Securing a chalet for the ski season

The finest chalets in the world's leading ski resorts are some of the most coveted stays of the year. For the busiest weeks of the season, the best of them are often secured long before the first snowfall.

The weeks that go first

A few weeks each winter are in especially high demand:

• Christmas and New Year
• February school holidays
• Easter, in resorts with a long season

For these weeks, many of the most sought-after chalets are committed in the spring and summer before. Beginning the search early gives the widest choice of chalets, locations and staffing.

January and March are often quieter on the slopes, with excellent snow and more choice for those with flexible dates.

Choosing the resort

Each resort has its own character.

Courchevel, Verbier, Zermatt, St. Moritz and Gstaad offer world-class skiing alongside exceptional dining and a lively social scene. Aspen and Vail bring the same energy to North America, while Niseko in Japan is known for some of the lightest powder in the world from December to February.

The right resort depends on the group: the level of skiing, the importance of après-ski and dining, and how easy the journey needs to be, particularly when travelling with children.

Location within the resort

Two chalets in the same resort can feel completely different.

Ski-in, ski-out access means leaving the chalet on skis and returning the same way at the end of the day. Chalets in the village centre place restaurants and shops within an easy walk, while those set further out offer more space, privacy and views, usually with a driver on hand.

Staffing and service

A luxury chalet is often defined by its team.

Many of the finest chalets include a chalet manager, private chef, housekeeping and a driver, with ski hosts, instructors, nannies and wellness support available on request. Knowing what is included, and what can be added, shapes both the experience and the overall budget.

The details that matter

• Bedroom layout and how it suits the group, especially with families
• Boot rooms, ski storage and fitting services
• Spa, pool and wellness facilities
• Arrival day, as many chalets run Saturday to Saturday in peak weeks

These details rarely appear first in a listing, yet they make the difference once the group arrives.

If you are planning a ski season stay, enquire early and we will present a curated selection of chalets for your dates.