When it comes to serious skiing, no resort has more prestige than Chamonix, the bustling chocolate-filled town located at the foot of Mont Blanc.
The birthplace of mountaineering and with some of the most challenging terrain in the Alps, it has long attracted the attention of French, Swiss and British skiers.
But more thrill-seeking Americans are also coming to the city, 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 incredibly expensive options you’ll find on Airbnb and VRBO in the United States.
Behold Chalet Couttet, the five-bedroom snow palace located at the foot of Mont Blanc offering an ultra-luxury stay in Chamonix.
This chalet is so cozy and cool it would melt the very Bond villains it appears to have been built for.
An ultra-stylish interior and impressive amenities put Chalet Couttet on par with the best of Aspen and Deer Valley, for a considerably sweeter price.
Just an hour’s drive from Geneva, on the outskirts of the city, you will find super luxurious homes like Chalet Coutettea five-bedroom snow palace that would melt the very Bond villains it appears to have been built for.
There is an in-house wellness center complete with sauna and steam room, stainless steel spiral staircases, outdoor swimming pool (heated in the winter months), jacuzzi and cinema room.
The stylish equipment room is equipped with a boot warmer bar to warm your toes before venturing out for the day.
A lovely member of the team delivers fresh croissants and bread every morning, and will also check out the pool and jacuzzi, but aside from their silent visits, Chalet Couttet offers ultimate seclusion – all the amenities of a 5-star hotel. . All the privacy of being in your own home.
Outside, there is a private heated pool, jacuzzi, champagne gondola and more.
The five sumptuous rooms have private bathrooms and are located in cozy wood-paneled corners of the house.
The house is a 35-minute walk from town (a nice walk after a night of fondue and Bordeaux) and a short drive from the slopes.
And while it’s expensive ($13,000 to $27,000 per week), a stay at a comparable property in Deer Valley or Aspen with fewer amenities would cost a family at least $35,000.
Add to that the cost of skiing (up to $200 a day at most U.S. resorts), a couple on a group trip could expect to pay $10,000 for a week just for lodging and lift tickets.
Even TikTokers agree: the comparative affordability of a ski trip to Europe can’t be overlooked.
Influencer Camille Larmoyeux has caused a stir among ski lovers with her videos comparing prices of Colorado resorts with their European counterparts.
While not all of their examples are solid, the cost of flying from New York City to Salt Lake or Denver is often comparable to flying directly to Geneva. When airfare is more expensive, skiers can save on lift tickets.
Unlike crowded resorts in the United States, there are plenty of trails and lifts in Chamonix to spread out the skiers.
In the city, the restaurants are more charming and the local champagne is cheaper. – than anything you find in the US.
And in terms of ski quality and experience on the slopes, Europe wins hands down.
The resorts are larger and have more varied and rewarding trails that will occupy even the most experienced skiers for days on end.
A 7-day unlimited adult pass to Mont Blanc costs $480 (less than $100 per 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 runs gently along the Mer de Glace and offers some of the best views of the valley.
There, tourists can enjoy cold meats and wines at the Montenvers Refuge, a hiking hotel that has existed since 1880.
There are ample spa options in the city for those staying in hotels. Chalet Couttet has its own wellness suite with a sauna, steam bath and massage area.
Dining out, although expensive on the hill, is significantly cheaper, as is locally sourced champagne.
And for groups or families keen to make use of their chalet’s high-end kitchens, grocery shopping is a bargain.
Neither a ski holiday in the United States nor Europe can be considered cheap, and the French may not appreciate you flocking to their beloved slopes in search of new frontiers.
But as domestic prices soar and crowds increase, you might consider a pilgrimage to the birthplace of the sport when planning your next winter getaway.
For more information about Chalet Couttet, visit the property’s website. here. For more information about Chamonix, visit the resort’s site. here.