With the ski lifts shut down across the French Alps since December, many of us sorely missed our annual pilgrimage to the slopes. We missed carving the first tracks on pristine slopes, sipping vin chaud on a balcony as the sun set behind the mountains, and cuddling up around a fireplace as the falling flakes outside cocooned us in our own little snow globe.
If you don’t want to miss two seasons in a row, you best get in quickly! Bookings for the 2021/22 season are already open, so now’s the time to plan your next alpine getaway to one of these magical French ski resorts.
Courchevel 1850
The most glamorous resort in the vast Three Valleys ski area, Courchevel 1850 is the place to see and be seen. The resort centre is filled with upmarket stores, trendy bars and nightclubs, and Michelin-starred gourmet restaurants.
The pistes are always perfectly groomed and - as most slopes are North-facing - Courchevel is one of the most snow-sure resorts in the Three Valleys. It’s perfect for intermediate and advanced riders, though there are also plenty of blue runs for nervous first-timers and even a children’s village for the littlest snow bunnies.
With its high altitude, Courchevel’s ski season runs until late April, so there’s plenty of time to hit the slopes… or the stores!
Our top picks in Courchevel 1850:
Chalet Ormello - 9 bedrooms, 15 guests
Chalet Abruzzes - 7 bedrooms, 14 guests
Chalet La Datcha - 5 bedrooms, 10 guests
Explore villas in Ibiza
Bright Blue Cliff House
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 25,000
to 45,000 EUR
per week
Can Skye
Bedrooms: 9, Guests: 18
From 12,500
to 30,000 EUR
per week
Can Tepa
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 12
From 12,500
to 33,000 EUR
per week
Casa India
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 15,500
to 19,999 EUR
per week
Isla Sa Ferradura
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 250,000
to 300,000 EUR
per week
Villa Infinity - Ibiza
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 28,000
to 73,500 EUR
per week
Villa La Fabrica
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 7,250 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Las Cicadas
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 7,700
to 22,400 EUR
per week
Villa Mayoas
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 14
From 66,700 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Na Xamena
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 15,400
to 24,500 EUR
per week
Villa Rica
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 35,000
to 45,000 EUR
per week
Villa Roca
Bedrooms: 8, Guests: 16
From 50,000
to 70,000 EUR
per week
Meribel
In the heart of The Three Valleys ski area, Meribel is easily the prettiest of the area’s resorts. With traditional wooden chalets in the village and dotted along the pistes, the resort oozes Alpine charm.
There are runs to suit all abilities and two snow parks for more adventurous riders. The descent from the resort’s highest point is known as one of the most scenic in the French Alps, offering panoramic views of the Gébrolaz glacier and Grand Casse.
Meribel’s village centre offers excellent shopping from ski shops to high-end clothing and interior design stores. Twice-weekly there is a charming street market offering fresh produce including locally-made Savoyard cheese. Aprés ski is quite lively, with plenty of bars and pubs for visitors to enjoy a drink or three in before heading back to their cosy chalet.
Our top picks in Meribel:
Chalet Le Grand Cerf - 8 bedrooms, 15 guests
Chalet Valentine - 7 bedrooms, 14 guests
Chalet Alpaca - 6 bedrooms, 14 guests
Explore villas in Courchevel
Chalet Abruzzes
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 14
From 131,600 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Chalet Baltoro
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 101,500 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Chalet Karakoram
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 103,600 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Chalet La Colombe
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 40,000
to 100,000 EUR
per week
Chalet La Datcha Courchevel
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 79,000
to 179,000 EUR
per week
Chalet Le 1550
Bedrooms: 8, Guests: 15
From 45,000
to 110,000 EUR
per week
Chalet Le Blanchot
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 60,000
to 150,000 EUR
per week
Chalet Le Coquelicot
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 70,000
to 280,000 EUR
per week
Chalet Le Petit Chateau
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 14
Price on request
Chalet Le Petit Palais
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 14
From 100,000 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Chalet Montana
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 38,000
to 86,500 EUR
per week
Chalet Muztagh
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 103,600 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Chalet Ormello
Bedrooms: 9, Guests: 15
From 190,000 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Chalet Panmah
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 101,500 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Chalet Shemshak
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 48,500
to 215,000 EUR
per week
The Private Penthouse
Bedrooms: 4, Guests: 8
From 147,000 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Val d'Isere
Originally a small alpine farming village, Val d’Isère has continued to develop into a modern alpine resort whilst maintaining its village feel. Combined with neighbouring resort Tignes, it creates the Espace Killy ski region, one of the largest ski areas in the French Alps, offering runs for every level of rider.
Those looking for a good time both on and off the slopes need look no further than Val d’Isère. From musicians on the rooftop at the on-piste La Folie Douce to late-night dancing at A-lister favourite Dick’s Tea Bar, visitors are not short of a place to let their hair down after a day on the slopes.
The ski season runs from November to late April/early May, making it one of the most snow-sure resorts in Europe.
Our top picks in Val d’Isere:
Chalet Marco Polo - 6 bedrooms, 14 guests
Chalet Lhotse - 6 bedrooms, 12 guests
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Chalet Apartment Entre Ciel et Terre
Bedrooms: 4, Guests: 8
From 28,500
to 36,000 CHF
per week
Chalet Apartment La Vallee Blanche
Bedrooms: 4, Guests: 10
From 10,000
to 22,000 CHF
per week
Chalet Chouqui
Bedrooms: 9, Guests: 20
From 55,000
to 200,000 CHF
per week
Chalet Dent Blanche
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 63,480
to 91,140 CHF
per week
Chalet La Vigne
Bedrooms: 4, Guests: 10
From 20,760
to 116,500 CHF
per week
Chalet Les Attelas
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 14,000
to 80,000 CHF
per week
Chalet Makini
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 11
Price on request
Chalet No 14
Bedrooms: 13, Guests: 26
From 67,400
to 165,000 CHF
per week
Chalet Norte
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 101,810 CHF
per week,
to price on request
Chalet Nyumba
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 14
From 29,000
to 140,000 CHF
per week
Chalet Pierre Avoi
Bedrooms: 8, Guests: 16
From 17,000
to 100,000 CHF
per week
Chalet Rock
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 14,000
to 75,000 CHF
per week
Chalet Spa Verbier
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 65,000
to 155,000 CHF
per week
Chalet Truffe Blanche
Bedrooms: 9, Guests: 18
From 88,800
to 180,000 CHF
per week
The Lodge Chalet
Bedrooms: 9, Guests: 18
From 69,300
to 295,500 CHF
per week
Chamonix
Unlike the purpose-built resorts, Chamonix is a bustling alpine town with 9000 year-round permanent residents. Situated at the base of the imposing Mont Blanc, the town comprises Victorian and Belle Epoque architecture mixed with traditional and contemporary ski chalets.
Chamonix has five separate ski areas on four different mountains, each with varying terrain and all an easy drive from the town centre. Although there is something for everyone, the resort is best suited for intermediate to advanced riders. Those not keen on skiing the epic 2+ hour run from the top of the mountains should still head up the Aiguille du Midi cable car purely for the panoramic views of Mont Blanc and Chamonix town.
The town’s car-free centre offers a pretty place to stroll and explore local stores, exclusive boutiques, and pleasant cafes overhanging the River Arve. There’s also plenty of après ski bars and several Michelin-starred restaurants to enjoy.
Our top pick in Chamonix:
Chalet Dalmore - 5 bedrooms, 10 guests
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Chalet Dalmore
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 12,500
to 35,520 EUR
per week
Megève
Megève has retained a perfect blend of small-town charm and sophisticated ambiance. It is home to a host of Michelin-starred restaurants and luxurious mountain spas, as well as one of France’s oldest jazz clubs outside of Paris.
The pretty village is centred around a medieval church and the cobbled, traffic-free square features designer boutiques and galleries, an open-air ice rink, and horse-drawn carriages a-plenty.
The extensive ski area is ideal for beginners and intermediates with cruisy tree-lined pistes, though more advanced riders will still find enough to tackle on and off-piste before stopping by one of the many mountain restaurants for lunch.
Our top picks in Megève:
Chalet Ultima Megève - 9 bedrooms, 18 guests
Chalet Aspen - 7 bedrooms, 13 guests
Explore villas in Megève
Chalet Aspen
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 13
From 100,000 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Chalet Izoard
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 16
From 73,630
to 185,430 EUR
per week
Chalet Ultima Megeve
Bedrooms: 8, Guests: 18
Price on request
Le Chalet Privè
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 15
From 31,500
to 133,000 EUR
per week
