There is something really invigorating about spending a day on the slopes skiing or snowboarding and there is nothing better than staying in a luxury ski chalet, so you know you have somewhere to go to curl up in front of an open fire at the end of a long day on the runs. Luxury chalets come in all shapes and sizes, from chalets that sleep more than 40 people through to more intimate chalets that are ideal for couples. Before you begin shopping around for the ideal chalet, you will need to set out a budget as some of the world’s most luxurious chalets can go for £100,000 per week, while others for just a couple of thousand.

If its luxury that you are after then you are in luck, as some of the most popular ski destinations in the world are also home to some of the most luxurious chalets.

Let’s begin by looking at some of the most popular ski destinations in Europe:

➢ Alpe d’Huez
➢ Chamonix
➢ Courchevel 1850
➢ La Plagne
➢ Avoriaz
➢ La Tania
➢ Les Gets
➢ Tignes
➢ Sainte Foy
➢ Morzine
➢ St. Martin De Belleville

Europe has always been a popular area for avid skiers to visit in the winter months when fresh snow falls all the time. Winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding are hugely popular in European destinations that range from France and Austria to Switzerland. With so many people flocking to enjoy some time on the slopes, it will come as no surprise to know that there is a wide choice of accommodation to choose from including chalets, lodges, resorts and hotels. Luxury ski chalets in Europe are among the most popular as they have a real sense of character and the most luxurious chalets offer a wide range of on-site amenities to enjoy.

When sourcing a luxury chalet, you might want to contact a specialist travel company to help you as there are so many to choose between that it can be hard to know which one will suit you best. You will need to consider all of the following before you decide which chalet will work best for you:

➢ Where it is located
➢ How easy it is to reach
➢ How close the slopes are
➢ The proximity to the town centre
➢ How many bedrooms it has
➢ What on-site facilities it offers

Many chalets boast mountainside settings and not only provide visitors with somewhere confortable to relax after a day of skiing but also with accommodation that is stylish and well-equipped.

High quality chalets are designed to cater to your every need and in some of the best, it is possible to organise additional services should you require them. If you plan on spending a lot of your time on the slopes, then you may want to find a chalet that offers the following:

• Ski room with boot warmers
• Ski in, ski out access to the slopes
• A trainer
• Fitting service area with rental options

There are plenty of things that can be done to ensure you have a great time on the slopes and getting lessons is one of the most beneficial. If you are already an experienced skier, then you should find a chalet close to some of the more testing runs in the area and you can enquire about off-piste runs designed for more advanced skiers before you book your chalet.

Ski holidays aren’t all about the winter sports, as there are plenty of other activities that can be enjoyed too. When you book a ski holiday to somewhere like France, you can expect to have a wide range of fantastic world class restaurants at your fingertips and some of the best chalets will even provide personal chefs to cook your meals for you. From fine wines available from an on-site cellar through to sumptuous cuisines for breakfast on your balcony, indulging in a high class service when you book your chalet will help to ensure you get the most out of your trip.

If you are interested in organising some fun activities that don’t revolve around skiing or snowboarding, then here is a look at some of the most popular:

➢ Air boarding
➢ Husky rides
➢ Ice skating
➢ Climbing
➢ Snowshoeing
➢ Biking and hiking
➢ Tobogganing
➢ Cable car excursions
➢ Geocaching

Shopping is another popular pastime in the world’s top ski resorts and this might include shopping in some designer stores such as Prada that are often found in popular ski destinations.

Many of these non-skiing activities are great to do if you choose to travel with children and some chalets will even have their own game rooms fully equipped with everything from computer consoles to table tennis tables. Kids can have skiing lessons out on the slopes and there are often dedicated children’s clubs on offer for children who want to play in the snow with other kids and this is especially good for children travelling as part of an adult-only group. Both adults and kids will love spending time trying out the different activities on offer and you might want to rent a chalet that comes with its own indoor swimming pool or gymnasium if you know you want to spend some time doing other activities après ski.

If you are feeling really adventurous, you might want to ask the travel company you book your chalet with what other activities they can organise for you such as night skiing or paragliding. A concierge service is great to take advantage of when you book a luxury chalet, as it saves you the hassle of having to organise everything yourself. Picnics on the piste are a unique experience and specialist travel companies will be able to organise everything for you from heli-skiing and airport transfers through to restaurant reservations and instructors to help to make your ski holiday one to remember for all of the right reasons.