Hôtel le Taos

Every year, I set out with a group of ski-bunny friends to spend a week carving up the slopes and indulging in some top-class luxury, and this time it was my turn to plan where we were going. When it comes to exploring all the ski regions Europe has to offer, we’re no slouches. Yet the vast possibilities of Tignes and the Killy ski area are difficult to beat. This region can near guarantee skiable pistes all season long, with even summer skiing a possibility thanks to the dependable Grand Motte glacier. While your Val d’Isère and Chamonix resorts are prettier, Tignes has been purpose-built to serve skiers, with the Tignes le Lac village ideally-placed high up in easy reach of the ski lifts so you don’t have the hassle of shuttle buses. From here, you can ski all over the vast Killy ski area, stretching over to Val d’Isère, which makes a perfect and pretty pit stop for a vin chaud or a spot of lunch.

What really sets Le Taos**** apart however, is its fabulous New Mexico-Native American design, which infuses every space. Everywhere you look there are Navajo-style patterns and edgy carved-wood installations, all in natural materials and hues, making you feel as much a part of nature as you are every day swishing down the mountain. When I first stepped into my suite, which I was sharing with my closest ski buddy, I was dumbstruck by the fabulous view of the mountains through the floor-to-ceiling windows, with the unique Tignes block apartments step-stoning down the valley like chunky logs of wood.

Waking up to this magnificent view, with the bright white snow-covered mountains beaming light into the room, really makes you itch for the pistes as soon as you open your eyes. Not before a hearty breakfast, though. My friends and I know the importance of getting in some crucial fuel before undertaking a day’s skiing, and we were not disappointed by the varied choice on offer, included in our deal courtesy of VeryChic. The hotel may style itself on New Mexican chic, but it prides itself in offering the very best of hearty Savoyard cuisine, a fact none more apparent than at the evening meal in the stylish Mesa Verde restaurant. Here we feasted on burrata cheese, Savoie sausage and rediscovered traditional French Alps dishes given modern twists by the Taos**** expert chef. My friend and I are both unapologetic carnivores, so when we saw the vast choice of beef dishes on offer, sourced from an elite selection of local cattle, we were in heaven.

We quickly settled into a rhythm at Tignes le Lac, hitting the slopes early after a hearty breakfast, dipping into different towns for lunch, and all relaxing in the saunas and Hammam before dinner. On a couple of nights, we changed things up in the evening and walked the short distance to nearby bars and restaurants. Tignes has that enviable atmosphere of active youthful fun, meaning a range of different eating and drinking experiences are available to take a break from the traditional meat and cheese brasseries that are ever-present in other resorts.

Strolling back to the Taos**** to our cosy, stylish suites really felt like coming home thanks to the warm and friendly staff. I definitely pulled this holiday planning off, and we all agreed that we wouldn’t mind coming back again next year!