The Rise of the Ultra Luxury Ski Chalets

Ski chalets that we considered to be the ‘ultimate’ luxury ski chalets, the absolute pinnacle of high-end ski chalets, have evolved significantly over the last 20 years. A ski chalet that was considered to be ‘luxury’ a couple of decades ago, now cannot compete with the new breed of ultra-luxurious ski chalets.  What was once cutting edge style is now decidedly dated. But it is more than just an evolution of interior fashion trends. Even the concept has evolved.

The ultimate luxury ski chalets have increased significantly both in scale and in specification.

Size Matters: Ultra Luxury Ski Chalets Have Grown

A couple of decades ago, a chalet of 500 square metres was considered to be huge. Some of the more recently built ultra luxury ski chalets are many times this size, with some of the more impressive properties being a staggering 3000 square metres.

To put this into perspective, an average but fairly spacious, detached 5 bedroom house might be about 300 – 450 square metres. A ski chalet of 750 square metres is huge. Over 1000 square metres is enormous. Over 3000 square metres is colossal!

So why so big? With plenty of bedrooms and a spacious lounge and dining area, what more did anybody want?

Well, quite a lot actually.

>> See Chalet Edelweiss, Courchevel 1850 – Our Largest Ski Chalet

Raising the Bar in Luxury Chalet Design

Naturally interior design fashions have evolved over time, but the new crop of ultimate luxury ski chalets supersede anything that came before by quite some margin. Each year sees a handful of new chalets that raise the bar in terms of luxury and quality from anything that has come before.

Where once upon a time having a hot tub or even a small plunge pool was considered extravagant, the finest new ultra-luxury chalets have every facility and amenity you can think of and few you probably haven’t.

Built as a temple to relaxation and entertainment, the top ultra-luxury ski chalets have spectacular indoor pools that would rival a top hotel spa. In the best luxury ski chalets you can find private nightclubs, poker rooms, massage rooms, billiards rooms, cigar lounges, children’s playrooms, hair and beauty salons and even a private 10-pin bowling alley.

>> See Our Blog on The Top Ultra Contemporary Chalets

It’s all about the Wow-Factor when it comes to Ultimate Luxury Ski Chalets

Just like any business, luxury ski chalets to rent are competing with each other for clients and for media attention. They all want to be ‘the best’ ski chalet in the resort.

But it is not just about the status of the chalet. Of course people’s expectations and accepted standards of luxury have increased significantly in recent years too.

The level of luxury we are all accustomed to at home has increased massively and similarly the level of luxury and design quality we look for in a holiday chalet or villa has also increased significantly. This is true across the board but especially true for high-end luxury ski chalets.

Many of the facilities of a chalet and elements of design that we used to consider as ‘luxury’, we now take for granted and would expect nothing less. Indeed we now look for the ‘next level’ of design and luxury.

The ultimate luxury ski chalets have, in recent years, been equipped with more and more extravagant features to give each new build the edge over those that have come before it. After all, we all want to be ‘wowed’ when we walk into a luxury holiday ski chalet.

And ‘wowed’ you will be if you visit one of our ultimate luxury ski chalets.

>> See our blog on the world’s best luxury ski chalets

Here are a few of our favourite ultimate luxury ski chalets:

Chalet Marmottiere, Verbier, Switzerland

Chalet Marmottiere is one of the newest and most spectacular luxury ski chalets in the world. With 9 bedrooms accommodating 18 people, it’s vast. But far more impressive than its size is its array of facilities and amenities.

Let’s start with the spa facilities. The pool is incredible. Undoubtedly one of the finest private pools in the world. And that’s before we mention the sauna, hammam and outdoor hot tub. This super-luxury ski chalet in Verbier trumps most other luxury chalets when it comes to entertainment. Here you’ll find a private bar, a games room, a sumptuous cinema room, a poker room and even a private bowling alley. Yes, I said bowling alley.

There are so many things to keep you entertained in Chalet Marmottiere that you could be forgiven for staying indoors for your whole stay.

>> See Chalet Marmottiere, Verbier.

Chalet Edeleweiss, Courchevel 1850, France

Chalet Edelweiss is a luxury chalet designed for superlatives. It is 3000 square metres of pure, unadulterated luxury. Located right next to the Bellecote piste, above Courchevel 1850, it gives perfect ski-in/ski-out access to explore the 3 Valleys ski area.

But it is inside where the magic happens. Spread over 7 floors, there is a spectacular central staircase with a contemporary chandelier extending all the way down the centre.

Along with a huge living area, bar and party area, perhaps this luxury ski chalet’s ‘piece de resistance’ is the indoor swimming pool in the basement. Glimpsed through a window from the floor above, the swimming pool puts those of top spa hotels to shame. It is simply stunning.

>> See Chalet Edelweiss, Courchevel 1850

Chalet N, Lech, Austria

One of the largest private luxury ski chalets in the world, Chalet N in occupies a commanding position in Oberlech, overlooking the exclusive ski resort of Lech in Austria.

With 10 bedrooms, staying in Chalet N is more like having a private luxury boutique hotel just for you and your guests.

Guests will stay well-groomed during their stay as the chalet has its own hairdressing and beauty salon. Well-being has been put at the top of the agenda; there is a stunning indoor swimming pool, sauna, salt cave steam bath, plunge pools, ice fountain and of course, massage rooms to complete the relaxation process.

Chalet N in Lech is a certainly one of the world’s ultimate luxury ski chalets.

>> See Chalet N, Lech

Art Chalet, Courchevel 1850, France

When you walk inside Art Chalet in Courchevel 1850 your jaw will drop. You do not need to be an art connoisseur to appreciate what you are looking at.  Works of art adorn every wall in the property – and it’s a very, very large chalet.

You’ll see famous ‘household name’ artists’ works everywhere you look. It is as much of a world-class art gallery as it is luxury ski chalet, and it is without doubt one of the finest luxury ski chalets in the world.

Guests can ‘swim up’ to the bar in the swimming pool in the basement, take in a movie in the sumptuous cinema room or party like a rock star in the dedicated ‘night club’. There is also a board room in case work calls, a well-stocked wine cellar, a games room and of course a kid’s playroom that every child would dream of.

You won’t want to leave.

>> See Art Chalet, Courchevel 1850

Chalet Zermatt Peak, Zermatt, Switzerland

Chalet Zermatt Peak is one of the most unique and spectacular design properties vying for the title of ultimate luxury ski chalet, not just in Zermatt but across the Alps.

Not the most recently built, but still achingly cool and ultra-modern. There is really nowhere else quite like Chalet Zermatt Peak.

As the name suggests, this ultra-luxury ski chalet is located in Zermatt, arguable the most picturesque ski resort in the world thanks to the ever-present Matterhorn on the horizon.

Chalet Zermatt Peak sits high on the valley side so has commanding views across the ski resort to the mountains beyond.

The chalet’s walls are almost exclusively made of glass so those incredible views are always present. That is except from the bond-villain-like underground tunnel leading into the chalet. Even the chalet’s entrance has a sense of theatre.

>> See Chalet Zermatt Peak

Chalet Sapphire, Morzine, France

A decade or so ago, Morzine didn’t really have any properties that you’d call ultimate luxury ski chalets. Without the same glamourous and exclusive image as resorts like Courchevel and Zermatt meant that Morzine wasn’t the location of choice to build new super-chalets.

But things have certainly changed.

Morzine has surged forward in recent years with a number of new, cutting edge, ultra-luxury ski chalets being created in the resort.

Chalet Sapphire is one of the new breed of ultimate luxury ski chalets in Morzine. It is fitted with every conceivable facility one would expect at a super-luxury ski chalet, including a stunning central staircase. There is a beautiful indoor swimming pool, plus a games room with a bar and a fantastic outdoor firepit seating area.

Not lacking in wow-factor, Chalet Sapphire’s lucky guests are in for a treat.

>> See Chalet Sapphire, Morzine

Chalet Dolce Vita, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites has long been considered one of the ‘old guard’ of super-exclusive ski resorts, frequented by those in the know (who could afford it).

And for good reason. Cortina d’Ampezzo is a one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Chalet Dolce Vita looks relatively normal on the outside. By ‘normal’ I mean a charming traditional ski chalet, but inside it is far from traditional.

Its showpiece is the enormous private indoor swimming pool, complete with waterfall. It is one of the best. The pool is overlooked by the well-equipped home gym with all the latest tech.

And to relax, what ultra-luxury ski chalet would be complete without a private cinema to kick back at the end of the day.

>> See Chalet Dolce Vita, Cortina d’Ampezzo

Posts You Might Like

Read our latest blog posts below and get inspired for your next trip