Chalet Marking: The Finest Ski Accommodation in the French Alps

By Richard Jones

The choice of accommodation is always important when booking a holiday. And the decision is even more crucial during winter – after the sun has set and the slopes have closed, you’ll want somewhere warm and cosy to spend your evenings.

So, what do you look for in a ski chalet?

A location near the snowy slopes is desirable, while enough rooms to squeeze the whole group in, and space for all your equipment, are essential. Perhaps you look for thriving après-ski or spa facilities nearby, or are just happy waking up to those unforgettable mountain vistas?

Since 1991, Purple Ski has been offering the finest luxury catered ski chalets in the French resort of Méribel, and has recently extended its boutique collection to Courchevel and Val d’Isère. With the snow finally arriving in the mountains after a warm November and December, we look at Purple Ski’s top chalet choices in the French Alps.

Best for Teenagers

Chalet Foinbois, Méribel
The perfect pick for families travelling with restless teenagers, the rustic-luxe Chalet Foinbois sleeps up to 15 guests across seven bedrooms, ensuring plenty of room to spread out. Complete with a games room, gym and cinema room (perfect for those Disney+ movie marathons) and outdoor hot tub, this alpine bolthole will feel like the ultimate home away from home. Enjoying a central location in Méribel Village, just a five-minute chauffeur ride from the main ski lift and surrounded by restaurants, bars, shops and more, there’s plenty to explore – if families can tear themselves away from their private winter wonderland.

Best for Multi-Generational Groups

Chalet Iona, Méribel
Set in secluded orchards, Chalet Iona (top image) offers unparalleled views across 13 pretty villages – stretching towards the Vanoise National Park and the magnificent Grand Bec mountain. Perfect for large families, Iona can be joined with Chalet India to accommodate up to 15 guests in total, meaning the extended family can be housed in their own private quarters. Parents and teens will love the in-chalet sauna and outdoor hot tub, while Chalet India can be become a sprawling play area for little ones. Large communal living spaces provide the perfect setting in which to gather and enjoy a family feast, a movie night or even a dance party – the chalet has its very own turntable and vinyl collection.

Best for Kids

Chalet Machapuchare, Val d’Isère
Nestled in the wonderfully private area of Le Crêt, Chalet Machapuchare commands uninterrupted views of the entire valley, from the rocky cliffs above La Daille across pretty Val d’Isère to the glaciers and snowcapped peaks beyond. Sleeping up to 15 guests in seven bedrooms, it offers the very best of alpine living, just a three-minute chauffeur ride away from the buzzing local nightlife, pistes, restaurants and shops. Perfect for families with school-age children, the sprawling property features an indoor private pool for splashing about in, a cosy superbly equipped cinema room and snug areas for reading books and playing board games.

Best for Choice of Skiing

Chalet Arolla, Méribel 1600
New this winter, the luxurious Chalet Arolla is perfectly located in Méribel with easy access to the renowned Three Valleys, the largest integrated skiing area in the world. The recently renovated alpine property marries the traditional and the modern and comprises five en-suite bedrooms, a spacious open-plan living, dining and bar area with breathtaking views, an indoor steam room and superb outdoor jacuzzi, as well as a cosy TV snug where loved ones can hunker down after an active day on the pistes.

Best for Slope Access

Chalet Lapin Blanc, Méribel Chaudanne
Nestled in the heart of Méribel and boasting enviable views of the mountain and valley, this ski-in, ski-out chalet is one of the most luxurious and best located in the area. A mere stone’s throw from the resort’s main lift centre and ski school meeting points, the striking Lapin Blanc is beautifully furnished throughout with local wood and stone and peppered with British and French aesthetics. Key features include seven large en-suite rooms, an enormous sitting and dining room with central log fire, a mezzanine study area, a cinema room with bar, sauna and an outdoor hot tub on a secluded south-facing balcony.

Best for Privacy

Chalet Inoko, Val d’Isère
Overlooking Val d’Isère, Inoko is just a short, chauffeured minibus ride from the snow front and the resort’s famous shopping and restaurant scene. Commanding splendid views and a snowy forest backdrop, it seamlessly blends traditional alpine touches with a modern design and state-of-the-art facilities. The stunning chalet comprises six elegant bedrooms – two of which form a connected family suite along with an adjoining children’s bunk room – a sumptuous wellness area with indoor pool, sauna, massage and relaxation area, spacious dining and living areas. and a TV room. Outside on the terrace, a sunken hot tub and seating area with fire pit are perfect to admire the views.

Best for Design

Chalet Margaux, Courchevel 1850
With a central ski-in ski-out position beside the Cospilot piste, Chalet Margaux still somehow feels secluded, hidden among the trees in the secure gated community of Le Hameau de Bellecôte. Margaux’s hand-painted interior décor and traditional wood features suggest a timeless and charming elegance and its ornately carved wraparound balconies offer stunning views of the peaks. The homely retreat features six en-suite bedrooms, an additional master suite complete with lobby, study and bathroom, an inviting living and dining area with large fireplace, TV room, indoor hot tub and a bar.

For more information on Purple Ski’s range of chalets in the French Alps and to book, go to: www.purpleski.com