Thousands of perfectly groomed pistes, lashings of powder, super-wicked ski areas… yeah, yeah, yeah, we’ve heard it all before. What we’re really interested in is the nitty gritty, the insider tips, those cool ski hotels with that snazzy je ne sais quoi. Whether your ski holiday checklist features perfect pools and fascinating spa treatments, or you get your thrills from foodie fun, our collection of the best ski hotels will have you running to the hills… or rather, Alps. Sunshine skiing in March meets Niche Destinations, and it’s anything but ordinary.

You won’t believe the perfect skiing conditions in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl right up until May – the ‘Diamond of the Alps’ is the highest non-glacier ski area in Tyrol and well worth a visit for winter sports enthusiasts, and not just because of the ski action. TOP Hotel Hochgurgl boasts a ski-in ski-out experience so you can swap your salopettes for your swimwear and be at the panoramic pool in minutes. Being the highest Relais & Châteaux 5-star superior hotel in the Alps, the views from the pool and sun terrace are second to none. A top choice of foodie destinations including the landmark TOP Mountain Star rounds off the complete experience.

This is spring skiing at its finest: Austria’s largest glacier ski area guarantees snow until June! The Stubai Glacier offers 35 perfectly groomed slopes with winter activities to suit every taste. Just a short (free!) shuttle ride away, the Jagdhof is a luxury hideaway with 3,000sqm of spa bliss, a menu of beauty and spa treatments, and a well-equipped gym. Let’s not forget the gourmet cuisine in the award-winning Hubertus Stube restaurant! The 5-star Relais & Châteaux SPA-HOTEL Jagdhof is a little slice of heaven in the snowy Stubai Valley.

Skiers, snowboarders, winter sports fans – this Alpine hideaway is for you! The Grossarl-Dorfgastein ski area has all the thrills you could want, including dynamic downhills, a competition-standard halfpipe and a fun park for snowboarders, but you also have access to a grand total of 760km of pistes throughout the rest of Austria’s largest ski area: Ski amadé! Right in the heart of the action, the 4-star superior GROSSARLER HOF is a Small Luxury Hotel of the World and a gem for foodies, spa lovers and devotees of authentic fireside luxury. Escape and enjoy.

DAS ALPENHAUS GASTEINERTAL combines 4-star luxury with Alpine lifestyle and Austrian flair. If you can tear yourself away from the Alpen.Veda.Spa, you’ll discover the spectacular Gastein Valley ski area, not just for skiing but also for its picture-perfect mountain huts. The Ski amadé region opens up a world of possibilities, with pistes and winter activities to suit everyone from beginners to pros. Its location near the Schlossalmbahn Bad Hofgastein lift makes this hotel a fantastic option for sunshine skiing in March.

The extensive Zell am See-Kaprun ski areas offer 138km of pistes spread over three mountains with varied runs for every ability. The Kitzsteinhorn Glacier promises first-class spring skiing until 1 June, with wide open, powder snow pistes and fantastic views from heights of 3,000m. 4-star hotel DAS ALPENHAUS KAPRUN in the heart of Kaprun is the perfect base for glacier skiers. With a spa oasis and deliciously traditional restaurant to boot, it’s bursting at the seams with Alpine charm and Austrian hospitality.

Photo credits: TOP Hotel Hochgurgl, DAS ALPENHAUS KAPRUN, DAS ALPENHAUS GASTEINERTAL, GROSSARLER HOF, SPA-HOTEL Jagdhof