Across the Alps, ski resorts exist across many different echelons. At the highest sit a select group of destinations where exceptional skiing is simply the starting point. These resorts are defined by expansive, well-connected terrain, quality infrastructure designed to preserve snow quality throughout the season, and a mountain dining scene that is as memorable as the skiing itself.
Beyond the slopes, these resorts function as complete winter destinations. Their villages offer far more than ski access alone, with designer shopping, cinemas, activity centres, and experiences that cater as thoughtfully to non-skiers as they do to seasoned skiers.
Accommodation is integral to the appeal, ranging from landmark five-star hotels to expansive catered chalets, where service, space and setting are held to the highest standard.
Selecting just nine was no easy task, but our choices for 2026 are rooted in three pillars:
1. Exceptional ski access and world-class infrastructure
2. Availability of stunning luxury accommodation
3. Resort villages that retain an unmistakable sense of prestige
Without further ado, here are our top nine luxury ski resorts for 2026:
1. Val d’Isère, France
Ski area: 300 km of pistes shared with Tignes
Distinctly alpine and quietly confident, Val d’Isère is shaped by chalet façades that blend seamlessly into an iconic mountain palette of grey stone, warm timber balconies and finely detailed window frames. Long regarded as one of the Alps’ most complete ski resorts, its high-altitude terrain delivers outstanding snow reliability, while the vast Val d’Isère–Tignes ski area offers varied, exhilarating skiing for experts and accomplished intermediates alike. In the village, authentic Savoyard character is balanced with a contemporary sensibility, with some of the Alps’ most impressive catered chalets and an après-ski scene that remains vibrant without ever feeling overdone.
Where to stay in Val d’Isère:
Hotel: Les Barmes de L'Ours | 5-Star hotel just 50 metres from the lifts perfectly suited to families.
Chalet: Etoile Nord East Wing | Luxury catered chalet that sleeps up to 14 guests.
Explore more luxury properties in Val d’Isère
2. Courchevel 1850, France
Ski area: 600 km across the Three Valleys Ski Area.
Courchevel 1850 is alpine luxury in its most polished form. Perfectly groomed pistes, ski-in/ski-out convenience and seamless lift infrastructure make accessing the Three Valleys effortless. The resort’s reputation for Michelin-starred dining, couture shopping and five-star palace hotels is well established, complemented by a collection of vast, impeccably staffed chalets that feels entirely at home in a resort of this calibre. Everything here has been considered for a clientele accustomed to the very highest standards, where precision, pleasure and indulgence coexist effortlessly.
Where to stay in Courchevel 1850:
Hotel: Hotel Le K2 Palace | 5-star palace hotel with excellent ski in/ski out access and reknowned superior service.
Chalet: Lord of Snow | Luxury catered chalet, boasting exceptional service and amenities.
Explore more luxury properties in Courchevel 1850.
3. Lech, Austria
Ski area: 276 km across the Arlberg
Lech embodies a quietly confident vision of alpine luxury, defined by tradition, discretion and an unwavering commitment to quality. Its chocolate-box village, characterised by snow-dusted streets, timber chalets and a storybook alpine aesthetic, feels something akin to a fairytale.
As part of the legendary Arlberg ski area, Lech offers some of the most snow-sure skiing in the Alps, with extensive terrain that rewards confident skiers while remaining immaculately maintained.
Long favoured by European blue-bloods and families who return year after year, Lech’s private chalets and family-run luxury hotels provide an elegant setting for multigenerational ski holidays.
Hospitality here is polished but personal, with excellent dining, refined après-ski and a style that is enduringly timeless.
Where to stay in Lech:
Hotel: Hotle Aurelio | A small, family-run 5-star hotel with warm contemporary design.
Chalet: Chalet 1551| Exceptional service from the dedicated team, with an enviable ski in/ski out location.
Explore more luxury properties in Lech.
4. Zermatt, Switzerland
Ski area: 360 km across the Zermatt-Cervinia skiable area
With the Matterhorn as its ever-present backdrop, Zermatt is one of the world’s most iconic mountain resorts. Car-free and impeccably maintained, it combines extensive high-altitude skiing with a village atmosphere that feels both traditional and cosmopolitan, with snow-sure slopes that extend well into spring. A unique link to the Italian side of the Matterhorn in Cervinia allows skiers to enjoy the novelty of crossing borders on skis. Think breakfast in Switzerland, followed by a leisurely pasta lunch in Italy. Back down in the village, designer boutiques and artisan shops add to this resort’s high-end-client appeal, with its calm, traffic-free streets making it an ideal setting for relaxed exploration and discreet retail therapy.
Where to stay in Zermtt:
Hotel: Grand Hotel Zermatterhof | Exceptional 5-star hotel in the centre of the resort.
Chalet: Zermatt Peak | A large, spacious luxury chalet with prime position in Zermatt.
Explore more luxury properties in Zermatt.
5. Verbier, Switzerland
Ski area: 412 km across Les 4 Vallees
Dynamic, social and confidently stylish, Verbier remains one of the Alps’ most exciting ski destinations. Renowned for its legendary off-piste terrain, it attracts confident skiers from around the world in search of both challenge and exhilaration. Skiing here is bold and expansive, with dramatic descents that reward experience and ambition.
The resort’s chalet scene is among the most impressive in Europe, with large, beautifully designed properties offering sweeping views across the mountains and valleys below. Verbier’s energy carries effortlessly from the slopes into its après-ski, dining and nightlife, creating an atmosphere that feels glamorous yet relaxed, making it a firm favourite for those who like their ski holidays delivered with confidence, style and a distinctly vibrant edge.
Where to stay in Verbier:
Hotel: La Cordee des Alpes | A superiod 4-star bourtique hotel with welcome indoor pool.
Chalet: Chalet Norte | Large, luxury chalet with all the amenities you could want.
Explore more luxury properties in Verbier.
6. St Moritz, Switzerland
Ski area: 155 km in St. Moritz
If glamour and Alpine history are what you’re after, then few resorts can rival that of St. Moritz’s legacy. A pioneer of winter tourism and ski heritage since the mid-19th Century, it continues to set standards in alpine luxury. Beautiful tree-lined slopes, impeccably prepared pistes, and a frozen lake that hosts polo and horse racing create a setting unlike anywhere else in the Alps. Its grand hotels, refined boutiques and cultural calendar make St. Moritz as compelling off the mountain as it is on it.
Where to stay in St. Moritz:
Hotel: Badrutt's Palace Hotel | Iconic, landmark 5-star hotel in a superb location overlooking the beautful lake.
Chalet: Chesa Laret | Just out-side the main town, this luxury chalets offers 7 ensuite bedrooms and spacious living.
Explore more luxury properties in St. Moritz.
7. Gstaad, Switzerland
Ski area: 220 km in Gstaad
Gstaad is a historic ski resort that quietly exudes quality, Swiss charm and a storybook sense of refinement. Elegant and impeccably groomed, it occupies a rarefied corner of the Alps where discretion is prized, and luxury feels entirely natural. The village is home to an excellent selection of high-end, designer boutiques and refined restaurants, all set against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains and alpine trees.
Accommodation here is exceptional, with a collection of distinguished luxury hotels and beautifully appointed chalets that reflect the resort’s long association with old-world wealth and understated glamour. Long favoured by an affluent international clientele, Gstaad offers a setting where guests feel equally at ease enjoying elegant surroundings as they do carving down the slopes. It’s timeless, cultivated and effortlessly exclusive.
Where to stay in Gstaad:
Hotel: Le Grand Bellevue | Pefect location in the centre of the village, classic design throughout and impeccable service.
Chalet: Ultima Promenade Gstaad | Large, luxury, eight-bedroom chalet that has been elegantly designed throughout.
Explore more luxury properties in Gstaad.
8. Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Ski area: 140km across Crans and Montana
A resort worthy of some love and attention - Crans-Montana is where Oxford Ski Company began back in 1998. Set across a sunny alpine plateau, the adjoining villages of Crans and Montana enjoy expansive views and a relaxed atmosphere that feels refreshingly uncrowded. Its ski area offers wide, confidence-boosting pistes alongside varied terrain, making it particularly appealing for families and mixed-ability groups.
Renowned for its all-day sunshine, Crans-Montana lends itself to long, leisurely lunches on panoramic mountain terraces, where skiing unfolds at an unhurried pace. Excellent facilities for families and non-skiers sit comfortably alongside a growing collection of refined hotels and residences, creating a resort that feels welcoming, composed and quietly sophisticated—one that continues to hold a special place in the alpine landscape.
Where to stay in Crans-Motana:
Hotel: Crans Ambassador | A sleek, modern 5-star hotel where luxury, wellness and sport combine.
Chalet: Ultima Crans-Montana Chalet One | A grand, spacious ski in / ski out chalet with a 1,000 sqm private spa.
Explore more luxury properties in Crans-Montana.
9. Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
Ski area: 115 km in Cortina, part of the Dolomite Superski area.
Set within the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo brings a distinctly Italian sensibility to alpine luxury. Elegant rather than ostentatious, the resort is as much about atmosphere and aesthetics as it is about skiing. Wide, scenic pistes unfold across sunlit terrain, while the surrounding landscape, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provides one of the most visually striking backdrops in the Alps.
In the village, a refined mix of historic cafés, stylish boutiques and beautifully designed hotels creates an experience that feels cultured and effortlessly chic. Mountain lunches are an occasion in themselves, where exceptional cuisine and leisurely conversation take precedence over haste. With its blend of style, heritage and relaxed sophistication, Cortina offers a ski holiday that feels as indulgent off the slopes as it does on them.
Where to stay in Cortina d'Ampezzo:
Hotel: Ancora Cortina| An elegant and classic 5-star hotel close to the lifts with a cosy spots for après drinks.
Chalet: LV01 Dolce Vita | Luxurious interiors, with classic italian charm, this chalet is perfect for the whole family.
Together, these resorts represent the very highest echelons of alpine travel for 2026. Each offers its own interpretation of luxury, shaped by the landscape, heritage and culture, yet all share a commitment to exceptional skiing, thoughtful infrastructure and a way of life that extends far beyond the slopes. Whether drawn to polished glamour, quiet discretion or timeless charm, these destinations remind us that the greatest ski resorts are not defined by snow alone, but by the experiences they offer long after the skis are stacked away.
