The Luxury Ski Hotels in Europe That Still Get It Right

For some, January is a dreaded month, when ambitious New Year’s resolutions must be put into practice and the days are cold with summer still far out of sight. For skiers, however, the first month of the year marks the moment the season really kicks off, and attention turns on where to stay in the mountains.

As we know, there is no shortage of alpine luxury hotels, but not all of them are designed with skiing at their core. Some prioritize the social scene, others the spa, and only a handful are actually built around the ski day itself. My selection brings together some of Europe’s best luxury ski hotels across different destinations, each with a distinct character and its own trade-offs.

From contemporary ski-in, ski-out hotels to long-established heritage hotels, these are my favourite luxury ski hotels in Europe right now — chosen as much for where they are as for how they work once you’re there.

Le K2 Altitude, Courchevel 1850, French Alps

Le K2 Altitude is the definition of ski-in, ski-out. Set directly on the slopes, slightly above the village of Courchevel 1850, this hotel offers ski-in, ski-out access at 1,900 metres in one of Europe’s most extensive ski areas, Les Trois Vallées. Compared to its sister property in the village, Le K2 Palace, Le K2 Altitude feels more alpine chic than heritage icon.

The rooms and suites are a clear highlight. Warm, contemporary interiors combine stone bathrooms with a high-end chalet feel, while the small scale of the hotel — just 14 rooms and 18 suites — keeps the atmosphere boutique and private. Dining is spread across several venues, including a sunny terrace that works well as a ski-to lunch stop. On bad-weather days, the hotel’s spa, indoor pool and cinema room provide an easy alternative to the slopes.

• Best for: Its true ski-in, ski-out access and a well-organised setup that allows you to spend entire days without leaving the hotel — from spa and dining
• Location highlight: Direct access to the Trois Vallées, one of the world’s largest and most varied ski areas, with lively restaurants and social energy on the slopes.
• Worth noting: Courchevel 1850 is known to be flashy, and during peak season minimum spends and a more status-driven crowd are part of the package deal.

The Chedi, Andermatt, Switzerland

The Chedi Andermatt remains one of my favourite ski hotels, feeling less mountain lodge and more contemporary retreat, with clear Asian influences. Its design is distinct by Jean-Michel Gathy, (who is known for shaping the Aman signature style), with high ceilings, dark colours and Asian minimalistic lines. The lobby is organized around central firepits and lounge areas, with many cozy corners to choose from. Inside you find a 2-star Michelin restaurant, a cigar room, a wine library, and crucially, a ski shop inside the hotel, complete with ski butlers to assist you while getting ready to hit the slopes.

I’ve stayed in the junior deluxe suite during both summer and winter, and I must say, the rooms at Chedi Andermatt are one of the nicest I’ve stayed at so far in Switzerland. The suite comes with its own wine cellar, firepit, dining area, a his and her dressing room, and decadent bathrooms that make getting ready almost better than going out. Read my full review of my stay at The Chedi here.

• Best for:  The rooms and the spa, with two indoor pools, extensive treatment options, different temperature saunas to choose from and a fully equipped gym.
• Location highlight: Quiet slopes spread across two distinct mountains, catering to different skill levels, plus two Michelin-starred Mountain restaurants on the slopes — one focused on Swiss alpine cuisine, the other Japanese.
• Worth noting: Andermatt is still an upcoming destination, so the town itself is small and does not offer luxury boutique shopping or much nightlife. The entertainment is concentrated around the hotel and its restaurants. There are many real estate development projects planned for this small Swiss mountain village, so keep an eye out for this one.

Aman Rosa Alpina, Dolomites, Italy

This winter is the first ski season for the new Aman Rosa Alpina in the Italian Dolomites. The hotel brings the familiar Aman luxury to the mountains, with minimalist suites, exclusive restaurants and generous wellness facilities designed for recovery after a day on the slopes.

What I like most about Aman Rosa Alpina is that it doesn’t feel like a ski hotel trying to impress. It feels like an Aman retreat that happens to be located in one of Europe’s most impressive ski regions. Ski days start easily, with well-organised ski rooms and butler service that takes care of transport to the lifts. But the real fun begins once you’re back from skiing. For a true Aman style après-ski experience, you slow down and recover at the spa, followed by quiet dinners and relaxed evenings at the hotel. You finish of the evening with a glass of red by the piano or your own fireplace in your suite.

• Best for: The Aman lifestyle in the mountains — strong interior design, generous windows, and a clear sense of retreat feel.
• Location highlight: The Dolomites are well known among Italian skiers but still relatively underrated internationally. The hotel provides easy access to the vast Dolomiti Superski area, with 1,200 kilometres of interconnected slopes. Here you find wide runs which are noticeably less crowded than other ski destinations in Europe.
• Worth noting: This is a deliberately calm retreat experience; those looking for a lively social scene or classic après-ski may need to look elsewhere.

Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, St. Moritz, Switzerland

Badrutt’s Palace Hotel sits above Lake St. Moritz, where it always has. This is the place where Alpine luxury began in the 19th century and which, in contrast to many contemporary ski resorts, still radiates an old-glamour atmosphere. Besides the fact that St. Moritz has plenty to offer when it comes to skiing, the town itself is very social and elegant, with a wide choice of restaurants and a calendar of organised social events. The Polo and St.Moritz ICE make January a particularly popular time to visit.

The Badrutt’s Palace hotel lobby is iconic for a social afternoon tea, and breakfast is served overlooking the lake. What was once Switzerland’s oldest nightclub, The King’s Club, is now a restaurant-bar-club concept that reliably becomes lively after dinner. The hotel carries a strong sense of heritage and remains the best place to stay if you want to experience the real St. Moritz.

• Best for: Its legacy and social atmosphere.
• Location highlight: A heritage ski resort with old-world glamour in Switzerland.
• Worth noting: During peak season it can be difficult to secure a room, and prices have risen significantly.

Almhof Schneider, Lech, Austria

Lech is an upscale Austrian ski resort that appeals to those who come first and foremost for the skiing, without much fuss around it. Almhof Schneider fits that mindset perfectly. This low-profile, family-run hotel is organised around the ski day rather than being seen on the slopes. Days start early, service is efficient, and the generous wellness area is there to support long hours on the mountain, not distract from them.

I used to come here as a child — Lech has long been popular with a certain Dutch crowd — and while it doesn’t offer the overt glamour of Courchevel or Megève, that is precisely the point. You come here for reliable snow, serious terrain and time well spent with family. It’s a place where skiing still leads the experience, and where the hotel understands its role in the itinerary.

Best for: Ski-focused service and strong wellness facilities; very family-oriented.

Location highlight: Direct access to the Arlberg, one of Europe’s most dependable and varied ski areas, known for snow reliability and terrain quality.

Worth noting: : Après-ski exists, but it is distinctly Austrian in style rather than centred around cosmopolitan dining or late-night venues, as found in Courchevel or St.Moritz.