The Swiss Alps offer skiing at its most stylish and sophisticated. The best resorts deserve the best transportation, so a luxury helicopter transfer is a unique and convenient way to arrive at the Swiss resort of your choice. Here’s a selection of our favourite luxury resorts in the Swiss Alps.
1. St Moritz
St Moritz has a captivating lakeside setting that is hard to resist. It cemented its place on the winter sports scene in 1928 when it hosted the Winter Olympics, thereby introducing itself to the international jet set at a time when foreign travel was becoming fashionable. It further hosted the Winter Olympics in 1948 and worked its way into the hearts of a new generation of luxury travellers who have been flocking to the elegant resort ever since.
These days, St Moritz hosts numerous unique activities such as the Cartier polo tournament, horse-racing and the infamous and daring Cresta luge run. St Moritz is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world and is packed with designer shops, therapeutic spas and a casino. It’s also home to exclusive restaurants such as Ecco St Moritz run by the talented, two Michelin star chef, Rolf Fliegauf.
2. Zermatt
Zermatt has become a magnet for discerning and well-heeled travellers who flock here because of the stunning scenery but stay for the fantastic skiing and gourmet food. In fact, Zermatt has the highest density of gourmet restaurants in the world and guides are available to take you on a gourmet ski tour of the mountains. Zermatt has everything a luxury traveller could want from ultra-exclusive chalets like the Heinz Julen designed Backstage Loft to an exciting apres-ski scene.
The best thing about Zermatt is its skyline panorama, which iconic Matterhorn dominates. No other alpine view in the world can match its spellbinding magnificence and it can be seen from chalets and restaurants throughout the resort. Zermatt has retained a rustic feel and succeeds in keeping a high level of alpine elegance, largely due to the absence of cars in its centre.
3. Verbier
Verbier is one of the best off-piste resorts in the world and this is the reason it attracts a crowd of professional skiers who have chosen to make it their home. The appeal of Verbier doesn’t lie in iconic geographical features like Zermatt or outrageous wealth like St Moritz, but rather in serious skiing credentials and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. It’s the largest resort of the “4 Vallées” ski region, with over 400km of piste including some of the most challenging skiing in the Alps. It has an impressive collection of glaciers, couloirs and deep powder bowls for advanced skiers and snowboarders.
Verbier has some of the most luxurious accommodation in the Swiss Alps, including Sir Richard Branson’s stunning nine bedroom chalet, The Lodge. It’s also home to the Coco Club, the first VIP club in the Alps, aimed at celebrities and billionaires. It’s signature cocktail, the champagne based “Coco Chalet” is the world’s most expensive cocktail at 10,000 Swiss francs (including life membership).
4. Gstaad
Gstaad has an understated glamour and picture postcard surroundings that have long attracted the international jet set. Skiing tends to come second after hobnobbing and attending cultural events. That’s not to say that the skiing isn’t top quality because, with 220 km of skiable terrain, it’s actually a wonderful choice for a skiing holiday too. The ski slopes near to the town centre are excellent for beginners and intermediates, while Gstaad Mountain Rides offers enough terrain to keep skiers of all abilities happy.
Gstaad is situated in the Saanen valley and overlooked by a picturesque castle. The resort is completely pedestrianised which adds to its alpine charm, but it still contains a huge number of upmarket hotels and designer boutiques. It also hosts a vast array of events from the Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad winter music series to the Hublot Winter Polo Gold Cup. The most discerning visitors can be found sipping cocktails at the Gstaad Palace Hotel or dining at the Michelin-starred Sommet Restaurant at the Alpina Hotel.
If you’re ready to experience the glamour and elegance of St Moritz and other prestigious ski resorts, contact us to find out about our luxury helicopter transfers to the Swiss Alps.
