Courchevel. NHYM 2017. All photos courtesy of the internet. 

Like (literally) everyone in London, I decamped to the Alps for February half term for some family skiing. Austria, Switzerland, and France became London outposts, which made for busy and fun holidays, but not exactly relaxing holidays. In our hotel, I bumped into a girl who goes to the same school as my eldest and my youngest found one of her London classmates in her ski class. This was not a holiday ‘escape;’ this was a full on London-on-Snow-Fest.

For those who didn’t make it to the Alps this year or who want ideas of where to go, here is my round up of the top luxury ski hotels in Europe:

Le Portetta, Courchevel. NHYM 2017.

1…Best for Families: Le Portetta, Courchevel 1650. To start off the list, we need a family-friendly hotel that is accessible to NBI (Non-Billionaire-Individuals). It’s got a Scott Dunn kids club and nannies on demand, who will take your kids to their ski school so you can avoid all that ski-equipment-carrying palaver. Bliss.

L’Alpaga, Megeve. NHYM 2017

2….Best for Foodies and Families: L’Alpaga, Megeve. People who go to Megeve don’t come here to actually go skiing; it’s so low that it often doesn’t have any snow at Christmas. But what it does have is plenty of delicious restaurants including the 3 Michelin star Flocons de Sel. Bon Appetit!

Hotel Kulm, St. Moritz. NHYM 2017.

3…Best for Old School Luxury: Hotel Kulm, St. Moritz. With a recent spa facelift, Hotel Kulm still stands as one of the oldest and luxurious hotels in the Alps and was founded in 1856. It feels like going into your grandma’s parlour with chintz, wallpaper and gold chandeliers, so it may not be your style, but it does takes you back in time to old school glamour.

The Alpina, Gstaad. NHYM 2017. 

4… Best for super luxury: The Alpina, Gstaad: A recently opened hotel, The Alpina is vying for ‘best luxury hotel’ in the Alps, with a number of accolades under it’s belt since it’s opening. I’ve been told by friends who recently stopped by that it is truly amazing.

L’Apogee, Courchevel. NHYM 2017. 

5…Best for Billionaires: L’Apogee, Courchevel 1850. Courchevel has made it twice on this list, mostly because I have nostalgic memories of learning to ski on these slopes (pre-Ruskis), but it has changed a lot since these days. For the OTT/Bling Crowd, Courchevel hits the spot with its fashion designer designed gondolas and Chanel stores. But it remains a wonderful, beautiful resort with excellent skiing. L’Apogee has the biggest kids club in Courchevel and is really for the too-cool-for-school crowd.

Stanglwirt, Austria. NHYM 2017.

6…Best for uniqueness: Stanglwirt, Going, Austria. Is it a hotel? Is it a resort? Is it a farm? Stanglwirt is a strange but beautiful place that has everything packed in one place: 4 pools, a giant, twisting slide in the children’s pool, a farm, pony rides, a big spa, and a cow restaurant (as in there’s-a-cow-eating-with-me-in-this-restaurant). It is kind of in the middle of nowhere so it’s for those who won’t mind staying in their resort for the whole trip.

Aurelio, Lech. NHYM 2017.

7…Best for Ski-in, ski-out: Aurelio, Lech. Someone just told me that the snow in Lech is special; it falls right on Lech so it always has great snow. I don’t know if that’s true, but what is true is that Aurelio is a sexy, luxurious hotel for the fashionable. This one is definitely not for the NBIs like me, but if you are a BI, enjoy!

La Vallee Blanche, Chamonix. NHYM 2017.

8….Best for hard core skiers: Hotel Mont Blanc, Chamonix. For the hard core skiers, Chamonix is the place to go. A friend was lamenting how easy skiing has become with easy pistes and parabolic skis. Well, she hasn’t been to Chamonix. If you want real skiing, this is where you go. Forget your Chanel moonboots and your Prada helmet, here it is about real skiing and the Hotel Mont Blanc is newly revamped. The Vallee Blanche is a must-do, a 20km, glacier, off piste ski run. One of my best skiing experiences. Ever.

La Cordee des Alpes restaurant, Verbier. NHYM 2017. 

9….Best Boutique Hotel: La Cordee des Alpes, Verbier. Everyone gushes about the W Hotel in Verbier which is right across from the ski lifts, but apart from it’s location, it is not one of my faves. It is brand spanking new, modern and leaves me quite cold. I still like Alpine chalet luxury and La Cordee des Alpes provides just that. It has a great restaurant, spa and a great feel to it. It isn’t a ski-in/ski-out kind of place, but the concierge can arrange transport to the ski slopes.

Hotel Christiania, Val D’Isere. NHYM 2017.

10…Best for Location (and families): Hotel Christiania, Val D’Isere. Location, location, location. Hotel Christiana is on the slopes and right in town as well. It is family run and offers child care and a swimming pool to entertain the kids. Val D’Isere has excellent skiing and a happening nightlife for those who want a good mix of both. And with prices that are more reasonable than most of these hotels, here’s finally a place for NBIs.

 

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

@NHyummymummy