Chalet Les Brames

YOU'LL WISH YOUR EYES COULD TAKE PHOTOS

No more tedious chants of “Are we nearly there yet” as you make your way to Méribel from the airport; you’re arriving by helicopter and the kids are silenced. An incredible aerial view of first Lac Leman, flowing onwards to the cascading white mountain ranges as you soar closer to Les Trois Vallées. Airport to chalet in just 30 minutes. You’re the coolest parents ever, and you just saved yourselves 2 hours.

You’re met by your own chauffeur who takes care of the luggage, and within minutes you’re drawing up at the chalet door. Relaxed and ready for a holiday! You’re in a prime spot, just a heartbeat away from the excitement of the resort centre, and yet Chalet Les Brames is set back in perfect seclusion, nestled into its own private grounds – ideal for snow ball fights, building snowmen and general winter merriment. Les Brames on first sight is a simply breathtaking property, on the grandest of scales, and the kids are silenced once more. Not for long though as they eagerly advance indoors to explore the vastness that awaits, leaving you once more trailing in their wake.

Exploring Les Brames could take a while so stop off en-route to ‘freshen up’ with a glass of Perrier Jouet champagne in front of the unique open log fire. The generous proportions of Les Brames cleverly offers up lots of original, intimate spaces to give a warm feel to the interior, allowing guests to spread out and each pursue their own amusement should they choose, or enticing you to come together in one of the many sociable, entertaining spaces. The interiors are sleek and modern, instantly welcoming, indeed inviting you to step into a different world, a world of sheer indulgence. ‘Grown ups’ are bound to spend quality time in the drawing room – at the bar, perhaps, sampling a drop from the chalet’s own extensive wine cellar? Or curled up on the sofa in front of the roaring fire with a good holiday read. Kids big and small however will find it hard to leave the cinema on the ground floor with its big comfy sofas, dim lighting and the very stylish pool table.

Everyone should tear themselves away to take advantage of the fabulous spa facilities on offer. The out-door hot tub is a wonderful spot, a place to come together and where many a hilarious tale is told of the day’s piste side adventures, over a glass of champagne, all the while soothing those tired ski legs. Inside the hamam awaits, with it’s icy plunge pool ready to shock your senses, ensuring that you are truly refreshed in time for dinner.

Dinner is eagerly anticipated each evening as your private chef demonstrates his considerable skill in the kitchen with dish after dish of delicious food inspired by the local Savoyard produce, but with a distinctly international flavour and flare. Menus are created specifically to reflect your culinary tastes, of course, but they may still surprise! At Les Brames your every whim will be indulged; discreet and attentive staff are on hand to take you to the slopes and back, arrange your massage treatments, to take the party lovers into town after dinner and to arrange their lift home from O’Sullivans at a wonderfully unsuitable hour of the morning.

The fresh mountain air will be all the tonic you require the next day as you head out once more into the heart of the three valleys to make the most of your annual snow fix. You’ve been gazing out of the chalet’s magnificent picture windows at Mont Vallon all week, and today you feel ready to tackle her, mogul fields and all. Maybe just one more cup of coffee is required first though.