An independent guide to luxury ski chalets
From £1000 pp/week
Stunning property in charming
Espace Killy backdoor resort
usp
This privately-owned single chalet, the first in the Ski Base portfolio, a company run by Lynne Doughty and her husband which aims to run several properties in France, is a stunning new entrant to the premier chalet market.
location
The property is located in the tiny hamlet of Tignes les Brévières, a real locals’ destination that feels authentically French, refreshingly Brit-free, and yet with linked-in access to the vast Espace Killy Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area.
style
Chalet de la Cloche is lavishly interior designed throughout, with modern twists to the usual chalet décor. There are gorgeously upholstered sofas and
chairs in bright colours, chunky candle sticks, stylish chocolate standard lamps and a ruby red side-board. The dining area is located in the corner of the main living space, with fabulous views up the slopes and down into the village, while there is also a quirky bar equipped with every imaginable spirit -- perfect for perching at with a pre-dinner g&t. ^
rooms
Among the best rooms we have stayed in. They are all huge, often have double aspect windows, mostly have balconies with lovely views of the home run and the nearby clock tower, plus all combine different, gorgeously jewel-bright curtains and rich soft furnishings with neutral basics. Get Lynne talking about her beds, and you will realise why it is you sleep so well here. She has forensically researched them. The threadcount of the linen is the highest we’ve known, at 1000, while the beds have combination mattresses that include memory foam top layers. Seriously, seriously comfy. Room five is the best room to book. And the toiletries are Hermès, no less. ^
food & drink
Tadek the chef, who trained with Heston Blumenthal at The Fat Duck, is almost painfully shy – his pre-dinner announcements almost as excruciating for the guests as for him – but his food is to die for. The canapés kicked off the evenings gloriously: think lobster cappuccino, roasted apple stuffed with local foie gras and mini avocado risottos. Nothing is too much trouble either. There was an awkward toddler staying when we were there, and all his foodie demands were totally off-piste. Tadek rose to the challenge so well that the adults soon had severe meal envy, with several insisting on piles of pancakes for breakfast too. ^
service
Excellent: nicely relaxed and informal but very attentive and helpful.. ^
spa facilities
The chalet has a good-sized indoor spa pool, a steam room and an outdoor hot tub. There is no treatment room for visiting therapists – they just set up shop in your own room. ^
children
The chalet caters for everything, from children's menu options (children can eat before the adults if desired) to organising ski school. It uses two local babysitting agencies that seem to be very reliable and usually supply English-speaking sitters. The chalet managers will also organise the entire day for the children, including ski hire, booking ski school or ski lessons for more advanced children, while lunch can be taken care of too. The children can also be looked after in the chalet during après ski time, with a variety of games and DVDs to keep them occupied. Family trips can also be arranged, including husky rides, quad biking and skidooing. There is no minimum age but usually with very small children (0-2yrs) the chalet advises that parents bring a nanny. ^
extras
There is wifi throughout the chalet, all UK Sky TV channels, and unlike many other chalets a fully stocked free spirits bar. ^
for skiers
Chalet de la Cloche has exclusive use of a private instructor called Sarah who is friends with Lynne and who runs the Grand Stade giant slalom training school on the slopes of Tignes. Her husband also designed La Face, the famously steep World Cup black run, so she is a key player in the resort. She is English, excellent at communicating, and infinitely patient with guests at all levels. ^
for non skiers
For the non skiers, there is a giant HD TV with UK channels (we all watched The Apprentice while out there), spare laptops for email-checking, DVDs and board games, plus the spa facilities. Lots of activities can also be booked, from ice driving to husky riding and skidooing, as well as the social aspect of nearby Val d’Isère. But the chalet is certainly large enough with gorgeous enough views to loaf about in during the day. ^
best thing
The rooms. Giant, and gorgeously lavish. ^
worst thing
The fact that you cannot access the boot room from inside the chalet, so have to tread gingerly down the front path to get to it. ^
getting there
Fly to either Lyon or Geneva, both of which are around 2hrs 30mins away. Ski Base will then pick you up and whisk you back to the chalet – return transfers from either airport are included in the price. The nearest train station is Bourg St Maurice, about 30km away, and they will pick up from there too if you prefer.
bottom line
The chalet sleeps 12 and rates start at £13,000 for the week, including all transfers to and from the airport of your choice, breakfast, five course dinner, champagne and beverages for six days. It can also be booked on a room by room basis, with prices starting from £1300pp. ^
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 - 8
Room - 9
Food & Drink - 9
Luxury - 8
Pack suitable outdoor shoes to get to and from the boot room, which is separate from the chalet.
Quickfinder
• Summer
• USP
* Location
• Style
• Rooms
• Food & Drink
* Service
• Spa Facilities
• Children
• Extras
• Skiers
• Non Skiers
• Best Thing
• Worst Thing
• Getting There
• Bottom Line
• Bookings & Enquiries
Bookings and enquiries: enquiries at chicchaletguide.co.uk Telephone:
+44 (0)7772 853996
guestbook
"I’ve christened the chalet Chalet Carlsberg, because it’s probably the best chalet in the world."
Dean Girling
"Thanks for a wonderful chalet and staff. We had the most marvellous week's holiday. All the small touches, not only in terms of service but also the detail around the chalet, made it a fabulous experience. Quite the best skiing holiday I have had -- except for the lack of powder!"
Jeremy Wormington
"We have just returned from a fabulous week’s stay at Chalet de le Cloche and I just wanted to let you know that the chalet, staff and guests were brilliant. From pick-up by Tad at the airport to leaving (sadly) on Sunday morning, nothing was too much trouble. I certainly can't wait to book a stay with you again and have told all my friends, and anyone who stands still long enough, about a wonderful Chalet I know in Tignes les Brévières!"
Dawn Whitehead
"We had the most fabulous Christmas. The whole experience completely exceeded our expectations. We give 10 on your form for everything"
Jane Williams
Les Cerniers | Chamonix | Courchevel 1650 | Les Gets | Laax | Lech | Méribel | St Martin de Belleville | St Moritz | Nendaz | Sainte Foy
Tignes les Brévières | La Tzoumaz | Val d'Isère | Verbier | Veysonnaz | Zermatt