Experiences

Celebrating the Magic of the Festive Season
in the Mountains

17.11.2025
Published by
Ultima Collection
Elegant holiday decorations with golden ornaments and warm fairy lights.

Winter Wonderland

Winter is weaving her spell across the Alps, transforming the mountains into a realm of quiet wonder. Snowflakes, each one an exquisite gem, sparkle beneath cerulean skies and shimmer in the moonlight, settling in meringue-like drifts atop timber chalets, church spires, and noble fir trees. The crisp air carries hints of woodsmoke, warming spices, and fresh pine, inviting you to slow down, breathe deeply, recall cherished Christmases spent with loved ones, and surrender to the season of enchantment. 

The Magic of Christmas in the Alps 

At Ultima Collection, the festive season is a subtle choreography of warmth, artistry, and joyful celebration. Our Swiss and French mountain retreats are the embodiment of festive perfection: glittering Christmas trees cast their spell over young and old; flickering candles illuminate sumptuous, unhurried meals; and warmth is found in crackling fires, silken furs and peals of laughter spilling across snow-blanketed gardens. Whether a romantic interlude for two, a fun-filled family gathering, or an elegant soirée with friends, we have mastered the art of creating festive memories that endure long after the snow has melted. 

 

Across our Alpine retreats, the festive season is less about spectacle and more about imaginative experiences made to be shared. Joy comes in diverse, sometimes surprising guises: a lavish glacier-top picnic, a torch-lit path through the snow leading to a steaming outdoor Jacuzzi, or an afternoon spent decorating gingerbread houses with the kids (with a private chef to perfect the icing). We’re firm believers in the power of thoughtful touches, both grand and understated, which is why we’ve partnered with select brands, whose craftsmanship and creativity reflect our own.  

Culinary Artistry & Seasonal Brilliance 

Visit Ultima Hotel Gstaad this winter for a festive season brimming with radiance and artistry. Together with Graff Maison, we’ll bring an unmistakable sparkle to Christmas: from glittering decorations and an exclusive masterclass with a Graff gemmologist to an enchanting Christmas Eve fairy performance, a visit from Santa, and a joyful New Year’s Eve treasure hunt for our youngest guests. 

 

These moments of wide-eyed wonder will unfurl alongside the signature flavours and vibrant rhythm of the Zuma Pop-Up restaurant at Ultima Hotel Gstaad — the brand’s only outpost in Switzerland. The highly anticipated residency is poised to infuse Gstaad’s festive season with unique flair, serving family-style feasts and indulgent tasting menus, complete with dedicated children’ menus. Zuma’s trademark live DJ sets will invite guests to linger over exquisite dishes and, as night falls, extend the celebrations into evenings of unabashed glamour and revelry — the perfect finale to days spent in the mountains. 

 

Our celebrations shine brighter than ever with this winter’s debut of Ultima Promenade Gstaad. This prestigious chalet marks a new chapter in Alpine sophistication, fusing Gstaad’s storied heritage with our hallmark intuition and originality. Resplendent with festive decorations by Graff Maison, our newest property offers exceptional privacy in the heart of town, with the option to invite our Zuma-trained chefs to bring their culinary magic right to your dining table.  

Christmas with Altitude 

At Ultima Hotel Courchevel, the mountains set the rhythm for days that unfold in harmony with the Alpine elements. Mornings are spent tracing arcs across pristine trails; afternoons ease into pisteside Jacuzzis and restorative spa rituals; and evenings come alive with in-chalet dining tailored to your specific desires. Whether you hanker after a traditional Savoyard fondue or refined global classics, our in-room menus span diverse cuisines.  And, should you desire an entirely personalised service in the intimacy of your chalet, our stellar private chefs and resident Zuma-trained chefs are poised to fulfil your culinary wish list, recreating beloved family favourites and inspiring with gourmet surprises and elaborate Zuma tasting menus.

 

Winter is celebrated with a gentle grandeur at Ultima Crans-Montana and Ultima Megève. Set amidst snow-laden pastures and framed by whispering firs, our prized Alpine estates are the image of Christmas card perfection. Conceived for families and groups of friends, they balance cosy, fire-lit alcoves made for moments of quiet togetherness with grand dining spaces designed for celebratory meals that resonate with laughter. Winter days here begin in motion — skiing, snowshoeing, snowman building and more — and give way to stillness, with tranquil spa treatments and fireside sundowners. They conclude with your favourite festive traditions — time-honoured family recipes, quirky games and eccentric gifts — crafted entirely around you and your loved ones, imbued with new meaning and layered with fresh memories. 

An Invitation to Merrymaking  

Here at Ultima Collection, the festive season reveals itself at your pace — a considered balance of discovery, relaxation, and togetherness. From the serene elegance of Megève and timeless allure of Crans-Montana to the vibrant energy of Gstaad and mountain rhythms of Courchevel, each retreat brings its own distinctive cadence to the festive season. Whichever resonates best with you, we invite you to let the mountains frame your celebrations this winter. From first tracks and fireside marshmallows to gourmet evenings and tailored wellness programmes, your most exceptional festive season awaits.

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