When it comes to skiing, there is no doubt that it’s a holiday which offers fun for all ages and abilities. Whether you’re travelling as a family with children or as a group of young adults, skiing certainly has something for everyone. Where a skiing holiday really excels itself though is its ability to cater for large groups. Some of the best luxury ski resorts for groups can be found in the French and Swiss Alps, where you can ski all day and party all night, if Après is your thing of course.
When deciding which luxury ski resort will be best suited to your large group, you’ll want to consider differing ages and abilities, access to facilities and amenities and non-ski activities too. It’s important to cater for each group member’s needs and interests which is why the location of your luxury ski resort is so important. Here at Oxford Ski Company, we have been booking luxury ski resorts for large groups for over 20 years and we work with the best luxury chalets and hotels in each resort. Without further ado, here’s our pick of the most popular ski resorts for groups, and where we’d recommend you and your group stay for your big ski holiday.
What makes a luxury ski resort great for large groups?
There are several factors which you will need to consider when looking at luxury ski resorts for large groups. The level of skiing ability of all your group members is worth noting, as those who are advanced skiers will want a very different holiday to those who are beginners. Each resort has differing terrains which will suit skiers of mixed abilities; some resorts are better for novices whilst others are much more challenging. All the resorts we cover have excellent ski schools which offer lessons for children and adults, allowing your group to build up their confidence on the slopes. It’s also important to choose luxury ski resorts which have plenty of restaurants and bars close by so that you and your group can book places for lunches and dinners. Restaurants are accustomed to catering for large groups and can put together exciting foodie experiences, especially if you are celebrating a special occasion.
Travelling with non-skiers in the group? You’ll need to make sure your chosen resort has a choice of non-ski activities too. From snow-shoeing and sledding to swimming and relaxing in the spa, there’s more to ski holidays than just spending time on the slopes. When choosing your accommodation, you’ll find luxury ski chalets kitted out with cinema rooms, swimming pools and saunas, whilst our portfolio of luxury ski hotels are complete with first class facilities including Michelin-starred restaurants and five-star spa’s. Some of the best ski resorts for big groups are areas which don’t necessarily offer the most challenging skiing, but instead focus on fantastic restaurants, exciting après and luxurious hotels and chalets with excellent facilities and service.
Luxury ski resorts for advanced groups
St Anton in Austria is a great ski resort for groups, particularly those who are advanced skiers, as there are plenty of challenging runs for those who are more experienced and a little more ambitious with their skiing. Endless stretches of off-piste terrain coupled with the steep slopes of red and black runs make it perfect for large groups looking for a luxury ski resort with advanced skiing options. For somewhere to stay we’d recommend Chalet Lena which sleeps 18 guests across nine lavish bedrooms and is complete with gym, steam room, hot tub, indoor/outdoor swimming pool and Finnish sauna.
The French resort of Chamonix is also popular with advanced skiers as it was the host of the first Winter Olympic Games back in the early 1920s. Its epic terrain makes Chamonix a challenging place to ski, with treelined slopes and plenty of off-piste opportunities to enjoy, whilst its backdrop of the iconic Mont Blanc offers breath-taking mountain views. Le Chalet is a beautiful luxury chalet in Chamonix, sleeping up to 24 guests, featuring a wine cellar, home cinema, library and Helipad, making it a great choice for large groups.
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Luxury ski resorts for mixed ability groups
Meribel is one of the best ski resorts for big groups and is perfect for those with different skiing abilities, offering a stellar location in the heart of the Three Valleys. There’s excellent skiing for children and beginners, making it a popular choice for families, whilst those looking for more challenging ski areas can gain access to both Courchevel and Val Thorens. Boasting its own private elevator taking you directly to the slopes, Hotel Le Kaila is in a fantastic location in Meribel and offers five-star luxury with three restaurants, a gym and a 600 sqm spa area with swimming pool, waterfall and Jacuzzi.
Another of the best ski resorts for big groups is Morzine, located in the popular Portes du Soleil ski area, one of the largest in the world. Perfect for those with mixed abilities, there are a variety of runs in the resort which offer skiing for all ages. Home to an array of bars and restaurants, this alpine town boasts a riverside promenade, cinema and ice hockey stadium, making it great for non-skiers too. One of our favourite luxury ski chalets is The Sapphire Estate, with its gated entrance giving it an exclusive feel, and it’s main features including an indoor pool, hot tub, Hammam, barrel sauna and spa ice chamber with Chromotherapy.
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Luxury ski resorts for novice groups
Sticking with French resorts, Megève is a traditional town with fantastic skiing for novice groups or beginner skiers. With 27 miles of ski routes to explore, Megève’s terrain offers skiing for all abilities with a particular focus on blue and green runs. The town’s excellent mountain restaurants and boutique shops are akin to those found in glamourous Courchevel, although its alpine charm and traditional character remains. Located in the centre of Megève, Hotel Mont Blanc is just 100m from the nearest ski lift and features a spa with indoor pool, gym, sauna and steam room, as well as a restaurant, champagne and oyster bar.
Over in Austria, Lech is a family-friendly resort which is brilliant for novice groups. This chocolate box style village sits on the river Bludenz in the Arlberg ski region and is lined with boutique shops, luxury ski hotels and mountain restaurants galore. Accommodating up to 16 guests, Aurelio Clubhouse is an exceptional ski-in/ski-out chalet located right on the Schlegelkopf piste. As well as having access to the facilities at the adjoining Hotel Aurelio, the chalet also features an 18m long swimming pool, steam room, sauna and indoor hot tub.
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Luxury ski resorts for young adult groups
A popular choice with those who enjoy après as much as skiing itself, Val d’Isère is perhaps one of the best ski resorts in Europe. Peppered with an array of bars, restaurants, shops and spa facilities, Val d’Isère is also famous for being home to the original Folie Douce, the legendary après ski chain with several venues across the Alps, offering a clubbing experience like no other. Paired with the neighbouring resort of Tignes, these areas of France are amongst the best ski resorts for groups and are hugely popular with young adults looking to make the most of the fantastic après scene.
In terms of accommodation, Val d’Isère offers some excellent options for larger groups, particularly if you’re traveling as a group of young adults looking to share a large luxury ski chalet. Chalets Orso and Orca, located just 150m from the nearest ski lift in Le Fornet, can be booked together to provide accommodation for up to 26 guests, which is perfect for large groups. Stand out features of these exceptional luxury ski chalets include an indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, Hammam, steam room, Nordic bath, fitness room and games room. In nearby Tignes, Chalet Tango Charlie is another two-chalet rental which comfortably sleeps large groups of up to 30 guests. Part of the prestigious Black Diamond complex, these luxury ski chalets are complete with two saunas, steam rooms, outdoor hot tubs and large balconies with exquisite mountain views.
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Luxury ski resorts for mature adult groups
For those of you who fall into the more mature adult group, we recommend St. Martin de Belleville for a luxurious group getaway. A lesser-known resort in the popular Three Valleys, St Martin is a quieter, more traditional village than some of its French neighbours, but also gives access up to higher resorts like Val Thorens. Sleeping up to 12 guests, Chez Bugi oozes charm and comfort with perhaps one of the best ski-in/ski-out locations in the alps. With panoramic views of the Belleville valley, along with first class facilities and excellent service to match, this luxury ski chalet is perfect for mature adult groups to unwind in after a long day on the slopes.
Last but not least on our list of the best luxury ski resorts for groups is swanky Zermatt, Switzerland’s stunning mountain resort with the iconic Matterhorn as its backdrop. A popular spot all year round, with summer glacier skiing a hit during the warmer months, car-free Zermatt is a lively town filled with boutique shops, high end restaurants and luxury hotels. The luxurious Mont Cervin Palace is a grand hotel right in the centre of the resort, styled with traditional alpine décor throughout. Its impressive spa covers a huge 1700 sqm and boasts an indoor pool, whirlpool, solarium, Hammam, sauna, steam bath and even an ice grotto!
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