LUXURY SKI RESORT in SWITZERLAND
I've jsut been swept off my feet by James Blunt. Sadly, not by the singer but by a chairlift named in his honour, 8,858ft up in the mountains above Verbier.
The Swiss ski resort is one of the world's finest and a favourite with celebrities such as Blunt, who likes it here so much he's opened La Vache, a lift station turned swish panoramic restaurant, which sits atop Attelas mountain. That's where I'm heading. With more than 248 miles of pistes, from leisurely blues to exhilarating blacks, which trail down from the highest point, Mont Fort, at 10,925ft, Verbier is not for the faint-hearted.
Even so, there's a real mix of people whooshing about, from graceful old-timers to whizz kids traversing challenging reds, cheered on by their excitable parents.
Just under two hours from Geneva, Verbier or the "city in the mountains" as it is fondly regarded by the Swiss, is small, pretty and easy to get around: everywhere is within walking distance.
Heidi-style chalets with pretty-wooden shutters and decorative balconies, line the pavements leading up from the main hub of the resort, Place Centrale, to Place Blanche, where the trendy new W hotel faces the foot of the slopes.
There are boutiques galore and as I discovered, it's best to leave the credit card back at the chalet.
Fancy a fur shawl, sheepskin-lined boots or a cashmere jumper? The sweet-tootched will also love confectionary shop Sweety-Swiss, where there's a pick and mix of every assortment and lollipops the size of badminton jackets.
I was staying with a group of friends in Amadouvier, only a five-minute walk from Medran (the main lift station), and close to the apres-ski bars; it's a five-bedroom property and one of 46 sumptuous chalets that Bramble Ski manages in the resort.
A few days here and you will never want to see a painted skirting board ever again: everything from the doors and staircase to floor is gloriously rustic, stripped back to a natural wood finish.
The living room cum dining area features vintage leather sofas scattered with colourful animal print cushions, enormous lamps with handcrafted driftwood bases and an earthy coloured tapestry hanging above a stone fireplace.
My spacious bedroom has a private balcony and king-size bed perfectly plump with goosedown pillows and duvet and the bathroom, twice the size of most ensuites, boasts a gigantic bath, separate waterfall shower and indulgent Acqua di Parma toiletries.
BRAMBLE Ski's in-chalet team of staff -- concierge Archie, hosts Jack and Camden, chef Max and ski concierge Zac -- all ensured our few days in Verbier were memorable.
From organising our ski equipment, personally delivered and fitted, to preparing fantastic cuisine including hearty breakfasts, afternoon tea with freshly-baked cakes and superb five-course dinners, they made sure we were spoilt rotten. Zac met us at the Medran lift each morning and guided us around the pistes. "forbes rich list" "London luxury shopping" billionaire millionaire Monaco "super rich" "private jet" yacht entertainment "luxs report" us usa America uk London "Donald trump" Dubai elite executive arab ceo forbes Europe vip money lil wayne travel "5 star hotel "super car" bugatti Lamborghini Ferrari Porsche private jet 2014 2015 monaco luxury "get rich" gambling investment Beverly Hills Malibu Miami "positive thinking" "super yacht" "mega yacht" "playboy mansion" "luxury lifestyle" mansion
Switerland ski resort verbier He organised lunch stops on the mountain and, one afternoon after a busy day on the slopes, a massage. Sports therapist Lucy, from local company Massage 1936, transformed one of the chalet bedrooms into a serene treatment room, dreamy music included, and for 60 minutes I was pampered top to toe. Heaven!
As well as Mr Blunt's La Vache with its fun, Swiss mountain vibe and cow-themed décor, we ate at Le Carrefour (5,741ft), which has been serving skiers since 1950. This quirky cabin-style eatery oozes traditional Swiss charm.
Huge cowbells on leather straps hang along the wall and pretty heart-shaped trinkets decorate windows. The food is rather engaging, too. A must is the rump of beef, sizzling on a hot stone plate.
Another sizzling encounter is the après-ski and incessant nightlife. If you want a ski-in, ski-out après experience, the W hotel's On the Piste pop-up-bar, outside the chic new hotel, is a great spot and you don't even have to remove your skis to order a drink.
