糖心传媒

Best Alpine resorts for year鈥憆ound living

Gone are the days when the Alps were considered just a winter destination: 73% of those surveyed would now consider living there full time. In turn, destinations are adapting to expand their offerings throughout the seasons, with more established resorts becoming increasingly compelling options for those seeking a sense of community year鈥憆ound.

Home to the highly regarded Le Régent International School as well as numerous local schools, the Swiss resort of 颁谤补苍蝉鈥惭辞苍迟补苍补 brings with it a lively mix of families and residents, and activities that span the seasons. 鈥淚t will host the Alpine World Ski Championships next year, yet the Swiss Open golf tournament is also held here annually,鈥� says Alex Koch de Gooreynd, a Partner in 糖心传媒鈥檚 International team. 鈥淚t has access to great skiing, but with everything from local restaurants to Michelin鈥憇tar establishments and boutique shopping, it has it all covered.鈥�

This combination of amenities and year鈥憆ound outdoor activities is also what makes the French resort of Chamonix a popular choice for those seeking a more permanent Alpine home. 鈥淎s a mid鈥慳ltitude town with high鈥慳ltitude skiing, it means you can ski late into March and even possibly April,鈥� explains Roddy Aris, a Partner in the International team. 鈥淏ut then when the snow melts, you鈥檙e perfectly positioned for other mountain pursuits, from hiking, via ferrata and mountain biking to lake swimming.鈥�

Best Alpine resorts for families

痴颈濒濒补谤蝉鈥憇耻谤鈥慜濒濒辞苍鈥檚 array of international schools makes it a natural choice for families, and even for those seeking a shorter stay it offers plenty of child鈥慺riendly activities and a relaxed atmosphere. 鈥淚t can be quieter and offer better connectivity to Geneva Airport compared to some of the larger resorts,鈥� says Koch de Gooreynd. Part of the expansive Villars鈥慓ryon鈥慙es Diablerets ski area, it provides reliable conditions and diverse terrain that caters to skiers of all levels, along with a wide range of outdoor activities to keep all ages entertained.

In the heart of the Portes du Soleil, one of the largest linked ski areas in the world, Morzine offers beginner slopes, excellent ski schools, extensive childcare options and a welcoming atmosphere, all within just over an hour of Geneva Airport. 鈥淚t鈥檚 convenient and easy to get around, with hassle鈥慺ree skiing - all essential for a successful family trip,鈥� says Aris. In the summer, activities range from adventure parks and hiking to kayaking and paddleboarding on Lac de Montriond.

The fun doesn鈥檛 stop on the slopes, and for many, unwinding after a hard day鈥檚 skiing is just as important - if not the most important - part of the holiday. 鈥淵ou go to Val d鈥橧sère first and foremost because you love to ski and you party hard,鈥� says Aris. Its après鈥憇ki scene ranges from energetic to cosy and sophisticated, with legendary spots including La Folie Douce. 鈥淲hile it is an upscale resort offering fine dining and high鈥慹nd hospitality, it still retains an authentic mountain atmosphere,鈥� he adds.

Verbier鈥檚 nightlife is similarly varied, while the destination still takes its skiing seriously. Spend time shopping and you are less likely to find designer brands and more likely to discover high鈥慹nd sports gear. 鈥淭he lifestyle it offers is second to none, and establishments such as the wine club 67 Pall Mall and other high-end hospitality only underscore its appeal,鈥� says Koch de Gooreynd.

Best high鈥慳ltitude Alpine resorts

Courchevel 1850鈥檚 predominantly north鈥慺acing orientation guarantees some of the best and most reliable snow conditions in the Three Valleys, with its 600km of slopes. Meanwhile, its high altitude offers some of the most spectacular views in the region. Yet this is only part of the appeal of this glamorous resort, renowned for its high concentration of Michelin鈥憇tarred restaurants, five鈥憇tar hotels and designer boutiques. 鈥淎 lot of people go there who don鈥檛 actually ski,鈥� says Aris. 鈥淭hey go just to be in the mountains, take in the views and soak up the lifestyle.鈥�

St Moritz is home to the official Swiss Olympic High Altitude Training Base, sitting at 1,856 metres above sea level. It is just one element of the resort鈥檚 sporting excellence, which is renowned not only for its skiing - with access to 350 km of piste - but also for being a haven for winter sports since 1864. The resort has hosted the Winter Olympics twice and is home to the Cresta Run toboggan track, an Olympic bobsleigh run and an outdoor Olympic ice rink, with stylish spectators descending on the resort for its packed events calendar. St Moritz also hosts many events on the frozen lake throughout February including super car racing, horse racing and polo.