Guide LXXXVIII — Flagship — The Alps
Luxury Travel in the Alps: Two Seasons, Six Resorts, Twelve Months
The Alps are no longer only a winter destination. A resort-by-resort guide to the great chalet towns — when the snow is right, when the mountains are better in summer, and what a chalet costs across the year.
Book a stay in Alps
Set your dates to see what the week costs — our own houses first, then live rates with our booking partners for this destination.
Our houses in Alps
Nogentil, Courchevel 1850, Savoie
$13,100 / night
Megève, Haute-Savoie
$8,500 / night
Méribel, Savoie
$6,900 / night
Hotels and other rentals
Partner rates are indicative and confirmed at checkout. Some links are affiliate links.
Two seasons and three closed months
An alpine resort runs two businesses. Winter is the famous one: mid-December to mid-April, with the festive fortnight, the February half-terms and the Presidents' week sitting at the top of the price card. Summer is the quieter, cheaper and increasingly popular one: July to mid-September, when the same chalets sell at a third of the winter rate and the mountains are used for walking, cycling, lakes and long lunches.
Between the two, everything shuts. May, June and November are the resorts' own holidays: lifts closed, the best restaurants dark, staff away. There is nothing to be gained by travelling then.
The resorts at a glance
| Resort | The character | Winter rate | Summer rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courchevel 1850 | The luxury address; ski-in, Michelin density | USD 3,000 – 20,000 | Largely closed |
| Gstaad | Discreet, Swiss, social in a private way | USD 2,000 – 15,000 | USD 800 – 4,000 |
| St Moritz | Grand hotels, frozen lake, winter sun | USD 2,000 – 14,000 | USD 800 – 4,500 |
| Zermatt | Car-free, the Matterhorn, high and snow-sure | USD 1,500 – 12,000 | USD 900 – 5,000 |
| Lech | Austrian, family-formal, excellent snow | USD 1,500 – 10,000 | USD 700 – 3,000 |
| Cortina | Dolomites drama, Italian food and pace | USD 1,200 – 9,000 | USD 800 – 4,000 |
The Alps month by month
| Month | Conditions | What the month is for |
|---|---|---|
| January | Coldest, quietest, best snow quality | The skier's month; best value in winter |
| February | Reliable snow, half-term crowds | Peak family weeks; book a year ahead |
| March | Good snow at altitude, long sunny days | The best all-round ski month |
| April | Spring skiing, terraces, softening snow | High resorts only; rates fall fast |
| May | Lifts closed, resorts shut | Skip |
| June | Thaw, trails still wet high up | Skip, or valley lakes only |
| July | Warm, alpine flowers, full summer lifts | Walking, cycling, lakes; a third of winter rates |
| August | Warmest, busiest summer weeks | Family summer; still far below ski pricing |
| September | Clear air, empty trails, first snow high up | The best month in the summer Alps |
| October | Cold, beautiful, most services closing | Short golden window, then shutdown |
| November | Between seasons | Skip |
| December | Season opens; festive fortnight | Snow-sure resorts only before Christmas |
Choosing a resort
Courchevel 1850 is the outright luxury address — the deepest chalet stock at the top of the market, ski-in access and more Michelin stars than any resort needs. Gstaad and St Moritz are the Swiss alternatives: Gstaad discreet and low-rise, St Moritz grand and theatrical, both with social seasons that run whether or not anyone skis.
For skiing above all, Zermatt and Lech are the answers — high, snow-sure and serious, with Zermatt's car-free village unmatched for atmosphere. Cortina brings the Dolomites and Italian pace, and is the most attractive of the six in summer.
The booking calendar
Festive fortnight
Committed twelve months out at every resort, with separate rates and minimum stays of seven nights or more.
February half-terms
The tightest weeks of the year after the festive fortnight. Book by the previous spring.
January and late March
The value inside the ski season — same chalets, often 30 to 50 per cent less, with January giving the best snow quality.
Summer
Six to eight weeks ahead is sufficient outside the Swiss August peak, at roughly a third of the winter rate.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to ski in the Alps?
- January for snow quality and value, March for the best combination of snow and daylight, February for guaranteed conditions but at peak prices and with half-term crowds.
- Are the Alps worth visiting in summer?
- Yes — July to mid-September gives walking, cycling, lakes and clear air at roughly a third of winter chalet rates. September is the finest month: empty trails, clear light, restaurants still open.
- How much does a luxury chalet cost per night?
- From about USD 900 a night for a good summer chalet to USD 20,000 for a prime Courchevel 1850 house in the festive fortnight. January and late March in the same chalet typically cost 30 to 50 per cent less than February.
- Which months should I avoid in the Alps?
- May, June and November. Lifts are closed, most restaurants and chalets shut, and the mountains are between seasons.
Editorial note & limitations
Rates are indicative planning figures assembled from resort-market research and connected partner inventory in September 2026, not quotations. Snow conditions vary by year and altitude; festive and half-term weeks are quoted separately.