Chalet des Enfants La Clusaz

Later that day, after a short drive around the lake and into the mountains, past the magnificent Chateaux at Menthon St Bernard, we were shown 'Chalet A', Route du Plattuy in La Clusaz which was to become our dream chalet. 'Chalet Des Enfants' was purchased off-plan.

At the time of our first visit it was only half finished, but we saw its potential straight away. Within walking distance of a typical French Alpine village, with its traditional church square, with horses pulling traps, the wonderful smells of the local cheeses and boulangeries, paragliders above our head, locals catching up over coffee in the many cafe terraces, it was blissful! No sign here of the industrial nature of some of the better known resorts,

La Clusaz has a quiet, authentic, captivating yet vibrant charm. We signed the papers and agreed to the purchase there and then, before we had even seen La Clusaz in the snow, and our first winter visit to the property did not disappoint.

To our surprise we realised that the chalet was in fact just a stone's throw from the slopes!

The newly completed stunning south facing chalet, boasts three terraces from which to take in the fabulous scenery, with views across to Beauregard in one direction, La Balme in the other and opposite the chalet skiers descending the final section of the Nantes slope cutting through the forest. The views are spectacular in the summer and when blanketed in snow in the winter they are just magnificent! What a fantastic hidden bonus!

We had great fun choosing the final finish of the place; a traditional stone fireplace in the upper living area and a contemporary ethanol fireplace in the downstairs cinema room. A modern kitchen, bright and colourful childrens bedrooms and more restful calm adult bedrooms, with luxurious contemporary bathrooms.

We furnished the chalet with pieces from both the UK and France to create a space that had both the home comforts we were used to (satellite tv, wifi, ipod docking station, PS3 etc) whilst still respecting the tradition of a real French chalet.

Watching the crane install the hot tub on the first floor terrace was highly amusing but so well worth it, we have since spent many a happy evening with a glass of champagne overlooking the slopes, soaking in the tub after a long days skiing.

We saw in our first New Year as a married couple at Chalet Les Enfants having taken a year complete it and get it ready for our friends and family to share and enjoy. We have since spent many weekends and holidays at Chalet Des Enfants, named because, with 5 children of our own, all of whom have learned to ski in La Clusaz, we feel it is the ideal place to spend a family holiday together.

Both from big families, we appreciate how important it is to be able to find somewhere you can really relax, when you have lots of children of different ages. We find there is enough room for everyone to find their own space if they choose to; the children can chill out downstairs in the cinema room whilst the adults catch up over a glass of wine in the salon before dinner!

Our extended family and many of our friends have spent time at the chalet too, and we are proud to have been able to provide somewhere where they have all been able to enjoy spending time with their families winter and summer alike. We love that you can watch people skiing and sledging just across the road on the slopes opposite the chalet.

We love that you can ski through the trees and make it back virtually to the front door if you pick up enough speed! We love that we can leave London on a Friday evening, fly to Geneva and have less than an hours drive to get to the chalet from the airport. We love the traditional charm of La Clusaz and the welcome we get from the locals we have met.

We love that you can explore the region in the summer, taking in the mountain air and the stunning Lake in Annecy. We love that you can combine quality skiing and boarding with fantastic food in the many restaurants, and we love that we feel just as at home in our chalet as we do in our home in the UK.

Most of all, we love that we have been able to share our chalet with our family and friends and hope now that others that chose to stay here will fall in love with La Clusaz and Chalet Des Enfants just as we have. Nick, Jenny, Rose, William, Oliver, Sienna & Amelie Wootton