Les Barmes de l'Ours, Val d'Isère, France

Les Barmes de l'Ours is Val d'Isère's grandest ski hotel, set at the foot of La Face de Bellevarde, the famous Olympic downhill run, in one of the most snow-sure resorts in the French Alps. With four floors of themed rooms, a large spa, a Michelin-starred restaurant and excellent facilities for families, it is a luxurious, ski-focused base in the heart of the Espace Killy.

Location: Val d'Isère, France

The hotel sits at the foot of La Face de Bellevarde, in Val d'Isère, at around 1,850 metres in the Haute-Tarentaise, close to the Italian border. The main lifts are about 100 metres away, and the Olympique cable car a five-minute walk. Geneva and Chambéry airports are a few hours' drive away, and the railway station at Bourg-Saint-Maurice is around 45 minutes.

Val d'Isère is linked with Tignes to form a vast ski area with more than 140 runs, high-altitude glaciers and some of the best off-piste terrain in the Alps, and its high altitude gives it one of the longest and most reliable seasons in Europe. The resort hosts the Critérium de la Première Neige World Cup races each December.

The resort's history is closely tied to skiing's greatest names, especially Jean-Claude Killy, the local hero who won three Olympic gold medals in 1968 and gave his name to the Espace Killy ski area. Today, Val d'Isère combines a traditional Savoyard village of stone and wood with a lively international atmosphere.

Rooms and suites at Les Barmes de l'Ours

Rooms and suites are spread over four floors, each decorated in a different style: Loft, Chalet, Nordic and American Lodge, giving the hotel a playful, varied character. Double rooms and suites overlook the piste or the village, while twin rooms face the forest.

The signature L'Ours Suite has its own fireplace, a projector screen and an open-plan Jacuzzi, and families will find connecting rooms and larger suites.

The hotel's staff are known for their warmth and attention to detail, and the ski shop and ski room make mornings effortless, with equipment fitted, stored and warmed overnight, so guests can step out onto the slopes in minutes.

Facilities at Les Barmes de l'Ours

The wellness area, at around 800 square metres, is one of the largest in Val d'Isère, with eleven treatment rooms, a heated indoor pool, a Jacuzzi, a hammam and a fitness room, perfect after a day on the mountain.

Dining is a highlight. La Table de l'Ours, the gastronomic restaurant, holds a Michelin star, La Rotisserie serves generous buffets, and the Coin Savoyard offers local cheeses, cured meats and wines. The lounge, with an open fireplace and live piano in the evenings, is the heart of après-ski. For families, a kids' club, a playroom, a bowling alley and a games room keep children entertained, and there is a two-storey ski shop on site.

The mountain moment

The defining moment is skiing La Face, the steep, challenging black run that hosted the men's downhill at the 1992 Albertville Olympics, then gliding straight back to the hotel's door. For less experienced skiers, the gentle runs and glacier areas of the Espace Killy offer some of the most reliable snow in the Alps.

At the end of the day, a swim in the indoor pool, followed by a fireside drink with piano music, is the perfect Val d'Isère ritual.

Why Les Barmes de l'Ours is one of the best mountain hotels

Les Barmes de l'Ours earns its place because it offers five-star luxury and ski-in, ski-out convenience in one of the world's great ski resorts. It is very expensive, and the themed décor is playful rather than minimalist. But its spa, dining and family facilities, together with its position at the foot of La Face, make it a superb choice for skiers of every age.

Val d'Isère also has a lively village with a traditional stone church, chalet-lined streets and a famous après-ski scene, and the hotel puts all of it within easy walking distance, while still offering a calm retreat when you want one.

When to go to Les Barmes de l'Ours

Les Barmes de l'Ours is a winter hotel, typically opening in early to mid-December and closing in late April; check dates when booking. December brings the World Cup races and festive weeks, while January offers cold, crisp conditions and fewer crowds. February is busy with school holidays, and March and April bring long, sunny days, often with excellent snow at altitude.