Every spa girl loves a luxury holiday, and everyone knows the best holidays are to be had on the slopes. The fresh, white snow and crisp, clean air are as good for the mind as the body.
However, staying warm, upright and stylish on the slopes – never mind in that all-important après-ski – can often leave you tired and exhausted. What better than a luxury spa to soothe those achey muscles and burned noses, or to rid you of chapped lips, goggle marks and unsightly helmet hair?
This year’s prime ski season may have just ended, but it’s never too early to start planning your next break for winter. These beautiful ski spa spots are a feast for the senses: we’ve made sure to include all your favourite resorts here.
Courchevel, France
Situated in arguably the most exciting ski resort in Europe, Le Chabichou gets a special mention for its incredible pool experience – a multi-sensory, body toning, anti-stress bath with accompanying music to create a sensorial experience unlike no other.
This one gets a mention for its exclusive La Prairie spa treatments – a treat for the whole body, within a beautiful, spacious and modern environment.
Val Thorens, France
An exceptionally spacious and peaceful spa area within the luxurious Val Thorens hotel. Home to two pools, a fitness centre, sauna, hamam, Jacuzzi, experience shower, ice fountain, and relaxation and sun lounges, this is one treat you won’t want to miss.
Meribel, France
This is a traditional-looking wooden spa which evokes feelings akin to being in a log cabin. But Le Kaila offers so much more than that. The Nuxe Spa is designed to ‘resonate with nature and the five senses’, and is even home to a herbal tea ‘area’ to ensure the results of your treatments last extra long.
St Christoph, Austria
Whilst St Christoph admittedly isn’t one of the bigger names in European ski destinations, this spa experience easily steals the limelight from the better-known resorts. With a health bar, two pools, a massage room, yoga enclave, beauty salon, sauna area and more, you’re left wanting for nothing in this peaceful and idyllic spot.
Val d’Isere, France
One of our favourite hotels in Val D also features one of our favourite spas. With impressive statement antler decorations, a soft atmosphere and relaxing candle lighting surrounding the sauna area, this is the perfect place to get pampered after a hard day’s ski.
Verbier, Switzerland
Four words: The Alpine Spa Experience. We’re thinking daily yoga at high altitude (2000m), a choice of treatments and exercises, and gourmet meals prepared by hotel chefs. If you can imagine a better location for a spa experience – well, we want to go.
We love the idea of being able to relax into your chalet après après-ski, in the knowledge that the spa experience is coming to you. Whilst hotel spas are all very well and good, nothing can beat staying in your own chalet for some pampering. Wholey Cow will come to you, anytime. Aaaaah.
Ischgl, Austria
Ischgl is the most expensive ski resort in Europe, so we’d expect something impressive for the money. Whilst Montanara isn’t the costliest spa on our list, it will attract a particular clientele just for its location in Ischgl. Think high-end treatments, including infrared sauna therapy, an aroma steam bath and a brine steam inhalation.
Gstaad, Switzerland
Home to Vogue’s ski adventures this winter, Gstaad is officially a stylish place to go. The spa at Le Grand Bellevue has more features than you would ever expect, including its own four-poster sauna. Make sure you arrive in style to fit in.
St Moritz, Austria
If St Moritz is the glitz capital of Europe’s ski, Badrutt’s Palace is its centrepiece. One of the largest hotels, the spa is as accomplished as you’d expect, and its indoor-outdoor pool –with amazing alpine view – is not to be missed.
Andermatt, Switzerland
An up and coming ski resort, this hotel has just opened and is already creating waves. As luxurious as they come, we bet that The Chedi is one to watch for the future. Drop the name for ahead-of-the-curve kudos.
Special mentions
We couldn’t write about ski spas without including these. Whilst the spas are all part of private chalets, instead of hotels or standalone spas, these are open for rental. As two of the most exclusive chalets in Europe, we’ll let the websites speak for themselves:
Chalet Edelweiss, Courchevel 1850
The Lodge, Verbier
Great guide. :)