What the price includes::
Self-catered (although meals can be prepared on an ad hoc basis at additional cost during the ski season). A catered option (5 evening meals prepared & served, kitchen cleared) is also available for guests in the main chalet, by arrangement at the time of booking & to suit your budget, during the ski season. Please enquire as to costs for this option when making a reservation. All bedrooms in the main chalet have en-suite bathrooms and balconies. A hair drier is provided in every bathroom. Egyptian cotton towels & linen are all new this year (2009). Open fire in sitting room with logs included. Underfloor heating. Use of sauna and Jacuzzi included (by arrangement) for chalet only. Separate media room with satellite TV & Apple iMac & internet connection (chalet only). Ski store with boot warmer. Geneva transfers can be arranged, but are not included in the price. Price does not include tax de sejour or security deposit, which must be paid at the time of booking.
Les Contamines-Montjoie:
A traditional, Savoyard village which is as popular in the summer as it is in the winter. As well as the downhill skiing and snowboarding there is a good cross-country ski area. For non-skiers there is a selection of good walks, and snowshoe expeditions; dog sledding, ski-doo trips and ice-skating are also available. Situated just an hour from Geneva airport, and about 8 hours' drive from Calais, it is easy to reach by air or road. There are also good TGV train links, in the ski season, direct from Paris to St. Gervais-les-Bains le Fayet, a 20-minute taxi ride from the chalet. Megeve is 20 kms away and Chamonix is 33 kms away but Megeve's pistes are approached from St. Gervais (10 mins. drive). Another ski resort within reasonable driving distance is Flaine but there's more than enough ski-ing at Les Contamines, on- and off
Summer activities:
Situated at the top of the valley (5 minutes by car, 10 minutes by bike) is a leisure park (Le Pontet) with championship tennis courts, mountain-biking and aerial confidence courses for young people, a rock climbing school, riding, archery, golf driving and a small boating lake. A heated swimming lake and 'beach' are there too. Other more exciting activities, such as rafting and paragliding, are available close by in the Mont Blanc Region. The Tour de France often passes by within a short drive from the chalet. In 2009, Le Tour comes to within half an hour of the chalet.
Les Contamines is located in a renowned walking area and the chalet itself is very close to the world famous GR5 and Tour du Mont Blanc routes. All walks in and around the village are well marked and cater for all levels of experience and fitness.
For the more adventurous pursuits we recommend qualified mountain guides. We have good contacts with local experts in paragliding, tennis and mountain-biking.
Ski:
Located in the Mont Blanc Region, Les Contamines has a great ski area with 120km of uncrowded, well-groomed pistes (most above 1900m) and an excellent snow record. Superb for beginners and intermediate skiers, there is a snow park for boarders, and a good selection of mountain restaurants. The slopes are easily accessible with the lifts only a few minutes away. There is an excellent ski school, with English speaking instructors. For the more adventurous the famous Vallee Blanche is within easy reach. Other winter activities available in the village include: ski de fond/Nordic, snow-mobiling, snow-shoeing, curling, ice-skating & dog-sledding.
Other Activities:
Windsurfing, rafting and other water activities are 20 minutes drive away
