When it comes to serious skiing, no resort holds more cachet than Chamonix, the bustling, chocolate-box town nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc.
The home of mountaineering and with some of the most challenging terrain in the Alpes, it has long held the attention of French, Swiss and British skiers.
But more thrill-seeking Americans are flocking to the town too – and it’s not hard to see why.
The crowds are smaller, the lift tickets cheaper, the restaurants more charming and the private properties on offer are a cut above the eye-wateringly expensive options you’ll find on Airbnb and VRBO in the States.
Behold Chalet Couttet, the five-bedroom snow palace nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc that provides an ultra-luxe stay in Chamonix
So cosy and cool is this chalet that it would melt the very Bond villains it seems to have been built for
An ultra-sleek interior and impressive amenities put Chalet Couttet up there with the best of Aspen and Deer Valley – for a considerably more palatable price
Just an hour’s drive from Geneva on the outskirts of the town, you’ll find super luxurious houses like Chalet Couttet, a five-bedroom snow palace that would melt the very Bond villains it seems to have been built for.
There’s an in-house wellness center complete with a sauna and steam room, stainless steel spiral staircases, outdoor pool (heated in the winter months), hot tub and movie theater.
The sleek equipment room is furnished with a rail of boot warmers to toast your toes before venturing out for the day.
Fresh croissants and bread are delivered every morning by a charming member of the team, who’ll also check the pool and hot tub, but aside from their silent drop-ins, Chalet Couttet offers ultimate seclusion – all the comforts of a 5 star hotel. All the privacy of being in your own home.
Outside, there’s a heated private swimming pool, hot tub, champagne telecabin and more
The five sumptuous bedrooms are all en-suite and nestled into cosy, wood-paneled corners of the house
The house is a 35 minute-walk into town (a welcome jaunt after a night of fondue and Bordeaux) and a quick drive to the slopes.
And while pricey – between $13,000 and $27,000 for a week – a stay at a comparable property in Deer Valley or Aspen with fewer amenities would set a family back $35,000 at a minimum.
Pile on top the cost of skiing – up to $200 a day in most US resorts – a couple on a group trip could expect to pay $10,000 for a week on accommodation and lift tickets alone.
Even the TikTokers agree – the comparative affordability of a European ski trip cannot be overlooked.
Influencer Camille Larmoyeux has caused a stir among skiing die-hards with her price-comparison videos of resorts in Colorado vs their European counterparts.
While not all of her examples are sound, the cost of flying from New York City to Salt Lake or Denver is often comparable to flying direct to Geneva. Where the airfare is more expensive, skiers can save back when it comes to lift tickets.
Unlike America’s crowded resorts, there are plenty of trails and lifts to spread the skiers out in Chamonix
In town, the restaurants are more charming – and the local champagne cheaper! – than anything you’ll find in the US
And in terms of skiing quality and experience on the slopes, Europe wins hands down.
The resorts are larger with more varied, rewarding trails that will occupy even the most accomplished skiers for days on end.
An unlimited, 7-day Mont Blanc adult pass is $480 – less than $100 a day – compared to $1,400 for the same ticket in Aspen.
If snow sports aren’t your thing, towns like Chamonix also offer charming tourist alternatives like the Montenvers train, which trundles gently up the Mer de Glace offering some of the best views of the valley.
There, tourists can enjoy charcuterie and wine at the Refuge de Montenvers, a hiking-hotel that’s been around since 1880.
There are ample spa options in town for those in hotels. Chalet Couttet has its own in-house wellness suite with a sauna, steam room and space for massages.
Dining out, while pricey on the hill, is significantly cheaper – as is the locally sourced champagne.
And for groups or families eager to make their use of their chalet’s top-of-the-range kitchens, groceries are a steal.
Neither a US or European ski vacation can be considered cheap, and the French may not thank you for flocking to their beloved slopes in search of new frontiers.
But as domestic prices soar and crowds swell, you might consider a pilgrimage to the home of the sport when planning your next winter escape.
For more information about Chalet Couttet, visit the property’s website here. For more information about Chamonix, visit the resort site here.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .