THE ALPINE EXCLUSIVE
Now more than ever, skiing offers joyful respite from a jangled world. Here’s how to enjoy seductively private and totally fabulous winter travel this season.
Heli-Ski privately
Escape into endless powder with a private helicopter at your beck and radio call at iconic Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing. Celebrating 50-plus years of pioneering and, arguably, perfecting the art of heli-skiing, Wiegeleworld has sole use of terrain the size of 283 Vails combined. The most exclusive way to play? Book a private helicopter for either four or 10 skiers and stay in one of the exclusive-use chalets such as the Bavarian Estate—with a massive great room, grand piano, private chef and doorstep heli-pad that assure sublime privacy and perfect powder. A perfect winter travel choice for great skiers.
Wheels Up
Sentient Jets gives silver-platter access to one of the swankiest private jet fleets in the world, whether you’re one passenger headed for a perfect powder day, or a jolly gaggle of generations with puppies and Peletons in tow. Avoid the tetchy touch-points associated with commercial winter travel and, with only 10-hours’ notice, find yourself in any one of America’s finest resorts—from Aspen, Vail, Telluride and Deer Valley, to Sun Valley, Beaver Creek and Jackson Hole.
Sea to ski
South America’s premier heli-ski outfit, Powder South, proposes a very special heli-ski adventure for 2021 winter travel aboard La Datcha SeaXplorer 77 expedition yacht. Sailing off Patagonia and Antarctica, the vessel is engineered with helicopter hangars, a dive center and decompression chamber, and carries a submersible, two wave-runners and two snow-scooters. Fully staffed and tricked out for up to 12 skiers, this sea-and-ski ship of dreams maintains autonomy on water for up to 40 days and 40 nights.
Delegate the details
Skirting lift queues, reserving the right table, and avoiding crowded runs is more of a priority than ever. Book a private guide or instructor for unparalleled front of the line access. From Aspen to Zermatt and beyond, a good guide steers you through everything from your private boot fitting and ski rental to heli pick-ups and secluded picnics—worth his or her weight in gold.
Dine Al Fresco
Go for winter travel glory amidst fresh air, warming sunshine and a splash of rosé. The art of lunch on the terrace is always a joy: ever notice the world’s most beautiful patios are mountain top? (And color us lucky: outside the great urban capitals, the finest, most sophisticated catering is found in our favorite mountain towns, happy to deliver to your door all winter long.) Ever-luxe St Regis Deer Valley perfects its outdoor dining at three new venues: RIME, Brasserie 7452 and the Mountain Terrace each feature space-rich, outdoor heated and delicious tables.
Dip into la Dolce Vita
Privacy and personal space—not concepts commonly associated with the beguilingly snaky streets and canals of Venice. Now, one of the few private islands in the bay of Venice has been lovingly restored and completely remodeled by new owners, members of the Swarovski Family. Santa Cristina’s gracious villa hosts up to 16 in nine rather lavish bedrooms and includes extensive soul-soothing gardens and easy access to the sights of Venice city by boat. A snazzy private heli-pad allows direct flights to Cortina d’Ampezzo, pearl of the Dolomites, in just over 30 minutes.
Ski from the door of your own mountain bubble
What’s more joyful than sliding from your own door straight onto snow, skirting the nuisance of queues and traffic. This winter of all winters, we’ll want to stay in well-placed properties—whether it’s a chic all-suite hotel, extravagant chalet, or a nifty, fully stocked apartment. For families and parties, the modern conveniences of a private catered chalet ensure your gang enjoys your own company, your own way. Cinema rooms, massive en suites, swimming pools and full spas, knock-out cellars and some seriously top-notch cheffery are par for the course. A ski-from-your-door enclave such as Arula in Lech reinforces this Austrian hideaway’s reputation for discreet delights. From the folks behind chic Hotel Aurelio, two exclusive-use Arula Chalets offer the highest levels of service including a 24/7 butler, private chef and driver, two indoor swimming pools, outdoor Jacuzzi, sauna, steam and treatment rooms, chess and pool tables, cinema room and a knock-out
wine cellar.
In France, super-luxury Consensio Chalets specialise in glorious decadence. Chalet Marco Polo in Val d’Isère heads a world of wintery wonders, sleeping 14 in alpine-chic with private chefs, firework parties, and gold-leaf swimming pool designed by Christian Lacroix—plus hot tub, hammam, two massage rooms, automatic hydro massage machine (even the relaxation area features a fireplace and bar), a cave and fromagerie, and eight-person interactive racing car game and biathlon laser shooting game. And that pool.
Jackson Hole’s newest boutique bolthole, Caldera House is an intimate eight-suite hotel with two- and four-bedroom arrangements. Each suite comes with a spacious kitchen which can be fully pre-stocked before arrival, an elegant dining room, deep soaker tubs, private patio with fire pit and cinema room. Book a solo yoga class or reserve the gym and spa for private use — next to the tram, far from the melee.
