Ever wondered which ski resort best matches your London lifestyle? Whether you’re going as a skiing aficionado, for the glamorous people watching, the shopping, or some intense après-ski, we’ve mapped out the Alps based on London’s most iconic neighbourhoods.
Courchevel = Mayfair
If you love Mayfair, Courchevel is your natural alpine retreat. The jewel of Les 3 Vallées, the largest ski area in Europe, Courchevel offers not only world-class skiing but also a level of sophistication and luxury that mirrors London’s most prestigious district. Both destinations exude extravagance, boasting Michelin-starred restaurants, high-end designer boutiques, and some of the world’s most opulent hotels.
Just like Mayfair, Courchevel can feel more like a mountainous playground for the ultra-wealthy than a place with a real local heartbeat; nonetheless, if you seek an unparalleled alpine experience combining adventure with indulgence, this is the place to be.
Art Scene
Verbier = Notting Hill
Cool, trendy, and effortlessly stylish – Verbier is the Notting Hill of the Alps. Its a hotspot for young professionals, creative types, and minor royals, all looking for a mix of high-end luxury and laid-back charm. Much like Notting Hill, Verbier has its fair share of artisan cafs (but swap the avocado toast for fondue), stylish chalets, and people who look like they rolled out of bed perfectly dressed for a day of more challenging skiing.
Like Notting Hill, Verbier never sleeps. The energy from the slopes carries straight into the legendary aprs-ski scene, where sophisticated cocktail bars and wild nightclubs keep the party going well into the night, making it just as lively after dark as it is on the pistes.
Art Scene
St Moritz = Belgravia
For those who prefer timeless class over trendy hotspots, St Moritz is the Belgravia of ski resorts. Its all about heritage, elegance, and not too much about the skiing. If Belgravias pastel townhouses and refined atmosphere appeal to you, then St Moritzs old-school glamour and Hanselmann’s café (their answer to Peggy Porschen) will feel like home. This is where everything from the ski gear to the afternoon tea is executed with impeccable taste.
Art Scene
Design Gallerywith a number of emerging and established galleries including: Hauser & Wirth, Galerie Andrea Caratsch, Galerie Karsten Greve and Vito Schanabel Gallery
Gstaad = Chelsea
If Chelsea is your London comfort zone, Gstaad is where youll feel right at home. Its subtle, exclusive, and filled with those who dont need to flash their wealth. Like Chelsea, Gstaad has an if you know, you know mentality, where the luxury is understated but ever-present.
Swap Beaverbrook Townhouse for The Alpina Gstaad and Sloane Square for a pristine Alpine village, and youve got Gstaad in a nutshelleffortlessly elegant, impeccably curated, and home to a crowd that appreciates refinement over showiness.
Art Scene
From the polished luxury of Courchevel to Verbiers effortlessly cool energy, St Moritzs timeless elegance, and Gstaads understated exclusivity, each destination offers a unique blend of charm, sophistication, and adventure. So, if youre weary of leaving the comforts of your home this winter or spring, just know there is a London equivalent in the Alps just waiting for you (and there is plenty of art there too)!
