'A perfect chalet; everything was so effortless'

'Fabulous skiing – and right on our doorstep'

'Wonderful food, a fantastic chalet and perfect snow'

In the know

Sleeps

Ten guests in four en suite bedrooms and a mezzanine, plus two children in a bunk room.

Ideal for

Seclusion and instant access to the slopes, but with close proximity to Courchevel’s razzamatazz, too.

Rates

From €10,000 to €22,000 a week for exclusive use of the chalet.

Minimum hire

One week, normally starting on Friday, although rental periods and start dates vary slightly throughout the season. Three- or four-night stays may be possible outside of high season, so it’s worth asking.

Also

A Sony Vaio laptop and a Sony PlayStation 2 with a selection of games can be pre-booked. There is WiFi access throughout the chalet and the TV has a full Sky package.

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Interior

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Bedrooms 

Bedroom 1: On the ground floor, this double/twin bedroom is pine-panelled and has an en-suite bathroom of blue-grey stone. There’s access onto the terrace outside.
Bedroom 2: Similarly, this room is a twin or double and has an en-suite bathroom.
Bedroom 3: Also with access out onto the terrace, this double bedroom has an en-suite bathroom, too.
Bunk room: Suitable for two children, the bunk room has its own en-suite shower room.
Master bedroom: This double/twin bedroom faces away from the piste. It has an en-suite shower and bath.
Mezzanine bedroom: Underneath the eaves is the mezzanine bedroom, which has a low sloping ceiling. It’s best suited to children or can be used as a separate TV room. As well as the flatscreen TV, it also has PlayStation2. This room is not en suite.

Kitchen Fully equipped with a Gaggenau hob and fridge, marble work surfaces, an ice maker and a Krup coffee machine. You can hire Chalet Blanchot on a self-catering basis or hire a chef for as many evenings as you like.

Living room A rustic-style space that uses natural, soft fabrics to create a perfect sense of warmth and comfort. There’s a large flatscreen TV next to the leather armchairs and a library of DVDs is provided. The living room opens up onto the balcony.

Dining room The dining table, between the fireplace and the balcony, seats 10. It offers views over the slopes.

Other On the lower ground floor you’ll find the spa area with its hammam and hot tub. The spa has adjustable ambient floor lighting to set a soothing mood. There’s also a cinema room, which has a small kitchen and bar. There’s a stereo, surround sound, DVD library and full Sky package as well as the 127cm screen. The chalet has a spacious boot room with heated boot rack.

Outdoor

Gardens 

Parking There’s an indoor parking space and an outdoor covered space, too.

Chalet Blanchot

Courchevel, France

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Chalet Blanchot

Courchevel, France

Getting there

Planes Chambéry airport, just under 90 minutes away, is closest to the resort. Flybe (www.flybe.com) has services in the winter from Southampton, Norwich, Exeter, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle. It’s about three hours to Lyon and Geneva airports. Helicopter and private plane transfers to the Courchevel Altiport can be arranged by the chalet. The landings and take-offs look quite terrifying, though, if you ask us.

Trains Eurostar (www.eurostar.com) operates a convenient overnight Ski Train service. It runs on Fridays and Saturdays, stopping at Moûtier, 30 minutes from Courchevel.

Local taxi service Call +33 (0)4 79 01 10 10 to pre-order a taxi.

Directions by road Follow the E711 and E70 from Lyon, or the E25 and E712 from Geneva to Chambéry. Take the péage to Alberville and then the N90 dual carriageway to Moûtier. Just beyond the town, the road to Courchevel climbs the mountainside in a series of tight hairpin bends. Turn left onto Rue de Belvedere at Courchevel 1650.

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Review

Courchevel’s star shines brightly these days. Other resorts tend to grumble enviously and complain that this particular part of the French Alps has become too big for its Prada ski boots. Conspicuous consumption is something that Courchevel seems purpose-built for and you’ll find plenty of Michelin-starred restaurants and chic bars to choose from. Yet all this focus on the resort’s glitz and glamour overlooks one crucial factor: Courchevel offers an unparalleled choice of skiing for all levels. And at beautiful Chalet Blanchot, it’s right on your doorstep.

The peaceful hamlet of Belvedere is a couple of chauffeur-driven minutes from the centre of the resort, so if you want to join with the high-altitude High Life of Courchevel then it’s only moments away. If it’s rest and relaxation you seek, then Chalet Blanchot offers a peaceful and comfortable setting in which you can unwind with family and friends. The facilities and services are a match for anything in the resort, but the tone of this Swiss-style chalet is calm and muted, emphasised by the use of rich, natural fabrics, local stone and heavy timbers.

Chalet Blanchot sleeps a total of 12 guests – though with a children’s bunkroom and a mezzanine bedroom with low ceilings it’s ideal for eight adults and four children. Five of the rooms have en-suite bathrooms, and all are snug and cosy. Egyptian cotton sheets, goose-down duvets, fluffy bathrobes and traditional Alpine flourishes such as carved wood and vintage posters show that no detail has been overlooked.

Breakfast and afternoon tea are also provided; the balcony overlooking the slopes is the ideal location on a sunny day. The main living and dining area is a great place to gather in the evening, and enjoy a dinner party at a large dining table beneath the antler chandelier. A chalet chef is available on request, although it’s possible to hire the chalet on a self-catered basis as well. The sitting room next to the fireplace is rustic yet chic, with brown wool sofas and soft leather armchairs. A DVD library and a large selection of books and games will keep everyone entertained.

There’s a real treat on the lower ground floor; Chalet Blanchot has an excellent spa with a hammam and hot tub. Ambient lighting can be adjusted to suit your mood, and massage and beauty treatments can be booked by the chalet staff for you. There’s also a fantastic cinema room next door where you can watch your favourite films. There’s a small kitchen here, too, and a bar made from a gigantic piece of timber (apparently the chalet had to be built around it). With all these facilities at your disposal, it might be tempting to take a break from Courchevel’s celebrated razzmatazz. But if you want to venture into the resort, then the chalet manager can recommend and book the best restaurants and nightclubs.

Whatever pace you choose to enjoy your stay, you can rest assured that your chalet manager is available to ensure a stress-free holiday. Ski passes can be arranged in advance; in-chalet ski fitting can be organised, and the very best mountain guides and ski instructors can be booked. If you’re traveling with children, then the chalet is fully equipped with everything you may need – and nannies and babysitters are on call. Everything is done, so you can focus on the mammoth task of exploring the 400 miles of ski runs in the Trois Vallées and sampling a wealth of other Alpine sports.

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