The Ultimate Guide to Luxury Ski Honeymoons
A honeymoon is one of the most romantic honeymoons you’ll ever go on. It’s a chance not only to relax after all of the excitement of planning a wedding, but also to enjoy some quality time together and celebrate the beginning of married life.
SKi honeymoons are perfect for couples who want a honeymoon over the winter months and have their hearts set on days surrounded by snow and romantic evenings curled up in a traditional chalet. You don’t have to be a snowsports aficionado to enjoy a skiing holiday - in fact, learning or improving together can be a wonderful honeymoon activity!
If you’re thinking of planning a luxury ski honeymoon, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about booking a trip, from where to stay and what to do to some top tips to ensure an unforgettable experience with your new spouse.
Why Choose a Luxury Ski Honeymoon?
To kick off this ultimate guide, we’re going to highlight what a luxury ski honeymoon has to offer, to show you why you should choose this type of trip.
Exciting Snowsports
First things first; a honeymoon at a ski resort means that you can spend as much time as you want out on the slopes. Whether you prefer skiing or snowboarding, and whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned expert, this type of honeymoon is perfect if you’re looking for an experience with plenty of activity.
Couples who like to keep active when they are away are well-suited for a luxury skiing honeymoon, as you can spend most of your time traversing runs and even venturing off-piste together. It doesn’t matter if you’re still new to the sport, as you’ve also got the option to join a ski school or get private lessons from an instructor to get you up to speed.
Some newlyweds opt for a honeymoon where relaxation is the only item on the agenda, and this is still absolutely possible on a ski trip. But if you’re also looking for something exciting and engaging to do every day, the slopes are out there just waiting to be explored.
Time Outdoors
Spending time in the great outdoors is a precious experience, allowing us to disconnect from modern life and enjoy the splendour of the natural world. For many people, experiencing this alongside their partner helps to facilitate a feeling of closeness, which is why plenty of couples opt for a honeymoon where they aren’t cooped up indoors the majority of the time.
Skiing honeymoons are perfect for this, as you’ll have incredible mountain scenery on your doorstep and a range of outdoor activities to choose from in order to explore it. There’s the added bonus that skiing is also a great way to keep fit, so you’re not only getting the benefits of being outdoors, but you’re also staying active whilst you’re on holiday!
Après Ski
It wouldn't be a ski holiday without a little bit of après ski. Once you’ve spent time out in the snow with your new spouse, a great way to enjoy a range of luxurious experiences is to enjoy post-skiing activities ranging from cocktails overlooking the mountains to dining at a Michelin-star restaurant. Each resort will have its own flavour of luxury when it comes to après ski, but you can be sure of excellent food, drink and entertainment wherever you take your honeymoon.
Plenty of people think après ski involves endless drinks and dancing on tables, and whilst this is an option on your honeymoon, there are also lots of other, more romantic and luxurious options. What matters most is getting time with your partner to unwind after you’ve been skiing and enjoying a range of different high-end bars and restaurants.
Incredible Scenery
There’s no denying that the scenery you get around ski resorts is nothing short of spectacular. From towering mountain ranges to stunning glaciers blanketed in snow, it’s truly breathtaking to spend your time surrounded by such incredible high-altitude landscapes.
A benefit of a skiing holiday is that you don’t just get to enjoy beautiful views of the snowy mountains; you’ll be out in them enjoying the terrain underfoot (or under-ski!). If you’re seeking a honeymoon with scenery you won’t find anywhere else, spending your time at a ski resort is a brilliant option.
Luxurious Accommodation
The final reason why you should choose a luxury ski honeymoon is that the accommodation on offer will be exceptional. Ski resorts have everything from five-star hotels to cosy apartments and extravagant mountain chalets, so no matter where you and your partner want to stay, you’ll find an option that is perfect for your dream honeymoon.
The luxurious experience doesn’t have to stop with the accommodation type you choose. Choosing all-inclusive ski holiday providers like SNO means that your chalet or hotel suite also comes with catering, flights and transfers, a ski pass and often equipment hire as well. This is a fantastic option if you want the full luxury experience on your honeymoon, with everything you’ll need for a ski trip included in where you stay.
The Best Time of Year for a Luxury Ski Honeymoon
One of the first things to decide when planning a luxury ski honeymoon is when you’re going to go away. If you have particular plans for how soon after your wedding you want a honeymoon, then you’ll have a rough benchmark of when you’d like to travel. But the thing about skiing holidays is that they are limited to a particular season, and you need to consider this when choosing the best time to visit.
In general, ski season happens around the world between December and April. These months of the year bring enough snow to cover the slopes with cold enough temperatures that it won’t melt, and almost every ski resort will be open over this period to welcome guests.
Different destinations will have different conditions every month, so it’s worth doing specific research once you have chosen where to go skiing. Typically the best snow of the season will happen in the middle months, but this is also when many resorts will be busiest. You should also be aware that there is typically an influx of holidaymakers over Christmas and then the middle of February, as this is when school holidays take place and a lot of families head to the resorts for a week or so.
If you’re seeking the best possible snow conditions then it’s worth planning your luxury skiing honeymoon during the peak of the season to enjoy as much time on the slopes as possible. But if you’re more focused on enjoying quality time together with your new spouse, it can be worth planning your trip during quieter periods, such as in March or April, when you can enjoy fewer crowds on the slopes and a more laid-back atmosphere in the resorts.
The Best Luxury Ski Destinations for Honeymooners
Austria
Austria is one of Europe’s best-loved ski destinations. It’s a perfect place for couples who aren’t that fussed about late-night après ski opportunities, but want to make the most of romantic scenery and fantastic snowsports
If you’re thinking of fairytale-esque villages of log cabins when you dream of your honeymoon, you’re in the right place. Many luxurious chalets in Austria are built in the traditional style, creating a charming and magical atmosphere that is perfect for a romantic holiday.
One of the best resorts in Austria for luxury honeymoons is Lech, which is often frequented by elite and famous guests, promising exceptional accommodation options, fine dining and of course, brilliant skiing opportunities. More experienced couples might prefer St Anton because of its exceptional off-piste opportunities, while Kitzbühel is a good mix of the two with moderately challenging ski options as well as plenty of beginner-friendly slopes, and top-rated hotels and restaurants.
Austria blends traditional style with modern functionality, making it a great option for honeymooners who want to enjoy a charming atmosphere but also benefit from top-of-the-range ski lifts and equipment.
Canada
When it comes to skiing in Canada, Whistler Blackcomb is the only option you should be considering. The largest ski resort in North America, there’s every possible ski and snowsport experience you could want on your honeymoon available here, as well as some incredible powder for almost half of the year.
Whistler’s large size makes this an ideal ski destination for couples who want to enjoy a wide range of different experiences while on their honeymoon. Yes, the skiing opportunities are fantastic here no matter your ability. But there’s also shopping, spas, a bobsleigh track, ziplining trails, dog sledding, snowshoeing, and a huge range of places to eat to choose from.
The village at Whistler is a huge resort hub with all kinds of accommodation options, as well as an atmosphere that feels like you’re in a community instead of just a holiday resort. It’s also got a brilliant range of ski-in ski-out lodging options, so you’re never far away from the slopes during your trip.
Whistler is a ski resort that attracts a lot of serious skiers, so it’s ideal for more experienced couples who might already be familiar with the top resorts in Europe and want to try something different. You’ll have the famous Canadian hospitality to look forward to, along with mountain scenery that is famed for its impressive scale and splendour.
France
France is a quintessential skiing destination and the perfect place for a romantic honeymoon during the winter season. Head to the Alps with your new spouse and take your pick from the established ski resorts you’ll find all over the mountains, many of which are perfect for couples.
We’ll start with where to stay on a ski holiday in France, which can be a tricky choice thanks to so many brilliant options. Courchevel, Chamonix and Val d’Isère are all incredibly popular resorts that are also well-suited to honeymooners, thanks to the brilliant dining options, luxurious accommodation and picturesque scenery.
Skiing in France is great for beginners, as there are plenty of trials and areas that offer an easier experience than some of the slopes you’ll find in more rugged parts of the continent. If you and your partner are newer to snowsports then France is a brilliant option for a honeymoon, especially if you’re looking for lessons whilst you’re out there.
France is also a great choice for a honeymoon destination in general because the food is fantastic, meaning that you’ll have a great number of exceptional dining opportunities at your fingertips. Places like Courchevel are known for their Michelin-starred restaurants, and you’ll find all kinds of exclusive eating experiences around various resorts, which is great for celebrating your recent nuptials with a special meal.
Aspen
If you’re looking for a luxury ski honeymoon destination outside of Europe, Aspen in Colorado is one of the most famous resorts in the world. Frequented by A-listers, easy to reach and boasting four fantastic mountains lined with ski runs, it’s a brilliant place for a honeymoon that offers so much more than just snowsports opportunities.
Aspen is known for its luxury experiences as well as its range of different skiing and snowboarding terrains, so it’s a great choice for couples who want a varied honeymoon itinerary. Fine dining and gourmet food are a particular highlight of the resort, so you’ll want to plan a lot of meals out during your trip.
A unique highlight of Aspen is also that there’s a flourishing art and culture scene in the community, which you don’t often get at a ski resort. Alongside classic activities like ice skating, sleigh rides and all kinds of snowsports, couples can also enjoy trips to exhibitions, live music, dance and theatre, and the chance to try something new in a creative workshop.
Switzerland
When it comes to luxury skiing experiences in particular, Switzerland takes the crown over other destinations in Europe. With wonderful Alpine scenery, indulgent dining options and plenty of traditional chalets for the ultimate romantic holiday, you’re guaranteed a memorable and meaningful honeymoon.
Some of the best resorts for couples in Switzerland include St. Moritz for the luxurious accommodation and things to do, or Zermatt for the beautiful views of the iconic Matterhorn. For some of the best skiing opportunities in the country, Verbier gives you access to the 4 Vallées ski area and is a great choice for couples with plenty of ski trips already under their belts
Switzerland’s reputation as one of the best places for skiing in the world means that you can also enjoy exceptional transport options both to the resorts and around them, as well as the bonus of very modern ski lifts and cable cars. You’ll also be able to make the most of the famous Swiss cuisine, which is perfect for an indulgent honeymoon.
What to Do on Your Luxury Ski Honeymoon
No matter where you choose to travel for your luxury ski honeymoon, you’ll find plenty of ways to fill your time during the trip. Ski resorts are designed to offer activities that appeal to everyone, so there’s more than enough on offer to put together a honeymoon itinerary, no matter you and your partner’s interests.
Skiing
First and foremost, skiing is one of the best things to do if you’re spending your honeymoon at a resort in the mountains. It’s an activity that keeps you active, allows you to enjoy the scenery, and is one of the most convenient ways to get around so you can explore the destination you’re staying in.
Experienced skiers should know the drill when it comes to deciding how long they want to spend on the slopes, what time of day they want to ski and the level of difficulty they are most comfortable with when it comes to different runs. If the two of you have different levels of experience then you should chat about whether you’re going to stick together the whole time you’re skiing, or whether you’ll be happy to head down certain pistes alone if your plans don’t match up.
Newer skiers might benefit from a lesson on their first day to get back into the swing of things and ensure that they feel confident before heading up the mountain with their skis. The two of you could even book a private lesson together to make the most of personalised instruction.
You don’t have to spend your whole honeymoon skiing, but if you’re at a resort then it’s definitely worth making the most of all the trails around you.
Snowshoeing
Another great option for exploring mountain terrain that doesn’t involve skiing is to try snowshoeing on your honeymoon. Snowshoeing began as a necessary way of being able to traverse snowy conditions on foot, and is now a really popular activity at ski resorts that lets you explore the slopes in a new way.
You can either join a guided snowshoeing expedition or rent the equipment yourself and set off on an adventure with your new spouse. All you need is a pair of snowshoes, which help to distribute your weight more evenly and prevent you from sinking into the snow, warm and waterproof clothing, and optional poles to help with your movement.
Snowshoeing can be a tiring experience, especially if it’s the first time you’re trying it, but it is also a really fun way to explore parts of a ski resort and try a pretty unique activity on your honeymoon. You might have a few sore muscles the morning after, but that just gives you the perfect excuse to plan a trip to a spa for a massage or to spend a leisurely afternoon taking dips in the hot tub.
Dog Sledding
A truly magical experience that couples on their honeymoon can enjoy together is dog sledding. Animal lover or not, it’s hard to fight the excitement of being pulled through the snow by a pack of loyal dogs, watching the trees whizz by as you fly along trails through the trees.
Dog sledding has been a form of transportation for people living in frozen climates for centuries, with breeds like huskies spending generations living with families and forming an integral part of their daily lives. Today, it’s a sport and experience that has been revived in many ski resorts to allow guests to enjoy putting a pack of dogs in the driver’s seat, guided by an experienced musher.
Different resorts will offer different dog sledding opportunities, but most will give you a chance to meet the dogs that pull the sledges and learn about their background before you’re led to your vehicle and taken on a thrilling ride through the snow. It’s a really memorable activity that is great for couples wanting to try something a bit different on their honeymoon.
Helicopter Tours
The scenery at ski resorts is undoubtedly one of the best things about them. But you can’t quite appreciate the scale and splendour of these frozen landscapes when you’re on the ground.
The solution? Helicopter tours of the mountains, which are a perfect option for honeymooners who want to mark the occasion with a truly unforgettable aerial adventure. Book a private flight with your new spouse and marvel at the incredible views you’ll get from your vantage point, as well as experience a new and exciting form of transportation together.
If you want to combine a helicopter ride with skiing, you can also book a helicopter to take you to an otherwise hard-to-reach off-piste ski spot and make your way back down the mountain under your own steam. If you and your partner are confident skiers then this is a great option to elevate your experience and enjoy something special for your honeymoon.
Spa Days
As well as all of the outdoor activities available at ski resorts, relaxation is something that should definitely also be on your itinerary. That’s why so many popular resorts have an onsite spa, providing couples with the perfect place to retreat on days when you want to take things a little slower.
Some ski resort hotels have a spa attached that guests are free to use, but even if you’re staying in a chalet or apartment, most resorts will have a spa within easy reach. Booking a day of treatments is a great way to indulge during your honeymoon and also spend some proper quality time together in a relaxing environment.
A spa day towards the end of your skiing honeymoon is also a great way to soothe any aches and pains that have sprung up whilst you’ve been traversing the slopes, ensuring that you return home feeling restored instead of stiff. Why not treat yourselves to a couple’s massage on your final day?
Private Dining
Our final recommendation for things to do on a luxury ski honeymoon is to plan at least one private dining experience. Sharing a special meal together with your new spouse is a lovely way to celebrate your recent wedding, and making the experience private meals that you can enjoy a more romantic and personalised occasion.
Private dining at a ski resort can range from booking a room to yourselves at a restaurant to having a chef come to your accommodation and prepare a meal for you there and then. The former is a lovely idea if there’s a particular restaurant that you or your partner want to try during your trip, whilst the latter can be perfect if you’d rather stay in your chalet but still want a fine dining experience.
Where to Stay for Your Honeymoon
Choosing where to stay for your skiing honeymoon is a key part of planning your trip. Most resorts have a range of different accommodation options, many of which cater to couples, so you’ll need to decide what kind of amenities you want during your trip, as well as where in the resort you’d like to stay.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular choices for where to stay on a skiing honeymoon.
Chalets
Ski chalets are the quintessential choice for alpine accommodation. Offering a cosy, traditional setting to relax after you’ve spent your days out in the snow, chalets provide privacy and total comfort and are a great choice for couples who want to fully embrace the ski holiday experience.
Many ski chalets come with the option of catering, meaning you’ll have a chef on hand to serve breakfast and evening meals so you don’t have to worry about cooking whilst you’re away. This is an excellent way to add another touch of luxury to your honeymoon, meaning you can enjoy delicious romantic dinners every night of your trip that are based on your personal preferences and taste. Many chalets also come with housekeeping, so you truly don’t have to worry about anything other than how you’re going to enjoy your time with your new spouse.
For couples who want to dial up the romance of their honeymoon, chalets are the best option, especially if you opt for one with extra features like a hot tub or a balcony. Curling up in front of a fire, surrounded by wood-panelled walls as the snow falls gently outside - what more could you want?
Hotels
One of the best options of where to stay for a luxury ski honeymoon is at a resort hotel. Ranging from intimate and boutique to extensive and extravagant, hotels are ideal for couples who want to stay somewhere with everything they need under one roof.
Hotels are your best choice if you’re looking for a package deal for your ski honeymoon, which can be one of the best ways to plan a luxurious and stress-free experience from start to finish. They’re also perfect if you want to include spa days in your honeymoon itineraries, as you can choose a hotel that has a spa complex on-site and make the most of treatments, massages and facilities like swimming pools and saunas.
Apartments
Holiday apartments are a classic option for a ski trip. You might wonder whether it’s possible to still have a luxury holiday in a ski apartment, and the answer is a resounding yes.
Luxury apartments at ski resorts are perfect for couples who want to enjoy their own space and have the option to cater for themselves as well as dining out during their honeymoon. Plenty of ski resorts have high-end apartment blocks with modern decor and brilliant amenities, and they also have the added bonus of often being located at the heart of a resort, so you’ll be close to bars and shops but also hopefully to the ski lifts!
Alternative Accommodation
Chalets, apartments and hotels are all classic options for where to stay on a skiing honeymoon and will be available across almost every resort. But if you and your partner are looking for something unique and unforgettable, some ski resorts and destinations offer alternative and one-of-a-kind accommodations for a really special experience.
In some resorts, you’ll find boutique, modern hotels with quirky design features and an innovative approach to guest service, offering a luxurious and bespoke honeymoon experience in a one-of-a-kind location. For more adventurous newlyweds, some resorts give their guests the option to spend the night in a traditional yurt or even an igloo to really maximise your immersion in the snowy landscape. Or for a mix of traditional and quirky, there’s a growing number of alternative chalets available in ski destinations where architects are pushing the boundaries of the classic design and creating visually beautiful places to stay that still nod to their alpine heritage.
Top Tips for an Unforgettable Skiing Honeymoon
We’re approaching the end of this luxury guide to ski honeymoons, having covered the best places to stay and the best things to do during your trip. Here are some of our top tips and things to remember which will ensure that you have a brilliant time from start to finish.
Have Realistic Expectations
Before you embark on your honeymoon, it can be useful to set realistic expectations with yourself and with your partner about how much you’re going to ski and what you feel happy doing. If you’re both very experienced then this is less of a consideration, as you’ll know what you enjoy and the kinds of terrain you can handle, but if you’re newer to skiing then it’s a good thing to discuss before you depart.
The great thing about staying at a ski resort is that snowsports are just one of the activities on the agenda. If you only want to be out on the slopes for a couple of hours every day, there are still plenty of other things to do. You don’t have to push yourself or be the first ones up on the lifts in the morning - your honeymoon is meant to be time to relax, after all!
Essential Things to Pack
Ski trips require a lot of specialist gear and clothing, which means packing lists can be more complicated than what you require for a standard honeymoon. It goes without saying that you’ll need appropriate things to wear when you’re out in the snow for hours, so make sure that you’ve got a thick, waterproof coat and salopettes, ski boots that fit, insulated gloves and ski helmet and goggles.
Underneath the gear, you’ll want thermal layers of clothing that you’re also happy to be seen in if you head straight from a ski run for a drink. You should also pack outfits for après ski occasions where you’ve had a little more time to get ready, such as going out to a restaurant or spending the evening at a hotel bar.
When you’re not out on the mountain, warm and comfortable loungewear is what you’ll want to pack for spending time in your accommodation. If you’re planning a trip to the spa or your chalet or apartment comes with a hot tub, swimming costumes are also a packing essential.
Remember Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a recommended essential for any type of honeymoon, but ski trips in particular are a holiday where insuring yourself and your new spouse is non-negotiable. In the unlikely event that one of you gets injured whilst you’re skiing, or you simply need to unexpectedly change your plans during your trip, travel insurance will ensure that you’re covered in these situations and don’t face any unexpected additional costs at an already stressful time.
It’s possible to buy specific snowsports travel insurance as well as standard cover, so if you and your partner are planning on doing a lot of off-piste skiing or tend to favour more exhilarating runs, you might want to consider purchasing specific coverage.
Find Photo Opportunities
Your honeymoon is a holiday that you’ll want to remember for the rest of your life, and having photos of the trip is a great way to preserve the memories. You’ll be able to take plenty of snaps of each other whilst you’re on your trip, but a top tip for your honeymoon is also to try and find photo opportunities that document the two of you. It would be a shame to return from your honeymoon without any record of you spending time together!
It might feel awkward, but make an effort to ask other skiers or staff in the restaurants or bars to take a picture of you and your new spouse during the trip. If you’re more tech-savvy, you might also want to invest in a selfie stick or just make the most of the self-timer setting on your phone or camera and aim for some posed portraits of the two of you to commemorate your honeymoon.
Embrace Every Experience
We’ve already touched on this, but another top tip for a luxury ski honeymoon is to make the most of all the different experiences on offer as well as snow sports. Whether that’s ice skating and tobogganing in the resort village, spending the day in a spa, or even ditching the skis for walking boots and exploring the mountain on foot, your itinerary can be very varied on a trip like this.
Make sure to make time for romantic experiences as well and bask in the glow of your recent nuptials. Ski resorts are perfect places for couples to enjoy quality time together, so make sure that you enjoy things like evenings by the fire, candlelit meals, strolls in the snow and chilled mornings shopping or relaxing, as well as getting out on the slopes.
Remember to Relax
Planning a wedding can be an incredibly stressful experience, and even if your honeymoon happens a while after the big day, you still want to use it as an opportunity to unwind. Skiing honeymoons are ideal if you don’t fancy a holiday where downtime is the only thing on the agenda, but you should make the most of the opportunity and prioritise relaxation and time to connect with your partner as well.
Is a Luxury Ski Honeymoon Right for You?
The final consideration in our guide to the ultimate luxury skiing honeymoon is whether this is the right kind of trip for you and your partner.
If you’re both avid and experienced skiers then it’s probably a no-brainer to choose a trip to a ski resort for your honeymoon. Adding a luxury flair to the trip is the perfect way to make it a honeymoon to remember, planning special experiences and activities that treat you both to some serious relaxation and indulgence in between the time you spend on the slopes.
If you’re newer to the world of snowsports, or have never been skiing before, think about the kind of honeymoon experience that you want. Honeymoons in ski resorts are ideal for couples who enjoy outdoor activities when they’re on holiday, but who also want to make the most of being surrounded by beautiful snowy scenery, which can feel very romantic. Most ski resorts also have the added bonus of being geared towards luxury experiences already, so you should have spas, outstanding restaurants and other exclusive experiences all easily available.
Of course, there’s no obligation to do any kind of skiing at all on a honeymoon in the mountains. So even if you don’t fancy actually traversing the pistes, you can still absolutely spend your romantic holiday at a ski resort.
Summary
Skiing and luxury go hand in hand, with plenty of resorts providing everything you could need for an exceptional experience. Surrounded by stunning scenery with plenty of opportunities for indulgence, a holiday in the snowy mountains is an ideal setting for a really romantic trip.
If you’ve not been skiing before, or are new to the sport, a ski honeymoon is still a wonderful option for couples that want to stay active and spend a lot of time outdoors. As you’ve seen from this guide, there are so many other things to do at a resort that give you plenty of options for how to spend your time.
We hope that you’re feeling inspired by our guide and are ready to start planning your romantic trip!
MORE GREAT WEDDING PLANNING TIPS!
Wedding Suppliers We Think You’ll Love!
Wedding Fayres We Think You’ll Love!
