The pools are for winter
Every winter there is someone who says: "Are you coming to ski? Skiing? That sport in which your feet are not your feet, your hands are not your hands, you only see a piece of your cheek and the boots squeeze? ” In the end I end up going because I am fascinated by snow hotels. But I'm going to see how the others ski . Okay, I agree to snowshoes, sleds and cross-country skiing, which I'm not that weird either.
A GOOD ROOM FROM WHICH TO LOOK AT THE SNOW
There are few things more hypnotic than being behind the windows, sheltered from the heat, with a book in hand (okay, the cell phone works too) and looking at those who have gotten up early to slide down those slopes. The rooms of L'Apogee de Courchevel they are perfect: does anyone really want to get out of them and, in addition, dressed as the Yeti? It influences that Mahdavi and Joseph Dirand are from India. those of Lagation , in the Dolomites are apartments from which you can see off your colleagues / family / significant other in the morning with a cup of coffee in hand.
Rooms from which to look at the snow
A BATHTUB
While the others are going up and down, your only concern will be to measure the temperature of the water to submerge yourself and look at infinity. They with many clothes; you with none . I like hotels with good bathtubs even if I don't use them: it gives me peace to know they are there. In snow hotels they are important. Those of the Hermitage of Andorra are.
A bathtub at The Alpina Gstaad
POWERFUL INTERIORS
Interiors to walk through when you get bored of being in the room and wrinkled from being in the bathtub. You have to look for the ineffable fireplace, wear alpine sweaters and ask for a hot chocolate. Places like the newly opened W for Verbier , the first alpine resort of the W label makes it easy.
Powerful interiors at the W in Verbier
EAT WELL
That's always important and they serve a raclette in a lost refuge with bottled wine and a Yannick Alleno dinner, as offered by the restaurant 1947 (two Michelin stars) of the Cheval Blanc , also in Courchevel. Those who ski will come hungry . You will bring it because spending all day reading, bathing and wearing a good alpine sweater is exhausting.
Eat well at the 1947 Cheval Blanc
SPA
This word that is so scary because of the barbarities that are committed in its name is pronounced without fear in many snow hotels. A decompression space is important for sports angels and for those of the book and the sweater. Hotels know this and promote it.
the of virgilius , in the Dolomites, with its avant-garde architecture, is a rarity. Le Lodge Park de Megève has just opened its Pure Altitude, a delight that could be an excuse to travel to this place in the French Alps. By the way, you can eat very good meat in their Beef Lodge and have something to digest it in their Lodge Park Bar . And look at the fauna of Megève, which is, to say the least, interesting. The Alpina , in Gstaad, a perfect and archetypal snow hotel features a Six Senses spa . In fact, this hotel lacks none of the requirements on this list. Nor to Davos Intercontinental Spa , recently opened, still smelling of paint and that has one of the great spas in the area.
Life is Beautiful
OUTSIDE TERRACE
One thing is that we don't ski and another that we are weird. We like to participate in what is called après-sky even if we have not stepped on a chairlift. And we want to come back tanned. That's what outdoor terraces are for. For that and to remember the principle of Charade. Every good winter hotel has its own. Le Portetta , has the largest in Courchevel . And in it we want to be with our glass of French wine, of course.
The terrace of Vigilius
OUTDOOR POOL
This is one of my weaknesses since I tried it in Canada, on the coldest trip I've ever taken. Bathing in an outdoor pool, surrounded by snow is an extreme pleasure . I have done it in Switzerland, at the ** Dolder Grand **, at the aforementioned Hermitage and I hope to repeat it at The Alpina or wherever it comes up because it is an adrenaline injection equivalent to… yes, spending four hours skiing. And no, it's not cold.
GO OUT OF THE HOTEL
It is important to do it at some point, that you do not have to be so intense. It helps that the hotel is in an interesting location, such as Courchevel, Megève or Gstaad. The sebastian It's in downtown Vail, Colorado and is a great option for non-skiers. The idea of going shopping in the United States always is, even if it is very, very warm.