The original elite snowy playground (not least because its airport only accommodates private planes), Gstaad remains top of the list for skiing. And once the wheels of that jet touch down, where are we staying? The Gstaad Palace, of course. Seemingly plucked from a fairy tale, the hotel has stood in the heart of the town for over 100 years. For large groups, pick the Penthouse Suite. Blending Alpine charm (think: timber frames, fur throws and roaring fires) with indulgent extras (a humidor, wine cabinet and two steam baths), Gstaad Palace’s three-bedroom penthouse is everything we look for in a top-notch skiing suite. The 1,615-sq-ft rooftop terrace features a hot tub and sauna inside a turret (told you it was straight from a fairy tale). For little guests, make use of the fun kids’ club — the hotel refers to them as VIKs (Very Important Kids); you can rest assured they’ll have a blast while you get a few extra hours of après-ski.