, and Belleville. Around 600 kilometers of alpine glory spread across ten summits and a total of 335 individual runs with varying difficulty, this wintertime wonder cannot be underestimated.


Courchevel is by far the greatest – in terms of size and popularity – of the Three Valleys group and attracts plenty of talent. In fact, Courchevel will host several events of the 2021/2022 Alpine Ski World Cup such as the slalom, downhill, and parallel races for both men and women. The resort is also considerably family-friendly and offers a unique experience for all skill levels, offering free chairlifts in beginner areas and legendary runs such as the Grand Couloir, an ungroomed black piste with a 692-meter-long, 340-meter descent for the thrill-seekers.
Courchevel’s dedicated adaptive area also accommodates skiers with disabilities, providing easy access and specially equipped lifts.


Away from the slopes, numerous Michelin-starred restaurants can be found across the mountain, as well as a local cinema, shopping mall, and countless spa experiences including indoor/outdoor pools, jacuzzis, and hammams, leaving no shortage of après-ski options.
Best ways to go: Take the family up for a week and relax at the luxurious Shemshak Lodge ski-in/ski-out chalet.
Lech, Austria
Our final pick for this list of polar getaways leads us to Vorarlberg, the westernmost state of Austria. Although 80 lifts and a staggering 1,000 meters of vertical ascent may sound daunting, Lech’s runs are more tailored to beginner-to-intermediate level skiers. The first week of March has historically produced the heaviest snowfall, however, only a small portion of the mountain’s pistes are covered by artificial snowmaking – making Lech a reliable wintertime destination for dedicated skiers. Nearly a two-hour commute from Zurich airport, the resort offers wonderfully smooth runs and airs of exclusivity – perhaps explaining why this location attracts wealthier clientele including Dutch royalty and Russian oligarchs.


The piste does include a terrain park and half-pipe for snowboarders; however, the more expert riders may favor taking the gondola system around the Arlberg ski area, which offers over 300 kilometers of runs. Regardless of your preference for the slopes, the village of Lech enchants all visitors with its award-winning eateries, wooden chalets, and refreshing mountain air – not to mention the town’s extraordinary Gothic-style church of St. Nicholas dating back to 1390.


Not to miss: Take the cable car 1,800 meters up the mountainside to the Schlegelkopf Restaurant and indulge in a glass of Veuve Clicquot (and a live DJ if you’re lucky!)
Bonus: Furano Ski Resort, Japan
While Japan isn’t the first place that pops into mind when discussing winter vacation, the north island of Hokkaido has amply invested in ski infrastructure to boost winter tourism. Owned and operated by Japanese firm Prince Hotels, the Furano Ski Resort offers 25 kilometers of long, sloping pistes and vertical altitudes that reach over 900 meters – perfect for the intermediate level. Relatively unknown outside the country (although the resort has had an influx of Australian tourists in recent years) and open only from the end of November to the beginning of May, the village of Furano and its ski resort have maintained an exclusive identity untouched by western influence.


In addition to being a 12-time host of the Ski and Snowboard World Cup, Furano Ski Resort harbors Japan’s fastest cable car, shuttling over 100 skiers up the hill at 10 meters per second.


The resort also offers a full-service daycare center and daytime activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even a hot air balloon ride. After settling into the western-style rooms at the Furano Prince Hotel, visit the nearby Goto Sumio Museum of Art or head over to the Asahiyama Zoo and mingle with the giant penguins!
Narrowing down the world’s best ski resorts into a shortlist is a tough task, and quantifying the merit of each location is even more daunting. So, keep these resorts in mind when planning your next winter vacation!
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