Guest blog by The Luxury Property Collections – The Best Places in the World for Ski Lovers

Winter is approaching, and before long, many skiing spots around the world will be at their best. The Luxury Property Show have created listings for finding your perfect property with The Luxury Property Collections, and here, Jana Korpova-Harris, picks out the best places to live for skiing enthusiasts.

If you are a seasoned skiing fan, it’s likely that you already have some locations that you return to every year for great snow and scenery. But, these days, many ski destinations have much more to offer than just incredible slopes, including fine dining, an array of outdoor activities, and vibrant nightlife scenes that make them incredible places to live all year round.

Here, we’ll go through some of the most prime spots across the world for enjoying the chalet lifestyle.

The luxury retreat – Verbier, Switzerland

For a classic luxury ski experience, look no further than Verbier in Switzerland. Only a two-hour drive from Geneva, Verbier boasts a pleasant, laid-back atmosphere and a buzz that comes from being very popular with skiing aficionados. The resort has a very authentic feel, with ultra-luxurious chalets, apartments and hotels all built in a way that’s in keeping with the original style of the town.

The vibrant après ski scene is complete with multiple Michelin start restaurants, high-end fashion outlets and hot springs. Adrenaline seekers can take part in paragliding, skydiving, and climbing throughout the summer months, while those more interested in exploring the scenery can do so by biking and hiking around the mountains. And, a selection of high-end spas offer a chance to relax after all that adventure. This destination really has something for everyone, and is one of the most idyllic luxury skiing locations.

For all the family – Aspen, Colorado

If you’re looking for both luxury and a family-friendly atmosphere, Colorado is your go-to, and Aspen is the most renowned skiing town in the state. With beautiful chalets, fine dining, and an array of family-friendly outdoor activities, it’s guaranteed to be a fun place for all the family.

As well as plenty of luxury amenities, Aspen boasts excellent childcare options — ideal when you want to explore one of the many thrilling terrain parks without your little ones in tow. You can access four mountains from the town: Aspen, Buttermilk, Snowmass, and Highlands, all of which can be accessed with just one pass, meaning you’ll never run out of slopes to explore. Other activities include biking, fly fishing, stargazing and a thriving arts and culture scene. It’s one of the most well-known ski destinations for a reason.

World-class skiing facilities – Whistler, Canada

The location for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Whistler has truly world-class skiing facilities and offers two mountains to explore. The mountains — Whistler and Blackcomb — are home to a massive 8,100 acres of slopes and receive an average of 38.2ft of snow each year. The resort is known for its early season snowfall, meaning you can hit the slopes as early as mid-November on a good year.

The resort is home to some of the best off-piste skiing in the world, with plenty of opportunities for backcountry tours and heli-skiing. The ski and lift facilities are also excellent, having benefitted from substantial investment in advance of the 2010 games.

For apres-ski, you’ll find restaurants, shops, bars, clubs, and luxury spas in the largely car-free resort village, meaning you can wander at leisure. The town is two hours from Vancouver by car, meaning you can explore that city too.

For luxury food and wine – Courchevel 1850, France

For those who thrive on fine dining and elegant living, Courchevel is the perfect choice. France’s first purpose-built high-end ski resort boasts over a dozen Michelin stars across eight different restaurants, as well as the only six-star hotels in the French Alps. The chalets are the last word in luxury, and many include private swimming pools, mini nightclubs, gyms, and cinemas.

As well as the fine dining experiences on offer, there are piano bars and nightclubs with beautiful wine selections on offer, meaning you’ll have plenty of activities to choose from when relaxing after some time out on the slopes. If you prefer to drop in for a holiday rather than invest in property here, the selection of luxury hotels will ensure you can even find one with a butler, so you can fully relax between ski outings.

The best regional cuisine – Courmayeur, Italy

If you’re looking for truly authentic dining alongside your skiing excursions, then Courmayeur in Italy is the destination for you. This resort is home to some of the finest Italian dining — in fact, it’s even possible to argue that here, skiing is secondary to the restaurant scene.

Gourmet events such as the Momentum Ski Mountain Gourmet Ski Experience, which takes place annually in March, will really offer something unique to those who value their food. Other yearly food attractions include the Courmayeur Festival in January and the Festival of Alpine Bread in December, ensuring you’ll have plenty to occupy you throughout the year.

Finding the perfect luxury retreat for your relocation or holiday home is a very individual choice, and all these places offer plenty of unique features that will bring your skiing experience to life.

Explore the potential for outdoor activities, fine dining, and culture in these destinations to find the one that will be right for you.