An independent guide to luxury ski chalets
From £6800 exclusive chalet
per week uncatered
A nostalgic slice of antique Chamonix
usp
La Ferme du Bois is the utterly charming, traditional sister chalet to the fancy new Chalet des Drus run by a Chamonix specialist operator. From the outside it looks like a small, even humble old farmhouse, yet inside is an utterly beautiful place furnished with tasteful antiques. It is the former home of a little old lady who died a few years ago and it feels like a genuinely special chalet that connects you with the history of Chamonix and the true Chamonix mountain vibe.
location
La Ferme du Bois, like des Drus, is in the exclusive Les Bois area of the Chamonix valley, half-way between Argentière and Chamonix. It is not ski-in ski-out, but full-on 24/7 transport services apply so no matter. And it has fantastic views of Mont Blanc, plus being in this leafy, quiet zone of the valley, you have the most deliciously uninterrupted night’s sleep.
style
Nostalgic Alpine. It is stuffed with authentically traditional antiques including lots of ancient wooden pieces such as writer’s desks and giant framed mirrors that have been with the chalet for centuries. Ornate old-fashioned lamps and genuine artefacts such as old wooden ploughs adorn the walls. It’s like a decidedly tasteful, well-heeled granny’s house. Notably there is no TV in the main living area, just lots of gorgeous old sofas and the most immense fireplace you can imagine, which you can actually walk into and stand up in. In fact, this space is possibly the most charming we’ve seen – it is a fabulous living area. ^
rooms
The rooms have all been cleverly updated with their own chrome and slate en-suite bathrooms, flat screen TVs and modern lighting/sound accoutrements. That said, the feel of them all is still traditional, with old chairs, beautiful giant old wardrobes with tassled keys and delicate bed linens. Toiletries are a choice between L’Occitane, Italian brand Culti, Chanel and Britain’s own Daylesford (guests make their selection before arrival). The best room is probably the first on the right as you go in because it has its own bath, but all are lovely. ^
food & drink
La Ferme du Bois is totally flexible, lending itself particularly well to self-catering, although a chef can easily be raised for all or part of your stay. The fridge can be fully stocked for your arrival (you agree beforehand what you want buying in via a long pre-order list sent out to you by the company). The chef costs around £35pp for each evening meal. As for wine, a selection of excellent house wines are laid on, with the option of upgrading to more exciting ones at an extra cost. Veuve Clicquot is the on-tap house champagne, with the tempting possiblity of spending up on other fizzes such as vintage Krug. ^
service
The couple who run the chalet company are delightful, appropriately hip and very relaxed. They are in evidence if you need them, but disappear quietly if not. But you are mainly left to your own devices at La Ferme: it is just the most perfect, private winter family hideaway. ^
spa facilities
La Ferme just has a lovely outdoor hot tub and no other spa facilities. ^
children
The chalet is properly child-friendly. Jamie and Julia, who run the chalet business, have just had a baby, hence they are highly aware of all the possible needs of parents. Baby monitors, security gates, sterilising equipment, you name it, can all be provided, including even a wooden cot if parents prefer that to a travel cot. Spare bedrooms can be turned into playrooms for little ones, plus excellent nannies and babysitters can be raised or even chalet staff can wade in and help with escorting children to and from ski school. ^
extras
There is a discreet mezzanine loft up a rickety wooden ladder above the knockout central living area that acts as a great home cinema with an impressive range of DVDs. These include vintage ski DVDs for the enthusiasts who want to pick up tips at the end of a hard day’s skiing. La Ferme du Bois is also dog-friendly, so long as your pet is well behaved and you can minimise the inevitable mess created by the combination of dog and snow. ^
for skiers
Chamonix is a serious skier’s nirvana, and Jamie Strachan, who co-runs the chalet company, used to be the British number one free-skiing champion between 1998 and 2004. As such he is superbly connected with many of the heavy-duty skiers based in the Chamonix valley. He can raise a day’s skiing for guests with living legend Glen Plake, for example, a good friend. Director/producer Thierry Donard will also come and talk interested parties frame-by-frame through one of his vintage ski videos, while Jamie, too, will take guests out skiing for free – and you can’t get more expert than that. ^
for non skiers
All sorts of other activities can be laid on for the non-skier. There are hot springs trips through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Pré St Didier in Courmayeur, shopping day trips to Verbier or Milan (just a 1hr 30mins heli ride away), even watch-buying trips to Geneva. Heli sight-seeing trips to Italy have also been popular in the past, as have snow-shoe walking expeditions and husky sledding sessions. ^
best thing
The stunning sit-in old fireplace, scene of many a late-night gathering, and the huge main living space – just charming. ^
worst thing
Not all the rooms have baths. ^
getting there
The chalet will pick you up from the nearest airport which is Geneva. Many guests arrive by private jet at Sion, and they will pick up from there too, or either Geneva, Martigny or Annecy train stations. Sometimes transfers are included, sometimes not – depending on the package you arrange with them. ^
bottom line
La Ferme du Bois sleeps up to 10 and can only be booked as a whole chalet. Prices start from around £600pp for an uncatered package. ^
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
Bring a good book so you can enjoy reading sessions curled up in the fabulous living area beside the giant fire.
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
• Other chalets in this resort
Bookings and enquiries: enquiries at chicchaletguide.co.uk Telephone:
+44 (0)7772 853996
guestbook
"La Ferme was just beautiful and perfect. We couldn't believe it when we walked in - it went way beyond our expectations. You have both done it up so beautifully and we loved the mix of antique furniture and the modern touches you had installed. It all worked so well too. When we had all the children and the dog the space worked perfectly. Equally, it would be wonderful if it were a party of just grown ups."
"A short note to thank you for making our stay at La Ferme so very enjoyable. We would have no hesitation in referring you to any friends or contacts looking to spend time in Chamonix, and would once again like to say a very big thank you for all that you did."
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