Best ski-in ski-out resorts in the world

Choose one of the best ski-in ski-out resorts to beat the lift queues and make first tracks on the mountain.

No one wants to lug their ski gear through town and back to the hotel, especially not with children. Imagine just clipping on your skis and heading straight out of your accommodation onto the slopes. If this is your dream, read our list of ‘best ski-in ski-out resorts’ in the world.

Here are some great choices for the best ski-in ski-out resorts and hotels. As they say in real estate: It’s all about location location location!

Best ski-in ski-out resorts

Chalet Limitless, Megeve, France

With its prime place at the foot of the Etoile slope, Chalet Limitless boasts an incredible location and is well-deserving of its place on our ‘best ski-in ski-out resort’ list. It also provides guests with glamorous surroundings in which to relax.

The chalet exudes modern alpine luxury. It mixes pine panelling and beamed ceilings with sumptuous fur throws, shaggy rugs and velvet curtains. Also included is a game room, a fitness room, sauna and steam rooms. There’s also a large living area complete with a swanky bar for entertaining guests. All seven bedrooms come with large en-suite bathrooms. The chalet sleeps up to 16 people and if you have to ask the weekly rates, you can’t afford it.  Some pets are welcome, contact the owner for more information.

Hotel Firefly, Zermatt, Switzerland

Hotel Firefly has an uber-sleek design and majestic views of the surrounding Matterhorn. It embodies owners’ Maria and Michael Kalbermatter’s vision of hotel perfection.

This slopeside hotel’s 16 spacious suites have been inspired by the four elements: earth, wind, fire and water. Each has been decorated to reflect a different one. The rooms all have a kitchen, a dining room and nine of the rooms have a glass fireplace. Every detail has been considered, from all-inclusive Nespresso machines and PlayStations to the in-room breakfast. The bathrooms are modern and sexy with spa-like free-standing baths.  We love the hotel’s wine cave, which is set within the mountain rocks, and hosts private tastings.  Suites are suitable for 2-10 people. Hotel Firefly definitely elevates Zermatt onto our ‘Best ski-in ski-out resorts’ list.

Koh-I Nor, Val Thorens, France

Koh-I Nor is located at the peak of Val Thorens and offering direct access to the vast Trois Vallees ski region.  This utterly luxurious hotel is the highest five-star hotel in Europe.

Famous for its diamond-shaped glass exterior and beautiful contemporary interiors. It is combines wood, stone, leather and fur. It also offers a packed program for children and two excellent restaurants.  Headed by Michelin starred chef Eric Samson, guests can enjoy five-course dining at L’atelier d’Eric and gourmet food at Le Diamant Noir.  A third restaurant, La Cave, specialises in traditional Savoyard cuisine.

Other facilities at this ski-in ski-out hotel include a gorgeous 800m2 spa; one of the best we’ve seen, it’s not to be missed. Val Thorens is well-deserving of its place on our ‘best ski-in ski-out resorts’ list thanks to Koh I Nor.

Five O’Clock Lodge, Breckenridge, Colorado

Sitting on a private cul-de-sac amid a gorgeous pine-tree forest in Breckenridge, lies the opulently adorned Five O’Clock Lodge. Its seven bedrooms have their own en-suite bathrooms and sleep up to 22 people. The Five O’Clock Lodge also has a state-of-the-art cinema, pool table and  hot tub on the patio.

We love the real ski gondola in the recreational room and the two chairlift swings on the lower level patio.  On the main level there’s a barbeque on the large terrace off the dining room; there’s an additional deck on the upper level. Five O’Clock lodge is just 300 yards from the 4 O’clock Ski Run so you’ll be on the slopes in no time.  The Breckenridge Free Ride shuttle is located five blocks away on Ski Hill Road.

Chalet Marie, Avoriaz, France

If perfect Alpine décor with wooden hearts and Savoyard antiques is your thing, look no further. Chalet Marie is a favourite on our ‘best ski-in ski-out resorts’ list. Oak-wood has been used abundantly in the décor which has resulted in a real chocolate box chalet. The living area is warm and cozy with a roaring log fireplace. The wood panelled bedrooms are large and comfortable – all seven are en-suite – and are minimally decorated.  The lower ground floor has a heated boot-room and a small sauna.  Chalet Marie sleeps up to 14 people.

Haus Christophorus, Obergurgl, Austria

You’ll find Chalet Christophorus smack bang on the slopes at the bottom of the No 6 Blue Run. The ski school meeting point is just 50m away and the village centre is within walking distance too. The main Festkogl gondola is 30m from the chalet’s ski-room so you can strap your skis on and set off straight away.

Bedrooms are comfortable and attractively styled. Most come with their own private en-suite bathroom. We like the traditional Tyrolean tiled stove. The chalet sleeps 34 people.

Chalet Dolomites, Alpe di Siusi, Italy

The 14 beautiful rooms have their own balcony or terrace and set against the dramatic backdrop of the Dolomite Mountains. Hotel Chalet Dolomites is a steal at budget prices. The price includes half-board starting from a minimum five-day stay.

Other amenities include a Finnish sauna and a Turkish steam room and flat-screen TVs in each room.  This hotel has a sun terrace and guests can enjoy a fusion of Italian and German flavours at the excellent restaurant. Be sure to try the South Tyrolean desserts, they’re sublime!  This is our favourite Italian hotel on our ‘best ski-in ski-out resorts’ list. It is located on the slopes of Alpe di Siusi and reachable by cable car.

Hôtel Les Cimes, Le Grand-Bornand, France

Having recently undergone a makeover, all the bedrooms at the four-star Hotel Les Cimes are looking pretty fancy. This ski-in ski-out hotel sits at 1,300m and provides easy access to hundreds of kilometres of slopes.

All bedrooms have en-suite facilities and many have south-facing balconies offering superb views of the surrounding peaks.  A breakfast fit for kings is served every morning in the small lounge by the fireplace.  Other bonuses include a stylish bar with an inviting wooden interior, leather couches and piano and a cool spa.

Hotel Goldener Berg, Oberlech, Austria

Perched on a mountain at 1700m in peaceful Oberlech is the family-owned Goldener Berg. Oberlech is the higher neighbour of Lech-Zuers am Arlberg. The local Pfefferkorn family bought the hotel, which dates back to 1432, in 1965 and have been running it ever since.  In the last few years Goldener Berg has undergone a major refurbishment and has unveiled a sleeker design.

New additions include a panaroma restaurant designed by celebrated architect Christian Prasser. There’s also a club restaurant and a stylish long bar.  We really love the wine cellar which has an impressive 580 wines from around the world.  The Pfefferkorn family have also demonstrated their commitment to sustainability with the installation of a biomass thermal station.  Plus the hotel’s 39 rooms and suites have been revamped and most come with gorgeous granite bathrooms.

Sonnenalp Hotel, Vail, Colorado

This is one of the early hotel properties in beautiful Bavarian-like Vail Village. The Sonnenalp has retained its charm and luxurious style for many years. It’s steps from the lifts, restaurants and village shops. It’s motto is “timelessly Vail” and it is just that. The Sonnenalp features 112 luxury suites and 15 hotel rooms – all with a view of either Gore Creek or Vail Village. Each suite has a bedroom and a well-appointed, extremely comfortable living room area. This is a modern throwback.

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