Choosing the most beautiful ski resort in the Alps is like picking the prettiest diamond.
With white peaks and sparkling snow, the following 4 European treasures will spark instant alpine urges.
1. Saas-Fee, Switzerland
Unique selling points: High-mountain setting, in-your-face glaciers.
Saas-Fee hit the right notes as the setting for Wham! 's "Last Christmas" music video in 1984. It's a pleasing Swiss village among glaciers and mountains. Fabled 4, 000-meter peaks such as the Dom, the Taschhom and the Alphubel dot the skyline.
Worth the trip: For you to rub shoulders with real mountaineers, the Britannia Hutte is a climbers' refuge, just 15 minutes walk from the nearest lift. A simple lunch on its sunny balcony offers grand views.
Britannia Hutte, 3906Saas Fee, Switzerland; +41 27 966 81 00
2. Alpbach, Austria
Unique selling points: Cute houses, the bygone feel.
Alpbach has long known what its best features are and made a point of highlighting them. The medieval (中世纪的) village's traditional wooden farmhouses proved to be head-turners for early tourists and planners.
Farming is still very much alive here. It has landed the prize as "Austria's most beautiful village". And the competition for that one is tough.
Worth the trip: Boglalm is an Alpbach favorite, offering authentic local food such as beef soup and grilled sausage.
Boglalm, 6236 Alpbach, Austria; +43 5336 5177
3. Megeve, France
Unique selling points: Mont Blanc views, stylish center, scent of pine.
Megeve muscles into the list by virtue of its location, with close-up views- of Mont Blanc, Western Europe's highest peak. The town was one of the first purpose-built resorts in the Alps. Cruising the wonderfully wooded lower slopes fills your nostrils (鼻孔) with the pleasant scent of pine.
Worth the trip: Foodies are spoiled for choice in Megeve, especially in three-Michelin-starred Flocons de Sel.
Flocons de Sel, 1775 Route du Leutaz, 74120 Megeve, France;+33 027 967 25 52
4. Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
Unique selling points: a magnet for the beautiful set, an Olympic site.
Just two hours north of Venice, Cortina d'Ampezzo is in a UNESCO World Natural Heritage region. Cortina hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956 and was the setting for a certain James Bond film.
Worth the trip: If it's good enough for Mr. Bond, Miramonti Majestic Grand Hotel might do the job for you. Or take up 007's license to thrill and hit the Olympic bobsled (长橇) run.
Miramonti Majestic Grand Hotel, Via Pezie 103, 32043 Cortina d'Ampezzof, Italy; +39 0436 4201
