While some save their vacationing for the summer months, we’ve been giddy all year to lay down some heavy change on an epic winter ski lodge. From France to Lapland and even Japan, here are five of the coolest ski lodges across the world to venture to this winter, with a variety of unbelievable ski-in ski-out access, private fromagerie caves, rustic woods and clean, crisp features, plus a couple non-traditional “lodges” you might have never considered.

Pack up you and your partner, the boys, or the whole family, and let it snow.

Chalet Marco Polo
Val d’Isère, France
Voted Best Ski Chalet in France for two consecutive years at the World Ski Awards, Marco Polo Chalet is a ski-in-ski-out wonderland den nestled in the heart of the ski resort town Val d’Isère—a part of the French Alps and close to the Italian border. An eclectic blend of contemporary and classic-lodge design, Marco Polo contrasts gritty stone and rich stained wood with high-design crystal chandeliers that mimic the shape of sea urchins, gleaming gold dining chairs, and Mick Jagger pop art. In another corner of the chalet is a full-fur, white couch and adjacent bar, meanwhile the entire first floor is a glowing gold and turquoise wellness spa, equipped with long pool colored in gold leaf, hot tub, hammam, sauna, three massage rooms, and adjoining “relaxation area” with bar, fire place…oh, and lasers, smoke machines, and an entertainment system ready to be used as a personal underground club. Plus: Hidden in Marco Polo is a secret cave and fromagerie (aka a room dedicated to amazing cheeses). Sleeps 10-14.

No. 14
Verbier, Switzerland
It’s easy to get lost in the sprawling floors of No. 14, as the property was formerly the Hotel Les Rois Mages. Find us in the master-bedroom private outdoor hot tub that overlooks the Grand and Petit Combin peaks of the Swiss Alps, sipping a glass of antique champagne. As for the other 25 guests in the party, they might be in No. 14’s downstairs outdoor cedar hot tub, floating in the indoor stone Jacuzzi, taking a cold plunge, sweating in the steam room, getting a massage from the resident masseuse, or lapping in the indoor pool. Still no luck? Check the newly renovated modern living and lounging area or expansive decked terrace. Recently the lodge underwent a multi-million-pound transformation led by a notable London-based architect, and the result can be defined as modern alpine chic, making use of less country woods and more stone greys and ivory whites. This city sensibility translates to the high-quality fixtures, trims, and fittings, that give preference to stark, simple design. The balance of ski-lodge comfort with sophisticated modernity is delicate, but expertly achieved. Perfect for the whole family, and then some.

Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse
Niseko Village, Japan
A Japanese take on alpine living, Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse blends all the privacy of a private ski lodge with the hospitality perks of a five-star resort, and proximity to a ski lift. Located in the Niseko Village, which transforms into a wintery mecca from December through May, this eastern hideaway boasts internationally-acclaimed powder formed from a perfect melding of Siberian winds with moisture from the Sea of Japan. Aka, light, dry, and sensational to carve. Extreme skiers don’t be fooled by the tranquil aesthetic of Niseko Village, the backcountry is only feet away. While you’re recuperating from a day on the mountain, relax into your own Kasara townhouse, designed with hints of Japanese charm, contemporary elegance, and a nod toward natural, clean composition. Your two floors can accommodate six, with a fully-equipped designer kitchen, lounge area looking out to the snowy landscape (you can customize your furnishings), and crisp dining area. Sometimes it’s best to look beyond the safety of Aspen and Vail, setting your sights to a whole new world of winter adventure.

Glass Igloos
Levi, Finland
Not a ski lodge in the sense of being made of wood, instead, this Lapland rental opts for glass for a cozy night under the aurora borealis polar lights. These Glass Igloos, located in the Levi resort, are secluded in miles of fresh snow and a 360-degree-view of the Finnish wilds (Keep an eye out for reindeer). Heated glass roofs, cozy bathrobes, plush bedding, and your S.O. keep things toasty in this clear arctic dome. But save skiing for tomorrow, because this “lodge,” despite being surrounded by powder, is all about staying indoors, getting warm, and basking in the enchantment of winter.

Chalet Perla
Veneto, Italy
This one’s for the boys. Grab your best men and fly east to Veneto, Italy for a weekend of panoramic mountain sights, a quick walk to the ski lifts, and R&R. No frou-frou décor here, only velvet couches, classic car artwork, leather dining chairs, a ritzy as $#%@ screening room, and four expansive suites adorned with gold hawks, jetted tubs, and beds that will melt the muscle off your bone. And no ski lodge would be complete without a spa area. La Perla’s is Asian-inspired with a hot tub, sauna, Turkish bath, chromotherapy, massage area, and sterling gym. After a soak, take the private elevator to change, then meet the guys in the hidden wine cellar or wet bar. The overall aesthetic of Perla is masculine yet open, with room to hang, play chess, dry off your skis, and bro-out.