Top France Ski Hotels

The French practically invented après ski, the tradition o celebrate after a fantastic day on the ski slopes. So we’d expect nothing less than fabulous drinks, dining and lodging at ski day’s end in the French Alps at Les Trois Vallées Courchevel, Val Isère, Megeve – Mont Blanc, Val Cenis, Serre Chevalier. Here are some extraordinary hotels in top French ski villages and resorts.

AMAN Le Melezin in Courchevel offers 5-star service and a choice in France’s huge ski resort Les Trois Vallées! This boutique hotel is right on the ski slopes, my husband literally skied into the ski room. The décor is minimal chic, our suite was swank, with spa like bath, with superb views and even better personal service. From AMAN, you can walk to Courchevel’s fantastic après ski, chic shopping, or just relax in the spa before slopeview cocktails and dinner at your 5-star ski palace. Sister resort to AMANGANI in Jackson Hole Wyoming which we also found to be AMAzing…

Hotel Pashmina in Val Thorens has a super cool vibe for a 5-star ski hotel. The Hotel Pashmina Suites inside are decadent, modern and crisp. You’ll love Pashmina’s après ski deck and outdoor hot tub overlooking Val Thorens ski slopes, you can lob snowballs at skiers passing by. The Bar and two restaurants at Pashmina are cozy and convenient, the Chef is full of surprises!

Hotel Le Saint Roch in the heart of Courchevel is owned by the original hoteliers of Courchevel, the Tournier family. This chic 5-star alpine hotel is ultra-luxe with whimsical details and a very cool vibe from the locally carved woodwork, fur coverings and flickering candles to the music. Saint Roch is contemporary but cozy, the spa is gorgeous. Relax with creative tapas that accompany your après ski cocktails in the lounge – before savoring the exceptional cuisine at On the Roch – the hotel’s gorgeous dining room. Rooms at Hotel Le Saint Roch are modern alpine chic, elegant but easy. The ski slopes are just across the street from Saint Roch, and it’s a short stroll down to the lively Courchevel 1850 village for après ski or chic boutique shopping.

Hotel Christiano Val D’Isère is swank 5-star ski hotel in the heart of historic Val D’Isère, the perfect medley of mountain and mod, fireplaces and fur, with a welcoming warm vibe. The Christiano dates to 1949, its a short walk to Val D’Isère ski lifts, and the train station. Suites are rustic chic, with a nod to the natural mountain environment. Did we mention there’s a spa? Ooh la la.

Grand Hotel Serre Chevalier and Nuxe Spa is a lovely 4-star ski hotel property, at a great ski resort you may not have heard of. Serre Chevalier is a huge high elevation ski resort, over 9,000′ with 59 interconnected lifts, 250 km of prepared pistes and big vertical drop, and great on-mountain chalet dining. Ask for a ski-slope facing balcony, you are steps to the Ratier gondola in the morning, and an easy walk to the pretty village for relaxed après ski drinks at Holiday, Le Royal or Le Trappeur, shopping, and a market, and French dining at Loup Blanc, Le Petite Chalet, and Floucan. Visit the nearby medieval fortified town of Briancon for a day off the slopes!

Hotel Saint Charles at Val Cenis is another great slopeside ski hotel at a big ski resort that’s not overly well-known. Val Cenis is in the beautiful quieter Haute Maurienne valley, with 29 lifts, great slopes, good elevation up to 9000′ where there’s a gorgeous lake and views of Italy. Hotel Saint Charles is 4-star, modern, has a nice spa, bountiful breakfast buffet, its right on the ski slopes next to the lift. Après ski just walk across the bridge to the historic compact village with its few ski shops, restaurants and markets. Tip: Ask for a ski slope facing room away from the nightclub downstairs. See a review of skiing Val Cenis France.

Hotel Taj Mahal Les Arcs is a five-star hotel delivering some much needed luxury to Arc 2000, Les Arcs’ highest base village, part of Paradiski – La Plagne Les Arcs. Situated in a superb ski-in/ski-out location just by Les Arcs Cabriolet gondola, the Taj-I Mah offers contemporary style, gourmet dining and breathtaking views of the French Alps. Guests enjoy a fantastic spa, with an indoor swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, and steam showers.