Luxurious Ski Chalets You Have To See To Believe (PHOTOS)

No. 10: Chalet One Oak, Megeve, France

Rental: $33,369 to $47,246 per week

For the rich and famous, it wouldn’t be a ski trip without a personal chef, butler and a heated balcony jacuzzi overlooking the snowy Alps. Located in some of the most exclusive ski destinations, like Courchevel 1850 (where Princes William and Harry are often photographed flying down the slopes), the beautiful surroundings will be a distant memory when visitors step inside these luxury accommodations. Each one features soaring ceilings, chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows, all with breathtaking vistas -- and that’s just in the living and dining rooms.

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Most feature elevators, cinemas, saunas, Hammam-style steam rooms, game rooms, indoor pools, and just for good measure, one lodge has an indoor ice rink. Despite -- or perhaps because of -- all the amenities provided, these homes generally come with a full staff, like a personal chef (or team of chefs), housemaid, concierge, and chauffer.

The going rate for a week’s stay at these beautiful chalets: roughly the cost of a large house in a mid-sized community.

Chalet One Oak, above, looks like a celebrity retreat, and rightly so. Representatives from the chalet say several celebrities have stayed in the luxury accommodations. The chalet's next celebrity dream guest: Jay-Z. An Andy Warhol-esque rendering of the rapper is featured prominently in the main room, along with royal purple velvet furnishings. For an extra touch of royalty, guests are treated to Bvlgari toiletries and amenities in all of the chalet’s bathrooms. 

Click to see more photos of the world’s most sumptuous -- and ridiculously pricey -- ski chalets.

No. 9: Chalet Marco Polo, Val D'isere, France

Rental: $41,612 to $121,573

This chalet features a spacious indoor pool with jet streams, a relaxation center, and a vast balcony with outdoor heating. Relaxation is key at this idyllic chalet overlooking the Alps. It even has two massage rooms: both a classic and an automatic hydro massage room. 

No. 8: Chalet Le Blanchot, Courchevel 1850, France

Rental: From $52,000 to $120,425 per week

The wrought-iron staircase, which links all five floors of this luxury chalet, was crafted by one of Paris’ leading artisan ateliers. Once guests climb their way down the stairs, they can relax in specially-made recliners in the cinema room and enjoy a 3D movie.

No. 7: Chalet Zermatt Peak, Zermatt, Switzerland

Rental: From $71,741 to $137,743 per week

If guests to this lodge forget their boots, they’re in luck. This six-floor chalet maintains a wide selection of mountain hiking boots on the premises, in addition to luxury skis also available for use. Guests can also expect to be well-fed. The personal chef on staff has more “Gault-Millau” points -- 17 -- than any other chef in any restaurant in Zermatt.

No. 6: Chalet Pearl, Courchevel 1850, France

This chalet, constructed of old timber and local stone, features an all-star gym and pool area. Loungers sit next to the spacious pool to give guests an immediate space to relax, in case the spa or Hammam-style steam room feels too far away.

No. 5: The Lodge, Verbier, Switzerland

Rental: From $91,748 to $183,129

The Lodge can be rented out, but it belongs to none other than Richard Branson, English business magnate and notorious thrill-seeker. Not only did Branson install an indoor ice rink in the chalet, he also made sure to incorporate a designated “party room,” complete with a disco ball.

No. 4: Chalet Ormello, Courchevel 1850, France

Rental: From $129,106 to $244,621

Chalet Ormello provides more than 10,763 square feet of space for guests to enjoy its unique mix of contemporary and traditional styles. Meanwhile, if the guests get sick of each other, they can eat separately in the two on-site expansive kitchens and dining areas.

No. 3: Chalet Seven, Crans-Montana, Switzerland

Rental: From $121,779 to $270,360 per week

To offer a more intimate setting in a chalet that houses 24, the designers of this Japanese-inspired oasis installed a sunken lounge, two bar alcoves and an extensive library in addition to other, more expected features, like a Dolby Surround Sound-equipped cinema room.

No. 2: Chalet Muztagh, Courchevel 1850, France

Rental: From $169,500 to $195,160 per week

At nearly 7,000 square feet and four levels, this chalet has a wellness facility and swimming pool with waterfalls. If guests would prefer to stay curled up in bed, each of the five en-suite bedrooms features a dressing room, large balcony and LCD TV.

No. 1: Chalet Edelweiss, Courchevel 1850, France

Rental: From $132,000 to $379,000 per week

The six-level chalet pictured above sleeps 16 people in its eight grandiose en-suite bedrooms. In addition to the usual luxury features, this chalet has a separate staff elevator and a “ski room” with direct access to a marked ski trail or to use the French: a “piste.”