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Everyone wants something different from their ski holiday whether it’s sitting around a chalet fire talking or partying hard from après-ski until dawn. With tons of resorts in the Alps to choose from, it can be tricky to know which one will suit you best. Check out our guide to our favourite resorts for partying, luxury, sightseeing and spring skiing and get booking…
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Chamonix, an hour’s drive from Geneva, is the perfect short break option for a ski weekend. With slopes catering for all abilities from beginner to off-piste glacial powder hunting, Chamonix attracts a mix of skiers. Perhaps the most famous skiing here is the Vallee Blanche – leaving from the top of the Aiguille du Midi, you can ski one of the world’s most spectacular runs – a 13 miles descent with a drop of over 9000 feet and one of the longest off-piste runs in the world.
To recover after such an epic journey, head to Geneva - a wonderful destination in its own right. Most famous perhaps for being the European seat of the UN and other inter-governmental organisations, the city has many charms besides. Stroll along the lakefront quaysides and drop into the Jardin Anglais where you can see the famous flower clock, a testament to the city’s connections with clock making, and climb the north tower of St Peter’s cathedral, which gives you panoramic views of the city, as well as a view of Mont Blanc on a good day. Take in the atmosphere of the Place du Bourg-de-Four, and indulge in some of the best cuisine in Switzerland, as well as checking out the boutiques, not to mention the wares of Switzerland’s master chocolate makers.
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Austrian après-ski is legendary, as anyone who has experienced it will attest, and Kitzbuhel is one of the finest examples of the genre. Many people come here for the cosmopolitan après-ski first, and the skiing second. The drinking starts early, and you will see the snow bars filling up from the early afternoon, as skiers indulge in a glühwein, locally brewed beer, or a schnapps. The Londoner has live music every night, and is a focal point for a post-piste pint, but now contends with another British bar, Brass Monkeys, as well as the popular Irish bar Flannigans. The coolest groovers head to Club Take Five to dance the night away, and the revelling usually continues until dawn. Alternative clubs include the Olympia and the Royal, and new club, Phyton. Other bars worth trying include Waschkuchl, the American themed Highways bar, and the Mockingstube. Or if you’re feeling lucky, try the newly revamped casino.
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Where do you head if money is no object? Verbier’s long-held fashionable image is certainly backed up by an awesome 400km of piste on offer. After a day heli-skiing the Grand Combin, or heading over to Chamonix or the Aosta valley, you can dine in style. Roland Pierroz’s restaurant Le Rosalp is Michelin starred. For traditional Swiss fare, take a skidoo up to La Marmotte to dine in chalet style surroundings, or go to Netsu for sushi. After dinner, head to the Farm Club, run for 30 years by the Berardi brothers, an institution frequented by the rich and famous. For the most exclusive and luxurious chalets, Descent International is the finest in the business, and has two chalets in Verbier; Goodwood is centrally located and is oozes Parisian chic, and Septieme Ciel is situated above the village with a private cinema, extensive wine cellar, and spectacular views. Professional chefs cater to your needs and a chauffeured 4x4 is available to take you wherever you require. Fresh flowers and newspapers are delivered daily, and a sauna, steam room and beauty therapies are on tap.
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Zermatt is surrounded by 38 peaks towering over 4000m, including the Matterhorn, which makes it one of the premier destinations for spring skiing. The sheer altitude of the skiable area, which mostly lies between 2000 and 3900m, plus the fact that most of the slopes are north-facing, means that excellent snow conditions are guaranteed. The main ski area is open from the end of November to the beginning of May, and the snow pack doesn’t reach its greatest depth until March. Later skiing has plenty of benefits. The longer days mean that you can be on the slopes until 6pm, and even at the beginning of May around 70% of slopes are still open, with a drop from the glacier at Klein Matterhorn of 11km. Powder softens quickly, but can still be found days later on north facing slopes, plus you will have the benefit of uncrowded slopes and deep blue skies. Go between April 5 and 8, and you will witness the Bump Bash, a mogul contest which takes place on the moguls of Triftji.
