This is why Americans are turning away from American resorts and ski resorts in Europe: cheaper tickets, more difficult terrain and beautiful properties like Chalet Couttet

When it comes to serious skiing, no resort has more prestige than Chamonix, the bustling chocolate-box town at the foot of Mont Blanc.

As the home of mountaineering and featuring some of the most challenging terrain in the Alps, it has long attracted the attention of French, Swiss and British skiers.

But more and more exciting Americans are coming to town – and it’s not hard to see why.

The crowds are thinner, the lift tickets are cheaper, the restaurants are more charming, and the private properties on offer are way above the obvious expensive options you’ll find on Airbnb and VRBO.

This chalet is so cozy and cool it would melt the Bond villains it was built for

With ultra-sleek interiors and impressive amenities, Chalet Couttet is one of the best places to stay in Aspen and Deer Valley—and at a much more affordable price

Just an hour’s drive from Geneva, on the outskirts of the city, you’ll find super-luxurious homes like Chalet Couttet, a five-bedroom snow palace that would melt the Bond villains it looks like it was built for.

There is an on-site wellness center with sauna and steam room, stainless steel spiral staircase, outdoor pool (heated in the winter months), hot tub and cinema.

The elegant equipment room is equipped with a range of boot warmers so you can warm up your toes before starting your day.

Fresh croissants and bread are delivered every morning by a charming team member who also checks the pool and hot tub. Apart from the quiet places to stay overnight, Chalet Couttet offers absolute seclusion – all the comforts of a 5-star hotel. All the privacy of your own home.

Outside there is a private heated pool, hot tub, champagne telescopic cabin and more

The five luxurious bedrooms all have their own bathroom and are located in cozy wood paneled corners of the house.

The house is a 35 minute walk from town (a welcome escape after an evening of fondue and Bordeaux) and a short drive from the slopes.

And while expensive (between $13,000 and $27,000 for a week), staying in comparable accommodations in Deer Valley or Aspen with fewer amenities will cost a family at least $35,000.

Adding the cost of skiing — up to $200 a day at most U.S. resorts — a couple taking a group trip would have to pay $10,000 for lodging and lift tickets alone for the week.

Even TikTokers agree: the relative affordability of a European ski trip should not be overlooked.

Influencer Camille Larmoyeux caused a stir among ski enthusiasts with her price comparison videos of Colorado resorts and their European counterparts.

While not all of their examples are accurate, the cost of flying from New York City to Salt Lake or Denver is often comparable to a direct flight to Geneva. Where flights are more expensive, skiers can save on lift tickets.

Unlike the busy resorts in America, Chamonix has plenty of slopes and lifts to keep skiers apart

In the city the restaurants are more charming – and the local champagne is cheaper! – than anything you’ll find in the US

And when it comes to ski quality and slope experience, Europe is clearly ahead.

The ski areas are larger and have more varied, rewarding slopes that will keep even the most experienced skiers busy for days.

A seven-day unlimited Mont Blanc pass costs $480 — less than $100 a day — compared to $1,400 for the same ticket in Aspen.

If snow sports aren’t your thing, towns like Chamonix also offer charming tourist alternatives, such as the Montenvers railway, which gently ascends the Mer de Glace and offers some of the best views of the valley.

Tourists can enjoy sausages and wine at the Refuge de Montenvers, a hiking hotel that has been around since 1880.

There are numerous spa offers in the city for hotel guests. Chalet Couttet has its own wellness area with a sauna, steam bath and room for massages.

Eating out is expensive on the koppie, but considerably cheaper, as is the locally produced champagne.

And for groups or families looking to use their chalet’s luxury kitchens, groceries are a bargain.

Neither an American nor a European ski holiday can be considered cheap, and the French may not be grateful for flocking to their beloved slopes in search of new frontiers.

But as domestic prices rise and crowds increase, consider a pilgrimage to the home of the sport when planning your next winter vacation.

Further information about Chalet Couttet can be found on the property’s website here. For more information about Chamonix, visit the resort website here.