BOUTIQUE hotel chic and the latest technology are invading the traditional world of ski accommodation. Here are six of the best new places to stay, three in Switzerland, two in France and one in Canada.

The Omnia, Zermatt

This unashamedly modern hotel sits perched on a rocky outcrop above Zermatt village. The prominent position makes it hard for traditional Zermatt, with its wooden chalets and starchy hotels, to ignore. The hotel, in the shadow of the Matterhorn, will welcome skiers and snowboarders when the finishing touches are completed in the next month or so.

Inside, guests will find swathes of white oak, aluminium and grey granite, set off by Mies van der Rohe-style chocolate leather armchairs and pouffes and elegant chaises by Vladimir Kagan. The Omnia boasts an indoor-outdoor pool with spectacular views of the Matterhorn and all suites have telescopes so guests can peer down on the folk of Zermatt or up at the mountain.

A queen room and breakfast costs from around £152 a night through Design Hotels; www.designhotels.com

Haus Bor, Zermatt

Close to the newly upgraded Gornergratbahn, this six-person chalet has three contemporary rooms, with shared balconies giving great views of the Matterhorn. The rooms all have private facilities — either a bath or shower. The master bedroom has a steam shower.In the minimalist living area there is a Swedish wood-burning stove, large flat-screen TV and surround-sound system. The light and airy kitchen has an island so guests can watch the chef preparing meals.

A week’s chalet board with VIP Chalets costs from £699pp, including flights from Gatwick; www.vip-chalets.com

Chalet Chineur, Verbier

Chalet Chineur, which is close to the Savoleyres lift station, is owned by an antiques dealer and has an 18th-century fireplace and dining table and post-Impressionist paintings on the walls. At an altitude of 1,750m, the chalet has great 250-degree views of the mountains and Verbier. The chalet sleeps seven, or eight at a push, in four rooms. The master bedroom has an en suite shower room and its own private balcony. Service is provided by a private chef and chalet host.

A week’s hire of the chalet with Ski Verbier costs from £6,950 a week, including dinner for six nights, tea and coffee in bed and a champagne breakfast on one day of the stay; www.skiverbier.com

Chalet du Crêt, Val d’Isère

The chalet was once an old farmhouse used by monks to make cheese and more recently a swish, gourmet restaurant. Now, after a £1.8 million refurbishment, it is set to become one of the best chalets in the resort, sleeping up to 12 people.

Although it has the original fireplaces and stone floors, each room has a flat-screen television and wireless internet, must-have technology these days for top-notch chalets. For relaxing, the chalet has its own sauna, a purple mosaic steam room and an outdoor hot tub.

A week’s hire of the chalet from Descent International costs from £6,590 to £37,480, including six nights’ dinner, children’s lunch and supper, champagne and chauffeured 4x4; www.descent.co.uk
Le Cheval Blanc, Courchevel

Roman Abramovich regularly takes over Courchevel’s top hotels in January for his new year get-togethers and it is likely that the new Le Cheval Blanc will catch his eye. The four-star hotel, owned by Bernard Arnault, boss of LVMH, the luxury goods company, sits alongside the Byblos and Les Airelles in the Jardin Alpin quarter of Courchevel 1850. Several brands from the LVMH family will be highly visible at the hotel — a Givenchy spa and Louis Vuitton and Dior boutiques are planned. The hotel, which is expected to be ready for the start of the season, will have 34 suites, merging French high fashion, the latest technology and Savoyard tradition.

Four nights’ half-board with Kaluma Travel cost from £1,745pp based on four people travelling and sharing mid-range rooms; www.kalumatravel.co.uk

Chalet Black Bear, Whistler

Catered chalets are rare in North America. This lovely catered property has a huge open-plan lounge with vaulted ceilings and views of Blackcomb Mountain. The chalet is in the Spruce Grove area of Whistler, half an hour’s walk, or five minutes by bus, from the village centre. Each of the five rooms — some with twin and some with queen-size beds — has its own facilities. There is also an outdoor hot tub.

Two weeks’ chalet board with Skiworld costs from £1,175pp, including flights from Gatwick; www.skiworld.ltd.uk

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