What makes an award winning ski hotel?

As you know (we've mentioned it a few times already) Bear Lodge has been named the ‘World’s Best New Ski Hotel’ at the World Ski Awards.

PlanetSKI’s James Cove recently stayed with us and he reports extremely candidly what it offers and if it is worthy of the accolade. 

We're highlighting some of his thoughts and comments below but head over to PlanetSKi for the full report, and also his feature on what Arc 1950 has to offer.

"Now I must make a confession. I am not terribly interested in, and certainly not influenced by awards." States James. "One person’s best hotel is often not someone else’s – people are different and each has separate requirements." 

James was staying at Bear Lodge whilst on his ski travels, so asked himself "Why Bear Lodge was voted No 1?".

Read the full PlanetSKI feature >

• It has taken 7-years in the planning and building – it opened last season, and is exclusively the preserve of VIP SKI.
• It is a mixture of suites (12) and hotel rooms (30).
• There are a selection of photos of the rooms at the end of this article.
• It features twin rooms, family rooms with bunks (children in bunks pay half price), or adjoining rooms for parents and teenage kids.
• Bear Lodge includes:
• A proper sized pool you can swim in and do some lengths:
• A spa with plenty of steam:
• A decent sauna too.
• And massage:
• And if you like an exercise room:
• A piste-side kid’s space for the little ones:
• A private cinema:
• It also has conference facilities and much else besides.

So far, so good but many other new hotels across the Alps are probably offering similar facilities for this winter.

After 3-days in Bear Lodge I can see why it has been a contender for the award as The World’s Best New Ski Hotel – and won it.

Almost everything is perfect, down to the finest details.

Almost everything?

James's only grumble was the choice of rental skis on offer. But he himself admits he's rather particular about what skis he uses (some say unnecessarily so).

"Bear Lodge is more than 80% full for the rest of the winter. That single fact speaks volumes. In my opinion it would be hard to argue it is not at least one of The World’s Best New Ski Hotels – the World Ski Awards have concluded it is the best and I wouldn’t disagree." States James.

Read the full PlanetSKI feature >

PlanetSKI has a simple aim; to entertain and inform skiers and snowboarders about life in the mountains. Most importantly it aims to do it with passion and a love for everything to do with skiing and snowboarding.

It carries news stories, features, video reports, superb photos and a few surprises too. It’s not influenced by glossy press releases and free trips, but rather the unbiased opinions of its writers.

It’s about life in The Alps. Real life.

Head over to PlanetSKI to read the full feature on Bear Lodge, and also James Cove's review of the Les Arc ski area.