An independent guide to luxury ski chalets
Sleeps - 24 in three separate barns: Barbey (10), Rogneaux (8) and Six Blanc (6)
From £3090 exclusive chalet per week,
self catered, for Six Blanc
Gorgeous retreat amid stunning
Alpine environment
usp
Montagne Alternative is a collection of three fabulous and sympathetically converted barns, set high on a steep mountainside in the ancient Swiss hamlet of Commeire. With stunning views of the majestic Mont Blanc Massif and across to Mont Vélan, this is probably the most serenely perfect place for getting away from it all and recharging the batteries. The barns are also highly flexible, so you can hire them on a self-catered basis or fully catered, with all sorts of combinations of the two.
location
The barns (the owner prefers this term to ‘chalets’) are located in a tiny rustic mountain village of 12 permanent residents, and this remoteness is intrinsic to the ethos of Montagne Alternative. Commeire is about a 30 minute drive from Martigny towards the Grand Saint Bernard pass, with a turn off up a steep winding road, but despite the overwhelmingly remote beauty of the place, it is still within easy reach of a variety of great skiing. Verbier, the nearest resort, is about 20 minutes drive away, while access to the Chamonix valley is via Vallorcine, about 45 minutes away.
style
The philosophy of Montagne Alternative’s Belgian owner, Ludovic Orts, has been to create beautiful, contemporary living spaces within these once almost derelict barns while preserving their unique authenticity. There is a delicate balance between the original features and the modern construction techniques employed to achieve the renovation. The design is simple. Chunky wooden beams, old stone, and worn and weathered timbers, meld seamlessly with carefully considered use of concrete and new wood.
Every effort has been made to recycle and reuse existing materials where possible. Huge picture windows sited specifically to take full advantage of particular mountain views draw the landscape in, and you can’t help but feel immersed in the surrounding Alpine grandeur. The interiors are simply furnished, with carefully chosen designer pieces that sit quietly, allowing the environment of ancient barn and landscape to take top billing. ^
rooms
The bedrooms, all en suite and simply furnished, have large picture windows designed to allow full impact of the mountains. No extraneous interior design here, just fresh flowers and the odd throw for a touch of colour. The beds sport plump pillows, sumptuous duvets and quality cotton linen. The bathrooms are all sleek dark tiles, slate and chrome. The toiletries are Montagne Alternative branded, scented with Tibetan roseroot. ^
food & drink
Montagne Alternative is hugely flexible, letting you decide before your stay what level of service you require. Starting from the basics of self-catering, there is a variety of options and add-ons right through to full board. You can have your fridge stocked prior to arrival and a private chef can be arranged for as many nights as you choose, or there is a menu from an excellent local restaurant, Les Alpes, that you can select meals from. Montagne Alternative will take your order, set up your dining table and deliver the meals to you.
Each barn has an extensive mini bar that not only includes drinks but a variety of local produce, such as honey made by one of the village’s few inhabitants, marmalade, fruit juices, salamis and cheeses. Montagne Alternative support local artisans and make a conscious effort to use seasonal and local produce where possible. The wine list includes both an international and local selection of quality wines and champagne. You can also bring your own wine if you wish to. ^
service
Eduardo and his team will do their utmost to make sure that your stay is perfect. Their approach is more hands off, leaving you to relax and unwind in the serenity of the mountains. However, having said that they are happy to deal with any request you may have. ^
spa facilities
There is a dedicated massage room in a separate conversion, Creta Vella. This barn also has an area for yoga sessions that can be arranged on request. Six Blanc has a good-sized steam room too, but only for use by Six Blanc guests. There are plans to open a larger spa with full facilities. ^
children
Family groups are welcome, and indeed the barns provide the perfect escape for families to reconnect and spend quality time together – the guest book is proof of this. Montagne Alternative will help organise ski school or ski lessons for children and can organise other simple outdoor activities usually based on discovering nature in the Alpine environment. Each barn has a selection of games and the practical paraphernalia needed for smaller children, such as high chairs and cots, is available on request. ^
extras
There are sound systems in each of the barns with iPod docks in bedrooms. There is wifi too. No TV though – this is part of the Montagne Alternative philosophy, of getting you away from it all. Yoga sessions can be organised, as can a range of other activities such as snowshoeing in the winter and mountain biking or guided Alpine walks in the summer. The Creta Vella barn also has 50sq m of flexible space available that can be used for seminars and workshops, making it ideal for corporate groups. ^
for skiers
Although Montagne Alternative is relatively isolated, skiers will not be disappointed. With everything that Verbier has to offer just 20 minutes away via Le Châble, and with five smaller ski areas in the valley to choose from, there is plenty of skiing to suit all levels. The smaller resorts of Champex, La Fouly, Vichères-Liddes, Les Marécottes and Bruson offer a combined pass, Ski St-Bernard, that gives access to more than a hundred kilometres of piste. The best bit is that on a powder day in these quieter ski resorts you can often ski untracked snow all day. Eduardo and his team can advise on where the best conditions might be found and can arrange transport for you to and from the area of your choice. They can also organise a guide for you to get the best out of the area and the off-piste. If ski touring is your thing, then this area offers some fabulous routes. ^
for non skiers
The chalet staff have a long list of suggestions for non-skiers and can organise some great days out locally, such as a visit to the local cheese maker or maybe a scenic mountain train journey from Martigny to Chamonix. Be sure to discuss what you’d like to do when booking. Then there is always just chilling out – a little snowshoeing, a massage or a yoga session. Bring a good book, sink into a comfy chair in front of the fire and enjoy the wholly relaxed nature of Montagne Alternative. ^
Corporate Groups
Less than two hours from Geneva Airport, Montagne Alternative comprises four picturesque lodges that sleep 28, a fully equipped conference room with a stunning mountain view and a wide array of team-building mountain activities. Corporate packages available. ^
best thing
The isolation and the Alpine village location with stunning views. ^
worst thing
Returning to the bustle of everyday life. ^
getting there
You can fly to either Geneva or Sion. Commeire is about a two hour drive from Geneva and 40 minutes from Sion. Guests arriving at Geneva airport usually get a train to Martigny which takes about an hour and 40 minutes (from Sion to Martigny it takes about 20 minutes) and get collected from there by Montagne Alternative. The transfer from Martigny up to Commeire takes about 20 minutes. Transfers are extra unless you opt for a package, and ditto transfers to the resorts are extra to the basic chalet hire. ^
bottom line
Barbey sleeps 10 and costs from CHF 7,000 (approx £4689) per week self catered. Rogneaux sleeps 8 and costs from CHF 5,600 (approx £3751) per week self catered. Six Blanc sleeps 6 and costs from CHF 4,620 (approx £3095) per week self catered. On top of the cost of the chalet, half board catering for one week per person starts at CHF 335 (approx £224) and includes breakfast plus one main meal with two courses.
All activities and transfers are extra. Special offers and packages may include transfers from Martigny, ski guiding, yoga or a complimentary massage. ^
bookings & enquiries
If you would like to make an enquiry or a booking, please email enquiries at chicchaletguide.co.uk. Remember, we have visited all the chalets we feature so can give you totally unbiased, independent advice on all of them. The prices we quote are also the list prices quoted by the chalets themselves, so there is no advantage in going to the chalets direct.
Chalet - 9
Service - 9
Room - 8
Food & Drink - 8
Luxury - 8
Do hire a guide to make the most of the local skiing and off-piste.
Quickfinder
• Summer
• Boutique Weeks
• Weekends and short breaks
• USP
* Location
• Style
• Rooms
• Food & Drink
* Service
• Spa Facilities
• Children
• Extras
• Skiers
• Non Skiers
• Corporate Groups
• Best Thing
• Worst Thing
• Getting There
• Bottom Line
• Other chalets for corporate groups
• Bookings & Enquiries
Bookings and enquiries: enquiries at chicchaletguide.co.uk Telephone:
+44 (0)7772 853996
guest book
"Stunning scenery… an altogether unforgettable experience."
"The staff went out of their way to make sure our stay was perfect. Their attention to detail was amazing."
"When I first arrived I was speechless... it was so unbelievably beautiful and peaceful."
"We are frequent visitors to the French and Swiss Alps but our Montagne Alternative holiday was like nothing we have ever experienced before... absolutely magical."
summer
Open, offering weeks, weekends and short breaks either self catered or catered. Yoga retreats are organised regularly. Other activities include mountain biking, guided alpine walks, hang gliding and canyoning. A visit to the Saint Bernard Monastery and alpine museum is a must, especially if you are a dog lover as Saint Bernard dogs live there during the summer.
See which other chalets are open in the summer
BOUTIQUE WEEKS
Montagne Alternative offer “Comme à la maison”, which is essentially boutique hotel accommodation in en suite rooms, and includes half board, wine, the mini bar and pre dinner nibbles in the evening. Comme à la maison starts at CHF 245 (approx £165) per person per night.
WEEKends and short breakS
Yes.
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