Why Club Med's French Alps resorts are the ultimate winter getaway

On my first full day in La Rosière, I awoke at 4:45 am in a jet-lagged haze. I was momentarily confused, only to look to my left to find one of the most stunning views from my balcony: Inky skies bleeding into a lighter shade of blue to reveal embroidered peaks. My room added to the awe—most memorably, a plush-sized bed, spacious bathroom, and a separate toilet (we’ll give it to the French—they understand the art of privacy). Revelling in the view, I had to remind myself that the view from a ski lift was going to be better, so I made my way to the fifth floor to get suited and booted for a 9 am kickoff. On my way, I noticed parents bidding adieu to their young ones and dropping them off at daycare, which got me thinking—bringing kids on holidays must be hard, but for Club Med, it’s just a natural part of their ethos. They recruit paediatric professionals with extensive, certified training from the French government to care for children as young as six months. While trust must not come easy to new parents, they deserve a day off, too, knowing their infants are in good hands.

I soon learned that La Rosière is for the adventurer who wants to completely immerse themselves in the winter reverie that is The Alps, no matter the level. You can even ski from France to Italy within five hours and explore a tiny town cladded in bars for a local European feel. But if skiing isn’t your thing, there’s yoga, HIIT, spa treatments, and massages. One standout convenience: Club Med pre-stocks your equipment based on your size and skill level. Admittedly, I somehow ended up with a set of advanced off-piste skis meant for someone over six feet tall—cue three days of bruised egos and snowploughs. Thankfully, the staff handled it with humour and grace, sorting everything out in minutes proving that efficiency is clearly in Club Med’s DNA. 

Our group had two ski instructors: Paul, a sprightly 72-year-old with titanium shins (senior skier, who?), and Pierre, a young Parisian with steely blue eyes, thick patience and an ever thicker Parisian accent that, admittedly, motivated me to give my best. It turns out that a handsome ski instructor, a crisp spring day, and a group of encouraging skiers inciting each other to do party tricks will do wonders for your ego. A black diamond slope might even be on the cards next. 

See also: Rachael Harding of Club Med on creating “white space” within her day, optimising for continued learning and maintaining a sense of humour

Over dinner, I was seated next to Marc Letourneau, Club Med’s general manager for East Asia. He noted that many people are turned off skiing after being left stranded on a black diamond slope by overconfident friends leaving you with nothing but fear, confusion, and teenage regret—something I can vouch for. But Club Med avoids this scenario with professional instructors trained by the prestigious École du Ski Français (ESF).

Up until this point, I’m aware that La Rosière sounds like high-octane fun, but understandably, rest and relaxation are at the epicentre of most people’s travels. For those craving privacy and luxury, La Rosière offers an exclusive collection of 43 chalet apartments. These 90-square-metre units feature five bedrooms, panoramic views, and perks like private ski sessions, exclusive dining, and chauffeured transfers. As an owner, you even gain access to five weeks of complimentary Club Med stays worldwide. Not surprisingly, nearly half of Club Med’s global business comes from its winter resorts—proof that ski culture isn’t just enduring, it’s thriving.

We bid farewell to La Rosière on the fifth day of our trip and made our way to our second Club Med, the Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon. Closer to civilisation and only an hour and twenty minutes away from Geneva airport—this branch was a little less secluded, with Samoëns situated just a chairlift away. Fun fact: Tom Cruise actually practised parachuting for Mission Impossible in this Medieval village. Local legend also speaks of a mysterious sculptor whose stonework dots the village, now seeking an apprentice.

A little less cottage-core with a heavy dosage of minimalist modernity, Grand Massif’s common area was the perfect blend of swank and comfort, transformed into a dance floor for champagne towers and DJs spinning during the evenings. Every night, different performances make it to the stage to provide entertainment for families. The most notable was a mini travelling circus wherein one of the acts contorted her body into incredible proportions while firing arrows at a bullseye. You could say they go all out. What’s more, despite the lower altitudes, the skiing is still impressive with wider slopes, and it is best enjoyed with a midday herbaceous French liquor—Génépi, at Carillon Bar. If that isn’t your speed, Grand Massif also has an exclusive collection of 25 chalet apartments a short walk away from the main residence, which houses
four rooms, incredible views, and a cool price tag of up to €2 million. 

On our last night at Grand Massif, after days of skiing and soirées, a fellow contributor and I enjoyed a very epicurean chat. As most people do after knowing each other for a week, we got to ask the real questions, to which she asked me: “What would you say to little Cheyenne?”. My knee-jerk response was: Well, I’d ask her what she wanted—and tell her we could do anything and everything. Had that apparition been true, Club Med would’ve been the perfect opportunity to drag my family to ski, indulge, and explore The French Alps. 

Don’t miss: Embark on a seamless ski adventure in the European Alps with Club Med

Club Med began as a post-war dream of unity and simple beachside tents for weary Europeans, which eventually transformed into a pioneering force of all-inclusive travel that redefined the modern holiday. Beyond vacations, Club Med represents a philosophy of timeless sanctuary, play, peace, and shared experience. It turns out, whether you’re in search of privacy with the exclusive collections or in need of human connection and the potential of new, future travel friends, Club Med has something for everyone, which, honestly, they do better than most.

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