The leaves have turned and the air is growing crisp. For many people that means it's time to start booking this year's winter mountain getaway. Success during the winter months is critical to mountain hotels, and while there are a vast number of options, Bisnow has narrowed it down to five new and improved high-end alpine resorts that are cooler than the rest.

1. Hotel Barriere Les Neiges

Location: Courchevel, France

This ultra-luxurious hotel is opening with the debut of its 42 rooms this season, and with white fur blankets, velveteen pillows and in-room fireplaces, each is uniquely comfortable. The property is ski-in, ski-out and features a Biologique Recherche spa and Mauro Colagreco restaurant. Room rates start at $1,600/night.

2. Suvretta House

Location: St. Moritz, Switzerland

Known as the only ski-in, ski-out option in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Suvretta House also aims to be the most modern. The 105-year-old hotel is renovating its 181 rooms for this season. Though only half will be ready this winter, everyone will have access to the new Tesla house car. Room rates start at $290/night.

3. The Blake

Location: Taos, New Mexico

Unlike other luxury resorts in the area, you won't have to drive 40 minutes to make it to the lifts as they are right outside The Blake. This 80-room hotel is part of a $300M investment into the entire ski area, and it's a welcome change. Before this season, the only lodging options in Taos near the lifts was a Bavarian-themed inn or private Airbnb lodgings. The Blake opens in February and room rates start at $249/night.

4. Huus Hotel

Location: Gstaad, Switzerland

Built in the classic Alpine chalet style, this new 136-room hotel was daringly styled by the Swedish team at Stylt Trampoli and is only two miles away from the Schönried and Gstaad lifts, which offer some of the best ski terrain in the world. The hotel opens to more than 150 miles of slopes and trails for skiers of all levels. Rooms start at $152/night.

5. Hotel Talisa

Location: Vail, Colorado

What was once the Vail Cascade Resort has been remastered and rebranded as the Hotel Talisa, and it features 285 rooms with unparalleled mountain access. The hotel is right in front of the Cascade lift, leading Hotel Talisa's managing director, John Garth, to boast that his guests have the fastest trip to the top of the mountain. Prices are currently unavailable.