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Resorts That Put the Posh in Skiing

by Dan Giesin | December 12, 2018

So, you’ve just been handed a huge year-end bonus, and all that cash is burning a hole in your ski pants pocket.
What’s a snowboarder to do with the windfall?
How about a winter holiday in some outlandishly ostentatious resort, a mountain getaway that will eat through the wad in nothing flat? Not that you’ll really care because all the while you’ll be pampered and cosseted and spoiled to your heart’s desire at five-star lodges and high-end eateries as you shred some of world’s best ski terrain.
Here are a handful of suggestions, a mini-guide to a posh winter vacation.

St. Moritz

This Alpine village in eastern Switzerland has been a winter gathering spot for Europe’s — and the world’s — rich and famous since the 19th Century. The site of two Olympic Winter Games (1928 and ‘48), St. Moritz is practically synonymous with the word “posh”. Check out — or into — the Hotel Steffani (with standard hotel rooms costing up to 1,000 euros a night), Suvretta House (up to 4,520 per night in high season) or  the super ritzy Carlton Hotel (pictured above), which will cost you more than 2,000 euros per night for a 3 bedroom suite. The skiing’s pretty rich, too, with more than 155km of runs served by 24 lifts.

Courchevel

One of the valleys comprising the massive Les 3 Vallees resort complex (600km of runs, 140 lifts) in the French Alps, Courchevel 1850, sometimes referred to as the St. Tropez of winter sports, is the home of at least a half-dozen Michelin-starred restaurants as well as Les Suites de la Potiniere hotel, where 7,000 euros a night will get you a 3 bedroom-apartment. For the budget-minded high roller, you can book a room at Hotel Le Chabichou for a littler more than 1,000 euros a night.

Lech

On the western edge of Austria’s Ski Alberg complex of resorts and villages, you’ll find Lech, the centerpiece of the legendary ski circuit known as the White Ring, which consists of 22km of various and variable terrain with 5,500 meters of vertical. Also in Lech, you’ll find the Almhof Schneider, a family-owned inn since 1451 that will set you back a couple grand (in euros) per night, and Aurelio, voted 2018’s World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel whose rooms can cost up to 6,200 euros a night.

Jackson Hole

This Wyoming resort sprawling across the southern reaches of the Teton range is literally known for its monied people: Since 1981 the world’s central bankers, finance ministers and others of that ilk have gathered there for the annual Economic Symposium. Jackson Hole, which is renowned for its challenging off-piste skiing and boarding, is also famous for some incredibly luxurious lodging, including Amangani (up to $1,300 per night) and the ski in-ski out Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole ($1,520 a night will get you a one-bedroom suite).

Beaver Creek

Tucked into a high alpine valley in Colorado, Beaver Creek is perhaps the most Alps-like resort in America, with limited vehicular traffic and a pedestrian village that has just about everything you could want to max out your credit card. There are three luxe, 5-star properties that provide easy access to Beaver Creek’s 150 trails and 24 lifts: The Osprey ($680 per night for a standard room), Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch (accommodations range from $1,900 to $8,500 per night) and Park Hyatt (up to $1,000 a night for a standard room and $5,500 for a suite).

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