Chalet Anniek: A Modern Catered Chalet in La Plagne

Nestled into the picturesque Alpine village of Montalbert, part of the extensive ski resort of La Plagne, is the warmth and comfort of Chalet Anniek. Traditional pine décor and roaring log fires give this catered chalet a local charm, away from the more modern apartments of the purpose-built villages higher up the mountain.

Location

Set in the heart of the Paradiski area, the resort of La Plagne is actually a series of smaller villages linked by a network of ski lifts. The higher altitude villages tend to be large and purpose built, while the traditional Alpine villages lower down the mountain retain the charm of the area’s history and local culture.

The catered Chalet Anniek is based in Montalbert, just a short walk from the village centre. A traditional Alpine village, Montalbert has the advantage over its modern counterparts up the mountain of retaining its village feel. It has a lively village centre and is connected to the vast Paradiski skiing area by a swift new gondola lift, which opened in 2015.

Inside the Chalet

Spread over three floors, the catered Chalet Anniek is a perfect base for families thanks to its generous communal spaces including living/dining room, sun terrace and even a playroom. With seven bedrooms, the kids won’t argue over which room they get and the free WiFi, board games, books and DVD player should be more than enough to entertain them in the evenings while you enjoy a well-deserved ‘vin chaud’.

Whether you come with friends or family, you can relax while the live-in staff take care of all your meals. And because this is a ‘premium’ property, luxuries such as log fires, electric boot warmers, sauna and hot-tub are all part of the deal.

Après Ski

If a day on the slopes hasn’t tired you out and you’re looking for something to do in the evenings, the village of Montalbert has plenty going on. A short walk from the chalet will bring you to the village centre with its cosy bars and local restaurants, including the après ski hotspot La Tourmente Bar. Don’t be fooled by the sleepy Alpine village exterior either - some of the bars, like the Bar D'Ambiance Le White Bear, stay open into the wee small hours!

Where to Eat on the Staff Day Off

While you probably won’t want to venture out for dinner with delicious treats being served nightly at your catered chalet, there will be one night a week when staff have the night off, giving you the perfect opportunity to try out some of the delicious local restaurants.

For an authentic Alpine experience, visit Le Forperet - a traditional sheep farm transformed into a cosy restaurant, featuring stunning panoramic views and serving the very best local food. There is still a small farm on the premises and the owners are happy to let kids (and adults) come and meet the animals.

How to Get to la Plagne

La Plagne is easy to reach by road and Chalet Anniek has its own free parking, so driving is an easy option if you just want to chuck your kids, suitcases and equipment in the back of the car and go. Just take the A41 from Grenoble, from there the N90 to Aime, then follow the signs to Plagne Montalbert on the D88.

Other options include flying to Geneva, Grenoble or Chambéry, which all offer regular charter flights with transfers to the resort. The train station at Aime la Plagne has direct, high-speed services by both the Eurostar and TGV.

Belinda Smythson works for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service that has been helping avid skiers craft their perfect winter holiday for over a quarter of a century. If you're looking for the best catered chalet accommodation in the Three Valleys, Paradiski, Espace Killy or Chamonix Valley, Ski Amis is the go-to company for winter sports fans searching for the holiday of a lifetime.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.