We’ve chosen six of the most stunning high-altitude ski hotels in the Alps – all above 2000 metres!
Historic hotels dating back to the 19th-century or simple, rustic refuges, there’s a mountaintop hotel for everyone. High-altitude ski hotels mean you wake up to unrivalled mountain views. Then ski straight out the door and make first tracks on virgin powder – and all this before the lifts open!
OnTheSnow has selected six of the best high-altitude ski hotels to suit a range of tastes and budgets.
High-altitude ski hotels across the Alps
Hotel Bellevue des Alpes (2070m)
Old-fashioned glamour in the shadow of the Eiger in Grindelwald, Switzerland
Dating back to 1856, the beautifully preserved Hotel Bellevue des Alpes retains much of its original charm – revolving doors, green shutters, table lamps, roll-top baths, and even serves old-fashioned cocktails like gin fizz.
This grand hotel sits at the foot of the mighty Eiger, which became famous in the 1930s when crowds of press and spectators would gather on the sun terrace to watch climbing parties attempt the North Face. This perilous climb quickly became known as Murder Wall after many lost their lives trying to conquer it. One such climber was Toni Kurz who died dangling from a rope, just metres away from his rescuers in 1936 – and all this was witnessed by the crowds at the Bellevue. The hotel’s corridors are full of climbing memorabilia and ghosts of Eiger Alpinists.
Hotel Bellevue des Alpes is well-deserving of its place on our ‘high-altitude ski hotels’ list. This ski-in ski-out hotel is located in the heart of the Jungfrau ski region. Situated in Kleine Scheidegg, between Grindelwald and Wengen. The Wengernalpbahn railway provides a direct link to the hotel as there’s no road access. The Kleine Scheidegg is also the starting point for the Jungfraujoch – Europe’s highest railway station at 3,454m.
Riffelalp Resort (2,222m)
Five-star lodging next to the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland
High on the mountain above Zermatt, with no road access, sits the five-star Riffelalp Resort (2,222m). This luxury residence offers outstanding views of the ultimate rock: the Matterhorn. The ski area is directly accessible from the hotel; skiers can slide straight out the door into the Gornergrat ski area, part of the larger 360km Matterhorn Ski Paradise. Other winter activities at the Riffelalp include ice skating, ice stick shooting, winter hiking and snowshoeing.
The hotel is well equipped with 140 beds (rooms, suites and apartments). Other amenities include a ski rental shop, natural ice skating rink, sun terrace, spa and four restaurants serving everything from five-star fine dining to hearty local cuisine. Enjoy superb views of the Matterhorn from Europe’s highest outdoor pool, heated to 35C. There’s also an indoor pool, solarium, and various steam baths, saunas and whirlpools to revive aching muscles.
On arrival in Zermatt, Riffelalp’s local porter will give you tickets to the Gornergrat railway which takes you to Riffelalp. From here it’s a short walk/ski to the hotel (luggage taken on skidoos).
Cabane du Mont-Fort (2,457m)
Simple refuge with powder on the doorstep in Verbier, Switzerland
Perched on a piste high above Verbier, the Cabane du Mont-Fort quite literally brings powder to your doorstep. The 400km 4 Vallees ski area (and Verbier’s legendary off-piste) is all yours to explore before the resort lifts open. There are 15 simple rooms (bunk beds or doubles) with showers on each floor and hot food served all day.
Julien Morcom a regular visitor to Cabane du Mont Fort over the New Year holidays, admits it is a little on the Spartan side and definitely not handy for nightclubs, but it is affordable. He says, “I go there to ski with my two sons and it is pretty much unbeatable. There is always a spot with good snow even at Christmas and New Year. Up high, even at busy times there is hardly ever any waiting for the lifts. When the other skiers have gone back down to Verbier and you watch the sun set over the mountains it is a wonderful experience.”
The Cabane du Mont Fort is easily accessed by lift: from Verbier take the Medran cable car then the Chaux cable car; from Nendaz take the Gentianes cable car to Tortin then ski the Gentianes/Lime. You have to carry your kit up on the ski lift and then ski down with it to the cabin. So you travel light. From time to time the cabin is closed due to bad weather and getting in or out is impossible.
Rifugio Bella Vista (2,845m)
Watch the sun set from the outdoor hot tub in Val Senales, Italy
This refuge, dating back to 1896, is in the middle of the 35km Val Senales ski area in the South Tyrol. Located at the Schnalstal glacier, the Bella Vista is easy to reach on skis but at the same time feels totally remote.
The Bella Vista boasts Europe’s highest outdoor sauna, which was shipped from Lapland and then choppered up the mountain. It also has an outdoor hot tub where you can enjoy a glass of wine as the sun sets over the snowy peaks. South Tyrolean dishes are served at the restaurant; particularly popular are the steaming pasta dishes and homemade apple strudel. Private bedrooms (2-5 beds) or dormitory rooms are available.
To reach the Bella Vista on skis from the summit: ski down the Grawand and Gletchersee slopes to the Hintereise lift, which takes you up the mountain from where you ski straight down to the lodge.
Piz Seteur (2,064m)
Rustic furnishings & Tyrolean dining in Val Gardena, Italy
Slap-bang in the centre of the Sella Ronda ski circuit (175km), this modern rustic ski lodge enjoys 360-degree views of the Dolomites’ iconic craggy peaks. Rebuilt a couple of years ago, the Piz Seteur is decorated with simple white walls and beautifully chunky pine furnishings.
After a day on the slopes, sooth aching muscles in the saunas, whirlpool and kneipp bath or enjoy a bottle of wine on the sun terrace. The restaurant serves a buffet breakfast and four-course dinner featuring South Tyrolean specialities.
To get there, take the Piz Seteur chair lift from Plan de Gralba or the Sole lift from the Sella Pass towards Selva.
Wedelhutte (2,350m)
Four-course dinners and a full wine cellar in Hochzillertal, Austria
Perched at 2,350m, the Wedelhutte looks like a traditional pine-clad lodge but is filled with modern luxuries, like Wi-Fi, DVD players, saunas, steam rooms and a whirlpool. Skiers can slide straight out into the Hochzillertal ski area (181km) or go searching for the best powder stashes with Stefan, Wedelhutte’s own mountain guide.
A buffet breakfast, afternoon tea and cakes, and a four-course dinner is served at the restaurant. This high-altitude ski hotels has 11 suites offering panoramic views from the balconies. Be sure to choose something from the full wine cellar to enjoy as the sun sets.
In winter the hut can only be reached by gondola lift or skis. From Kaltenback/Zillertal, buy a ticket for the Hochzillertal ski area and ride the gondola up to the summit, followed by the Sonnenjet and Wedel lifts to the lodge.
November 15, 2023
