The winter of 2025/26 marks a transformative era for the global ski industry, as traditional alpine aesthetics give way to a new wave of “rock ‘n’ roll” luxury, Asian fusion influence, and holistic wellness retreats. From the high-altitude glamour of Courchevel and the historic charm of Cortina d’Ampezzo to the rugged, serene landscapes of Japan and North America, this season’s standout accommodations offer more than just slope-side access. They provide immersive cultural experiences, architectural marvels, and world-class spas designed for the modern traveler. Whether you are seeking the adrenaline of the Winter Olympics’ future host cities or the quiet solitude of an off-the-grid mountain cabin, the current landscape of boutique chalets and luxury hotels is more diverse than ever. This guide explores the most prestigious openings and redesigned classics, ensuring your next mountain escape is as stylish as it is exhilarating.
The New Guard of Alpine Glamour
In the heart of the Italian Dolomites, the legendary Hotel Ancora in Cortina d’Ampezzo is leading a stylistic revolution. As the city prepares to host the 2026 Winter Olympics, this nearly 200-year-old institution has been reimagined by former Soho House designer Vicky Charles. The result is a bold departure from traditional wood-paneled interiors. Owned by Diesel fashion mogul Renzo Rosso, the hotel now boasts a “rock ‘n’ roll” flair, featuring velvet drapes, open fires, and a clubby ground-floor aesthetic. The bedrooms are decadent boudoirs dressed in gold and peacock shades, offering a playful yet sophisticated atmosphere that signals a youthful new era for Cortina.
Meanwhile, Courchevel 1850 continues to maintain its status as the pinnacle of French luxury with the opening of the Maya Hotel. This 14-bed boutique property is a masterclass in the collision of Monaco-style flash and Japanese minimalism. The interior features an intricate display of French crystal from the Lalique atelier, including stunning anemone-shaped chandeliers. The culinary experience is equally avant-garde, with the MayaBay restaurant fusing Thai and Japanese flavors—think robata grills and Thai-spiced maki—providing a sensory experience that feels worlds away from the standard fondue-heavy fare of the Savoie region.
Serenity and Soul in the Mountains
For those who prioritize restoration over après-ski parties, a new category of “slow travel” retreats has emerged. Casa Cook Madonna in Madonna di Campiglio is a prime example of this shift. As an adults-only wellness sanctuary, it brings a refined aesthetic of wood and stone that mirrors the surrounding Brenta Dolomites. The focus here is on purification and cleansing, with a restaurant, Altitude 1,511m, that emphasizes wine-paired seasonality. While the resort offers access to over 150 kilometers of pistes, the true draw is the quietude and the opportunity to disconnect in an environment designed for mindfulness.
The Aman Rosa Alpina in San Cassiano further reinforces this trend toward ultra-luxury wellness. Replacing traditional fireplace antlers and flower-box geraniums with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and high-ceilinged lounges, the hotel brings a Phuket-inspired elegance to the Italian Alps. The property features a world-class destination spa and Akari, a Japanese hotpot restaurant that caters to an increasingly international and health-conscious clientele. This move toward global design and culinary diversity is a hallmark of the Dolomites’ new direction, catering to travelers who view the mountains as a backdrop for holistic well-being.
Architectural Icons and Historic Revivals
Switzerland remains the gold standard for mountain hospitality, blending historic prestige with cutting-edge design. The Park Gstaad, which first opened its doors in 1910, is undergoing a high-end makeover under the Four Seasons brand. Set to fully debut by December 2026, the redesign by Joseph Dirand will bring 75 rooms and penthouses to a village already famed for its A-list guests. Despite the competitive landscape of Gstaad, this revival aims to offer a “one better” experience for the smart skiing crowd, ensuring that the village remains a year-round destination for those who appreciate architectural heritage paired with modern luxury.
Further East, the Austrian Alps are witnessing a revival of their own in Bad Gastein. Once a favorite of 19th-century royalty, this town is seeing its Belle Époque spa hotels meticulously restored. These properties offer a unique sense of place, where guests can enjoy rooftop spas surrounded by grand 1890s architecture while watching the lights of piste-grooming machines on the slopes above. The naturally radon-rich thermal waters of the region continue to be a major draw, promising to soothe the aches of serious skiers while they soak in an atmosphere that feels like a beautifully preserved slice of European history.
North American Frontiers and Global Hidden Gems
Across the Atlantic, the North American ski scene is embracing a “late-modernist” aesthetic that revitalizes the Old World charm of the Catskills and the Rockies. Scribner’s Catskill Lodge in New York has transformed from a traditional motor lodge into a full-luxury experience, bringing boutique sophistication to Hunter Mountain. In Colorado, the A-frame Club in Winter Park pays homage to mid-century modern design with 31 vintage-inspired cabins set along the Fraser River. These retreats offer a nostalgic yet polished alternative to the massive corporate resorts, focusing on intimate scale and thoughtful design.
For the truly adventurous, the mountains of Japan and Georgia offer some of the most unique lodging experiences in the world. Hoshinoya Fuji in Japan provides a minimalist glamping experience where guests stay in concrete cabins with private terraces and heated kotatsu tables, all overlooking the iconic Mount Fuji. In the Caucasus mountains of Georgia, Rooms Kazbegi offers a rugged, remote escape where the focus is on rural village life and raw natural beauty. These destinations prove that the “Magazine World” of ski travel is no longer confined to the Alps, but spans a global network of retreats where style and scenery are inextricably linked.
