Alptitude

The Alps are young, rough, rugged and daunting, but the resorts offer a full gamut of terrain, from well-groomed pistes to challenging off-pisting to heli-skiing in unknown territory.

So why not discard your City trappings and fly to Megeve, the Trois Vallees or Val d’isere? With the new British Airways flights from London City to Chamberey, followed by a short hop to Megeve and the Trois Vallees or even a share helicopter transfer, it couldn't be easier.

There are awesome lodges, private family retreats, and beautiful hotels. Properties with imperious views and designer chalets brimming with every big-gun essential like bar, cinema, and Wii. These stylish mountain retreats offer a smorgasbord of treats - so much so you’ll hardly want to hit the slopes.

Combine skiing and your passion for food in one of the fabulous restaurants in the Alps. The resorts of St Moritz, Courcheval, Val Thorens and St Christoph provide some of the coolest restaurants in the Alps.

Some say La Marmite, located in the the top station of the Coviglia funicular in St Moritz, is the best mountain restaurant ever. It's not pretty from the outside, but the food is outstanding.

Le Cap Horn, Courcheval 1850, is the place for people watching whilst soaking up the sun on a huge terrace overlooking the Altiport. If you are looking for something more exclusive, escape to the new members only lounge upstairs.

For a contemporary setting in the highest peaks L’Oxalys, restaurant-Val Thorens, allows you to experience exceptional recipes, authentic and inventive cooking and rare wines.

Or there is the renowned Hospiz Alm in St Cristoph that offers fantastic cuisine and the much talked about slide down to the loo.

If après ski is more your thing, then Austria is definitely the place to go. Not many places can beat the Krazy Kanguruh or Mooserwirt in St Anton. Both will get your temperature soaring and head pounding. Ischgl is the ‘bad boy’ of all resorts, noted by many as the apres-ski capital of Europe. It starts in early afternoon, at venues such as the Trofana Alm, the Ice Bar at the Hotel Elisabeth, where scantily clad girls dance on the bar, and the famous Kuhstall in the village centre. Opposite the Kuhstall is Fire and Ice, similarly lively and offering pool and bar football, while the Hollboden, just along the street, often has live bands.

If you would prefer to make your ski destination decision based on who goes where, The Swiss ski resort of Klosters has attracted royalty for many years. Richard Branson and James Blunt have been spotted in Verbier. Victoria Beckham has been known to swoop in for a session on the slopes in Meribel, followed by a spending spree in the local shops.

For more information on the above, please contact Bespoke Vacations.