Ski season is upon us once again and it’s time to start planning your Chinese New Year and Easter holidays! (And last minute Christmas breaks as well!) Here are Lightfoot Travel’s Top Ten Picks for ski destinations around Japan, New Zealand and Europe.
Annabel, Niseko, Japan
Annabel – Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan
Picture 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, and 2 extra half baths – now that’s a holiday chalet. This self-catering property is great for older kids who need endless entertainment as it includes a media & games room with foosball and pool tables. There’s also a children’s play room for the younger ones and the usual portable sleeping cot & safety gate available for rent.
The house comes with free use of rental 4WD van – offer valid from December 15, 2012 – March 31, 2013
Chalet Kilimanjaro, Val d’Isere, France
Chalet Kilimanjaro – Val d’Isère, France
Chalet Kilimanjaro offers extraordinary views down the valley and over Val d’Isère. It’s also incredibly close to the slopes and has an outdoor hot tub, open fireplace, sledges for the little ones, and – you guessed it – L’Occitane© bath & beauty products.
Zekkei, Niseko, Japan
Zekkei – Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan
Go all out with this luxurious chalet in the main village of Niseko, Hokkaido. Great for super ski trips with friends (or a very large family) – Zekkei has 5 en-suite bedrooms and 1 en-suite kids’ room with a double bunk bed. Plus the chalet has an exceptionally stunning view of Mt. Yotei.
Also very child-friendly – there’s a portable sleeping cot for children up to 2 years, portable futon for children up to 7 years, a safety gate on the main floor stairs, a high chair, and a children’s play area with a variety of board games and PS3. Chalet is self-catering.
Outdoor jacuzzi at the Hidden Dragon, 4 Valley, Switzerland
Hidden Dragon, Les 4 Vallées, Switzerland
If perfection were a ski trip, this would be it. When it comes to the Hidden Dragon, we get to tick everything off on our list: “Ski In, Ski Out” access, outdoor hot tub, sauna, steam room / Hammam, yoga deck, meditation room. Also importantly, it has all the f&b you could hope to consume in a week – champagne reception, daily breakfast and afternoon tea, pre-dinner cocktails and canapés, an open spirit’s bar and a range of soft drinks, as well as an extensive wine cellar. Kids also have their own menu, books, games, toys, sledges, Wii consoles, Playstation 3, a private cinema… Yep, this is perfection.
The Ridge, Hakuba, Japan
The Ridge, Hakuba, Japan
Hakuba was the main event venue for 1998 Winter Olympics, and just a train ride away from Tokyo. With over 200 ski runs, and a plethora of surrounding restaurants, bars and onsens, this hotel is a stellar choice for the Western-style Hakuba accommodation, luxury amenities, and service. A mix of modern apartments (for long stays) and hotels for first-timers looking for their first thrill of the cold.
The Vale, Niseko, Japan
The Vale – Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan
With a prime ski-in/ski-out location and choice of hotel rooms and apartments (all with floor-to-ceiling glass windows affording great views of the mountain or village), The Vale is a no-brainer for the perfect fuss-free, indulgent getaway. Some of the larger apartments even have their own jacuzzi or onsen!
The Rees, Queenstown, New Zealand
The Rees – Queenstown, New Zealand
Looking for relief in the midst of a sweltering summer? Get down there now! The Rees offers incredible views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. These self-catering apartments and hotel rooms are just a short drive from the main bars & restaurants of funky Queenstown.
Chalet Romantica, Verbier, Switzerland
Chalet Romantica – Verbier, Switzerland
Perfect for a small family looking for a winter retreat, this chalet only has 2 bedrooms. It’s also part of the Romantica building, which is one of the most exclusive apartment complexes in Verbier (total celeb status). You’ll be guaranteed privacy but not obscurity since you’re only under a hundred metres from Place Centrale. Keep the kids happy with their own dinner menu, while you indulge in champagne and canapés on arrival and a champagne breakfast once a week!
The Green Leaf, Niseko, Japan
The Green Leaf – Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan
The Green Leaf is a boutique hotel where rooms are charged B&B style, ensuring you never go hungry in the morning and head out to the slopes well fed. For those less ski-inclined, there’s the outdoor onsen, snow mobiles, and a ton of dining options to keep you a happy. Bonus: ski slopes here are quieter as they’re not shared by the main Hirafu village.
The Dairy, Queenstown, New Zealand
The Dairy – Queenstown, New Zealand
Quaint, private, and highly luxurious, The Dairy is only a minute away from happening Queenstown for those who love being right in the thick of things. This boutique hotel has 13 en-suite bedrooms, serves delicious home-cooked breakfasts and homemade afternoon teas, has an outdoor courtyard with an open fireplace, an outdoor spa, mountain bikes, and a private library.
This selection was made for a post on Singapore-based children’s website Honeycombers
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