Which towns, resorts and hotels are considered the "poshest" for skiing in Western Europe and also live up to that title?

ie, Have heard of Lech, Zurs and Courchevel. Can't get a handle on them from what I have read here. Lech sounds like party central. Zurs more laidback but posh. Courcheval even more chic but undeservedly so? Where else would you advise? Italy, Switzerland?

Considering splurging to book one night for an anniversary gift as a part of a holiday next season. (couple are both skiers but accomodations more important for this). Will stay at XYZ hotels the rest of the time, and will figure that out later, it's not an issue.

Have skied US but European skiing is all new. Thanks.

K.

St.Moritz in Switzerland, Courchevel in France, Cortina d'Ampezzo in Italy and finally Kitzbühel in Austria, a candidate for 2006 Winter Olympics.

To the above, you can add Klosters and Gstaad in Switzerland

Just got back from St Anton, Lech and Zurs

Zurs is tiny not much walking to do, or shops to see, very nice but not sure if that is what you are looking for. I do not think it is posh although the prices are.

Kitzbühel is a beautiful little town I wouldnt call it posh but a great authentic tyrolean town, skiings ok not great lots of runoffs..

Posh usually means fur coats and lots of fancy cars like Aspen And Vail.

Lech is not to noisy, St Anton is the party area. Lech, Zurs And St Anton are within a 20 minute bus ride of each other, they share a ski pass with Rendl.

The jet setter areas are Gstaad, St Moritz, Klosters. St Moritz is a little city I didnt find much charm to it.

Next year im doing Klosters and Davos they connect to each other.

So what to recommend thats a tough one, is skiing involved? Most of all these resorts have really nice hotels. What time of the year is it? The Italian slopes have a tendency to be really crowded.


This is a good wbsite that gives some decent advice.

http://www.ski-europe.com/resorts/resorts.html

Thanks for all the instant advice. I'll look into it further. It will be the week between Christmas and New Years, so I know it may be a pain with crowds. Wish me luck!

Kakalena