Skiing in style requires the perfect combination of irresistible slopes, luxe accommodations and relaxing spas. Here are my favorite coldspots around the world that will make you wish for an endless Winter.
St Regis Resort Aspen
Colorado, USA
Even excluding the standard butler service, a stay at the St Regis is always a welcome indulgence. At the St Regis in Aspen, the butler is a "ski" butler who will help you transition seamlessly from suite to ski slope, taking care of everything from equipment and instruction to transportation. The Aspen crowd is demanding so you can expect great après-ski offerings and impeccable service. Celeb-sighting is also a worthy pastime in Aspen. The last time I was at the St Regis Aspen I was surrounded by handsome secret service men holding down the fort while Al Gore was vacationing. Pack the Prada shades and Chanel après-ski boots along with black tie gear for more formal evenings. Back at the hotel, Remède Spa—a massive 15,000 sqf haven of pampering—is the perfect respite from the cold. This super-luxe spa offers Vichy showers, vapor caves, a confluence waterfall lounge and an oxygen lounge.http://www.stregisaspen.com/AmanganiWyoming, USA
Trust the Aman Resorts to bring unobtrusive, six-star manners to the American Wild West. The Aman Resort Group is one of my favorite chains in the world. Set against the dramatic landscape of Jackson Hole in Wyoming, Amangani is designed to blend in with its surroundings. The main reason to visit in winter is the resort's Ski Club that will take you from airport to resort to ski slopes in style. The Ski Lounge, a 20-minute complimentary drive from the resort, features easy ski-in/ski-out facilities for the slopes of Jackson Hole's Rendezvous and Après Vous Mountains. Try winter wildlife safari tours, snowcat rides, dog-sledding, snowmobiling and sleigh rides, all of which offer the chance of spotting wildlife. Retreat back to the resort's award-winning spa and its 35m open-air heated pool with panoramic views to complete your day.
http://www.amanresorts.com/amangani/home.aspx
Four Seasons Resort Whistler
British Columbia, Canada
When the Four Seasons Resort opened in 2005, it set the standard for über luxury in the ever-popular Whistler, where the 2010 Winter Olympics took place. Topping its own high standards, the resort also offers stunning private residences for rent. The spa has stunning views of the mountains and the outdoor pool is fully heated, with hot spring-style whirlpools. Their Ski Lite program allows you to truly travel light. Guests will be suited up head-to-toe in designer ski gear from Prada and Spyder at the Whistler Blackcomb Mountain Products store. To ensure optimum carving on the hill, this package also includes high-performance rental equipment featuring Salomon, Rossignol and K2 skis, as well as Burton boards.http://www.fourseasons.com/whistler/Le MélézinCourchevel, France
Nestled in the Trois Vallées in the French Alps is the stylish village of Courchevel with its delectable dining options, trendy boutiques and nightclubs. I had the chance to visit Le Mélézin, another Aman Resort, in 2009, an uber-chic boutique hotel that offers the star treatment with ski in/ski out access on the Bellecôte ski slope. The hotel, fashioned after an alpine manor, has only 31 plush guest rooms and suites. Sport offerings include heli-skiing, ice climbing and much more. For après-ski fixes, the spectacular spa uses organic Aman spa products for their treatments, which run the gamut from Thai massage to Shiatsu to reflexology and more. Must-tries includes the sleek Turkish hammam and Massage Sportif for sore muscles. http://www.amanresorts.com/Riffelalp
Zermatt, Switzerland
Hop on the Glacier Express train in glamourous St Moritz and take one of Europe's most scenic rides on its first class coach to Zermatt. The Riffelalp Resort at 2,222 meters high was originally built in 1884 and has been fully refurbished. The resort boasts Europe's highest outdoor pool with majestic views of the Matterhorn. Refined cuisine and spa aside, the beauty of the resort's location (the Gornergrat ski area) is that thrill seekers can schuss across the Italian border to Cervinia or heli-ski the high passes.
http://www.riffelalp.com/