5 Exciting New Ski Retreats to Experience in 2023

For adventurous skiers around the globe, nothing beats gliding down a tranquil Swiss slope or enjoying fresh Japanese powder under clear blue skies. A fresh selection of ski hotels is inviting skiers and snowboarders with not only the finest slopes but also vibrant après-ski experiences featuring cold yoga, onsen-style baths, and cozy Malm fireplaces. It’s time to prep your gear, lace up your boots, and hit the slopes at one of these five remarkable new retreats worldwide.

Six Senses Crans-Montana

Boldly modern and sleek, Crans Montana, or simply Crans, stands out as the most avant-garde of Switzerland's 358 ski resorts, often likened to Aspen. Nestled nearly a mile high in the French-speaking Canton of Valais, just two hours from Geneva, it offers a refreshing contrast to Gstaad. Characterized by glass-fronted eateries, year-round golf courses (including snow golf and the Winter Golf Cup), and striking modern towers like Le Super Crans, a mid-century residential building crafted by one of Le Corbusier's protégés, it also provides the serene charm of expansive slopes bordered by larch trees draped in soft white powder and azure lakes in the nearby Forêt des Grands Pras.

Opening in February 2023, the Six Senses Crans-Montana features a 45-room ski-in, ski-out complex located just above the main gondola in Crans. These chalet-style, terraced lodgings offer breathtaking views of either the Matterhorn or Mont Blanc and grant exclusive early morning access to the slopes. Renowned for its wellness offerings, the property boasts a 21,500-square-foot spa complete with treatment rooms, an innovative Stretch Pod for recovery, a yoga studio, three thermal pools, steam rooms, and a hammam. Particularly fascinating is the Biohack Recovery Lounge, employing smart technology to enhance the body's natural healing abilities. Picture NormaTec compression boots for sore legs, Hypervolt percussion massagers, and Venom Back Wraps to alleviate lower back tension after a day on the slopes.

Anders Mountain Suites

In Italy’s UNESCO-recognized Dolomites, après-ski blends with la dolce vita beneath the striking golden peaks of the Plose massif, which rise sharply against a clear blue sky on sunny days. This German-speaking region is also celebrated for its modernist architecture, hearty Alpine-Italo cuisine, and high-altitude wines. A hidden gem for ski-in/ski-out enthusiasts, the Anders Mountain Suites opened in June 2022 at an elevation of 6,000 feet in Brixen. The former 50-bed alpine hotel has been transformed into a sleek seven-suite retreat featuring low-profile minimalist design, smooth concrete surfaces, brushed spruce accents, and expansive glass windows that offer views of the surrounding fir forests and mountains, with 26 miles of sun-drenched slopes ready for exploration. Amenities like a bio sauna, crackling fireplaces, and fully stocked kitchens enhance long-term stays.

A-Frame Club

Few experiences rival the warmth of curling up beside a crackling fire in a charming 1970s A-frame blanketed in snow. This is the promise from SkyLab at their nostalgic hotel, A-Frame Club, nestled in a two-acre forest near the slopes of Colorado’s Winter Park, the longest continuously operated ski resort in the state, just 67 miles north of Denver. Boasting an average of over 320 inches of snowfall annually, the resort enjoys 300 sunny days each year, with 3,081 acres of skiable terrain featuring groomed runs, terrain parks, deep powder, steep slopes, tree-lined trails, and moguls.

The new 31 independent units, each spanning 475 square feet, can accommodate up to four guests and feature cozy bedroom lofts, private onsen-style soaking tubs, Malm fireplaces, outdoor decks, and vintage decor that enhances the nostalgic atmosphere. At the heart of the property is a bar and restaurant named the Saloon, where guests can enjoy daily meals and drinks—including venison schnitzel, ratatouille bowls, and campfire banana splits—served on a heated patio surrounded by firepits.

Hiramatsu Karuizawa Miyota

Japan boasts over 500 ski resorts renowned for their incredibly soft and fluffy powder—so inviting you might be tempted to wipe out. While Niseko is the most famous of Japan’s ski destinations, it tends to attract powder enthusiasts from Australia, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore, making it arguably the least authentically Japanese resort in the country.

For a more intimate downhill experience away from international crowds, direct your skis towards Nagano, where the modern Hiramatsu Karuizawa Miyota opened in 2021. This resort features 28 guest rooms and nine villa suites spread across 14 acres at the foothills of the Okuchichibu Mountains, just a 10-minute drive from Miyota train station and 20 minutes from Karuizawa’s mountain resort. Elegant parquet wood walls and floor-to-ceiling windows create an upscale penthouse ambiance, while spacious balconies, private stone onsen baths, kitchenettes, on-demand yoga and massages, and dog runs ensure long stays are comfortable and enjoyable. Be sure to savor the French-Japanese dishes crafted by Bocuse-trained chef Akio Yanagihara.

Ultima Courchevel Belvédère

Opened in 2021, the exclusive ski-in/ski-out destination Ultima Courchevel Belvédère adds to Ultima’s esteemed collection of ski properties in Megève, Gstaad, and Crans-Montana. These 13 chalets, made from sustainably sourced local timber, feature up to five bedrooms each. Nestled on the edge of the La Rosière forest in Courchevel’s sunny Vallée Ensoleillée, they are part of the vast Les Trois Vallées, boasting an impressive 372 miles of groomed slopes to discover.

The property prides itself on exceptional service, with a high staff-to-guest ratio that includes a team of ski instructors, butlers, chauffeurs, personal chefs, and massage therapists. Two on-site spas serve as wellness retreats, featuring an indoor pool, a heated outdoor pool, and an outdoor hot tub, while the fitness center offers innovative treatments like yoga-focused cold therapy.