The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
MEGEVE, FRANCE
An Alpine farming village-cumglittering getaway, France’s original purpose-built ski resort was the brainchild of Baroness “Mimi” Rothschild. She commissioned French super-architect Henry Jacques Le Même to design her vision in 1916, and his signature A-frame-style chalets sit in sharp relief to the brutalism that is the byword of later purpose-built French ski resorts.
Made for the chic, by the chic, Megève has long attracted A-listers to its cobbled streets. In the Fifties and
Made for the chic, by the chic, Megève has long attracted A-listers to its streets
quality. A horse-drawn carriage outing is hard to beat for a reasonably priced treat, while the indoor pools, ice rink and spa facilities of the Palais sports centre are open to all.
How to do it
Stanford Ski’s (01603 477471; stanfordskiing.co.uk) chalet-hotel Rond Point is one of the few comfortable but not too luxurious options left in Megève, from £500 excluding travel. Meanwhile, Le Chamois is a romantic bolt-hole in the centre, and costs from £750 for the whole apartment on a self-catering basis, excluding travel. These are ideal for couples, but can fit a family of four.
BEST FOR HOLLYWOOD STARSPOTTING ASPEN, USA
Inspiration on resorts
and holidays at telegraph.co.uk/ski
With regulars that include Kate Hudson and her mother Goldie Hawn, Elle Macpherson, Kevin Costner and Jeff Bezos, Aspen’s reputation as Hollywood at altitude is well earned. At the glitzy five-star Little Nell hotel, it only costs $125 (£97) for the first night and $25 for subsequent nights – but that’s if you’re a dog. But this gussied-up mining town doesn’t just ooze glamour, it’s also a proper ski destination. Four mountains – Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk – have 52,235 hectares of slopes for all levels with gladed tree runs, beautifully groomed pistes, steeps and powder in equal representation.
However, the clever can still find good deals in Aspen. Both Snowmass and Aspen Mountain have free First Tracks programmes; book 24 hours ahead with the tourist office for an early run on freshly groomed snow ahead of official lift-opening time. Don’t fancy an early start? There are free twice-daily guided tours on all four mountains.
It’s also possible to eat like a king or a Saudi prince (and maybe see one) for less: the bar areas of virtually all fancy restaurants offer cheaper options of the same menu. And for exposure to startling contemporary art, taking a turn through the Aspen Art Museum is free – as is live music at regular resort-hosted outdoor concerts.
How to do it
The St Moritz Lodge & Condominiums (stmoritzlodge.com) has an outdoor pool and is close to the centre of town and a ski shuttle stop; from $69 a night. For an all-in package with travel, Ski Safari (01273 224060; skisafari.com) has a special offer for 10 nights B&B at the three-star Molly Gibson Lodge over Easter 2020 from £1,295.
BEST FOR FASHIONISTAS CORTINA, ITALY
The coral-hued Dolomites form a stunning backdrop to Cortina’s picturesque cobbled village, a haunt of impeccably dressed Milanese from breakfast through to digestivo time. And now that the resort is preparing to host the 2026 Winter Olympics, you can expect further sparkle and improvements to lift infrastructure. Reached by free ski bus, the slopes are in the three separate sectors of Faloria-Cristallo, Tofana and LagazuoiCinque Torri. But the glamorous Italians that come to Cortina often prefer a different sport – mooching around sumptuous clothing shops such as Bredo and Franz Kraler.
The best après entertainment here is the completely free evening passeggiata (strolling) of soigné
Italians shrouded in fur, leather and cashmere. There are also weekly free concerts and entertainment in the town square. Should one wish to make use of the slopes, aim for lunchtime – it’s normal for well-groomed Italians to plan their route around a long lunch in one of many atmospheric huts – when the slopes are blissfully quiet. Another must is the free signposted Dolomites Ski Tour of the First World
War, which traces the brutal AustroItalian front line. Skirt the rocky Col di Lana, make a stop at the war museum at the Marmolada glacier and, from the top of Lagazuoi at 2,800m, take the red run down to Armentarola, which passes a frozen waterfall, and ends with a horse-drawn pull along the flat.
How to do it
With views over the Dolomites, Hotel Montana has reasonably priced basic but comfortable en suite rooms. From £449 B&B with Iglu Ski (020 3811 5990; igluski.com) including car hire.