Chalet Abreuvoir

Unique, C’est Chic

Picture yourself in a wooden chalet at the edge of a forest; in summer a tranquil stream trickles past, but this is winter and it's glazed over, icicles clinging to the bank allude to the frozen world beneath. Here all nature lies before you; footsteps of wild animals crisscross the fresh snow telling tales of the previous night’s activities. Yet this is far from a deserted Alpine wilderness; just meters away the piste ends and across the road is the Olympic gondola, majestic in its own way and ready to whisk you from Le Raffort into the centre of Méribel, heart of the Trois Vallées. 

The wooden chalet in which you sit is Chalet Abreuvoir, in the quaint hamlet of Le Raffort. Lovingly crafted from local wood and stone she sits effortlessly in her village setting, a warm and friendly retreat from the white winter outside. Nothing here is run-of-the-mill; from furniture and light fittings to the fireplace and even the walls everything is hand crafted; bespoke and unique. 

As you are welcomed into this most special of lodgings for your week in the mountains you take in the textures and aromas of the building; some walls and floors polished concrete, others wood clad. North African styled furniture and coloured throws brighten the bedrooms, and in the sitting room an ornately hand carved jigsaw-style wall exudes character and personality. This property is a labour of love, and in turn her loving arms will embrace you all for this special week and far beyond.   

Sit back before the roaring log fire in the handsome cast-iron fire place, take a sip from the glass of perfectly chilled champagne and feel yourself drift blissfully into holiday mode; email is switched off and family time is turned up to full volume. This is the perfect spot for spending quality time together – be it on the slopes, in your own hot tub or snuggled up in the cinema watching a classic movie together with a steaming bowl of popcorn. You are bound to still talk and reminisce about this special winter holiday many years from now. 

The space at chalet Abreuvoir is just perfectly designed to be sociable and yet low-key; for those moments when you need a little space, some ‘me time’, then sneak down to the sauna while upstairs a fierce battle of snap is underway. If you’re lucky enough to have the master suite - which if you found chalet Abreuvoir is surely yours by rights - then how about sinking into your unique free-standing bath with a glass of Merlot and a good book. Shaped like a giant yogurt pot with it’s own set of steps for an easy entrance, and my what a view from the tub.  

Not only will you find Chalet Abreuvoir a peaceful and charming retreat, but skiing from here is a breeze too. Your concierge service will happily arrange for the chauffeur to whisk you into the centre of Méribel in time for ski school, but for the more adventurous - the young at heart you may say - don your skis in the village and scoot down the snow-covered paths to the road where you can catch the gondola directly into the Chaudanne.  

At the end of a big day filled with snowy adventures you return exhausted, but exhilarated; just enough energy in your ski legs to tackle the piste back into le Raffort. When the snow’s right you can even take a short-cut off piste leading you almost to the chalet door. Skis lodged in the overnight store and it's definitely time for a cup of tea and a slice of cake ! Put your feet up by the fire, relax with loved ones and re-tell the ski stories that will become your family folklore.