Unforgettable Après-Ski and Bespoke Winter Escapes At The World’s Most Exclusive Resorts
DP’s winter guide reveals remote ski resorts offering heli-skiing, private peaks, and unforgettable après-ski dining on icy lakes—elevating your ski vacation to new heights this season.
Imagine skiing not just on pristine slopes, but from the sky, carving through untouched powder in remote, jaw-dropping locations where the true spirit of winter adventure thrives. Ski resorts have long been the playground for thrill-seekers, but what if the experience could go further? Picture yourself gliding down backcountry runs, reaching peaks at the highest elevation, or experiencing off-piste adventures that allow you to fully immerse in nature’s winter wilderness. And then, after the rush of the slopes, indulge in the ultimate après-ski—think champagne showers, gourmet meals, and stories shared in cosy mountain lodges.
While thousands of ski resorts boast winter thrills, few offer the unparalleled luxury of seclusion, stunning beauty, and authentic adventure. DP has curated a select list of extraordinary destinations where the mountains aren’t just a backdrop, but an invitation to explore the very essence of winter luxury.
Its 29 unique rooms offer breathtaking views of the Ocean and the design is a stunning example of regenerative, place-based design. ( Image Credit: Fogo Island Inn)
1. Fogo Island Inn Is A Canadian Paradise To Take In British Columbia’s Alpine Bowls
Fogo Island is the largest of the offshore islands in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Come winter, the landscape is draped with ice rinks, icebergs on icy outcrops, and the flourishing white tundra scape for a fantastic wilderness adventure. Fogo Island Inn is the ideal remote cabin standing on the rocky coastline of the North Atlantic to reconnect with the natural forces while immersed in luxury. The distinctive ultra-modern appearance of the Inn, drawn up by native Newfoundland architect Todd Saunders, takes the form of a fishing stage, held up by a series of legs drilled deep into the granite hillside.
The 29 all-suite stay, features contemporary architecture, bespoke furnishings and a sleek ensuite bath. This luxury inn stands at the bank of the North Atlantic but in winter, it conjures a change of view and scene. The tall glass enclosures of the restaurant resemble the bow of a ship reaching out towards the icy ground. The fine dining by Relais and Chateaux is crafted using ingredients fished, farmed, and foraged from the surrounding landscape. But its drawcard is the winter excursions that lie at one’s doorstep.
Also read: The Frozen Wilderness: 3 Ultra-Luxury Off-Grid Scandinavian Retreats To Escape To This Winter
The Inn includes a restaurant, directed by one of Canada’s best chefs, enclosed by a glass enclosure with the ocean at the doorstep. ( Image Credit: Fogo Island Inn)
For an exclusive ski adventure, expect a private helicopter to take you to the Monashee and Selkirk regions for a full day of big mountain skiing. Fly to a remote cabin with a chef and don your ski suit studded with LEDs and a series of powerful spotlights for night skiing. Back to Fogo Island Inn, you can skate on frozen lakes, then jump on a snowmobile, complete with some snowshoes for an off-road adventure. Wrap up the day with stargazing, storytelling, and music around a warm bonfire, then unwind in the rooftop sauna and hot tub.
#DPLoves Backcountry skiing and night skiing with a skilled ski guide and a videographer to record each once-in-a-lifetime experience.
2. andBeyond Vira Vira In the Heart Of The Chilean Lake District Offers High-Attitude Thrills
andBeyond Vira Vira stands as a stunningly appointed lodge on an organic farm that commands views along the Liucura River, right in the heart of the Chilean Lake District. The landscape is a picture-perfect scene of jagged peaks, dense forests and volcanic peaks making it the ideal adventurous escape. Nestled along the scenic Liucura River, this retreat designed by Adolfo Fuhrhop Bosse features six inviting suites, 12 split-level villas with separate living areas, and a luxurious five-bedroom Hacienda that accommodates up to 10 guests.
An alfresco hot tub in beautiful surroundings to keep your spa dreams alive. Other luxury amenities include a vintage wine cellar of Chilean wines, a state-of-the-art cheese factory, a boutique store, and a wellness centre set in tranquil forest surroundings. Epicureans can relish the French chef Damián Fernández Dupouy’s multi-course menus that showcase southern Chile’s regional flavours and seasonal specialities. ‘The Ruka’ is equivalent to an apres-ski venue that doubles into a fun, interactive kitchen, mainly used for private group dinners, cooking demos, and enjoying cheese and wine pairings.
Also read: 3 Uber Luxe Ski Hotels That Promise Incredible Adventures On The Slopes And Unmatched Savoir-faire
Experience the thrill of winter like never before! Choose from a range of adrenaline-pumping activities like heli-skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, or snowmobiling – age and skill no bar. From November to March every year, there is a pilot and a Robinson-66 Turbine helicopter at the lodge for all kinds of activities and super convenient rides. You can go on scenic flights, try heli-fishing, hit the slopes for skiing, go biking, and a whole lot more!
DP Recommends: The personalised service of helicopter and pilot at one’s service.
Inspired by the timber-floating era of the Nordics, when felled trees were transported downriver for processing, the main building is inspired by a ‘log jam.’ ( Image Credit: Arctic Bath)
3. Arctic Bath Is An Exciting Bolthold For Intrepid Skiers And Spa Seekers
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Swedish Lapland, where vast, untouched wilderness awaits. Picture yourself skiing through this winter paradise, surrounded by jagged peaks and glistening seas. Experience the thrill of remote skiing on pristine pistes, all while soaking in panoramic views that will leave you in awe. At the Arctic Bath, located along the stunning Lule River, indulge in a unique wellness experience. Designed by architects Bertil Harström and John Kauppi, this stunning circular retreat, featuring a refreshing plunge pool at its centre, promises relaxation and rejuvenation amid the captivating Scandinavian landscape — an unforgettable wellness experience year-round.
In the town of Harads, just south of the Arctic Circle in Sweden, Arctic Bath comprises six floating bungalows and six larger, glass-fronted land cabins elevated on stilts overlooking the river. The Spa has two dry saunas, perfect for relaxing muscles and detoxifying the body, and one steam sauna, great for clearing out sinuses and improving respiratory health. There are also two outdoor Jacuzzis, which offer a soothing experience, and our open-air cold pool, inspired by the Nordic ritual of cold plunges, provides a refreshing and invigorating sensation. Embracing the richness of tradition while igniting a fervent spirit of innovation, the culinary is another extraordinary journey one has to explore.
The head chef David Staf has created a modern twist on the traditional Artic recipes seeking inspiration from the Norrbotten region, the northern reaches of Sweden. ( Image Credit: Arctic Bath)
Get out on the snowy trails to get the best of the town — from a customised photographic moose safari to horse riding. For advanced skiers, backcountry skiing is a great way to enjoy nature in a classic Nordic style. If downhill skiing is on your list, Storklinten is only 20 minutes away and has 16 slopes to pick from. Plus, they have a restaurant where you can grab lunch and enjoy a nice fika, (relaxing Swedish coffee breaks.) Experience the thrill of skiing beneath the midnight sun later this season for an unforgettable evening of seamless turns and pristine snow.
DP Recommends An extraordinary moonlit dining experience in a heated tipi tent adorned with torches, set on an ice-covered lake.
