Notes from the host
Wonderful Alpine Chalet in a Special Location
Self catered winter and summer, romantic, alpine retreat close to the slopes with outdoor hot tub/jacuzzi.
A wonderful setting both summer and winter with close access to the lifts for world class skiing, mountain biking, walking and climbing.
4 Bedrooms (3 Doubles, 1 Bunk). 2 Bathrooms. Sleeps 4 - 8 (10)
This modernised chalet is located high up on the side of the Chamonix valley with breathtaking views of Chaine des Fiz mountains and at night the twinkling lights of Servoz village far below.
A real mountain retreat with all modern conveniences but only 5 minutes drive to Les Houches ski lifts or 15 minutes to Chamonix town centre. Great for families and children of all ages.
The chalet has UK Sky+, wireless internet throughout, Large Smart TV. DVD (with large DVD collection), a home sound system with access for Ipod etc. There is a big balcony with BBQ that stretches around the chalet and a large garden with fields and woods all around. Relax under the stars in the outdoor hot tub on the deck.
Location: The chalet is located on the edge of Vaudagne, a small village about 2 km from Les Houches.
It is set in its own grounds and has magical views down into the valley below and across to the Chaine de Fiz mountains.
The new Prarion ski lift taking you up to the Les Houches ski area is only 5 minutes drive away enabling speedy access to the slopes in winter and world-class downhill mountain biking, walking and climbing in the summer straight from the front door.
The proximity of Les Houches means that you have the benefit of being in your own world, but safe in the knowledge that the bright lights, shops, bars and restaurants are not too far away.
Chamonix town centre is only about 15 minutes drive away as are the other lift stations of Brevant, Flegere and a little further Les Grands Montets.
The Chalet: The accommodation is set out on the first and second floors of the chalet and has been sympathetically refurbished to provide roomy and modern accommodation whilst retaining the traditional alpine feel.
The living area has a fantastic picture window and all the rooms on the first floor have access onto the balcony that runs around the chalet.
There is underfloor heating throughout the first floor and a wood burner in the living area (wood is provided at no extra cost). The kitchen is fully equipped for 8 or more people and there is a washing machine and dryer as well as a ski locker. The chalet is surrounded by a large garden with a stream running through, a BBQ and sun loungers.
There is also a large sun deck with a luxury 8 man hot tub and additional seating.
The driveway at the chalet can accommodate up to 4 cars and is constantly cleared of snow as are the roads of Vaudagne and Les Houches.
The owners are on site in the ground floor apartment and are available to answer any questions you may have and deal with any problems that may arise. Your hosts will also clear the snow and maintain the hot tub during your stay except in summer when they are often away. Your privacy is assured.
The Area:
Vaudagne is a very pretty village set amongst the forest and alpine meadows on the edge of the Mont Blanc nature reserve.
An excellent location to start walks through the mountains, the chalet is in a world of its own but the shops, restaurants and lifts are very close by car.
Les Houches is 5 minutes drive and its ski domain extends from an altitude of 950 metres up to 1900 metres. The skiing combines long descents through pretty tree-lined slopes, with amazing views of the Mont Blanc massif and the Chamonix valley.
The Skiing:
The pistes in Les Houches lie on grassy hillsides, so even if the snow is thin, there is small chance of scraping your skis or boards on rocks. The ski-out is generally open throughout the season thanks to the great snow cannon coverage on the sheltered lower runs, so no queuing for the gondola back down to the village – always a bonus! Even if you are not staying in Les Houches, you can access the area by taking the free bus (included in your lift pass) that runs from all the villages in the Chamonix valley to Les Houches.
Les Houches is a great area for mixed ability groups, as the slopes at the top of the mountain range from green nursery slopes right through to the famous “Verte” black run used in the Kandahar World Cup skiing!
Hidden among the tree-lined pistes, you’ll find delightful mountain cafes and restaurants, offering some of the nicest lunches to be had in the valley.
In the summer the Bellevue and Le Prarion lifts give access to high altitude walking in the alpine meadows or world class downhill mountain biking.
Les Houches is an excellent place to learn how to ski or snowboard. With two nursery areas and some more gentle rolling blues higher up it is great for those just starting off and those who want to improve technique with something more challenging.
There are two nursery areas for beginners – one is in the village of Les Houches, and the other is on top of the main ski area. The Tourchet nursery area is found by the main church in the village, about 1km up the road from the Bellevue lift. You’ll find two drag lifts and two pistes here on which to practice.
The Chamonix (Arve) valley:
Situated in the Haute-Savoie region of France, Chamonix is bordered by Switzerland and Italy.
The valley is dominated by the incredible Aiguilles de Chamonix mountain chain which peaks at the top of Mont Blanc (4810m) - the highest point in Western Europe.
Whilst the principal town is of the same name, 'Chamonix' is often used inreference to the whole valley, stretching over 28km from Le Fayet to Switzerland. It is, however, made up of several distinct and charming villages including Servoz, Vaudagne, Les Houches, Les Bossons, Les Praz, Les Tines, Argentiere, Montroc, and at the top of the valley: Le Tour.
In Chamonix because the valley floor is low and the lifts rise to over 3000 metres there are plenty of possible runs offering 2000 or more metres of vertical. The largest amount of vertical is offered from the Aiguille du Midi, however the gradient on La Vallee Blanche is flat at times so it won’t offer you the high speed thrills that you might be looking for. From the dramatic glaciers and peaks of the Aiguille du Midi and Grands Montets to the gentle rolling slopes of the Domaine de Balme, each unique skiing area in Chamonix has something different to offer skiers and boarders.
One thing's for certain, skiing in Chamonix is unlike skiing any other French resort. It's variety on and off the slopes are almost guaranteed to keep you sufficiently entertained during your stay.
There are two distinct seasons here: summer and winter, but the area is busy for most of the year with different activities at the forefront of people's minds.
