The parlous state of the economy may have crunched the plans of a few property developers in the mountains but there are still interesting places to stay opening up this winter.

The biggest opening is a new Ritz-Carlton, the luxury chain’s second hotel in a ski resort. Adding to its existing property at Bachelor Gulch in Colorado’s Beaver Creek, the company opens the $300 million (£180 million) Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe, on December 9.

The hotel is situated in a ski-in, ski-out location in the resort of Northstar-at-Tahoe, although the lake is surrounded by a further six resorts, including the world-class Heavenly and Squaw Creek. The Ritz-Carlton Highlands will include a 17,000 sq ft spa and fitness centre.

On the same luxury theme, opening this winter in the Austrian Tyrol is the Hotel Chalet Wedelhütte. This is far from the typical budget chalet hotels that are the staple of the mass-market tour operators. Sitting at 2,350 metres between the Wimbachkopf and Marchkopf in the Hochzillertaler ski area, the hotel can only be reached by gondola or on skis. Junior suites start at €149 (£130) a person a day.

Méribel gets a new four-star hotel this winter too. The Hélios Hotel has 18 suites in three styles — contemporary, Nordic and more traditional chalet style — and is in a great location just by the Doron piste. Booked through Inghams, a week’s half-board costs from £1,962 including flights and transfers.

Although cynics may argue about skiing’s green credentials, there are a number of new eco-friendly accommodation projects opening this year. The 24-apartment Lagació Mountain Residence opens in San Cassiano in the Italian Dolomites on December 4.

The apartments have been built with local materials to high environmental standards. Prices start at €180 per apartment a night on a B&B basis. Guests can order a “bio-box” of local produce, including eggs and cheese.

There are a few new chalets to look out for this season. The Alpine Club is set to open a luxury chalet in St Martin de Belleville, France. Called Abode, this ten-person chalet in the hamlet of Villarabout has been converted from a Savoyard farmhouse and has panoramic views of the Three Valleys.

Kokopelli, one of the few companies offering catered chalets in North America, has a new addition to its programme. Boulder Chalet in Breckenridge, Colorado, sleeps 12 to 14 in six rooms and is about 400 metres from the Peak 8 ski area.

The chalet is built in a traditional style, with vaulted ceilings and a rock fireplace, but has the modern addition of its own cinema room.