French Ski Spots We're Dreaming Of This Winter...
Welcome to the exclusive list of this year’s hotspots for winter retreats - the French Edition. The ultimate guide of where to go, what to do, where to eat, and what to wear with a couple of hidden gems you might never have heard of…
The Three Valley’s
Okay, the technically speaking, The Three Valley’s is a handful of distinctive ski resorts all rolled into one huge ski area, and here there really is something to suit every taste (and weather condition). From the playful extravagance and low mountain tree runs of Courchevel, to the casual laid back feel of high-altitude town Val Thorens, finding a thoroughly British affair in Méribel nestled in the middle. For those who enjoy the après ski, you’ll be pleased to know that the Three Valleys boasts not one, but two infamous Folie Douces.
To Eat: Le Clos Bernard, méribel
Dine in the middle of the snow covered forest at Méribels best kept secret, and then catch a list back to the slopes in a horse drawn carriage. We recommend the sharing platters, pilled high with meats, cheeses and terrines. Book your table here.
To Stay: Altapura, val Thorens
Relaxed luxury at high altitude, this designer hotel perfectly fuses modern chic and alpine style, think a bar made from ski boots, faux fur walls and wall to ceiling views of the Val Thorens ski domain. Capture the moment in their ski-bubble-come-photobooth. Find out more here.
To Do: The Tyrolienne, val thorens
The ultimate zip wire. Find yourself suspended 250m between two of the resorts highest peaks. The journey takes you over 1300m in length, and between 65 and 100km in speed through the stunning Alpine backdrop, just don’t look down… Discover more here.
To Wear: New Zealand Leggings
With such a big après vibes in the Three Valleys, you can really get away with getting wild with the prints, so why not try out the New Zealand Winter Weight leggings to get you in the mood? Get yours here.
Inside one of alpine chic rooms at the Altapura hotel (photo: Altapura website)
A true 360 view on The Tyrolienne (photo: Val Thorens website)
View of the sun-soaked terrace at Le Clos Bernard (photo: by @gourmet_guy via Instagram
Val d’Isere
Val d’Isere, a mecca for back country skiing, après ski partying and the home of cool, casual luxury. I’m sure we’ve all got a few friends who are so enamoured with this ski resort, they flat out refuse to ski elsewhere. Whilst the wanderlust in us always keeps us on the hunt for new resorts to try out, we can understand why people are so taken with this high altitude haven, because we can’t stop returning either.
To Eat: La Peau de Vache
Eat surrounded by dripping candles and candelabras in a reformed cow shed, perched on the edge of the legendarily steep black piste “La Face”, home of the World Cup slalom run. Look out for Charlie and Nemo, the 2 yellow labs you’re sure to find making the tour of the tables. Book your table here.
To Do: Ice Driving
Buckle in and get in gear. If fast cars and lots of ice sounds gets your heart racing you need to give this one a go. At this truly unique driving experience, your instructor will take you round icy bends and teach you the tricks of the trade on in 3 hectares of frozen playground in a BMW at over 1800m above sea level. Experience it for yourself here.
To Stay: Chalet Barmettes
The ultimate pick in casual luxury situated in prime position in the very centre of Val d’Isere. Those for an eye for detail will notice every square inch has been meticulous designed and cared for from the beautifully and uniquely curated bedrooms to the spa and sauna area. Reserve your stay here.
TO Wear: Glacier Long Sleeve
Cool is the name of the game here in Val d’Isere, the Glacier Long Sleeve is stylish and chic but has just the right amount of colour pop to stand out in the crowd. Get yours here.
Dine in style at the La Peau de Vache (photo: La Peau de Vache)
A warm welcome from Charlie and Nemo at La Peau de Vache (photo: La Peau de Vache)
Relax post-piste in style at Chalet Barmettes (photo: Ski In Luxury)
The ultimate ice driving experience (photo: Ultimate Luxury Chalets)
Morzine
Welcome to the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area and the favourite of H. Holderness clientele. Located only a small hop away from Geneva, Morzine is ideal for a long weekend in the mountains, although chances are you’ll want to stay longer. This picturesque alpine town is known for it’s exceptional winter conditions - think high snow fall, sunny spring conditions and stunning scenery (even by Alps standards).
To Eat: Bulles des Mines d’Or
Enjoy regional speciality ‘raclette’ (think melted cheese and charcuterie) and dine under the stars in one of the Bulle des Mines d’Or’s transparent bubbles whilst taking in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. If you’re visiting in the summer months, why not book a night in one of the bubbles. Our eye is on La Bulle de Lac with accompanying jacuzzi. Book your table here.
To Do: Yoyosno Yoga and Ski Retreat
For those who crave adventure and relaxation in equal measures, we’ve got the perfect retreat for you. Spend the week indulging in creative vegetarian cuisine, twice-daily yoga flows, and ski lessons in an intimate group format. Reserve your retreat here.
To Stay: Chalet Joux Plane
A true James Bond chalet. Complete with a pool that runs through the length of the chalet, to the exterior terrace. Yes, you read that correctly, the pool goes through the chalet. Midnight swim anyone? Book your getaway here.
To Wear: Lynx Leggings
In Morzine we love a bold print and the Lynx Leggings from the Arctic Safari collection does just that, a classic with a twist a bit like Morzine itself. Get yours here.
A completely unique dining experience at Bulles des Mines d’Or (photo: Bulles des Mines d’Or)
The ultimate yoga and ski retreat (photo: Yoyosno)
The ski chalet that ticks every box - and couple more we didn’t even know we wanted (photo: Ski In Luxury)
La Clusaz
Circle the crystalline Lake Annecy and hang a left and you’ll find your way weaving your way up to the picture perfect resort known as La Clusaz. The village is an array of authentic chalet style accommodation, restaurants and bars which give you that genuine Savoyard feel.
To Eat: chalet des praz
The views at the Chalet des Praz are pretty special, that combined with sun-soaked terrasse and live DJs means you’ll likely be tempted to spend the whole afternoon here lapping up the winter rays. Book your table here.
To Do: Ski Joëring at Aravis équitation
Give skiing a twist and try ski joëring, think water skiing on snow, and instead of a boat pulling you along, its a horse! This is an activity you don’t stumble across in many ski resorts and definitely not one to miss. Reserve your experience here.
To Stay: Hôtel au cœur du village
The clue lies in the name, the Hôtel Au Cœur du Village is perfectly situated in the heart of La Clusaz, few minutes from the pistes. The Cristal spa is the perfect place to relax and re-energise after a day on the mountains, then you can finish the day off with a table at Le Cinq, the in-situ restaurant which blends creating modern cuisine with nods to the traditional Savoyard style using local produce from the surrounding mountains. Book your holiday here.
To Wear: Snow leopard leggings
Alpine chic, yes please. The Snow Leopard Leggings are our go-to in La Clusaz, effortlessly stylish. Get yours here.
Catch some rays on the Chalet des Praz terrasse (photo: Chalet des Praz)
Try something something different (photo: Ski Joëring)
The perfect haven for relaxing post-piste (photo: Hôtel Au Cœur du Village)
Paradiski
Call us bias, but we are continuously falling in love with the Les Arcs and La Plagne area, known affectionally as ‘Paradiski’ - we all love a pun. This is the ski area we call home at H. Holderness, but it is also one of the largest winter resorts worldwide. Whether it’s on-piste, off piste, après ski or relaxation your looking for, you’re sure to find everything you’re looking for here, and some pretty amazing over Mont Blanc to top it all off.
To Eat: Belliou la fumée
This truly is one of the best kept secrets in the Paradiski area. Park your skis and cross over a mountain stream to find this authentic mountain restaurants that was once the hunting lodge of the Duchy of Savoie and now serves some of the best food in Les Arcs. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the local digestif, genepi, one the beautiful sunny terrasse before you head back to the slopes. Book your table here.
To Do: ski the north face
For those trill-seekers who are looking to try some off-piste unlike anything you’ve experience before, why not hire a ski instructor or guide and try out the Face Nord de Bellecôte. With 4km across of skiable couloirs to express and a descent of 1800m, there is so much to offer whether you’re an experienced off-piste aficionados, or it’s your first taste of backcountry skiing. Finish up with a quick drink at Le Fer à Cheval before catching the navette back to Les Arcs. Reserve a guide with ESF here.
To Stay: taj-i Mah
For modern luxury in a stunning mountain setting, look no further than the Taj-I Mah hotel. This ski-in-ski-out hotel is the first 5 star establishment in the Paradiski area and has been designed for you to drink in the views with wall to floor windows, you’re sure to get lost in the snow-covered vista. Book your getaway here.
To Wear: Bellecôte Long SLeeve
Inspired by the Face Nord of La Plagne, the Bellecôte Long Sleeve is a must-have for Paradiski. Our best-selling base layer is truly at home here and the perfect layer for back country skiing! Get yours here.
Les Arcs best kept secret, Belliou La Fumée (photo: Belliou La Fumée)
Soak in the views from the Taj-I Mah (photo: Taj-I Mah)
First tracks on the North Face.