Hôtel Des Trois Vallées ★★★★

There’s nothing like a hearty breakfast to set you up for the day. The hot and cold buffet will have you ready to tackle anything, even that eye-watering black run. Or, if you’re feeling a little pale from the previous evening’s festivities, you can order the continental version and enjoy a leisurely breakfast in bed. After that, inhaling fresh mountain air from the highest resort in the Alps should blow away any remaining cobwebs.

One of the things I love most about a skiing holiday is that you are surrounded by people brought together by a shared passion. The hotel manager is no exception and his passion, like that of the staff in the hotel’s ski shop, is infectious. The expert team, who work exclusively for the guests at the hotel, will kit you out with all the necessary equipment whether you are a beginner or more experienced. Then, with ski-lifts just a stone’s throw away from the hotel, you will have 600km of glorious pistes at your feet. If you fancy trying your hand at something other than skiing then Courchevel has everything you could want, from cookery courses to helicopter rides, and Nordic walking to ice-climbing. There’s even the option of trying a torchlight descent for the more adventurous...

As much as I love the slopes, come mid-afternoon my muscles are crying out for a rest and I can feel Tea at Hôtel des Trois Vallées calling me. The wooden balconies and simple elegance of the exterior are a welcome sight. Cradling a hot chocolate and tucking into well-earned mouthfuls of cake, while recounting the triumphs and disasters of a day’s skiing, is pure bliss. The hotel’s interior is welcoming as well. Natural muted colours complement the stone, wood and clean lines of the design, making it feel warm and restful. It embodies rustic comfort and contemporary chic, with a nod to the style of the 1950s when the hotel was first built. Its 31 rooms are full of light and space with breathtaking views across the slopes. Nothing has been forgotten with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, telephone, flat-screen TV and mini-bar all to hand.

What better way to prepare for an evening of après ski than with a visit to the Spa. More wood, stone and neutral colours make you feel relaxed as soon as you go in, and nothing soothes aching muscles better than an expert massage followed by a spell in the sauna.

Courchevel’s gastronomic reputation demands to be explored, but if the day’s exertions have taken it out of you and you don’t feel like leaving the hotel, then settle yourself down at the dining room’s table d’hôte for a cosy evening. Imagine a cross between a well-stocked épicerie and a chic mountain chalet and you will go some way to picturing the unique, delightful, atmosphere. If you do venture out to sample the fare at nearby restaurants, then the hotel’s bar and the roaring fire will surely beckon you back for one last nightcap.