Amidst the frantic search that many tourists go through each year in the pursuit of cheap ski deals, there are a few who wish to be a bit more lavish and go on a luxury ski holiday.
If you are stuck on where to go skiing this year why not turn to the royals for some inspiration? Members of the Royal Family have been going to Europe to ski for years and the places they have been will be sure to provide exceptional accommodation and service. Here are some of the ski resorts visited by royalty in the past.
Lech, Austria
Lech is among the most beautiful of Austria ski resorts and arguably throughout the whole of Europe. Diana, The Princess of Wales, had a soft spot for Lech and spent five consecutive winters skiing there. There are five-star hotels in Lech which provide excellent service and are located near to the slopes for easy access. Diana spent time in Austria with her sons William and Harry who have also skied there as children.
Lech is a large ski resort with over 200km pisted runs on offer and is linked to Zürs, St. Anton and Sonnenkopf. The village itself remains typically Austrian and is a lovely place to spend an early evening in a bar. The exclusivity of the resort is maintained by a restriction on the amount of ski passes sold. This ensures that queues do not get too long.
With the latest ski lifts offering heated seats and fast service, Lech is a luxury destination indeed.
Méribel, France
Meribel offers some delightful skiing in the sun. It is a popular resort for many British tourists looking for luxury ski resorts and boasts some of the best nightlife of anywhere in Europe.
Every year Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, go to Méribel, where the Prince regularly presents the British Skiing Championships.
Méribel offers some of the most advanced ski lifts in Europe, so expect fast service in that department. Méribel is part of The Three Valleys and consequently offers some of the most extensive skiing available. All levels of skier should be able to find their requirement in this massive resort.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt has, in the past, been the destination for Prince William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.
Zermatt is largely car-free, meaning that the village air remains as fresh as on the slopes themselves. There are electric buggies on hand to taxi people about and shuttle tourists from hotels to slopes.
It offers some of the most exhilarating skiing in Switzerland with its many long extensive slopes. The Matterhorn dominates the skyline which features some dramatic scenery. The village is charming and the architecture maintains the relaxed atmosphere.
Zermatt has fine dining available as well as some of the best on-slope restaurants in the world. The nightlife is exclusive and glitzy.
Verbier, Switzerland
Verbier has always been a popular destination for a luxury skiing holiday. Princess Eugenie had her 18th birthday party in Verbier with family and friends, and her mother, the Duchess of York, worked in Verbier as a chalet girl when she was younger.
Verbier is home to some of the most challenging skiing in Europe and is a favourite amongst advanced skiers. It has many famously difficult runs which are no longer classed as black. Instead they are left alone to ensure there are sufficient moguls on them.
Klosters, Switzerland
The Royal wedding saw the culmination of a romance that started in Klosters. It is where William and Kate were first photographed kissing in 2004. Charles and Diana and Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have also been spotted at this most exclusive of resorts.
There are many extremely good hotels to accommodate such tourists and the restaurants in Klosters are excellent, one even has a Michelin star. Après ski is also great and there are often live bands playing at bars in the early afternoons.