The Most Anticipated Mountain Openings of the Season

If you haven’t yet found your Alpine HQ for the season, look no further: we’ve unearthed six new addresses that will make you want to hop on a train and hit the slopes. On the agenda: ultra-stylish spots to unpack your bags, unwind at the spa, or indulge in the trendiest restaurants. The best mountain openings of the year are right here!

Le Refuge des Aiglons has undergone a spectacular transformation. Under the creative direction of Saar Zafrir, the iconic Chamonix Mont-Blanc hotel has been reborn under a new name: Les Aiglons. Inside, delightfully cozy rooms with brand-new beds, a gleaming new Deep Nature spa, and a bold Italian restaurant, Casa Nonna, where you won’t resist their Italian cheese fondue (€24 per person), antipasti (starting at €9), or the sublime affogato (€7).Extend the bliss at the spa (2h - €35), featuring a relaxation room with an herbal tea bar, a hot tub facing Mont-Blanc, a wellness pool, and charming sauna and hammam chalets. Perfect for couples: a tailor-made treatment in a double cabin (45 to 75 minutes).

For those eager to hit the slopes without lugging all their gear, good news: everything is available on-site! Millet provides technical and warm outfits (€30 per outfit), while Skimium offers top-of-the-line ski equipment—including skis, gloves, and helmets—available for rent and delivered directly to your room. Bonus: BAM Karaoke Box is making an exclusive debut in Chamonix at Les Aiglons starting February 5, with two private rooms.

Les Aiglons, 270  avenue de Courmayeur, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. +33 4 50 55 90 93. Rooms starting at €300

A must for socialites and fashionistas who love to see and be seen—both on the slopes and après-ski. After three locations in Paris, Roquebrune Cap-Martin, and Ramatuelle, Loulou is hitting the slopes of Courchevel, nestled in the ultra-chic setting of Hôtel Barrière Les Neiges.

Since December, this iconic Malafosse hotspot has been charming guests across two levels, boasting a sprawling 500 m² terrace overlooking the Bellecôte slope. Think steaming cocktails, outdoor DJ sets, and Alpine vibes infused with international flavors. From gourmet breakfasts to sun-kissed lunches and festive evenings that last until 1 a.m., Loulou Courchevel is already the place to be for a day-to-night glamorous experience—ski boots optional.

True to its Italian inspirations, the menu features signature favorites: the legendary black truffle pizza (€75), spaghetti alle vongole (€42), and veal piccata al limone (€39). For dessert, indulge in the decadent dessert buffet (€29) or the warm chocolate tart (€19).

Loulou Courchevel, Hôtel Barrière - Les Neiges, 422 rue de Bellecôte, 73120 Courchevel. +33 4 57 55 21 60. Open daily: Lunch 12:00-3:30 p.m., Tea-time 3:30-5:30 p.m., Dinner 7:00-11:00 p.m., Bar 9:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m.

Perched at 900 meters above sea level, Domaine de Montagne in Ventron unveils its brand-new gem: Le Chalet Frère Joseph, a 4-star hotel & spa exuding cozy luxury and serenity. With its 28 rooms and suites (including a panoramic one), this charming chalet plays the card of elegant design blended with natural wood. Here, you unwind in style, gazing at a postcard-worthy panorama of stunning wooded hills and lush meadows. The magic happens at first sight, with crackling fireplaces, an XXL terrace, and a chic chalet ambiance.

For ultimate relaxation, the FORêT spa stands as a 1,000 m² wellness sanctuary: an indoor pool heated to 32°C, outdoor pools with mountain views, hammam, saunas, ice fountain, and Gemology treatments in ultra-chic cabins (including one with a private balneotherapy bath). Perfection, almost achieved. And for outdoor enthusiasts? Whether it’s hiking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, or just breathing in the pure air of the Ballons des Vosges, luxury here extends into nature.

Epicureans will make their way to Le M, the gastronomic restaurant where Michelin-starred chef Benoît Potdevin, in tandem with Maximilien Tröbs, elevates local ingredients to new heights. The dilemma? Choosing between the three-course Discovery Menu (€65) or the six-course Signature Menu (€105). At lunchtime, Le Comptoir de Montagne serves up mountain comfort food: Vosges charcuterie platter (€16), the classic sausage & mash (€24), or the unmissable gratiné raclette from the Hertz farm (€28). The grand finale? A to-die-for molten chocolate cake (€14).

Domaine de Montagne, route de Frère Joseph, 88310 Ventron,  03 29 28 20 01. Online booking available. Rooms from €160.
© Domaine de Montagne

The mountains aren’t just for skiing! After hitting the slopes, the trend of high-altitude luxury spas continues to grow, offering next-level relaxation experiences. A prime example? The new Susanne Kaufmann sanctuary, nestled since December at the Chalets du Mont d’Arbois in Megève. This exclusive retreat combines organic and natural treatments with a top-tier wellness space featuring an ultra-equipped gym, heated indoor-outdoor pool, and hammam.

First stop: getting pampered like royalty with Susanne Kaufmann’s ancestral treatments. The options? A 50-minute restructuring facial (€180) to slow down skin aging and boost collagen for a radiant, refreshed glow or the 80-minute signature body treatment (€220), featuring an exfoliation and massage—pure stress relief guaranteed! Once fully revitalized, extend the glamorous break in the heated pool and hammam, or sweat it out in the state-of-the-art gym at Chalets du Mont d’Arbois. The ultimate indulgence? Each room comes with its own private hot tub, promising a one-of-a-kind luxury experience.

Susanne Kaufmann Spa at Chalets du Mont d’Arbois, 447 Chemin de la Rocaille, 74120 Megève. More information online.
© Chalets du Mont d’Arbois

After making waves with their wooden cabin hotspot in Ramatuelle, the founders of Indie Group (Raphaël Blanc, Tobias Chaix, Vincent Luftman) are now setting Megève ablaze with their new party haven. Open since December 15, 2024, this brand-new hotspot, nestled in the heart of the ski resort, is straight out of a winter postcard, with snow-capped mountains stretching as far as the eye can see. The chalet boasts a warm, intimate decor, serving up a France-meets-Asia fusion cuisine by chef Vincent Lukac, all in a high-energy atmosphere perfect for social butterflies.

To kick things off in style, indulge in a feast to the rhythm of the piano bar, featuring scallop crudo with black truffle and Granny Smith apples (€36), mouthwatering vegetable or chicken gyozas (€25), or Casparian caviar with baby potatoes, chives, cream, and blinis (€150 for 50g). The main event? Surprising carbonara udon (€32) and lamb chops (€51). For dessert, the Menton lemon cream (€15) is simply irresistible.

And the grand finale? Once dinner wraps up, the piano gives way to a DJ set, and the tables make room for wild dance moves.

La Sauvageonne, 170 route Edmond de Rothschild, 74120 Megève. +33 4 50 78 44 59.Open Sunday to Wednesday from 7 PM to 3 AM, Thursday to Saturday from 7 PM to 5 AM. Reservations by phone.
© La Sauvageonne

Out with L'Aigle des Neiges, in with a stunning American-style lodge. Perched at 1,850 meters in Val d’Isère, Experimental Group has recently unveiled a bold new 4-star transformation for mountain aesthetes and winter hedonists alike.

Designed by Dorothée Meilichzon, Experimental Chalet Val d’Isère embraces alpine textures and ski-inspired elements: carved wood panels, mirror frames shaped like ski tips, and table legs mimicking ski poles. The result? A sumptuously cozy retreat where the Experimental Cocktail Club Val d’Isère sets the après-ski tone—blending intimate ambiance, DJ sets, ceramic frescoes, and retro carpeted vibes straight out of the ‘70s.

The hotel caters to every mood with two distinct dining experiences. At L’Aigle d’Or, enjoy classic French brasserie dishes: a comforting French onion soup (€19), a rich tartiflette with valley-cured bacon, AOP Reblochon cheese, and crisp lettuce (€31), or a sumptuous seafood platter (€34). Over at L’Aiglon, a snug mountain eatery, savor authentic Savoyard flavors, like cheese fondue (€31) or the unlimited wood-fired raclette (€39).

And for the ultimate relaxation? The spa offers four private treatment rooms for indulgences such as a manicure (from €40), pedicure (from €45), or massage (from €70) featuring Barbara Sturm’s luxurious skincare treatments. Our top tip? Take a dip in the indoor pool, then unwind in the sauna and hammam. Feeling brave? Take an icy plunge to boost your immunity.

Experimental Chalet Val d’Isère, 101 rue de la Poste, 73150 Val-d'Isère.  04 86 86 11 00. Rooms starting at €440.
© Mr Tripper 

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