Chalet La Tanière

Chalet La Tanière appears to have been subtly carved into the mountain specifically for its occupants.

One of those French Alps chalets where you feel the outside world vanish as soon as the door closes behind you, this four-story, six-suite hideaway is nestled next to the piste with true ski-in, ski-out access and surrounded by expansive views. Every line, surface, and proportion has been thoughtfully chosen to make the house feel both contemporary and incredibly cozy, while a restrained color scheme of aged wood, stone, and glass keeps the eye on the landscape.

The center of Chalet La Tanière is the main living floor. Large sofas, natural wool throws, and sculptural lighting create an uncommon blend of visual elegance and true coziness in this open-concept lounge that spans around a fireplace. With kids sprawled out on the rug, friends coming and going from the terrace, music playing in the background, and the fire always in the middle, this is where leisurely afternoons turn into long evenings.

Whether it’s a straightforward family dinner or a chef-prepared tasting menu, the dining table, which is made from a single slab of wood, anchors the space and elevates dinners into events. Conversation, food, and scenery take center stage as the fully furnished but covertly hidden kitchen just behind makes service seem effortless.

A large terrace that appears to float over the valley is accessible through floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. On clear days, you can see skiers tracing their lines across the opposing slopes as the horizon extends far into the peaks. Long lunches in the sun, late-afternoon vin chaud, and those peaceful five-minute breaks when you go outside to enjoy the chilly air and the muffled sounds of the mountain are all possible there.

A glass-fronted wine library serves as the focal point of a second, cozier, and more somber lounge. Here, one can slip away with a book, share a late bottle, or just take in the quiet of the space and the glow of the bottles. A dedicated cinema room with deep armchairs, a large screen, and ideal darkness is located one level below. This room is ideal for times when the day is already full or the weather is closing in.

The master suite occupies the entire top floor, creating a private apartment beneath the eaves. It is as much a living area as a bedroom thanks to a writing desk, fireplace, and wraparound terrace. You can curl up by the fire while the snow falls silently outside, sit outside and watch the final lifts close, or wake up to the first light on the peaks. With a walk-in rain shower, a deep soaking tub, and a proper dressing area, the en suite bathroom is spacious and natural, making getting ready for dinner feel more like a ritual than a rush.

The lower floors contain five more guest suites, each with a unique approach to privacy. Some sit close to a hearth, bathed in softer light, while others open directly to the mountainside, allowing you to step out into the snow in the morning. One suite, a bunk-room retreat perfect for bedtime stories, whispered secrets, and early-morning excitement when fresh snow is falling, was created with younger guests in mind. The chalet can accommodate two or three groups of friends, extended families, or a mix of adults and kids without making anyone feel unimportant.

Chalet La Tanière’s lowest floor is completely set aside for restoration. There is a fully equipped gym, a hammam, a sauna, a private spa floor with a tranquil indoor swimming pool overlooking the trees, and a treatment room where in-house massages can be scheduled. Sinking into the heat as the sky turns from blue to indigo and the piste lights come on is one of those little, ideal alpine moments that stick with you. Outside, an elevated hot tub catches the last of the daylight. Mornings are easy because a heated ski room opens directly onto the piste; just put on your boots, click into your skis, and head out.

Both the mood and the practical aspects are carefully considered. Skilled skiers can ski from the door to the closest lift and back because the chalet is situated directly on a ski run. Depending on the snow conditions and precise location in the resort, it usually takes 10 to 15 minutes to walk to the village center, which has stores, restaurants, supermarkets, and ski schools, or 3 to 5 minutes by car or private shuttle. Hiking and mountain biking trailheads are typically within a comparable distance during the summer, with designated routes leading up into the high pastures and vantage points above the valley.

For an alpine property, getting to Chalet La Tanière is simple. Geneva and Lyon are typically the nearest major airports, with regular international connections. In typical winter traffic, the trip to a central Three Valleys-style resort from Geneva Airport takes two to three hours; from Lyon Saint-Exupéry, expect about the same time.

In most major French resorts, like Moûtiers, Bourg-Saint-Maurice, or Saint-Gervais, the closest valley station can be reached from Paris in 4–5 hours by TGV and regional train, with a private transfer or taxi taking the remaining 30–45 minutes to reach the chalet. The final one to two kilometers pass through the village on well-kept mountain roads with frequent snow clearance; for comfort and safety in the winter, a 4×4 or a car with winter tires and chains is highly advised.

Chalet La Tanière is unique among modern French Alps chalets because it has a master suite that takes up an entire floor with its own wraparound terrace, true ski-in and ski-out access, a full private spa floor, and the coziness and seclusion of a single home combined with all the amenities of a fully serviced boutique hotel.

This chalet is a perfect fit for three experiences. On a bluebird day, you can ski directly onto the piste from the heated ski room, explore the larger ski area in the morning, and then glide back to the door for a late lunch on the terrace before spending the afternoon by the pool and hammam. On a more sedate day, you could walk 10 to 15 minutes from the village to a viewpoint or mountain restaurant via an easy snowshoe or winter hiking trail.

Once there, you could return to the chalet for a massage and a long soak in the outdoor hot tub as dusk falls on the slopes. A summer day might start with a hike or bike ride from the valley floor, continue with a picnic by a high-alpine lake, and conclude with a movie in the theater and a glass of wine in the second lounge as the last of the light fades over the peaks.

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