An independent guide to luxury ski chalets
Igloo-chic luxury camping
usp
This has a clear USP. White Pod is basically glorified camping, in snowy, luxurious igloo-shaped tents, all located around a central chalet where breakfasts and drinks are served. It is a totally special and unique winter-wonderland experience.
location
The camp moves around each winter, but is always based somewhere near Villars in Switzerland. It is currently situated on the outskirts of the village of Les Cerniers (around 15 minutes above Monthey and 45 minutes from Villars). The idea is to preserve the pristine mountain environment and minimise skiers’ impact upon it, hence the pods – which are built on wooden platforms -- are moved at the end of each season so the ground beneath can recover.
style
Bond meets Bonington igloo chic.
rooms
Guests each have their own pod which can sleep up to four (a king size bed and mezzanine with two additional beds in each). But these are like no ordinary ‘tents’. They come with their own en suite shower rooms, no less – showers being more green than baths – and even loo, so no need for those horrid middle-of-the-night dashes outside that are more usually associated with camping. Each pod has its own wood burner, stylish cow skin rugs, and heaps of gorgeous toasty blankets. As for the beds, well, you needn’t worry about being cold. You sleep on sheepskin rugs, as shepherds used to, and your bed is made toasty warm by a Sigg hot water bottle placed there discreetly before you retire for the night. ^
food & drink
The policy is locally sourced, deliciously healthy organic food wherever possible. Simple breakfasts are served in the central chalet and lunch and dinner is served in a restaurant in the nearby village of Les Cerniers, about a 15 minute walk away. They both cost extra (the rate is yet to be set for the coming season).
As for wines, these are local too. Switzerland, and especially Valais, produces some high quality wines such as Humagne Rouge, Cornalin, Syrah, Petite Arvine and these are among some of the wines that are served. There is no house champagne, as such, but they stock Laurent-Perrier (which costs extra). ^
service
Relaxed and informal. This is camping remember, so don’t expect any bowing and scraping or butler-style service. But the staff are delightful and genuinely committed to saving the planet. ^
spa facilities
A small range of treatments can be arranged at the central chalet, including head and shoulder massages, Thai foot massages, body polishing and aromatherapy massages, but Whitepod is also about 30 minutes away from Lavey Les Bains, the nearest hot springs, with a number of different hot and cold pools and full spa services available. ^
children
Whitepod is situated around 30 minutes from an ice skating rink and from Labyrinthe Adventure Park, which is a giant 10 000m2 park -- great fun for kids, with trampolines, treasure hunts, a climbing wall and lots of other activities. There is also Aquaparc which is a huge water park with wave pools, water slides, hot tubs, sauna, hammam, solarium, etc. ^
extras
The great, supremely chilly outdoors, with its clear skies and Grand Cru air quality, which you feel very much a part of. ^
for skiers
Given that White Pod’s philosophy is to preserve the mountain environment, skiing is not really the thing here. They don’t believe in horrid, scabby ski lifts that blight the scenery and harm the local flora and fauna, so the immediate downhill skiing is limited to touring (where you climb up the mountains yourself). Cross-country can be done nearby, or guided randonnée, or a little Alpine skiing with private ski lifts that cost guests CHF800 a day or CHF500 for half a day. There is a baby lift and two button lifts that leave from right beside the camp. The nearest main resort is the Portes du Soleil ski area, which is roughly 30 minutes away, and transfers can be organised with a local taxi company. ^
for non skiers
There are numerous non-ski activities available such as snowshoeing, dog sledging, 4 km toboggan run, massages, hang-gliding, and paragliding. ^
best thing
Being at one with nature, with a little comfort thrown in. ^
worst thing
Not being that set up for skiing. ^
getting there
The best way to get to Whitepod is via Geneva airport. Transfers can be arranged, but being green, the company recommends that guests do the beautiful train ride to Aigle. They work with a local taxi company to then shuttle you up to the Whitepods from there. Transfers and taxi rides are not included in the price, and heli transfers are, perhaps not surprisingly, not on offer. ^
bottom line
The price per pod with breakfast included varies throughout the season from £200 to £310 per night. ^
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 - 7
Service - 8
Pods - 9
Food & Drink - 8
Luxury - 9 for camping
Take good walking boots for the regular flitting between your pod and the central chalet. Kitten heels quite inappropriate, as are posh togs.
Quickfinder
• 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
"Think of the coolest place you’ve ever been. I reckon I can beat it. The pods are a magical sight and there is nothing the Whitepod team hasn’t thought of. You are gifted solitude, gob-smacking views and a real sense of being among nature."
St Anton | Les Cerniers | Chamonix | Courchevel 1650 | St Gervais | Les Gets | Laax | Lech | Megève | Méribel | St Martin de Belleville | St Moritz | Nendaz
Portes du Soleil | Sainte Foy | Sierre-Anniviers | Tignes les Brévières | La Tzoumaz | Val d'Entremont | Val d'Isère | Verbier | Veysonnaz | Zermatt