Among winter sport enthusiasts the town Albertville will bring to mind one of the most impressive Olympic Games opening ceremonies of recent history. What it also brings to mind is the ski resort of Val d’Isère, where every year in December, the prestigious opening of the men’s World Cup giant slalom is being staged. Last month, people from all over the world flocked to the Alpine resort and enjoyed the skiing, the village atmosphere, the exceptional cuisine and the most glamorous chalets.
Val d’Isère is just under three hours from Geneva airport. Winding through the valleys, past picturesque lakes and up the mighty Alps, you’ll arrive in ‘Val’, as locals like to call it, thinking it’s just a small, sleepy village. But the joys of skiing and everything it entails are taken in their strides here, most notable in the breathtakingly stylish and luxurious chalets.
Luxury lodging
In December, one of the Alps’ most iconic chalets – Eagle’s Nest in the centre of Val d’Isère, has unveiled a new look following a €750,000 facelift. Major highlights resulting from the extensive renovation include a brand new cantilevered deck complete with a hot tub with a view from which to enjoy an après ski vin chaud, a fabulous bar boasting spectacular views and games room including a football table. Managing the interior decoration was Martine Parizot, whose resumé includes the renovations of Le Chabichou, Rond Point des Pistes and Cheval Blanc hotels in Courchevel 1850. Located at the bottom of La Face – famed as the 1992 Olympic ski run – Eagle’s Nest revolutionised the chalet skiing holiday when it offered the first indoor swimming pool in a private chalet back in 2002. Sleeping up to 12 people, the chalet is set within a private estate with the nearest piste just 300 metres away.Scott Dunn offers 7 nights at Eagle’s Nest from £1,575pp based on full chalet occupancy including return British Airways flights from the UK, private airport transfers, private Scott Dunn chef, host and in-resort driver service.
Adding to its superb Val d’Isère chalet portfolio, Scott Dunn has opened the brand new Chalet Shar Pei. Located just steps from the Bellevarde chairlift ensuring easy access to some of the world’s finest ski runs, Shar Pei spans 300m2 and sleeps up to eight comfortably across four en-suite bedrooms, making it ideal for a small group of friends or larger families. The newly completed chalet exudes sophistication and boasts a clever mix of modern, contemporary with traditional Alpine features in which to relax in after an exciting day on the slopes. Highlights include an indoor swimming pool, hammam and spectacular views across the Alps from the large top floor terrace which is the perfect spot to enjoy après-ski drinks or catch a few afternoon rays.Scott Dunn offers 7 nights at Chalet Shar Pei from £1,525pp based on full occupancy including return British Airways flights from the UK, luxury coach transfers, private chef, host and Scott Dunn in-resort driver service.
Piste view hotel
Opened in December, brand new Le Yule Hotel & Spa is set in arguably one of the best locations in Val d’Isère, at the base of the Solaise and Bellevarde slopes. Home to just 41 rooms, Le Yule embraces a Scandinavian design theme and its proximity to the ski school meeting points means it will be perfect for families, who can further benefit from using Scott Dunn’s newly refreshed Explorers kids club situated nearby. Highlights of the new hotel include a terraced brasserie ideal for a leisurely al fresco lunch and a well-appointed Spa Luxe with large windows facing the Olympic Bellevarde slope and extensive treatment offering, alongside a hammam, sauna and swimming pool.Scott Dunn offers 7 nights B&B at Le Yule from £1,795pp based on two sharing a Piste View Room including return flights from UK with British Airways and private airport transfers.
Diversified dining
Fresh for this winter, Scott Dunn has unveiled a brand new culinary partnership with 2014 MasterChef Champion Ping Coombes, who has designed a menu exclusively for Scott Dunn guests staying in any of their chalet portfolio. Ping’s vision is to introduce her modern pan-Asian Malaysian cuisine to chalet dining through a string of dishes, combining the finest ingredients to make cocktails, pre-dinner nibbles, sharing mezzes and a selection of formal and informal courses. Highlights from the new menus include a tasty and warming Malaysian laksa soup, whilst those with a sweeter tooth can indulge in a chocolate lava cake complete with peanut candy and black sesame ice cream. Ensuring the little ones are not left out, Ping has created dishes for children using Scott Dunn’s Private Nanny service or the newly refurbished Explorers kids club in Val d’Isère, which caters for children from 4 months to 13 years.
For more information, visit Scott Dunn