All this snow has gotten us dreaming about hitting the slopes. Ski trips might be off the cards this season due to ongoing travel restrictions, but we are confident they will return. So we thought we’d check out some of the planned new luxury ski hotels set to open across Europe. Here’s three we think will be ideal for exhilarating winter incentives…

Kempinski Palace Engelberg

First up, Kempinski is due to open a new property in the Switzerland’s ski resort village of Engelberg this spring. For skiing and snowboarding, there are 70 km of slopes of all difficulty levels available, including one of the longest slopes in the Alps, a 12km run from Titlis to Engelberg, which covers 2000 m elevation as it leads down to the village.

Located at an altitude of 1,000 metres, The  Kempinski Palace Engelberg will offer 129 rooms and suites featuring “sweeping views” of the alpine surroundings, a range of dining areas, meeting spaces, and an 880 sqm rooftop spa and wellness area with an infinity pool. Guests will also be able to visit the glacier at Mount Titlis, reached via the world’s first revolving gondola.

Six Senses Kitzbühel Alps

Looking ahead to 2022, Six Senses Hotels and Resorts is set to open a property in the picturesque Austrian Alps. Featuring some of the finest cross-country skiing and downhill slopes in the world, Kitzbühel has been named a winner of best ski station in the world by www.skiresort.de three times. With over 104 of ski runs, the property will offer ski-in, ski-out access and feature 80 accommodations.

Dining at Six Senses Kitzbühel Alps will focus on seasonality with a restaurant focusing on local dishes with ingredients supplied from nearby organic farms. Emphasis on well-being and wellness is the mission of Six Senses Spa at Kitzbühel Alps and the perfect place to ease tired muscles after an exhilarating day on the slopes.

Ritz-Carlton, Zermatt

And finally, Marriott announced last month that it will debut the first Ritz-Carlton ski resort in Europe. Expected to open in 2026, the 69-guest room property will bring the brand’s legendary service and elegant design to Swiss resort of Zermatt.

The property will offer unobstructed views of Matterhorn from both guest rooms and dining establishments. Design plans are slated to feature two restaurants and two bars, an outdoor terrace for alfresco dining, and a private dining room for intimate gatherings. An array of recreational activities such as ‘ski-in ski-out’ access to the slopes, a tranquil spa with a gym indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and meeting and event facilities are also planned.

Zermatt affords unrivalled skiing for all levels, climbing across the Matterhorn peak as well as easy access to Cervinia in Italy for off-piste, heli-skiing and glacier skiing in the summer months. The town is well renowned for its après-ski activities offering outstanding restaurants and luxurious retail.