Catch the snow: Skiing in Switzerland

Anushee and Ayla Hashwani share their favourite ski resorts


February 07, 2016

Anushee and Ayla Hashwani love to ski and if you want to know where to find the best slopes for your budget, they have it broken down to the tiniest detail!

Blow the budget: Gstaad, Switzerland

Gstaad, the magical looking village nestled in the Swiss Alps, is all about vivacious chalet life, Après-Ski, and gourmet cuisines. Famous for attracting new-age millionaires and celebrities during skiing season, Gstaad (that’s Gstaad with a K) has remained one of the most popular skiing destinations in the world. Gstaad gained its upscale reputation during the 1970s and 1980s when celebrity regulars such as Roger Moore, Grace of Monaco, Elizabeth Taylor and Valentino would visit the snowy slopes. Lets take a look at the selection of luxury hotels to find out why celebrities and royals keep going there year after year.

Hotels



1. Le Grand Bellevue

-  Intimate and relaxed vibe

-  Grand Palace meets Soho House

-  Leonard’s stylish Michelin-star restaurant

-  Sleek nightclub downstairs, a cinema, and a kids’ room

-  Subterranean spa with interconnecting aromatic saunas, salt rooms and ice caves



2. Alpina Gstaad

-  Boutique chalet style hotel in the Alps

-  Combination of  traditional and contemporary Swiss interiors in a chic alpine setting

-  56 bedrooms and suites, three restaurants, indoor and outdoor heated pools, a Six Senses Spa and a private 3D cinema

-  Beautiful outdoor garden/terrace

-  MEGU: delicious Japanese restaurant



3. Gstaad Palace

-  Castle-like vibe and beautiful interiors

-  Clientele of Italian princesses and German industrial barons

-  Lobby Bar, has been an all-time favourite for decades and known to be a social hotspot in the village

-  The Walig Hut, an 18th-century mountain chalet to which guests can escape for a romantic night



The fun stuff

Gstaad is all about fun, which means mingling with friends and connecting with people who fly in from all around the world to holiday at the ski spot and experience the fun and passion for skiing.



Nightlife

Bars at Hotel Olden and The Palace Gstaad are popular amongst tourists.

Eagle Ski Club

Wasserngrat, situated on top of the mountain, is accessible only by a private ski lift. The club is a luxury chalet with one of the most impressive and stunning views of the Swiss Alps.



Sonnenhof & Rialto Bistro

When your appetite is huge after a full day on the slopes, head over to either one of these two restaurants. They serve up the comfiest home-style food to chow down.

Downtime

If you are renting a chalet and are in the mood for a night in, pay a visit to Pernet Comestibles. This is the Whole Foods of Gstaad. Pick up precooked meals or ingredients to prepare a gourmet dinner at home.



Mid range sparks: Lake Tahoe, Nevada, USA 

Lake Tahoe in Nevada has a blanket of snow covering 22,000 acres and a beautiful blue lake, which leaves you mesmerised. The diverse scenic beauty at Lake Tahoe makes it a unique experience for skiing. Tahoe offers an extensive range of accommodations and activities to choose from, thus catering to a variety of preferences.

We recommend picking a place in North Lake Tahoe, which offers 12 downhill and seven cross-country resorts, as it spans two states. The North offers plenty of ski entertainment, such as sledding, ice-skating, snowshoeing, snow kitting and much more.

Each accommodation also prepares an Après-Ski, allowing you to kick back at the end of your day with your friends and family with some delicious food and hot chocolate. Après-Ski is a festive gathering allowing you to celebrate the beauty and joy of winter.

If you want a fun night out, then head to the Crystal Bay Club and Casino to dance the night away to disco classics.

Recommendations



Heidi’s Pancake House

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Heidi’s, offering you a variety of mouth-watering
all-American classics. We love the super-sized crispy fried Dippin chicken. This great place is open until two am.



The Tahoe Sands Resort

This resort is spread over four acres, with beautiful lake and mountain views. The resort has a private beach, a heated pool and a spa, to top it off.

The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino

This four-star, brilliant, luxury-for-less lodging offers elegant guest rooms, cottages and suites, with a lakefront view,a 24-hour casino and a heated lagoon-style pool all year around. The hotel also provides a ski shuttle and sporting discounts for their customers.



Budget savvy: Tremblant, Quebec, Canada  

Get a fancy taste of Europe in Canada. This beautiful, European-inspired region is a ski location all year around featuring acclaimed winter sports, affordable dining and a cute pedestrian shopping village, which is gorgeously lit throughout the night. The north of the town has the Mont Tremblant National Park that has hiking trails, canoeing and winter activities, offering special discounts throughout the year.

Recommendations

This photo was taken in Adelaide, Australia. PHOTO: billiephilips

Grab some fuel in between your activities at the Crêperie Catherine. Try the natural, buttery crêpe that will melt in your mouth.

Bring out your inner childhood and embrace the festive Christmas season by booking a sleigh ride around beautiful Tremblant.

Slide a chair lift cable to get a beautiful view of Mont Tremblant, and get magnificent photos while you’re at it.

Where to stay:

The Crystal Inn



 

The inn offers doubles with breakfast included and each room has a fireplace and a hot tub.

Château Beauvallon



Stay at the gorgeous Château Beauvallon with luxurious service like no other. This spacious suite-style hotel is perfect for large groups, which makes sharing easy, featuring a widespread balcony, kitchenette, TV lounge, living room and a hot tub to make you feel just at home.

COMMENTS (2)

Humza | 8 years ago | Reply @Haji Atiya: I am not sure what you are on about. Everyone has to wear snow pants or some type of athletic pants on warmer days because it would not be comfortable otherwise. Even those of us who have skied in Northern Pakistan put on ski gear. I take it you have never skied in Pakistan.
Haji Atiya | 8 years ago | Reply When I tried to ski at one of these places wearing my shalwar kameez, I was stopped by the personnel there !
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