New season, new wishes. That’s right, friends, in the northern hemisphere, which includes Morocco, the winter solstice will take place on December 21st at precisely 10:21 AM. It will also mark the shortest day of the year! Instead of letting the winter blues take over, why not plan your next escape? To celebrate the holiday season in style, we’ve already shared our exotic travel wish list. But to fully embrace the winter vibes—even as the cold has already started creeping into many parts of the kingdom—Shoelifer is betting on ski vacations.

And speaking of winter classics, after Le père Noël est une ordure (or Santa Claus Is a Stinker in English), it won’t be long before we rewatch Les Bronzés font du Ski (French Fried Vacation) for the thousandth time. To avoid misunderstandings à la Jean-Claude Dusse, our editorial team, along with our trusted partner Atlas Voyages, a specialist in luxury travel, has selected the best ski destinations (and their respective hotels) for stress-free vacations. For those who aren’t avid skiers, Shoelifer hasn’t forgotten you—we’ve included two urban destinations with snowy landscapes. Let’s go!

Val d’Isère and Val Thorens, France

When planning a ski vacation, especially for the first time, it’s best to go with tried-and-true options. Enter Val d’Isère and Val Thorens, nestled in the picturesque Savoie region in the heart of the majestic French Alps. These two iconic resorts (just 96 kilometers apart) are also conveniently close to Morocco, with flights landing in Lyon, for example.

Both resorts are charming, welcoming, cosmopolitan, and family-friendly. However, Val d’Isère is better suited for experienced, thrill-seeking skiers, especially on the legendary Face de Bellevarde (a black diamond slope). Val Thorens, equally fun, offers gentler terrain, with more than half of its slopes categorized as green or blue. The Savoie region is also celebrated for its laid-back lifestyle, wines, and cuisine (think fondue, raclette, and tartiflette, of course).

If you choose Val d’Isère, we recommend making the Club Med Alpes Val d’Isère your home base. With suites and rooms boasting breathtaking views, it’s the perfect place for an effortless, luxurious ski vacation. The direct access to ski equipment and slopes ensures ultimate comfort and convenience. In the evening, indulge in alpine cuisine at Le Refuge or savor the unlimited buffet at Les Alpages.

For relaxation and rejuvenation, head to the Spa by Cinq Mondes, offering treatments inspired by global techniques.

In Val Thorens, the same advice applies: stay at the Club Med Alpes Val Thorens, perched at 2,300 meters in the heart of the Trois Vallées ski area. With direct access to hundreds of kilometers of slopes, the resort blends contemporary luxury with alpine charm, all while offering panoramic mountain views. Its highlight? Les Chalets, a gastronomic restaurant with a Savoyard twist.

The Troll Peninsula, Iceland

Have you already mastered ski vacations? Are the French Alps, Mont Blanc (Megève), or the Austrian Tyrol (Arlberg) old news to you? How about trying a less conventional destination? Still in Europe but off the beaten path, the Shoelifer team and Atlas Voyages suggest Fljót Valley, located in the mountainous Tröllaskagi Peninsula, also known as the Troll Peninsula, in northern Iceland.

This mystical peninsula features Iceland’s tallest, most stunning mountains, fjords, and charming fishing ports. Perfect for adventure and relaxation, the area offers numerous slopes that extend right to the edge of the Atlantic Ocean—truly a spectacular sight. The slopes, of moderate difficulty (red, with up to 1,500 meters of vertical drop), are blanketed in snow from February to June, making it ideal for families and beginners alike.

Dubbed the “Land of Fire and Ice,” the Troll Peninsula offers breathtaking, epic landscapes with vibrant contrasts of blue, gold, and white. Thrill-seekers will love heli-skiing: taking in aerial views from a helicopter before skiing down untouched peaks. For those less keen on adrenaline, snowshoeing and ice fishing are fantastic alternatives.

As for accommodations, stay at Deplar Farm in Ólafsfjörður. This secret 17th-century refuge, cozy yet luxurious, is nestled in the heart of nature and has a touch of English cottage charm. Recently modernized with a lodge-style extension, it combines minimalist design with ultimate comfort.

Meals—fresh, hearty, and flavorful—are included, and the attentive staff ensures a seamless experience. Highlights include an outdoor heated pool, curated excursions (skiing, heli-skiing, snowshoeing), and the chance to witness the midnight sun and northern lights by the fire.

Aspen, United States

Ski vacations in the U.S. may not be top of mind, but the Shoelifer team decided to dream big. Aspen, nestled in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, quickly became our “splurge” destination. Dubbed the “Saint-Tropez of the Rockies,” Aspen combines majestic peaks, lush forests, a passion for skiing (with four ski resorts), luxury shopping, and a glamorous social scene.

This charming and colorful town is brimming with excellent restaurants and boutiques. The slopes—wide as highways—are beginner-friendly, catering to slower-paced skiing (especially at Buttermilk). Advanced skiers can explore moguls and steeper backcountry  runs, though the overall vibe is about enjoyment rather than risk-taking.

We recommend staying at the St. Regis Aspen Resort, located at the foot of Aspen Mountain. This quintessentially American hotel is spacious, comfortable, and luxurious, both indoors and outdoors. To embrace the alpine air, the resort features intimate outdoor lounges with fireplaces, along with heated pools and jacuzzis.

After your ski vacation in Aspen, consider extending your trip to explore iconic Chicago. Colorado and Illinois are neighboring states, and the flight takes less than three hours. Named the Best Big City in the U.S. in 2023, Chicago—on the shores of Lake Michigan—boasts some of the country’s boldest and most spectacular architecture. Dynamic and welcoming, Chicago feels like home, with its rich history as a hub for gangsters, the mafia, and its legacy as the birthplace of rock, blues, and house music.