THE GUIDE WINTER BREAKS 2018/19 Valloire Galibier in winter...


accommodation peppered across a number of popular resorts, including Val d’Isère, Méribel, Courchevel, La Plagne, Alpe d’Huez, Morzine, Avoriaz and Les Gets, beautifully furnished to create homely spaces out of the snow. Guests are made to feel like royalty with outstanding views and modern interiors, and a broad choice of fine food and wine, private nannies and outstanding personal service. www.vip-chalets.com


Fun and character are the watchwords at Chamonix’s RockyPop Hotel


French Alps and these carefully appointed apartments make for a seriously cosy stay. www.chezlemarquis-valloire.com


Powder N Shine


Exceptional, Ski-in/ski-out chalet split over 5 apartments and ideal for families. Located at the foot of 150km of slopes, in the centre of the village of Valloire, the “winter art” ski resort.


Chez le Marquis du Pontet Le Pontet 73450 Valloire Lionel Savoye


+33 (0)6 98 58 44 74


lionel@chezlemarquis-valloire.com chezlemarquis-valloire.com


FINE DINING. HIGH ALTITUDE. PISTE SIDE CHALETS.


All wooden beams and roaring fires, these chalets are exactly what you’d expect from a traditional Alpine village. You’ll find them in piste-side Reberty, above Les Menuires, allowing direct access to the vast 3 Vallées ski area – although it’s not just hardcore skiers that stay here: Powder N Shine welcomes guests from around the world – single skiers through to small and large groups, families and friends, skiers and non-skiers, foodies and fussy eaters! You’re guaranteed to tuck into a scrumptious feast while you’re here, whipped up by a crew of professional chefs with backgrounds at some of the best restaurants in Europe, including Michelin establishments. Whatever brings you to the mountains, this could be your next home away from home. www.powdernshine.com


Powderwhite


Powder N Shine Ski Chalets, Reberty Village 2000m, Les Menuires, Three Valleys +44 207 164 6356 info@powdernshine.com


WWW.POWDERNSHINE.COM 148 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Oct/Nov 2018


The ability to customise your holiday is Powderwhite’s greatest gift, and it works beautifully. Choose a catered chalet, hotel or self-catered apartment from its impressive roster, select flights and transfers if required, and add ski passes, equipment hire and lessons, depending on your needs. Scattered throughout the


resorts of Méribel, Courchevel and Val d’Isère, each of the properties is individual in style, designed to a high standard and equipped with an equally high level of service, with a friendly chalet host, cooked or


continental breakfast, afternoon tea, three-course evening meal with wine, fresh bed linen, towels, toiletries and free WiFi to boot. Not one to be sniffed at! www.powderwhite.com


RockyPop Hotel


Passing under a faux cinema sign to stamp the snow off your boots, you’re met in the foyer by R2-D2 and C-3PO. Snack- inspired cushions, a Simpsons- style doughnut pouffe and functioning arcade machines are just some of the other quirks of this endearing getaway. The bedrooms are even zanier than the communal areas. One suite is loudly furnished in tartan; another decked unapologetically in red and green upholstery. There’s character here and, with 148 rooms in single, double, mezzanine or penthouse styles, no shortage of accommodation either. Amid all the funky furniture, the only common thread you’ll find is comfort. www.rockypop-chamonix.com


VIP SKI


Continuing the trend of impeccable service, VIP SKI specialises in creating an unforgettable stay at one of its 66 luxury chalets. There’s a distinctive selection of


SKI RESORTS Courchevel, Val d’Isère, Les Arcs… France is home to some of the most prestigious ski resorts in the world. Every year, powder hounds flock to the Alps for some nerve-shredding downhill action, but you don’t have to be the least bit sporty to enjoy these mountain retreats. Many people come for the charming chalets, vibrant après-ski scene and a round (or several) of gooey fondue savoyarde – and who can blame them? Skiing or not, these snowy retreats are well worth a visit.


Cauterets (Pyrénées) Cauterets is first and foremost a ski resort based in the Hautes- Pyrénées, Occitanie. It’s split into two identities: Cirque du Lys, dedicated to skiing and snowboarding; and Pont d’Espagne, a spot for snowshoeing, sledding and cross-country skiing tucked well into the heart of the Pyrénées National Park. The town is also


famous for its spa, which offers rheumatology, respiratory and hydrotherapy treatments. While it may not share the status of Courchevel in the Alps, Cauterets has seen its fair share of high-profile visitors over the years, including such luminaries as Victor Hugo, George Sand, François-René de Chateaubriand and Sarah Bernhardt, to name a few. Check website for dates www.cauterets.com


Chamonix (Alps) Built around the base of Mont-Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps, it’s hardly surprising that Chamonix is so popular. All levels of ability are accommodated, between gentle nursery slopes, fast-cruising pistes and rougher terrain. In particular, confident skiers love the challenging off-piste 20km Vallée Blanche route, which starts at the top of the Aiguille du Midi and winds up in Chamonix, 2,700m below. Halfway down, the stone Requin Hut – supposedly named after a nearby rock resembling a shark’s fin – provides shelter and hearty grub. Just be aware, this stop-off isn’t staffed until mid-January! Check website for dates www.chamonix.com


Courchevel (Alps) Part of Les 3 Vallées, the largest connected ski area in the world, Courchevel is one of France’s most thriving resorts. It’s highly beginner-friendly, with ‘ZEN’


WINTER BREAKS 2018/19 THE GUIDE


A BEAUTIFUL, OWNER-MANAGED, LUXURY SKI CHALET, UNIQUE TO SIXT FER À CHEVAL AND A HIDDEN GEM OF THE GRAND MASSIF - only 75 minutes from Geneva.


+33 (0) 4 50 89 94 78 +44 (0) 1884 216 411 contact@maisonlacerisaie.com maisonlacerisaie.com


Your luxury basecamp with easy access to Tignes-Val d’Isére


A beautiful old owner-run catered chalet, Chalet Colinn offers a unique insight into the


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French lifestyle. Located in the Savoyard hamlet of Le Franchet, far from purpose built resorts and industrial package holiday crowds.


5 En-suite Bedrooms • Courtesy Transport Delicious cuisine


Facebook /Chalet-Colinn T: +33 (0) 4 79 06 26 99


E: contact@tchaletcolinn.com www.chaletcolinn.com


Drink in the best views the Alps has to offer from a luxury chalet Oct/Nov 2018 FRANCE TODAY ❘ 149


IMAGE © ROCKYPOP HOTEL


IMAGE © VIP SKI


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