L’Ecume des Neiges

A Rare And Precious Gift

Co-coordinating your ever-growing family for a get together gets increasingly hard with every year that passes; especially with one son now based out of Singapore and another bound for Dubai. The family ski trip is always a favourite, and now it gives you real quality time together, a rare and precious gift. The tricky part is finding a chalet big enough for you all without sacrificing the little luxuries you’ve all become accustomed to. Et voila! L’Ecume des Neiges, Méribel.

There is no chalet quite like this; the vintage wooden exterior shimmers golden against the snow. Views are uninterrupted up to the Méribel valley from your position tucked into the charming hamlet of Le Raffort. With the good snow conditions you can spy a route snaking from the piste directly to the terraces of your chalet – your own private slope. 
The snow-covered road outside looks like a handy short cut on skis to the Raffort lift station too – or it’s just a short drive to the centre of Meribel.

Inside is an Aladdin’s cave of treasures; from the beautifully hand crafted light fittings to the showstopper fire pit right in the centre of the sitting room. You certainly wouldn’t find this blend of chic Alpine chalet and hand crafted unique features in your average ski chalet.  

The open-plan design is certainly spacious, plenty roomy enough to host your large and energetic family, and it is cleverly divided with wooden pillars and the fireplace to give more intimate spaces. Even the tables are hand crafted and add to the special ambiance of this one-off property.  

This theme continues throughout, with a bespoke kitchen in vintage wood and polished concrete, bedrooms with fun and original baths – one a reclaimed copper cheese urn with wooden steps for you to climb up and into the steaming tub-with-a-view. Cleverly window seats can transform into additional beds for a family room, and the headboards are sculptures in their own right. Throughout the chalet is a warm North African vibe, from the colours to the patterned floor cushions and the lantern-style light fittings.  

As well as countless evenings spent around the fire pit, flames casting flickering shadows around the charismatic sitting room, the whole family will just love the spa area with its swim spa under the fascinating lighting board, which reveals a star studded Space scene. The whole place is dripping in personality and charm, playful and practical as a ski chalet should be. Sauna and Jacuzzi complete the wellness suite; with a massage room for indulgent treatments to get those muscles back fighting fit for the slopes. 
 
Access to the vast three valleys ski area couldn’t be simpler from here – even if you don’t choose to tackle the cheeky off piste route to the lift. Your driver can whizz you to the Raffort station of the Olympique gondola in under a minute, and this lift brings you to the heart of Méribel, directly at the ski school meeting point.  

The only decision from here is do we go left for Courchevel, straight on for Mottaret or hang right to Val Thorens and St Martin - best for leisurely piste-side lunches in the sun. What better way to spend time with loved ones than enjoying a share passion for this magical winter wonderland.