Ten most inspirational ski chalets

There’s nothing quite like browsing luxury and inspiration ski chalets dreaming of the properties we’d own, or holidays we’d take, if we had a sudden windfall. So as winter draws near, and the ski season is about to start, we’ve done all the trawling for you to compile Powderhound’s top ten most inspiration ski chalets — whether that’s for interiors, remote locations or funky design. We’ve got it all covered here. Sit down with a coffee in one of our Powderhound mugs and let the dreaming commence… 

Compiled and written by Abi Butcher @abibucher 

Ten most inspirational ski chalets

 The Penthouse, Haus Alpina, Klosters, Switzerland 

Sleeping 12 guests in six en-suite bedrooms, this chalet is the luxurious private home of Chrissie Rucker, founder of The White Company. The interior by award-winning interior designer Nicky Dobree is a mix of soft neutral tones, with liberal use of home comforts from The White Company — including toiletries and candles, throws, cushions and furniture.

The penthouse has two double-height living rooms, a small Swiss stube (dining room) for cosy breakfasts and an elegant formal dining table with a huge antler chandelier overhead. The magnificent second-floor master suite has a freestanding bath and there is a treatment room for post-skiing massages. Bliss.

haus-alpina-klosters.com

 

 Ten most inspirational ski chalets

Chalet Artemis, St Anton, Austria 

This chalet is the second home of Andrew Dunn, owner of Scott Dunn, so it is perhaps unsurprisingly that the property has been designed to perfection thanks to Andrew’s many years’ experience of providing top-notch, luxury ski holidays. Chalet Artemis had a makeover for the 2019-2020 season, with new rustic alpine décor, Tyson London lamps, Rolf Benz designer sofas and a large Paul Smith rug. The chalet sleeps 12 in six bedrooms (all named after Greek gods, too) — with vast emporer-size beds that can be set as doubles or twins. The property has its own private cinema with velvet chairs and a 24ft indoor pool with jet stream and spa with eucalyptus steam room and sauna.

Scott Dunn no longer offers chalet holidays, but Andrew has hand-picked the best of his former chalet stuff to work in this now privately available chalet.

Chaletartemis.com

 

 Ten most inspirational ski chalets

Backstage Chalet, Zermatt, Switzerland 

Designed by renowned architect Heinz Julen, Backstage Chalet is an incredible  contemporary ski property with 360-degree views of Zermatt village and the Matterhorn. Constructed with glass and local larch, the 320m2 chalet has open gables, and an open-plan living room featuring bespoke cowhide and leather sofas. 

The showstopper is an indoor/outdoor hot tub that glides up through the living room through retractable glass panels to the roof where you can sit enjoying fantastic views of the village. There’s also a gym, a sauna, a cinema room and ski room with lovely boot warmers. Backstage Chalet sleeps 10 adults in five bedrooms with an additional loft room for children.

Backstagehotel.ch

 

 Ten most inspirational ski chalets

Aurora Lodge, Norway 

Designed by award-winning Scandinavian architect Snorre Stinessen, this contemporary and luxury lodge, built in 2021, is set in the pristine wilderness of the Lyngen Alps and offers front-row seats for the Northern Lights. With its floor-to-ceiling, wraparound glass and clad in patinated green copper, the lodge blends with the wild environment, sitting just 100m from the sea shore giving the best possible access to spectacular views.

The furnishings are bespoke and include Hästens beds and Antonio Lupi bathrooms. There’s a traditional Norwegian sauna outside beside a little creek, along with a hot tub and six luxurious suites for up to 12 guests. On hand is award-winning nature photographer and marine biologist Auden Rikardsen to talk guests through the local nature.

Blacktomato.com

 

 Ten most inspirational ski chalets

Mi Chalet, La Villa, Alta Badia, Italy

Boasting a panoramic view of the Dolomites — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — this was the area’s first luxury chalet for two. Inspired by the surrounding nature, Mi Chalet was designed as an eco-friendly “Clima House” by Dr Karl Heinz Castlunger, a pioneer in wood architecture. Dr Karl’s wife, interior designer Antejesusann Castlunger, took charge of the interior that features locally sourced wood, calm colours and simple elegance. The living room sits on the first floor, with a cylindrical, hanging woodburner and spectacular mountain views; the bedroom features a walk-in closet, bath and shower and an infrared sauna — as well as glass doors out onto the garden. The property isn’t fully catered but sits in Alta Badia, the gastronomic capital of the Alps with four Michelin stars within just nine square miles.

michalet.it

 

Ten most inspirational ski chalets 

Chalet Marmottière, Verbier, Switzerland 

This magnificent and inspirational ski chalet (well, two linked chalets) uses a mix of natural materials and modern bespoke design with floor-to-ceiling windows to create a dramatic, sophisticated atmosphere. With its Andy Warhol prints on the wall, enormous antler chandeliers and unrivalled facilities, it’s no wonder Chalet Marmottière was named the World’s Best New Chalet in the 2020 World Ski Awards. Sleeping up to 18 guests in nine en-suite bedrooms (including two huge master suites), its facilities include a huge 17m indoor pool, 3D cinema, a bowling alley, billiards room, bar, hot tub, sauna, gym, spa and treatment room. The 1500m2 property also has a conference room and is just a four-minute drive or ten-minute walk to either the ski lifts or resort centre.

hautemontagne.com

 

 Ten most inspirational ski chalets

Eagle’s Eye Suite, Kicking Horse, Canada

Perched high in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia, above Canada’s highest five-star restaurant (Eagle’s Nest, at 7,700ft or 2,400m) the Eagle’s Eye Suite is the perfect place to stay for a night. Complete with a private chef and butler service — and jaw-dropping views of the surrounding peaks, all to yourself — the Eagle’s Eye Suite is Canada’s highest hotel suite and earns its place on this list for sheer drama.

The suites themselves (there are now two) are reminiscent of an old log cabin, with wood panelling, four-poster beds and cosy leather sofas. You get a complimentary bottle of bubbly with every booking and the best fresh tracks of the day the following morning.

Kickinghorse.com

 

 Ten most inspirational ski chalets

Montana Treehouse Retreats, Whitefish, Montana 

Sitting on this seven-acre property outside Whitefish, this fairytale treehouse was built in 2016 by outdoors-loving couple Kati and Darin Robison. The treehouse sleeps two ‘privately’ and up to four ‘comfortably’ over two flours with two spiral staircases. The chalet has a bedroom loft with a tempur matress, fire pit, wifi and 1.5 bathrooms over its 500m2 living space, with plenty of room for ski gear.

There’s a second property now, the Raven’s Nest Treehouse, an A-Frame building that sleeps up to seven. Located in Columbia Falls, there is ski touring or cross-country direct from the door of both properties and Whitefish Mountain Resort is only a 15-minute drive away.

montanatreehouseretreat.com

 

 Ten most inspirational ski chalets

Chalet Joux Plane, Morzine, France

This ski-in chalet in central Morzine has been constructed almost entirely of glass, to make the most of the mountain vistas — with a bold glass atrium dissecting the property to flood it with light. If you get tired of the views, which are best enjoyed (we imagine) on the swings in the double-height lounge area, Chalet Joux Plane has its very own art gallery! There is 680m2 of living space, with six en-suite bedrooms accommodating 10 adults and four children — with a lounge area, library, snug, 23m indoor-outdoor swimming pool, Bamford spa with treatment room, sauna and gym as well as cinema room. To add to the James Bond feel, you enter Chalet Joux Plane via a 15m tunnel.

Chaletjouxplane.com

 

Ten most inspirational ski chalets 

Sheldon Chalet, Alaska

Sitting on a ridge protruding from the Ruth Glacier, just 10 miles from the summit of Denali, the highest peak in North America at 6190m, Sheldon Chalet is one of the most exclusive experiences skiers could want to have.

Since this five-bedroom, 2000ft2 hexagonal chalet is 27 miles from any road, you have to fly in from Anchorage or Talkeetna by helicopter. The first mountain house was built here 50 years ago, but replaced by a new lodge that was finished in 2018 by the Sheldon family. Before that, the only way to stay in this location — the 35mile2 Don Sheldon Amphitheatre on the glacier — was in a tent while eating trail mix and dried rations.

Now you can enjoy world-class food, luxury bedding, running water and keep toasty warm while soaking up the remote, jaw-dropping views 24 hours a day whether the crisp peak of Denali, visible from every room by day, or the Northern Lights or meteor showers by night. Just about the most inspirational ski chalet we could find!

sheldonchalet.com

 

November 09, 2021 — Tim Hall