Luxury Ski Resorts - Europe

I am often asked what resorts I would recommend for a great Christmas ski vacation so here is my list of luxury ski resorts for Europe in order of their charm, sophistication, Christmas ambience and appeal, skiing, and value for money:

1. Verbier - A great luxury high altitude ski resort that gets first place for its fantastic apres-ski, charming town centre, chocolate box charm chalets, and some great skiing. Also with so many chalets operating nowadays from Verbier, Christmas might not be as expensive as you thought.  
2. Meribel - In the middle of the three valleys, outstanding high altitude skiing, villages full of charm, and typically priced reasonably for such a world famous luxury ski resort.
3. Zermatt - Not going to win the value for money stakes, but then why does it need to? Great high altitude skiing, one of the most charming, and also traffic free, towns you can find, this is an expensive resort that is well worth the price for a charming ski Christmas break where you'll be surrounding by fantasic boutiques, and horse drawn carriages!
4. Chamonix - Probably the value for money destination to ski Christmas in Europe's best high altitude luxury ski resorts. A charming historic town centre that creates that traditional Christmas card look. The skiing isn't bad either with some of the best off-piste skiing in the world. Being a town, the boutique shopping will also delight the non skiers in the party! 
5. St Anton - If this was a blog for just singles, and people looking to party for their ski Christmas break, a St Anton Christmas might have been number one! But as its not, it slips down the list as a great 'dinkies' and single resort, but not ideal for families or for those looking for the value for money option!
6. Val d'Isere - If the best luxury ski resort at Christmas was based on charm, sophistication,  and great skiing, Val d'Isere and Zernatt would be topping the list. Value for money is not the reason to go to Val d'Isere, but then this is a luxury ski resort that is a class above the others so why shouldn't you pay for the privilege?
7. Courchevel 1850 - A chic resort that offers great skiing and a sophisticated nightlife. But as one of the most expensive resorts, personally for a ski Christmas holiday I would choose Val d'Isere or Zermatt.
8. Val Thorens - This luxury ski resort has to be on the list for its value for money, znd some of the best high altitude skiing, in the Three Valleys. Sadly Val Thorens won't give you that chocolate box Christmas card charm despite recent improvements to the architecture.
9. Tignes - For Tignes read Val Thorens and just change the words Three Valleys to Espace Killy. Great network, high altitude town too, but the ugly duckling of the luxury ski resorts.
10. St Moritz - Chic, exclusive, a great Christmas ski location for the rich and famous. Number 10 for its skiing however, lack of alpine charm (despite its exclusive appeal), and value for money. But if being seen in the most exclusive luxury ski resort at Christmas counts more than anything else, you might one to book this ski resort today!