9 of the best luxury ski chalets in Europe
(CNN)Just how much luxury is enough?
In the world of top-notch ski chalets, five-star opulence is just the starting point.
Bespoke, boutique and beautiful are the bottom line, plus the best materials, award-winning design and so many toys and extras that the slopes outside are in danger of becoming an afterthought.
The service, too, must be beyond impeccable; these ski resorts are places where nothing is too much trouble.
Here are nine of the best mountain masterpieces in the Alps.
Chalet Eden Rock, St Anton (Austria)
This other Eden in the hamlet of Nasserein is the jewel in St Anton’s chalet crown.
It rocks a traditional exterior with a sleek, stylish interior, and can be booked as an exclusive 10-room chalet or split up into three smaller private chalets.
Designed by an award-winning architect, its spacious wood and stone-clad entertaining spaces offer open fireplaces, cozy dining areas, plentiful balconies and indulgent en suite bedrooms.
For those with energy left after a day skiing or snowboarding around the vast Arlberg area, there is a gym, swimming pool with jet stream, sauna and steam room.
Seven nights exclusive use of the property from about $44,770 with Kaluma Travel.
Chalet Edelweiss, Courchevel (France)
Situated in Courchevel’s billionaire’s row alongside the Bellecote piste, Chalet Edelweiss is a standout bloom among a glittering crop.
In this domain favored by Russian oligarchs, sporting mega stars and industry magnates, bling is the thing.
Edelweiss covers 3,000 square meters of luxury living space for 16 people, with the master suite, including a private sitting room, occupying the entire top floor of the six-story chalet.
For those with Saturday night fever, there’s a full-on nightclub featuring DJ booth, dance floor and bar for 100 guests.
There’s also a cinema, swimming pool and spa, gym and massage rooms in case the world’s largest ski area just outside the window isn’t enough to keep you amused.
From $14,700 per person for seven nights through Alpine Answers.
Art Chalet, Courchevel (France)
There’s the standard, run-of-the mill luxury — and then there’s Chalet Zermatt Peak.
If jaws haven’t already dropped at the floor-to-ceiling views of the Matterhorn from the living area, they will at the walnut floors, marble and stone-clad walls and sumptuous furnishings of the interior.
This is the stuff of the movies — the entrance tunnel hewn into the rock is reminiscent of a Bond villain’s lair. A floating walnut, steel and glass staircase and a lift access five more levels of Swiss swank.
There are five lavish bedroom suites, while the master has its own Jacuzzi and the top-floor gallery bedroom has a glass roof to take in the peaks and the stars from bed.
An indoor/outdoor Jacuzzi is the centerpiece of the indulgent spa area.
From about $53,000 Swiss Franc to $178,000 for a week with Alpine Guru.
Chalet Eagle’s Nest, Val d’Isere (France)
From its rock-hewn eyrie above Val d’Isere, Eagle’s Nest has shaken things up from the start.
This Tarentaise treasure offered the first swimming pool in a private chalet in 2002, and has since undergone a number of tweaks to raise the bar, including the recent addition of a cantilevered deck with hot tub.
Featuring vast living spaces with crackling log fires, indoor swimming pool with jet stream and an integrated entertainment system, the list of luxury features is longer than the nearby La Face black run, the venue for the men’s downhill at the 1992 Winter Olympics.
From about $2,000 per person per week in low season with Ski Scott Dunn.
Chalet Mont Tremblant, Meribel (France)
Standing out isn’t easy in this market but Mont Tremblant managed it and was voted Best Luxury Ski Chalet in France at the 2016 World Ski Awards.
The double height lounge gives vast views over the Meribel Valley, and the open fireplace and separate snug provide a place to hunker down in the evening.
Mont Tremblant sleeps 12 with a stunning master suite across the first floor and five further en suite bedrooms, all with gas fireplaces.
A heated outdoor infinity swimming pool and hot tub, plus a hammam and massage rooms can soothe tired limbs before a chill-out session in the in-house cinema.
There’s also a games room with pool table and children’s playroom. A separate office provides a haven for those who can’t let go of the grind.
From about $27,800 per week in low season with Consensio Chalets.
Chalet Sirocco, Verbier (Switzlerand)
This Swiss stunner was voted World’s Best New Ski Chalet in the 2015 World Ski Awards and for good reason.
Crisp, cozy yet cavernous, it sleeps eight over four floors with a vast open plan living area and impressive wellness area featuring pool with waterfall, sauna, hammam and massage room.
Sirocco occupies a commanding position above Verbier with far-reaching views towards the towering peaks of the Grand Combin and the Mont Blanc massif.
From $43,100 per week in low season with Bramble Ski.
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/30/travel/best-luxury-ski-chalets-europe/index.html