Luxury ski Chalet Lumiere, Les Bois, Chamonix, France

Chalet Lumière
Les Bois, Chamonix
Sleeps - 10

From £5,870 exclusive chalet uncatered,
£12,600 catered

Family-friendly chalet in
exclusive area of Chamonix

usp
Chalet Lumière is an excellent modern chalet in a great location that ticks all the boxes for the perfect family skiing holiday. Not only does it have a separate games room and a separate TV room, but there is a self-contained flat that is ideal for an au pair or nanny, or even grandparents. Oh, and it also has those all-important views – a massive picture window in the living room literally puts the mountains at your feet.

location
Lumière is in the exclusive, most expensive Les Bois area of the Chamonix valley, halfway between Argentière and Chamonix itself. As with most chalets in the Chamonix valley, it is not ski-in ski-out, but what does that matter when you have transport on call 24/7? It only takes about a minute to drive to the Flégère lift station and four minutes to Chamonix town centre. No ski area is more than 15 minutes away by car.

style
As the name suggests, Chalet Lumière is bright, light and also welcoming. The double height open plan living room is dominated by an enormous picture window with totally uninterrupted views of the Mont Blanc Massif and distinctive Les Drus peak. Even the huge stone fireplace in the corner is dwarfed. And if you want more of the impressive views, just step out onto the balcony that spans two sides of the chalet for the vista to open out even further. Indoors, the chalet is tastefully modern – light wood, white walls and cool grey tiles with large sofas and cushions in fresh modern fabrics. The large, well- equipped kitchen and the dining area all form part of the open plan arrangement. ^

rooms
The bedrooms too are bright, good-sized and comfortable, with plenty of storage, crisp white bed linen, plump duvets, fluffy bathrobes, bright coloured throws and cushions. All have TVs with DVD players. There are five bathrooms and although all are not en suite, the bedrooms that aren't literally have a bathroom right next door. Complimentary bathroom products are from L’Occitane. ^

food & drink
The chalet is available on both a self-catered and VIP catered basis. When choosing the catered option, the menus are designed to suit individual tastes. Prior to arrival guests can plan, in consultation with the chef, menus of four to six courses to ensure all their preferences are catered for. Almost any gourmet whim can be accommodated, from a Thai feast to traditional Savoyard fare, with the chef sourcing fresh local produce where possible. Daily house champagne, Champagne De Gastinière, is served with pre-dinner canapés, and the wine accompanying dinner includes carefully selected regional whites and reds. A comprehensive à la carte menu of international wines is also available and a wine tasting can be arranged. An open bar operates with a range of spirits, beers and soft drinks. For the slopes, a daily ski pack of bottles of water, chocolate and tissues is provided and when you arrive back from skiing, afternoon tea with freshly baked cakes awaits you.

The self catered option includes a champagne reception on arrival, and you can also opt to have the fridge stocked prior to your arrival. ^

service
The staff are friendly and helpful, taking guests’ demanding requests in their stride. ^

spa facilities
There is an outdoor Jacuzzi, a sauna area with shower and a treatment room. An extensive range of beauty treatments and types of massage are available, from reiki to reflexology, hot stones to yoga and pilates. There is also the chance to book additional mini pampering for under 16s so younger members of your family can enjoy some me-time too, including soft relaxing treatments such as a half hour mini facial or a soothing half hour back or neck and shoulder massage, followed by nails and toe painting from a range of fun colours. ^

children
Chalet Lumière sits on a huge plot of gently sloping land that is ideal for sledging. The indoors have plenty to keep children occupied as well, including a TV room with toys and a games room with pool table and darts board. There is Wii and PlayStation too. The chalet will supply cots and high chairs, and are happy to provide lunch and supper for children at a time of your choosing. They can arrange live-in or part-time nannies as well as babysitting, but if you bring your own nanny and fill the chalet, your nanny can stay for free. Babysitting is free on the nights you eat out. Children under 16 are entitled to free ski and boot hire as well as lift passes with the catered VIP package, while children aged three to 12 can have free ski school. ^

extras
The living room has a large pull down cinema screen and projector which is great for everyone to watch a movie together. UK Sky and Russian TV are available on all televisions except those in the bedrooms. There is dedicated ski room with ski boot warmer. Wifi runs throughout and secretarial services can even be arranged. The VIP package comes with luxury chauffeured transport at your disposal, daily and in the evenings. Should you need it, there is garage parking for one car plus four external spaces. ^

for skiers
Chamonix offers a great range of terrain for all levels of skier but is a mecca for the more experienced who want to access its vast areas of off piste. But there is plenty for the novice and intermediate skier too. Guides and instruction can be arranged to suit all levels of ability. Venturing further beyond Chamonix valley, there is heli skiing across the border in Italy and helicopter transfers to ski and lunch in other resorts such as La Plagne, Val d’Isère, Tignes and Megève. ^

for non skiers
Apart from an array of great bars and restaurants, plus boutique shopping, Chamonix’s Musée des Alpes is worth visiting to get a glimpse of the valley’s fascinating Alpine history. All sorts of other activities can be arranged – hot springs trips through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Pré St Didier in Courmayeur, local heli sightseeing excursions, snow shoeing on the Mer de Glace, skidoo adventures and husky sledding sessions. ^

best thing
Family-friendliness. ^

worst thing
Not all bedrooms are en suite although there is a bathroom for every bedroom. ^

getting there
Private transfers to and from Geneva airport, just over an hour away, are included with the catered VIP package price. Helicopter transfers can also be arranged and the journey takes about 30 minutes. ^

bottom line
Lumière sleeps 10 and is only available as a full chalet let. Prices start from around £1260 per person per week for the catered VIP package. The chalet is also offered on a self catered basis, minimum seven night stay, and prices start at £587 per person. ^

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 - 7
Service - 8
Room - 8
Food & Drink - 8
Luxury - 8

Chic Chalet Guide tip

For a bit of relaxed family après ski, check out the
bar at Les
Rhododendrons hotel opposite the Flégère lift and a short walk from the chalet – great for sitting out on the large sunny deck and taking in the
views of Mont Blanc.

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