Maison Du Rocher

In the little enclave known as the Village du Crêt there are about eight of Val d’Isère’s original chalets. It is clear how old they are from their worn stone steps, their wormy timbers and their lichen-spattered granite roof slabs.

So it comes as a slight surprise to see in any old photograph that until about 1980 there was just one, the 1620s farmhouse which later became the Mountain Lodges – the collective name given to our Vieux Crêt and Maison du Rocher. The other chalets are all new, and their genuine C19 wheelbarrows and medieval drinking fountains came in a job lot from the local builder’s merchant. No matter, the new buildings look great.

Somehow, these two chalets, with their thick stone walls and hefty beams, do feel more solid and permanent than their imitators. More importantly, they have the best position, at the sunny front of the eponymous crêt or ridge.

The bedrooms are not huge, and are authentically higgledy-piggledy, two squeezed below the rafters, but they are all warm, welcoming and tasteful, with smart little bathrooms. Some of the single beds fit together to make 6ft doubles (please specify when you book). The vast sitting rooms have large log fires, balconies, WiFi, all-major-channel satellite with surround-sound etc. Each chalet has a separate dining room, where food is served which we defy any restaurant in Val d’Isère to match.

On the ground floor of each chalet are its chef’s cell and a sauna. We are told that a glass of bubbly in the latter, then a naked plunge into the snowy garden, works wonders for aching muscles.

The aches can come equally easily from over-energetic skiing or unaccustomed après-skiing, since the Funival is just one bus stop one way and the fleshpots of the village centre two stops the other. If you chose to walk for any reason, either would take ten minutes.

Rooms in order of preference (in our opinion):

Bedroom 1: Double (13’ x 10’) on second floor. Bathroom with wc.
Bedroom 2: Twin (12’ x 11’) on ground floor. Bathroom with wc.
Bedroom 3: Twin/double (10’ x 14’) on second floor. Bathroom with wc.
Bedroom 4: Twin/double (9’ x 11’) on second floor, split-level (a further 3’ x 12’ beneath). Bathroom with wc.
Bedroom 5: Double (12’ x 11’) under eaves on second floor, split-level (a further 7’ x 7’ beneath). Spectacular views in wall-to-wall mirrors!! Bathroom with wc.
Sitting Room: (20’ x 23’) On first floor. Fireplace, DVD, satellite TV (all major channels), fridge for your drinks. South-facing balcony. WiFi.
Dining Room: (13’6” x 10’) Next to sitting room. Open-plan kitchen not included in measurements.
Sauna: On ground floor with further shower.

Le Cret - 10 minute walk from town but very close to bus stops going in both directions which are very regular.

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