Ski hard. Spa hard.
After a full-throttle day on the slopes there’s nothing like hitting the spa for some well-earned relaxation. There’s no denying the joy of kicking off your ski boots and peeling off your ski socks, then slipping into a hot tub for a long soak or, if apres-ski wasn’t enough, how about really doing your hydration some damage in the sauna? Who better to recommend a bit of luxury than the team from The Luxury Chalet Company, who’ve spent years curating stunning slopeside retreats and have a knack for knowing how to follow an exhilarating mountain day with an equally refreshing spa experience.
Nendaz
Ski: Verbier’s little brother forms a central part of the expansive Four Valleys ski area and we love it for its access to all the great terrain without quite so much huff and puff.
After a fresh snowfall, you’re spoiled for choice, but the Vallon d’Arbi is a great place to start. Its wide, open bowl offers a serious challenge for experienced riders, with a 1,000m vertical drop that is sure to get your legs burning. As the day goes on and the tracks spread across the mountain, avoid getting caught up in powder fever. A quick traverse to the Col de la Mouche usually leads to fresh lines, or for a true adventure, hike up the notorious Stairway to Heaven – a steep bootpack that takes you to a wide couloir. If you head far right off Mont Fort, you can also drop into a bowl near the old Cabane Tortin, where a hidden couloir awaits.
Spa: Finish up your day kicking back in the Spa Des Bisses. This fabulous spa is part of the four-star Hotel Nendaz but is open to non-residents throughout the season. Take a few laps around the epic outdoor heated pool to get started. With a soothing waterfall, outdoor jacuzzi and terrace, it’s an incredible spot to soak up the sunshine with wall-to-wall mountain views. Inside there are several saunas, steam rooms and baths to choose from, and there’s even a kids zone with fountains and games. If you need a little extra to soothe your weary legs, why not go the whole hog and book in for a massage treatment? There’s an entire menu to choose from, but we like the sound of the Himalaya Salt Ritual massage and body wrap to keep with the mountain theme.
St. Anton
Ski: St Anton is the kind of resort where you can send-it in every way. A freeride paradise with a reliable snowfall and vast amount of big terrain to explore. The towering peaks of the Arlberg region have a bit of everything, from the open faces under the summit of Valluga to the playful tree runs below Gampen, with endless powder stashes if you know where to look. Scout out the lines on Rendl, or hop over to Stuben, where the snow stays stacked and the crowds thin out (there are miles of untouched pow here days after a snowfall if you’re willing to put in a few short hikes). But it’s not just about the skiing – St Anton is a full-gas or go home kind of place off the slopes too, with the likes of the infamous Krazy Kangaroo and MooserWirt après-ski bars hitting boiling point around 4pm.
Spa: After all that, you’ll be more than ready for some spa time. The Arlberg WellCom was originally built for the FIS World Alpine Ski Champs back in 2001 where it served as the press and media centre. These days it’s open to the public with extensive spa facilities in a striking contemporary building that is open until 10pm. Slip into the heated indoor and outdoor pools to splash away the lactic acid, or sweat it out in the sauna lineup, from the classic Finnish sauna to an aromatic herbal sauna, and a steam room for full muscle-melting effect. The Kelo Sauna, with its massive mountain-facing windows, delivers peak post-ski bliss, a proper spot to recharge before doing it all over again tomorrow.
Chamonix
Ski: No list of top resorts would be complete without the legendary Chamonix, a place of extremes. It is both the haunt of the mega-wealthy and the ultimate proving ground for the world’s most hardcore mountain athletes. Start your day warming up at Grand Montets, where the Bochard gondola’s long red run drops into Argentière, offering tree-dotted off-piste detours. For more accessible freeride terrain, Brévent’s sun-soaked slopes serve up steep couloirs and natural bowls, while Le Tour’s Balme sector delivers mellower powder lines. When storms roll in, head for Les Houches – quiet, sheltered, and still stacked with fresh snow. But the real crown jewel? The Aiguille du Midi téléphérique, launching you straight into the high-altitude backcountry.
Spa: QC Terme Chamonix is a next-level recovery zone after a day on the flanks of Mont Blanc. This sprawling spa blends alpine charm with European wellness know-how, offering everything from bubbling outdoor thermal pools with front-row glacier views, to panoramic saunas, steam baths, and relaxation rooms scented with essential oils. Inside, you’ll find hydrotherapy circuits, salt rooms, and a range of massages designed to iron out ski-weary legs. When hunger kicks in, their bistro serves up a wellness-focused buffet menu – think nourishing bowls, fresh salads, and colourful bites, available over lunch and dinner. Whether you’re soaking under the stars (or sweating out yesterday’s après-ski in the sauna), QC Terme is a great spot to reset before another big day in Chamonix.
Morzine
Ski: Morzine is a picture-postcard ski resort with access to the vast expanse of the Portes du Soleil. Although the Morzine/Les Gets side of the resort tops out at just 2,002m there’s still plenty of terrain to go at. Our favourite lift has got to be Chamossière with options to ride either a wide, leg-burning red run or a steep mogul-strewn black that often holds great snow long after a snowfall. There’s also access to the patrolled freeride zone or some exciting hike and ride options on the Pointe d’Angolon. If it’s a pow day, Mont Chery over in Les Gets is often a quiet spot to score some freshies, or if you’re ready to explore some bigger mountains, head to the Prodains gondola and enjoy the many lines off the top of the Grandes Combes chairlift in Avoriaz. The options here really are endless.
Spa: Okay, so this one’s not exactly in Morzine, but it’s so worth the 10-minute drive or bus ride around the corner to Les Gets. The Les Source du Chery spa is a modern alpine sanctuary – think 1,000m2 of ultimate well-being, all flowing water, stone, wood, and soothing low lighting. There are multiple saunas, steam rooms, a deep, cold plunge pool, and a large swimming pool with strong massage jets spaced around edge so you can really limber up those hard-working ski legs. And if that still won’t cut the mustard, why not sprint out a few lengths in the lap pool then book in for a deep-tissue massage? There’s also an outdoor hot tub, sensory shower and relaxation rooms for when you’re done with the water and just want some peace. Forget skiing, just book in here for the day (we’re kidding, kind of).
Mayrhofen
Ski: Mayrhofen is a lively mountain town in the heart of Austria’s Zillertal valley. As popular with the young ‘park and party’ crowd as it is with families and high-end clientele, Mayrhofen ticks all the boxes with access to extensive ski terrain, a wild après-ski scene, and authentic Austrian charm. The resort’s main ski area, Penken, is home to one of Austria’s premier snowparks, attracting top riders from around the world. Beyond the park, the infamous Harakiri black run awaits you. Named for the Japanese ritual suicide performed by samurai fighters (are you feeling confident yet?) it’s the steepest ski slope in Austria with some sections tipping to a daunting 78% gradient. A visit to neighbouring Hintertux glacier for some epic high-mountain exploring is also worth the trip – experts should check out the Kleegrube off-piste route, which winds down the skier’s right of the resort in a remote-feeling valley often holding freshies long after a snowfall.
Spa: If your legs are wrecked from all those park laps or steep pistes, then a spa day is your due. And you’re going to need a whole day (okay, at least an afternoon) to do this sprawling spa justice. A quick trip down on the Zillertal Bahn (train) to Fugen, the Erlebnistherme Zillertal offers a full-on thermal adventure. The spa is story of two halves with a family-orientated indoor and pool zone, complete with water slide and wave pool for extra thrills, and an adults-only area with more saunas than you can shake a ski pole at, including a multiple styles of Finnish sauna, steam baths, a tepidarium, plunge pool, and perhaps most importantly at this point, a bar.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Ski: Cortina d’Ampezzo is where jaw-dropping Dolomite scenery meets effortlessly chic Italian ski culture. While it’s famous for its well-heeled visitors sipping cocktails in fur coats, its real secret is its surprisingly uncrowded slopes. Cortina’s unique location south of the main Alpine ridge means its snowfall can differ drastically from other resorts, with deep-snow years turning its couloirs into a freeride paradise while others struggle for coverage. If you want to dive right in, head for the famous Forcella Rossa black run (one of 13 in the resort) that stretches over 2km and reaches up to 72% steepness. And if conditions are in your favour, powder hunters should head to Cinque Torri, a stunning rock formation with hidden powder stashes, while those who don’t mind a little uphill will be rewarded with endless options.
Spa: When you’re ready for a break, the Hotel Columbia Spa & Wellness in Cortina is open to non-residents and provides a haven of tranquillity. It’s a funky little spot with a Finnish sauna and a Turkish bath – an excellent antidote to all the tension between black runs. Then hit the plunge pool to stimulate circulation or relax in the jacuzzi and give yourself a rest – you deserve it! There’s also a peaceful relaxation zone with floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the magnificent Dolomites, so you can admire them from afar rather than in a sweat on a 72% gradient, phew.
