Swiss Freeze
Eat, Sleep and Jacuzzi in an Igloo

Between ski and après-ski, you've got the slope scene down. But when you're shielded from the elements in Gore-Tex (or in the warm, happy glow of the base-camp bar), your snow vacation might seem lacking in, well, snow.

Until now. Say hello to Switzerland's Iglu-Dorf, a decidedly chillier alternative to your usual chalet lodgings. Right off the Hauptertäli lift, at a cool 8,600 feet, is a full-scale igloo village—a resort carved right out of the snow each December, melting by spring and, in the interim, waiting for your reservation.  

This is no Into Thin Air survival camp: your ice-carved beds are covered in insulating foam, sheepskin rugs and high-performance sleeping bags. Conquer the mountain on a snowshoeing expedition, or take an igloo-building class from a resident snow architect. Then pop into the igloo restaurant for Gruyere fondue and a few rounds of heady house-mulled wine.

If you're still short on Valentine's inspiration, we recommend the not-so-subtly-named Romantic Igloo Suite—with champagne on arrival and an en-suite Jacuzzi. Rest assured, lest you fear an early thaw: each suite is sculpted around giant custom-built plastic molds, lending the structure support in all conditions.

Just watch where you put your tongue.