Fresh Picks | Snow-ward bound

01 Dec 2017
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2 min read
Today marks the first of December and we all know that means soon the ski holiday plans will be finalised…Let FOUR help you decide with this round-up of select choices.
Niseko Village | Hokkaido, Japan

YTL Hotels’Niseko Villageon the island of Hokkaido in the north-east of Japan, is gearing up for a thriving winter season with the December launch of significant ski infrastructure, including new lifts and gondolas and thehiring of 90 international staff across the resort.

As part of Niseko United, voted Japan’s Best Ski Resort in the World Ski Awards three years running, Niseko Village has seen its visitor numbers increase steadily from 209,700 in 2009 to 484,330 room nights in 2015. To support the growing visitation of the resort, YTL Hotels has invested in two all-season lifts.The state-of-the-art Village Express and Upper Village Gondola are both unprecedented construction designs for a major ski resort in Japan and in another move to cater for Niseko Village’s growing popularity; a new ski run will also open ensuring the slopes remain as uncrowded as ever.

 

Grand Resort Bad Ragaz | Switzerland

Relax and immerse yourself in the magic of Advent at Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, where a glittering sea of lights will transform this award-winning five-star Swiss retreat into a peaceful and inviting festive haven. Try anAroma Momentsmassage by Altearah® Bio, followed by a warming candlelit swim in the resort’s Helena pool, part of the resort’s seasonalAdvent Magicpackage.

Or hit the slopes on the nearby Pizol mountain with a two-day ski pass, using top skis from the HEAD range, followed by a soothing soak in the resort’s 36.5°C thermal water, sauna and Swarovski crystal steam bath and recharging transdermal magnesium massage to renew muscle and joint suppleness, part of theSki & Wellbeingpackage.

 

Hotel Aurelio | Lech, Austria

Hotel Aurelioisan 18-bedroom, ultra-luxurious boutique hotel located right in the heart of Lech, Austria, one of the world’s best ski resorts.This winter will see the opening of four new ski lifts which will connect Lech and St Anton for the first time ever. The connections will make the Arlberg region Austria’s largest interconnected ski area, with a total of 305km of ski slopes.

The food at the hotel is also exceptional.3 Hauben Chef, Christian Rescher and his protégée, Markus Niederwanger offer a foodie experience at the Aurelio, that is available to both hotel guests and those visiting Lech. Local, seasonal foods are used to create dishes with all the flavours and colours of Austria. This traditional cooking is combined with a modern outlook and international influences that create the ‘Natural Art Cuisine’ style for which he has become so renowned.

 

Chalet Rosière | France

Chalet Rosièreopens its doors for their first winter season. The boutique lodge and retreat centre set in the heart of the French Alps specialises in retreats combining skiing, yoga and luxurywellbeing. Situated in a spectacular rural setting just a 10-minute drive from the charming resort of La Rosière, Chalet Rosière offers stunning views of the Tarantaise Valley and provides the perfect place to enjoy a guilt-free mountain adventure this season.

Combined ski-yoga experiences are one of the key offerings at Chalet Rosière, embracing the growing trend for winter sports enthusiasts to incorporate yoga into their snowsport holidays, focusing on the impact the natural landscape has on mind, body and soul. Other wellbeing offerings include their extensive holistic therapy treatments, optional Vegan Detox menu, The Terrasse outdoor spa- featuring sauna, Jacuzzi, shower and fire pit, meditation tipi and Pilates. At Chalet Rosière it is all about balance and guestscan also enjoythe Gourmet Savoyard menu paired with wines from the Chalet’s very own wine cellar for a truly indulgent experience.