Arrived: At the pinnacle of ski luxury

It's 9:45 am at Geneva Airport as a family of four work their way from business class to the exit. They meet the driver of L'Aporgée Courchevel in Hermès lambskin boots and all-over Loro Piana Vicuna outfits (the two children too). It is said to have been the last time that the father had to touch his Tumi suitcase or the mother her travel size Kelly Bag , because from now on every wish will be read from their eyes.

They knew that, because the L'Aporgée luggage tag indicates that this family, which seemed to have sprung from a Patek Philippe advertisement, is one of the 60% regular customers who split their vacations between the various Oetker Collection houses. Once Oetker, always Oetker. The L'Aporgée , which translates as "high point" , not only refers to the 1850 meters above sea level where the luxury hotel is nestled in the French Alps, but is more of a reference to the pinnacle of the luxury hotel industry to which the hotel group is committed than hardly another chain can do luxury like Oetker.

When you arrive at the hotel, which guarantees ski-in-ski-out right next to the gondola station, you almost forget the two-hour journey by car climbing the picturesque alpine roads, which promises snow security de facto until the end of the season. On April 7th, most of the staff packs up and, after a short break, travels to the legendary Hotel du Cap - Eden - Roc or St. Martin on the French Riviera to welcome those very guests again in warmer circumstances. The reunion is accordingly familiar, the service at the highest level between amical in a good mood and discreetly quiet, as is expected from the UHNWI (Ultra High Net Worth Individuals).

In the entrance designed by star architect Joseph Dirand , Pierre the head concierge is already waiting to greet his regular guests. He knows her habits, knows that Madame would like to make a short detour to Hermés in the afternoon to receive her limited edition lambskin Kelly in an alpine design, while daughter, son and father already want to explore the slopes.

The slope service in L'Aporgée is just as legendary as the snow quality of the 365 km long network of slopes that connects France with Switzerland. Incidentally, the majority of customers come from both countries, but Britons and Americans also appreciate the house, because despite the high density of Michelin stars, Kelly Bags and Bentley Bentaygas, people like it quiet in Courchevel. A Kitzbühel on steroids in a whisper, so to speak.

Back at the hotel, the family awaits five employees in the well-frequented ski room, who think of everything that makes life easier, from putting on ski boots to cleaning ski goggles and handing out labels. A friendly employee accompanies the three to their skis, which are already marked with a room number and are waiting for the guests in front of the front door. There is only a short amount of arduous carrying of skis when boarding the Moncler-branded gondolas, which take the guests almost directly to the sophisticated Bagatelle slope club, where people are already drinking to the sound of house music Vintage Dom. Four slope gradients, from green to black, make it easy to ski home even after a glass of champagne, because the slopes are wide and easy to ski. The snow track as ordered from the catalogue.

Of course, back at the hotel, we continue at a luxurious pace. As befits your status, you will be greeted with warm cocoa at the hotel entrance. The pool and the salt sauna are just as much a matter of course for the hotel as the skilful sports massage or the La Prairie Caviar Facial before an aperitif with live music (Lykke Li is performed acapella) by the wood fireplace at the bar. There one enjoys a bottle, naturally, of champagne. A bottle of Laurent Perrier is quite affordable at €150, considering that a basic double room starts at €2500 in the low season. With only 53 rooms, the house is quickly booked up. Fortunately, the best sushi restaurant “Koori” that Courchevel has to offer, despite the stiff competition, is located in-house. The chef is a sporty Frenchman with an affinity for Japanese culture and leaves the hotel day in, day out at night on skis and a helmet light. From March he also offers picnics at the summit cross, before that it's simply too cold.

If you would like to see Graff diamonds in the wild, you can also sit down in the in-house restaurant “Le Comptoir L'Aporgée”, with a little luck you will find some in the elevator - this also happened during our visit. For some, diamonds make the heart beat faster, for others, meeting a celebrity. We hear you. If fate would have it, you could also find Olivia Palermo or a royal in the elevator and climb the floors with them before laying your weary head in the India Mahdavi -designed bed and in the house's own Bamford cosmetics and verbena tea from the next day on the slopes or the return journey. If you are brave, you can venture to the highest private airport, where private jets rush back to the big cities from the short runway - or straight to St. Baths, where the next Oetker Hotel is waiting. After all, it's cruise collection time!