4 luxury hotels that will help you to enjoy winter

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Minaret Station in New Zealand

The mountains are calling… Now where do you go?

It’s that wonderful time of the year, when fresh powder beckons adventurers and blue bird days promise Instagram-worthy first tracks. Canadian travellers looking to make the most of winter have a variety of options right here at home, but for snowbirds who prefer a passport stamp to a staycation, the options for luxury are limitless.

For the adventurer
If taking the road less travelled sounds like your idea of a good time, head Down Under—all the way down to New Zealand, where Minaret Station is waiting. This active sheep station, located in the gully between two peaks of the New Zealand Alps, is accessible only by helicopter. Here, four luxury tents invite campers (privacy is guaranteed) to experience roughing it in luxury. Mountain guides lead heliskiing tours along New Zealand’s iconic Southern Range, while executive chef Jeremy Simon uses local foods to create dinners worthy of the Kings of Gondor. Alpine hunting and guided fishing in glacial streams invite non-skiers to explore the great outdoors. With Wi-Fi included in
every cabin, share your gnarly GoPro footage with the whole world, all from the comfort of the open wood fire under the Aurora Australis.

Amangani in Jackson Hole, Utah

For the powder hound
Jackson Hole, Utah, is reputed to be amongst the most technically demanding ski destinations in North America. Perched on the Tetons—the highest section of the Rocky Mountain range—powder bowls here have attained legendary status. Here, steep couloirs and heliskiing are the primary attractions, while Jackson Hole’s reputation for star sightings keeps chalet connoisseurs interested in the local wildlife. After a hard day shredding fresh powder, stay at Amangani, a boutique resort 7,000 feet above sea level. Boasting unparalleled vistas of the Grand Teton and Snake Passes from their suites, this exclusive resort prides itself on its romantic ambiance. The seduction at Amangani starts early; a private guide and car are on hand to greet arriving guests at the airport. With a spa and wellness centre for après-ski indulgence, and private chefs to ensure you’re well-fuelled for tomorrow’s powder-chasing, it’s no surprise that Amangani nabbed a spot on Conde Nast’s coveted Gold List for Best US Hotels in 2014.

Le Coquelicot Chalet in the French Alps

For the socialite
If a ski hill is only as good as the people you meet on the mountain, book your private jet and prepare to relax like royalty at Le Coquelicot Chalet. This private residence is located at Courchevel 1850, known for its rarified air—and its location in the heights of the French Alps. Here, royalty rubs shoulders with celebrity and Moët & Chandon chills in slope-side snowbanks. Live luxuriously in your private chalet and enjoy a private staff that features a chalet manager, a personal assistant, a private chauffeur, a butler and a personal chef de cuisine to ensure your every whim is met. With six floors of opulence and ski-in/ski-out access to one of Europe’s most exclusive ski areas, this is the ultimate place to see—and be seen. Le Coquelicot has been called “The Best Chalet in
The Alps.”

One Chalets in Japan

For the jet setter
One Chalets is perhaps best known in its native Japan, but that’s no reason for Canadians not to make a reservation. With residences scattered over the entirety of the mountain, privacy is guaranteed—although the heated, infrared-equipped patio invites guests to indulge in some après-ski people watching. The signature chalet, One Happo, is located a mere 100 metres from the summit of Olympic-calibre slopes. In fact, this ski-in/ski-out chalet has direct access to the 1998 Finals run. With a guest-only onsen—a thermal hot spring—included in all packages, and chefs Yuki and Kazuyuki Shimamoto serving up fusion cuisine nightly, this resort sets the gold standard in indulgence.