World’s Most Over-the-Top Ski Chalets

You want Alpine luxury par excellence? Book a stay at Le Rocher, in France's Rhône-Alpes region and prepare to live out the ultimate après-ski fantasy. We're smitten by the swimming pool with its own projector screen, the 14-seater banquet-style dining table with black "throne" chairs and the cedar hot tub on the terrace, perfect for star-gazing with glass of bubbly in hand. The chalet sleeps 14 in high alpine style: think lavish fur throws, rough-hewn beamed ceilings, crackling fireplaces and cowhide sofas, all lit by teardrop glass chandeliers.

If you've ever dreamed of having your own private boutique hotel for the holidays, Number 14, in the tiny Swiss Alps town of Verbier, comes pretty close. With its 13 spacious bedrooms, a hammam, two outdoor hot tubs, a spa and a cinema, this hideaway ticks all the boxes when it comes to slopeside decadence. Did we mention the chalet comes with a staff of 15 to cater to your every desire?

This rustic-chic lodge set on the banks of Lake Wanaka already punches above its weight when it comes to wilderness luxury. But the Whare Kea Chalet takes it up a notch: 5700 feet, to be precise, which is this exclusive chalet's elevation on the north side of Dragonfly Peak. The dazzling location, with snow-capped peaks and imposing glaciers all around, ensures plenty of envy-inducing Instagram moments. There's room for just six guests and two staff, so choose your travel companions carefully ⎯ once the helicopter drops you off at your top-of-the-world aerie, it's just you and some of the world's most awe-inspiring landscapes.

At the base of British Columbia's Revelstoke Mountain, this imposing 15,000 square foot timber-framed lodge offers plenty of jetset inducements. There are eight bedrooms (sorry, "staterooms"), a triple-story Great Room with a roaring log fire and an indoor cinema, plus a private chef, lodge manager and yoga instructor. And because you're here to take advantage of the planet's greatest heli-skiing (an elite trend that started right here in BC), the property also has its own helipad, so you can hit the remotest peaks whenever you fancy.

We dig the bold style of this 6-suite estate in the shadow of Mont Blanc for its marriage of classic ski-lodge vernacular (antlers, animal hides, lashings of raw timber) and contemporary art and design. From the vintage Harley Davidson in the foyer to the Pop Art-inspired paintings in the dining room, there's always something fascinating to look at ⎯ though arguably nothing more mesmerizing than the killer views of Mont Blanc from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the suites.

One of Sir Richard Branson's Limited Edition collection of Very Important Properties, this 9-bedroom chalet in the Swiss Alps is VIP all the way: it comes with a staff of 13, including an activities coordinator, resident spa therapist (who for an extra fee provides soothing apres-ski massages and ultra-hydrating facials) and Michelin-starred chefs. The lodge is supremely family-friendly too, with a bunk room able to accommodate up to 6 junior powder bunnies.

This much-awarded Utah favorite has apres-ski chic nailed. Named for Norwegian Olympic Gold Medal skier Stein Eriksen, the 180-room lodge features luxuries like a 10,000-bottle on-site wine cellar and a spa offering ski-specific treatments like an Apres-Ski Soak & Muscle Therapy and a Ski Boot Relief massage. Extra star-spotting bonus: it's renowned as a celebrity hotspot during Sundance.

Chic, understated luxury is the name of the game at this gorgeous hideaway in the Austrian Alps. The seven suites include an impressive master bedroom with fireplace and a kid's room with four bunks, each decked out in soothing earthy tones and luxe textures. The wellness area is a knockout: taking up an entire floor of the lodge, the spa features a Finnish sauna, salt-cave steam bath, outdoor whirlpool hot tub and a tranquil relaxation area with a show-stopping green-tiled swimming pool. And in case that's not enough sybaritic diversions for you, there's also a team of chefs and an expertly-stocked wine cellar, so you can pick the perfect champagne to go with your fondue.

We're all about the Bond villain lair feel of this head-turning Swiss haven, with its floor-to-ceiling glass, decadent retro chandeliers, fur bedspreads and amazing views of the Matterhorn. There's a full-time staff to take care of your every need, natch, but you'll also be pampered with perks like complimentary Zai skis and Ugg walking boots, a 24-hour chauffeured car and tailor-made menus for breakfast, afternoon tea and 5-course dinners.

Join the haute set at this stunning retreat, set in monumental wilderness yet close to Jackson Hole, home to the best skiing in the Rockies. As you'd expect from Aman, the look is sleek and contemporary, mostly eschewing the rustic ski-lodge tropes in favor of streamlined mountain style. Go out heli-skiing or dog sledding by day then return to the lodge for a Himalayan salt scrub. Once you've recharged, head to the Grill for American regional classics, accompanied by a side of spirit-lifting views over the Snake River Valley.

While not as exclusive as some of our other lodge finds, this luxury resort just seven miles from Aspen rises way above the pack when it comes to design. The property enlisted star duo Jean Michel-Gathy and Kelly Wearstler, known for her in-demand Hollywood Regency style, to decorate the interiors. Expect to see organic forms and warm tones everywhere, from the lobby with its birch wall wrapped in copper and leather to the lounge's 87-foot glass-topped bar supported by tree trunks, Another highlight: the gorgeous pool terrace, with its own a fire pit and three cabanas with their own private fireplaces.

A well-heeled set flocks to this Vail Valley resort every season for perks like an outdoor pool with five hot tubs and dazzling mountain views; complimentary evening s'mores by the bonfire complete with gourmet marshmallows in flavors like creme de menthe and Grand Marnier; and activities like dog sledding and Vail's only heli-skiing experience. Head to Spruce Saddle Lodge (situated atop Centennial Express Lift) every afternoon at 3 p.m. to join in the slope-side Prost! tradition, in which guests raise a glass of Champagne as an ode to Lech, Austria, Beaver Creek's sister city. The first glass is complimentary.