Luxury ski chalets: The Chic Chalet Guide to Chalet Auriane, La Toumaz, 4 Vallées, Switzerland. Full independent review.

Chalet Auriane
La Tzoumaz, 4 Vallées
Sleeps - 10

From £9900 exclusive chalet per week

Brand new ultra-contemporary
chalet in unspoilt back-door resort

usp
Chalet Auriane is a spanking new property that is the mountain retreat of two Harley Street doctors. Everything is perfection and unspoilt, particularly given that the chalet has just undergone a complete update and redesign at the hands of a leading London interior designer. It is a supremely stylish, contemporary chalet, plus it is the only chic chalet in La Tzoumaz, which otherwise can only offer low-end hotel accommodation.

location
La Tzoumaz is just over into the next valley from Verbier, on the other side of Savoleyres. This makes it quieter, less expensive, less crowded and more friendly than Verbier, but with ready access to all the great skiing and facilities that are on offer there. The chalet is also ski-in/ski-out, just a few steps down off the home run into La Tzoumaz.

style
Very much modern contemporary. There are lime green rugs and dining chairs, stone walls, designer slate surrounds to the two-way fireplace, and charcoal grey sink-into Italian sofas. The lighting, too, is all Italian and decidedly groovy, with faux fur cushions and throws everywhere plus gorgeous cream leather chairs and footstools. There is also a funky big silver cuckoo clock, sourced from The Conran Shop. Luxurious wallpapers have been used, as well as beautiful chenille throws and rugs all in plum tones. There are also one or two unique chalet features, such as quirky moose heads wearing ski goggles in the kitchen and a life size papier mache tiger, bought years ago by the owner from an Oxford Street shop window display and transplanted from his UK home to the Alps. ^

rooms
The master suite has the most extraordinary wow-factor bed: it’s made out of various local pine tree trunks nailed together to create a sort of cartoon bed effect – like something a giant hobbit might sleep in. The other rooms are all good sized, all with baths in the bathrooms and modern splashes of colour on the cushions. There is also a cute four-bunk kids room, with pillar-box red walls and giant bean bag. All have TVs complete with Apple TV systems. ^

food & drink
The food offering at the chalet is totally flexible -- menus are not imposed on guests at all and timings are moveable. Breakfast, for instance, can be at 7am if you have a guide booked, or 10am if you have a hangover. In general the chalet does mountain food with a modern twist, using lots of local produce, as well as French-based cuisine. They do tartiflettes and tarte tatins, plus home-made soups and can even stage themed foodie nights such as Mexican or Savoyard. The house wines include local whites and decent reds from further afield, while the champagne is Perrier-Jouet or Mumm Cordon-Rouge. An upgrade to finer wines is possible. These include St Emilion as well as some excellent Burgundies and Premier Crus. ^

service
There are only two staff at the chalet and as such are possibly a little stretched, but they cope perfectly. They also adapt to the group of guests, fading into the background and just becoming waiters/servants if it is clear that interaction isn’t required, but happily sitting down and sharing a drink if guests invite them to. ^

spa facilities
Chalet Auriane has a groovy spa area with fabulous dual aspect windows, a relaxation area with Philippe Starck chairs and access out onto a balcony where the outdoor hot tub is located. It has a sauna which can also become a steam room, and a gorgeous river shower. ^

children
The chalet is probably not ideal for infants or toddlers. There is an open staircase and too many sharp edges. It also doesn’t provide any baby sitting, although this can be arranged. Cots and high chairs are, nevertheless, all available, and separate kids’ meals can be organised if desired. No fizzy drinks are available, however, and all sweets/chocolate are hidden away (the owners are doctors, remember). ^

extras
There is wi-fi throughout the property and Apple TV with a choice of 1000 movies available in all rooms, as well as a giant TV with surround sound in the living space for bigger, more communal film-viewing. iPods can also be plugged in in each room, daily newspapers are provided (arriving around 4pm each day, in time for afternoon tea), and there is a good selection of board games. The chalet also has a computer set up in the living room for guest use. ^

for skiers
La Tzoumaz is fully linked in to the whole Verbier/4 Vallées ski area, simply via a lift up to Savoleyres. The staff will ski round with the guests on the first day, to familiarise them with the ski area. The chalet uses the local ski school but also the bigger outfits over in Verbier where necessary, and guides can be arranged on request. Ski and boot fitting is done in the local shop but will be delivered to the chalet. ^

for non skiers
La Tzoumaz has a claim to fame: western Switzerland’s longest toboggan run (10km) is located there. Snow-shoeing is also popular in the area – the switched-on, extremely helpful tourist office will arrange guides for this, and there are some lovely trails through the forest. Non-skiers can also get to Verbier by lift in around 30 mins. The village has a small swimming pool too which is good for children and an ice rink, while plenty of other activities are on offer in Verbier, including ice driving and parapenting. ^

best thing
The groovy contemporary interior. ^

worst thing
La Tzoumaz is north facing so doesn’t get much sunshine – only for a short while in the mornings. ^

getting there
Geneva is two hours away, Sion around half an hour. Transfers from Sion are included, but from Geneva are extra. ^

bottom line
Chalet Auriane can only be booked exclusively and costs from around £1000pp per week. ^

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.

Scores out
of ten

Chalet - 9
Service - 8
Room - 9
Food & Drink - 8
Luxury - 8

Chic Chalet Guide tip

Don’t miss the last lift from Verbier – it is a 600 CHF taxi ride if you do. And don’t miss out on the hot tub either, which has huge views down and across the main Rhone valley.

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