Only The Grinch moans about Christmas in the snow. For the rest of us, the combination of gorgeous mountain scenery, marvellous skiing in fresh powder, twinkling lights reflected in frosted windows, dazzling baubles sparkling on the Christmas tree, fur-trimmed festive outfits, the enticing aroma of roasting chestnuts, sleigh bells ringing in the night air, and the tingling sense of excitement before Santa’s imminent arrival make for a dreamy experience.
Selected by our expert travel team, here are five alpine destinations to infuse you with the joy of a captivating, snowcapped Christmas.
KITZBÜHEL, AUSTRIA
The colourful centre of this picturesque Austrian resort is turned into a Christmas wonderland during the festive period. The highlight is the traditional Kitzbühel Advent celebrations.
At the town’s Christmas market, you can find Tyrolean delicacies such as doughnuts and crêpes and traditional handicrafts at many eye-catching decorated stalls. You can also enjoy a glass of fruit punch or sip mulled wine from specially designed Advent cups.
In addition, you can entertain the kids by painting seasonal stars, taking a ride on the carousel, delivering a Christmas list to the enchanting Christkindl (Christ child) post office or spectating at the St. Nicholas Parade on 6th December. Find out more about Christmas in Kitzbühel HERE.
RECOMMENDED HOTEL:
A-ROSA KITZBÜHEL: As well as a luxurious 3,000sqm spa and a splendid mountainside location, the upscale castle hotel A-Rosa Kitzbühel has a full Christmas programme for its guests.
This features a festive gala buffet on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, a classical Christmas concert, a traditional Christmas market on 24th December and a visit from Santa Claus and the Christ Child on a horse-drawn carriage.
For more information and reservations, HERE.
GRAND TIROLIA KITZBÜHEL: On the menu at this upmarket hotel this Christmas is a splendiferous festive dinner. Beforehand, you can drink in the panoramic mountain scenery at a seasonal mulled wine and punch reception on the hotel’s spacious terrace.
You then repair to the hotel’s excellent restaurant, Gasthaus Eichenheim, which serves an enticing combination of alpine heartiness and sophisticated cuisine. The meal is topped off with the hotel’s signature dessert: Kaiserschmarrn (Emperor’s mess), which consists of shredded pancakes served with three types of stewed fruit. It promises to be an evening that packs a memorable festive punch.
For more information and reservations, HERE.
ST MORITZ, SWITZERLAND
The glamorous Swiss resort of St Moritz, which can be reached via The Glacier Express, the slowest fast train in the world, is overflowing with historic charm all year round. But that really comes into its own at Christmas.
The famous St Moritz Christmas market opens on 4th December. Known locally as Glatschin, it contains an ice-skating rink, and food, drink and handicraft huts.
It is also well worth stopping by Badrutt’s Palace Hotel to look at St Moritz’s largest Christmas tree, which is festooned with gigantic golden red baubles.
At this time of year, it is very easy to see why St Moritz is beloved of jet-setters the world over. Find out more, HERE.
RECOMMENDED HOTELS
GRAND HOTEL KRONENHOF PONTRESINA: this elegant five-star property has 175 years of history in hospitality. This Christmas season, a wealth of festive activities are on offer.
Adventurers can enjoy a wintry torch hike into the majestic peaks of the Engadin. The night-time tranquillity provides the perfect opportunity to take in the beautiful alpine environment from a different perspective. Guests also have the chance to go sledging, snowshoe hiking and snow-shovel racing.
Those looking for something quieter should try roasting chestnuts on an open fire or learn about the smells that define the world of wine with the experts at the Aroma Bar.
There is so much to do this Winter at the Grand Kronenhof Pontresina that you may need a holiday afterwards.
For more details and bookings, HERE.
GRACE LA MARGNA: This boutique St Moritz hotel is furnishing guests with an alluring array of dining experiences this Christmas.
The world-famous luxury dining restaurant, Beefbar, opens for the first time in Switzerland on 1st December. A new take on the traditional steakhouse, it features private dining, a live DJ and sweeping views of the Alps.
You might also want to tuck into the fare on offer at MaxMoritz. This intimate restaurant specialises in fondue and is the ideal place for winter warming.
For more details and bookings, HERE.
GSTAAD, SWITZERLAND
Another glamorous resort in Switzerland with a lot to offer its Christmas visitors. There is a Christmas market on 6th December in Saanen (next door to Gstaad), where visitors will have the opportunity to discover the handicrafts and culinary delights of the area. In Gstaad itself, there is another festive market on Bahnhofstrasse on 14th December. You will be entertained by various musical acts and can toast your toes by the fire bowl as you shop for last-minute stocking fillers.
The same evening you can enjoy “Weihnachtszauber mit den Swiss Gospel Singers” (“Christmas Magic with the Swiss Gospel Singers”). The programme is inspired by the music of Chris de Burgh, who is celebrating a half-century on stage this year.
Sports lovers will find here a wide variety of slopes, including glacier descents, snow parks and valley runs.
RECOMMENDED HOTELS
THE ALPINA GSTAAD: the ideal establishment to indulge yourself over Christmas, the Alpena has wonderful dining options. Michelin-starred Executive Chef Martin Göschel overseas four outstanding restaurants: Sommet, Megu, Swiss Stübli, and the Alpina Lounge & Bar, which employ different elements of the world’s classic cuisines. After your Christmas meal, you might well want to unwind in one of the hotel’s other welcoming spaces, such as the Japanese Whiskey Bar or the Cigar Lounge.
You could also indulge in a session at the Six Senses spa, which has indoor and outdoor pools and offers a plethora of first-class treatments.
It is all extremely relaxing and very much in keeping with Gstaad’s motto: “Come up, slow down.”
Find out more and book, HERE.
GSTAAD PALACE: this fairy tale hotel is offering a special Christmas Eve celebration. While the children are entertained in the Playroom, you can settle down in Le Grand Restaurant to a sumptuous five-course meal.One of the highlights will be the Christmas pudding “Palace style” with Madagascar vanilla sauce and ice cream. All the while, you will be entertained by the dulcet tones of the Scerzo Ensemble.
The celebrations continue in New Year’s Eve, with an evening themed “Venetian Dreams”. Guests are encouraged to dress in their most opulent attire and waltz the night away. On New Year’s Day, the Palace offers a special brunch, ideal for recovering from the excesses of the previous night.
For more information and bookings, HERE.
ALTA BADIA, ITALY
Located in the heart of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the mountaintop Italian villages of Alta Badia are bulging with more Christmas offerings than a child’s stocking after Santa has called.
Highly recommended is the Gourmet Skisafari on 14th December. Skiers will schuss from one mountain hut to another, where they will savour the gourmet creations of five first-class chefs: Massimiliano Alajmo, Simone Cantafio, Giancarlo Morelli, Peppe Guida and Cristian Fagone.
In Alta Badia, you also have the choice of two exceedingly good traditional Christmas markets. At the “Marcé da Nadé” in Corvara, the centrepiece in the town square is a nativity scene comprising of life-size wooden sculptures.
Meanwhile, the “Nadé te plaza” in San Cassiano is a celebration of ancient Ladin customs, such as the New Year’s wish, the throwing of the slipper, and the hurling of the wooden discus. Sounds like a very Dolomite take on the Olympics.
RECOMMENDED HOTELS
LA PERLA: an excellent hotel nestled amongst the peaks of the Dolomites, La Perla in Corvara has some exceptional culinary options for Christmas.
Under the guidance of the Michelin-starred executive chef Simone Cantafio, who rejects the concept of convenience food, La Stüa de Michil is an exquisite wood-panelled thoughtfully reassembled 17th-century parlour. The menu features such delicious local dishes as ravioli stuffed with farmhouse chicken liver pâté and mushroom purée.
Guests can also enjoy hours of relaxation at the spa, where the saunas enjoy unparalleled views of the Dolomites and the Sensory Path takes guests on a journey of pure relaxation and wellbeing.
For more information and bookings, HERE.
HOTEL CAPPELLA: the ideal spot to de-stress – check out the spectacular “Sky Room” where it feels as if you could almost reach out and touch the clouds – the Hotel Cappella in Corvara commands ravishing views of the mountains.
This Christmas you would be well advised to try the hotel’s very characterful Rollerstube, whose walls are adorned with an epic mural portraying Ladin myths. It was painted in 1893 by Professor Roller.
This is the sort of soothing Alpine place where you constantly find yourself humming one particular song: “Simply having a wonderful Christmas time.”
For more details and bookings, HERE.
Author: James Rampton
British Airways flies directly from the UK, business class from £152 each way to Salzburg, £154 to Zurich and £197 to Geneva Find out more at British Airways.
Sky Alps fly directly from London Gatwick to Bolzano. More information, HERE.
Opening image: Kitzbüheler Horn © Kitzbühel Tourismus / Michael Werlberger
Left image St Moritz © Giulia Mantovani
Images Alta Badia: left © Armin Terzer; right © Alex Moling
Images Gstaad: Destination Gstaad/ Melanie Uhkötter
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