Chalet Alpaca

Your resistance is futile 

Welcome to Chalet Alpaca. Your unadulterated luxurious home for the next two weeks is only possible when located on one of Meribel’s most prestigious roads. Privacy, tranquillity, spectacular views and a short walk to the pistes – what more could you ask for from your favourite two weeks in the Alps?

Last year it was Pippa’s turn to book your annual ski trip, this year it is your responsibility and the game has been upped.  With lenient bosses and years that have surpassed all forecasts, everyone has succeeded in putting two weeks of luxury in their diaries. Some might quake at the pressure, however, you know you have no need to worry about expectations of seasons past.  For you know that as soon as you sweep into the garage, Chalet Alpaca’s door is opened and your gaze is drawn to the breath-taking panorama and four spectacular floors of luxury, your job is done.  

Time to leave your new snow boots and down jacket at the door (belated Christmas present to yourself?) and be the grateful receiver of a glass of something bubbly. Well, you might as well start as you mean to go on. Just because you have two weeks it doesn’t mean that indulgent recovery from the stresses and strains of everyday is taken any less seriously.

The yells and shrieks of utter delight tell you that the teenagers have found their way to Chalet Alpaca’s upper ground floor. Home to not only a cinema and a games room complete with pinball machine and pool table but the pièce de résistance to end all chalet boasting; the indoor climbing wall. You reckon the teens will have stiff competition when your husbands release their competitive streak and discover their inner child.

Leaving the humdrum behind, the ladies in your party dutifully help unpack the car. After all, you do feel a little guilty watching your chauffeur and the chalet staff lugging quite so much inside. However, wait! What is that that has caught your eye on the way to being helpful? A wine cave you cry. Utter delight is reigned in by common sense. You decide to save that for tomorrow night, it is always best to awaken fresh for that first day of the fresh snow that is falling outside. 

“Just one more pain au chocolat with nutella!” “Pleeease!” …the morning chorus has begun but why worry? You can indulge in as many pastries (with nutella or otherwise) as you desire because the Doron piste is a mere 100m away from the chalet. Seeing the relief on faces makes you feel mighty chuffed with yourself for managing to secure two prime weeks in one of Meribel’s newest, largest and most desired chalets.

The soul has been soothed after the first day of clicking back into your skis, so it’s time to soothe those weary limbs. The children are out of their toboggan soaked ski gear and settled into your private cinema room complete with hot chocolate…topped with obligatory marshmallows and chocolate flake.

Thermals off and dressing gown on.  A path has been cleared through the magical winter wonderland that is Chalet Alpaca’s garden. Time to slip into the luxuriant copper hot tub or for those with energy left, the grandeur of the heated swimming pool awaits. We will whisper the words that Chalet Alpaca is home to a gym too.   

After the tiring commute between hot tub, sauna, hammam and massage room, you will have worked up an appetite. The kids energy levels have finally slumped after a day in the DC Park with their all singing all dancing new snowboard instructor and après spent climbing the walls. Now it’s your time. An air of calm falls on Chalet Alpaca as the majority of the six out of this world bedrooms are filled with the very important matter of getting ready for that magical hour of canapé o’clock. We’ll forgive you for finding leaving your master bedroom suite a struggle. Complete with wood burner, dressing room, fabulous ensuite and private balcony, you wish this was your everyday.

Take it from your friends in high places but we bet that by the end of the week, stilettos will be replaced with slippers and LBDs with comfy knits. However, for tonight, everyone is dressed to impress. After all, we can’t have Chalet Alpaca showing you up. Sweep past the roaring fire and mingle between the sumptuous lounge and dinning area, looking resplendent in the glow of evening. Soon it’ll be time to join the twinkle of candlelight at the table and settle in to your favourite evenings of the year. This is what a luxury chalet is all about. With your highly qualified professional chef in the kitchen, you know that these fourteen nights will be like no other.  

At Chalet Alpaca, never dread that glass of wine too many. Go on and treat yourself. If the walk to the Doron piste is just that little too onerous tomorrow morning, why not take advantage of skiing from Meribel Centre. Just a five-minute chauffeured drive and you’ll be on the Saulire lift before you even have a chance to adjust your goggles. 

For now, sink back into your upholstered dining chair and request your favourite bottle from the wine cave. After all, you’ve earnt it by booking the best ski trip yet.