
We’ve already shared our list of the world’s best igloo hotels, but where do all the design-loving skiers stay? From remote alpine stations that you need a helicopter to access to wellness retreats nestled in the mountains, the world’s best ski hotels are havens for snow addicts.
The world’s best ski hotels
1. Marritz Hotel | New South Wales (NSW), Australia
Hotel: Marritz Hotel
Location: Perisher Valley, New South Wales, Australia
Rooms: 27 rooms, plus Salzburg Apartments
Style: European chalet-style with traditional timber, fireplaces and mountain views
Family amenities: Family accommodation and apartments
Wellness: Heated indoor pool, sauna and massage room
Dining: Marritz Restaurant and bar
Best for: Families, couples and traditional ski-lodge lovers
Ski access: Excellent access to Perisher’s slopes, with over-snow transfers and lift transfers included with the hotel’s rates
Prices starting from: AUD $350 per night, depending on room and season.

Marritz Hotel
Made up of the Marritz Hotel and Salzburg Apartments, you couldn’t find a better place to sleep and ski in the Perisher Valley. The hotel has panoramic views over Front Valley and is stylishly designed in a European style, complete with roaring fireplaces and wooden furnishings – you wouldn’t know you weren’t in an Austrian chalet.
The 27 rooms range from basic to executive suites; however, our favourite is the Tower Suite, which is a vast circular room with 360-degree views over the landscape, two bedrooms and a dining room. Also in the hotel, you can dine on European cuisine at Marritz Restaurant or enjoy some apres-ski at the bar; plus, there’s a sauna, massage room, and Perisher’s only heated pool for warming up after a day on the pistes.
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2. Fairmont Chateau, Whistler | British Columbia, Canada
Hotel: Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Location: Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
Rooms: 519 rooms and suites
Brand: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Style: Grand Canadian mountain lodge
Family amenities: Spacious rooms and suites, family-friendly facilities and activities
Wellness: Full-service spa, heated indoor/outdoor pools, four whirlpools and fitness facilities
Dining: Multiple restaurants including The Grill Room, The Wildflower and Portobello
Best for: Families, couples, luxury travellers and serious skiers
Ski access: Ski-in/ski-out at the base of Blackcomb Mountain
Prices starting from: CAD $300 per night, depending on room and season.

Fairmont Chateau, Whistler
You’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who hasn’t heard of the magnificent Fairmont Chateau in Whistler, Canada, which is nestled amongst acres of forest yet is just 10 minutes from Whistler Village and just three minutes from the slopes.
They haven’t held back with opulence here – designed to resemble a luxe ski lodge; the hotel features vaulted ceilings, plush furniture, roaring fires and panoramic views over the countryside. There are a whopping 528 rooms styled with stone fireplaces, wooden furnishings, big, comfy beds, and spacious bathrooms with freestanding tubs.
Activities and excursions also abound, with everything from outdoor tours like hiking and snowshoeing to multiple hot tubs and swimming pools, a spa and a nearby golf course. The cuisine is hearty and authentically Canadian at The Grill Room; think oysters, trout, and steak, or grab a lighter bite at The Wildflower or Portobello.
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3. Ski Portillo | Andes Mountains, Chile
Hotel: Hotel Portillo
Location: Portillo, Andes Mountains, Chile
Rooms: 123 rooms, plus chalets and lodge accommodation
Style: Iconic, colourful and traditional ski resort
Family amenities: Family apartments, children’s programmes and activities
Wellness: Heated outdoor pool, hot tubs, gym, yoga and spa treatments
Dining: Main dining room, Portillo Bar and other resort dining
Best for: Families, groups, experienced skiers and a distinctive South American ski experience
Ski access: Ski-in/ski-out
Prices starting from: USD $500 per night, depending on room and season.

Ski Portillo
The only all-inclusive resort that anyone who’s anyone stays at when skiing in Chile, Ski Portillo is a ski-in, ski-out resort in the heart of the Andes. The accommodation options are endless, ranging from elegant ski chalets and hotel rooms to budget-friendly Inca lodges and the comfy Octagon ski lodge.
The private ski chalets are worth every penny, offering stunning mountain and lake views, private living rooms and kitchens, and a lift pass included. We could write our own article about Portillo’s amenities, but just to name a few, you can enjoy an outdoor pool, hot tubs, a yoga studio, cinema, discos, shop, and even a library – and that doesn’t even include the snow-based activities. There are numerous dining options, such as the main dining room, complete with white tablecloths and a Maitre D’, or the cosy Portillo bar, for a few après cocktails.
Check out Ski Portillo
4. Club Med Yabuli | Heilongjiang, China
Hotel: Club Med Yabuli
Location: Yabuli, Heilongjiang, China
Brand: Club Med
Style: Contemporary alpine resort
Family amenities: Children’s programmes, ski lessons for different ages and family accommodation
Wellness: L’Occitane Spa, indoor pool, hot spring and outdoor Canadian bath
Dining: International and Asian cuisine, including local Heilongjiang dishes
Best for: Families, beginners and all-inclusive ski holidays
Ski access: Access to Yabuli’s 35km ski domain
Prices starting from: USD $300 per night, depending on room and season.
Not only does China have great skiing, but it has some of the world’s best ski hotels to match. Club Med Yabuli sits in the mountain range of the same name, which is China’s largest ski area, located in Harbin. The hotel is packed with things to do, from ski and snowboarding lessons to their L’Occitane Spa.
The spacious deluxe rooms all come with snowy mountain views, plush king-sized beds, lounge areas, and a stocked minibar. The hotel also has a pool, disco, gym, and an annual ice festival. You may be used to pairing a day of skiing with some warming Swiss or French cooking, but the local Chinese served at Mudan restaurant is perfect for refuelling after a day on the slopes.
Learn more about Club Med Yabuli or Book through Agoda
5. L’Apogée Courchevel | Courchevel, France
Hotel: L’Apogée Courchevel
Location: Courchevel 1850, French Alps
Rooms: 20 rooms, 33 suites, one penthouse and two chalets
Brand: Oetker Collection
Style: Sophisticated French Alpine glamour
Family amenities: Family suites, two-bedroom suites and a nine-person penthouse
Wellness: Spa, swimming pool and yoga studio
Dining: Koori Japanese restaurant, Le Comptoir French restaurant and Le Bar
Best for: Luxury travellers, families, couples and serious skiers
Ski access: Direct access to the Courchevel slopes
Prices starting from: €2,000 per night, depending on room and season.

L’Apogée Courchevel
There are dozens of gorgeous places to stay in Courchevel, but L’Apogée is the epitome of luxury. Quite simply a winter wonderland, the hotel is designed in classic French style, with a number of rooms and chalets available. The rooms and suites, designed by India Mahdavi, are beautiful, complete with spectacular archways, wooden ceilings and velvet furniture in rich hues, while some have balconies and bespoke artwork.
Elsewhere, the five-floor chalets feature five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a butler and private chef, a home spa, a cinema and panoramic views. For those not in a chalet, the hotel has Spa L’Apogée for massages and treatments, a pool, and a yoga studio. The two onsite restaurants and bar are as sleek as you’d expect, encompassing Japanese Koori, Le Comptoir L’Apogée serving gourmet French cooking and Le Bar de L’Apogée, which has a picturesque, snowy terrace.
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6. The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa | Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir, India
Hotel: The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa
Location: Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir, India
Rooms: 85 rooms and suites
Style: Contemporary Himalayan luxury with Indian, Tibetan and Nepalese influences
Family amenities: Spacious rooms, indoor pool, games room and family accommodation
Wellness: L’Occitane Spa, gym, sauna facilities and indoor pool
Dining: Six dining options including Cloves, Brava, Nouf and Chaikash
Best for: Couples, families, adventure travellers and skiers seeking something different
Ski access: Close to Gulmarg’s gondola and ski terrain
Prices starting from: INR 35,000 per night, depending on room and season.

The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa
The Himalayas are the ultimate adventure snow destination, and when your accommodation combines modern comforts with design inspired by the surrounding Indian, Tibetan, and Nepalese regions, you may never want to leave.
The Khyber Himalayan Resort sits at 8825 ft, is surrounded by lush forests and has clear views of the Himalayan peaks. Inside, vast rooms with vaulted wooden ceilings, warmly glowing mosaic lamps and ornate archways evoke the hotel’s heritage. The spacious rooms are designed simply, with natural light, jewel-toned furnishings and chalet-style balconies. The Presidential Cottage is the crowning glory, featuring richly patterned rugs, sofas and throws, flocked wallpaper and a sunken bath.
There’s a stunning L’Occitane Spa, gym, cinema, games room, and an incredible indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the mountains. Six different dining options span the globe, from the Chaikash tea lounge and Italian Brava to the signature Cloves restaurant and Nouf, which has an awe-inspiring mountain backdrop.
Discover more about The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa or Book through Booking.com Book through Agoda
7. Forestis | South Tyrol, Italy
Hotel: Forestis
Location: Palmschoss, Bressanone, South Tyrol, Italy
Rooms: Rooms, suites and penthouse; exclusive-use villa also available
Style: Minimalist Alpine architecture with timber, stone and huge windows
Family amenities: More suited to couples and adults than young families
Wellness: 2,000sqm spa with indoor/outdoor pools, saunas, silence rooms and treatments
Dining: Forest Cuisine, based around local and seasonal ingredients
Best for: Couples, wellness, design lovers and nature-focused travellers
Ski access: Ski-in/ski-out
Prices starting from: €900 per night, depending on room and season.

Forestis
Located in South Tyrol, Forestis is a wellness retreat for the discreet and famous, complete with unparalleled amenities to match. It’s ski-in, ski-out and designed in a super clean Alpine lodge style with light pine wood walls, ceilings, and floors, combined with a touch of brutalist and plenty of floor-to-ceiling windows for enjoying the view.
The spacious rooms are equally well appointed, with soft beds and Dolomite-stone bathrooms, while bigger suites have large balconies with daybeds. The hotel’s onsite amenities include a swathe of activities, although the main focus is the spa, with a pool, sauna, and treatments such as salt baths and tree therapy.
Its location also allows for activities outside of skiing, such as hiking, snowshoeing, and forest bathing. The on-site, locally sourced restaurant serves a delicious, healthy-tasting menu that changes daily – but it’s not all work and no play; there’s a bar upstairs where the drinks are spectacular.
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8. Niseko Kyo | Hokkaido, Japan
Hotel: Niseko Kyo
Location: Hirafu, Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan
Accommodation: One- to six-bedroom residences and penthouses
Style: Contemporary Japanese minimalism with natural wood and stone
Family amenities: Large residences sleeping up to 12, kitchens and multiple bathrooms
Wellness: Private in-room onsens in most residences, public bath, sauna and gym
Dining: On-site restaurant plus easy access to Hirafu’s restaurants and bars
Best for: Families, groups, powder skiers and luxury travellers
Ski access: Ski-in/ski-out
Prices starting from: USD$400 per night, depending on room and season.

Niseko Kyo
Perfectly positioned for ski-in/ski-out access at the base of Hirafu’s lifts, Niseko Kyo offers unmatched convenience with dedicated ski valets who prep your gear each morning. The Luxe Nomad’s 22 private residences—each with private onsens—blend komorebi-inspired wood-and-stone interiors with alpine functionality.
Après-ski indulgence awaits at Masonry Japan, where fire-grilled Hokkaido cod and Wagyu carpaccio reward the day’s runs. This is the ideal spot for powder chasers who value seamless service beneath Mount Yotei’s watchful gaze.
Read our full review of Niseko Kyo.
Learn more about Niseko Kyo or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia
9. Muwa Niseko | Hokkaido, Japan
Hotel: Muwa Niseko
Location: Hirafu, Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan
Accommodation: Luxury rooms, suites and residences
Style: Contemporary Japanese-Alpine minimalism
Family amenities: Larger rooms and residences suitable for families and groups
Wellness: Onsen, spa treatments, outdoor baths and fitness facilities
Dining: Hito by Tacubo and Hiyama
Best for: Powder skiing, couples, families and design-conscious travellers
Ski access: Direct access to Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Prices starting from: £150 per night, depending on room and season.
Less of a ski hotel and more of an alpine retreat, Muwa Niseko is heaven for skiers in Japan. The hotel is perched on the top of the region’s highest resort, meaning the pistes are epic and so are the views. As you’d expect from a Japanese hotel, the architecture and design are unparalleled, made up of sleek lines, geometric spaces, concrete and wood interiors and plenty of natural light. The rooms are also pared back, with comfortable beds, grey furnishings, and outdoor baths, plus light wood and balconies, which give it an ultra-modern chalet feel.
Although skiing is the focus, there’s also an incredible spa complete with a traditional onsen and a range of treatments overlooking Mount Yotei. There are two restaurants, the Michelin-starred Hito by Tacubo, which serves wood-fired Italian cuisine, and Hiyama, where you can indulge in Japanese classics like Wagyu beef and sukiyaki.
Discover more about Muwa Niseko or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia Book through Agoda
10. Minaret Station | Wanaka, New Zealand
Hotel: Minaret Station Alpine Lodge
Location: Wanaka region, South Island, New Zealand
Accommodation: Four private luxury chalets
Style: Ultra-private wilderness luxury
Family amenities: Private chalets suitable for families and groups
Wellness: Private outdoor hot tubs and wilderness experiences rather than a conventional spa
Dining: Private dining using local produce and Minaret Station ingredients
Best for: Heli-skiing, adventure, privacy and ultra-luxury
Ski access: Helicopter access to private heli-skiing terrain
Prices starting from: NZ$15,000 per night for the lodge based on eight guests, excluding helicopter transfers.

Minaret Station
Combine remote, rustic charm with luxury design, and you get Minaret Station, best described as an exclusive hideout – there are no roads, and it can only be accessed via helicopter. It’s an adventurer’s playground in the south of New Zealand, whether you ski, fish, cycle, or hike.
The hotel’s design celebrates its fantastic views over the nearby mountains, hills and lakes, looking just like a simple yet elegant lodge on the hillside, surrounded by its four smaller chalets, each kitted out entirely in wood, with stone fireplaces, cosy sofas, and wooden chandeliers.
These four chalets are the only rooms here, each featuring a bedroom, living room, kitchenette and porch area, plus a private hot tub and a fridge stocked with local Kiwi wines and snacks. The hotel has few amenities besides a library and your personal hot tub, but the great outdoors offers endless opportunities, from helicopter rides to farm tours. Dinner is a spectacle at Minaret Station, all made using their own farm-grown ingredients, from beef to lobster and local wines, which you can have served on a heli-picnic by your pilot.
Learn more about Minaret Station or Book through Expedia Book through Agoda
11. Hotel Val De Neu | Baqueira Beret, Spain
Hotel: Hotel Val de Neu
Location: Baqueira Beret, Val d’Aran, Spanish Pyrenees
Rooms: 120 rooms and suites
Style: Traditional Aran Valley chalet style with contemporary luxury
Family amenities: Kids’ club, children’s pool, babysitting and family rooms
Wellness: Sisley Spa, indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath, outdoor Jacuzzi and treatments
Dining: Four restaurants plus bars and cafés
Best for: Families, couples and skiers looking for an alternative to the French Alps
Ski access: Around 50 metres from the gondola
Prices starting from: €250 per night, depending on room and season.
In the heart of the Baqueira Beret ski resort, you’ll find the pinnacle of ski chalets in Hotel Val De Neu. It’s designed like an alpine chalet if your home were an alpine chalet, that is. Wooden beams, floors and walls are blended with vintage furniture, homely linens, open fires and common areas for both relaxation and après-ski.
Rooms span from Neu Classic to the opulent Neu Royal Suite, the latter of which is spread over two floors with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a skylight that turns into a balcony and free bar service – cheers to that. There’s a vast spa for recuperating once you get off the slopes: thermal jets, cold plunge pools, steam baths, a sauna, a Jacuzzi and a pool await, and don’t worry if you have little ones, as there’s also a kids club, pool and buffet.
Speaking of food, there are four restaurants here. The picks of the bunch are La Nonna, for exquisitely presented Italian, and La Fondue, for what else but delicious raclette, meat and vegetables.
Read more about Hotel Val De Neu or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia Book through Agoda
12. Badrutt’s Palace | St Moritz, Switzerland
Hotel: Badrutt’s Palace
Location: St Moritz, Switzerland
Rooms: Rooms, suites and private residences
Style: Historic grand-hotel glamour
Family amenities: Large suites and multi-bedroom residences
Wellness: Palace Wellness with indoor/outdoor infinity pool, Jacuzzi, saunas, steam room and fitness centre
Dining: Seven restaurants and extensive bars
Best for: Luxury, couples, families, après-ski and St Moritz’s social scene
Ski access: Easy access to St Moritz’s ski areas
Prices starting from: CHF 1,000+ per night, depending on room and season.

Badrutt’s Palace
St. Moritz is where anyone who’s anyone goes to ski, and Badrutt’s Palace is the hotel to match. Dripping in old-world charm, chandeliers in every room, and uninterrupted mountain views, the hotel quite literally looks like a fairytale castle from the outside – turrets and all.
The design is in keeping with its historical structure, with 19th-century artwork, high ceilings and timber furniture, with the addition of a few mod-cons, of course. Rooms are simple and clean yet unmistakably expensive – plush beds with thick headboards, marble bathrooms, balconies with mountain views, plus miniature libraries and living areas.
The skiing around here is world-class, but the hotel tempts you to stay longer with an ice rink, spa boutiques, tennis court and yoga studio for year-round enjoyment. Dotted throughout are not one but seven different restaurants, serving gastronomic delights from fondue to Japanese, dinner accompanied by live music and a two-Michelin-starred fine dining establishment.
Find out more about Badrutt’s Palace or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia Book through Agoda
13. Alyeska Resort | Alaska, USA
Hotel: Alyeska Resort
Location: Girdwood, Alaska, USA
Rooms: 299 rooms and suites
Style: Traditional Alaskan mountain lodge
Family amenities: Spacious rooms, outdoor activities and family-friendly resort facilities
Wellness: 50,000-square-foot Alyeska Nordic Spa, pools, saunas, steam rooms and hydrotherapy
Dining: Five restaurants, including mountaintop Seven Glaciers
Best for: Adventure, powder skiing, families and wellness-focused ski trips
Ski access: Slopeside
Prices starting from: USD$300 per night, depending on season and room type.
Alyeska sits at the base of an eponymous mountain and appears to be the only property for hundreds of miles around, entirely surrounded by remote Alaskan countryside. Outside are over 1,600 acres of slopes, while inside, the wooden beams, moose heads, and roaring fires offer true Alaskan-style hospitality.
The rooms here are spacious and warmly lit – most enjoy mountain views and come with wooden furniture, local artwork and slopeside access. For the definition of luxury, however, the Royal Suite is the one to choose, coming with a huge circular parlour, kitchen, marble bathroom, and views on all sides. Take your pick from the five restaurants, but Seven Glaciers always wins – unsurprisingly, as it’s located on top of Mount Alyeska, only reachable by tram and serves fine Alaskan cooking. We can’t forget to mention the brand-new Nordic spa, which spans 50,000 sq-ft and contains a range of indoor and outdoor pools, wooden tubs, saunas, hydrotherapy pools and a rainforest steam room.
Learn more about Alyeska Resort or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia Book through Agoda
Frequently asked questions: world’s best ski hotels
For beginners, look for a resort with good ski schools, dedicated beginner slopes, easy lift access and accommodation close to the mountain. Large resorts such as Whistler and Courchevel offer terrain for all abilities, while all-inclusive resorts such as Ski Portillo and Club Med Yabuli can simplify the logistics of learning to ski.
For a traditional European ski holiday, five to seven nights is ideal. Three or four nights works for a short break, but longer stays allow you to settle into the resort and have several full days on the mountain.
If you’re travelling long-haul to Japan, Chile, Canada or New Zealand, staying at least a week makes more sense.
For many Northern Hemisphere destinations, January to March offers a good combination of snow conditions and daylight. February is extremely popular but can be expensive because of school holidays.
January can be excellent for powder, while March brings longer days and generally more pleasant temperatures. High-altitude resorts can remain snowy later into the season.
For many travellers, yes. Being able to put your skis on outside the hotel can save a surprising amount of time and hassle, particularly with children.
However, check what “ski-in/ski-out” actually means. Some hotels have direct access to a piste, while others require a short walk or shuttle to reach the lift.
Stay slopeside if skiing convenience is your priority. Stay in the village if you care more about restaurants, bars, shopping and nightlife.
Families often benefit from slopeside accommodation, while groups of friends who want après-ski may prefer to be close to the village.
Look for resorts with children’s ski schools, childcare, family accommodation and activities away from the slopes.
From this list, Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Ski Portillo, Club Med Yabuli and Hotel Val de Neu stand out for families. Niseko Kyo is particularly good for larger families and groups because its residences can sleep up to 12 people.
Forestis is arguably the standout, with its 2,000sqm spa, pools, saunas and nature-based wellness philosophy. Alyeska is another strong choice, particularly if you like Nordic-style hydrotherapy, while Badrutt’s Palace offers a more traditional luxury spa experience.
Choose a resort with excellent spas, restaurants and alternative activities. Forestis, Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Badrutt’s Palace and Alyeska all work well for mixed groups. Alyeska is particularly good for non-skiers interested in dog sledding, snowshoeing and wellness.
Yes, especially if you’re travelling during Christmas, New Year or school holidays. Popular ski schools can fill up, and children’s lessons in particular can have limited spaces.
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