Winter Holiday wisdom

Trying to narrow down a winter resort isn't always an easy task. Known for their irrefutable style on and off the slopes - a few patrons and friends of The Rake impart their holiday preferences.

Winter Holiday wisdom

 

Lorenzo Cifonelli

Lorenzo Cifonelli
Favourite après-ski location? My favorite location is the Blizzard Hotel in Val d’Isère where I stay almost every year with my family. You can really feel the warm atmosphere of a chalet while appreciating the comfort of a five-star hotel. Winter warmer cocktail of choice? A spicy Bloody Mary by the fireplace to relax after a long-day of skiing. The place/hotel you most like to visit? Les Airelles in Courchevel during the low season is a lovely place for a weekend, and I’m also pretty lucky to come regularly to meet my customers there during their holidays. An essential item that you don’t wear on the slopes? I usually cannot leave without my sunglasses but carrying my tortoiseshell pair is too risky so I leave them at the hotel when I’m on the slopes.

Eléonor Picciotto

Eléonor Picciotto
Favourite après-ski location? Megève because you have the best après-ski time: from eating a waffle, drinking a hot chocolate, chilling with friends or going shopping – all in the center of a village you can only access by foot.
Jean-Paul Belmondo is the epitome of cool casual in a striped knitted jumper, ski leggings and lace-up snow boots with actress Mylene Demongeot in Megève, France, 1966.
Alain Delon transferred his usual elegance and sophistication to the slopes in a belted ski-jacket and long johns, accessorised with a neck scarf and glasses, in Megève, France, 1963.
Winter warmer cocktail of choice?  A Génépi Mojito where the rum is being replaced by this herbal liquor from the Alps. The place/hotel you most like to visit?  La Bouitte in Saint-Martin de Belleville which is located in the heart of the 3 Vallées and is owned by father and son duo, René and Maxime Meilleur. They're passionate and completely self-taught, and their restuarant was awarded three Michelin stars. They've also transformed their family barn into a 12-bedroom Relais & Châteaux. An essential item that you don’t wear on the slopes? My cristal quartz necklace set with black opals.

William Anderson

William Anderson
Favourite après-ski location? Frankly anywhere with a roaring fire, superb raclette and Dagueneau Silex to go with. Winter warmer cocktail of choice?  Several years ago, I was given a cocktail prepared with WhistlePig Rye Whiskey, pressed apple juice and maple syrup muddled with a bit of sugar which was the embodiment of autumn and winter flavours. It’s now a go-to at this time of year. The place/hotel you most like to visit?  Most definitely Aman Le Melezin in Courchevel. It was part of an asset portfolio I worked with several years ago and is as close to a perfect hotel/ski experience as one can get. An essential item that you don’t wear on the slopes? A qiviut and cashmere shawl collared jumper purchased from the Anderson & Sheppard Haberdashery several years ago. Like being enveloped in a warm hug!

George Glasgow Jr.

George Glasgow Jr.
Favourite après-ski location? Having a home in Los Angeles, I have spent a great deal of time skiing in the USA. If I had to pick one it would be Sun Valley, Idaho. I love to grab a bite at The Ram which has been around since 1937, and is a classic. In Europe, it would be either Courchevel (le comptoir de l’ap) or Gstaad where I went with my family last year. The Alpina is a fabulous spot to hang out for drinks post slopes! Winter warmer cocktail of choice?  Even in the cold I go for my classic Monkey 47 gin and tonic or a House Cooler, which is Seven Tails XO with aperol and raspberry. The place/hotel you most like to visit?  For skiing it would be The Alpina in Gstaad. However, I do love a beach trip in the winter which would be The Maldives or Mauritius (one & only in both locations).
The heated pool at the glorious Alpina Gstaad.
An essential item that you don’t wear on the slopes? My Brunello Cucinelli down jacket. It is perfect for evenings out and also our new George Cleverley ‘ernest’ mountain boot.
George Cleverley 'Ernest' mountain boot