Description
‘Nepenthe’ is an ancient Greek word meaning something that chases away sorrow. We think this is a pretty fair reflection of what skiing holidays are all about. This delightful 3 bedroom apartment is snug but makes an ideal retreat for a family to enjoy a thoroughly relaxing week. It is located in the exclusive private enclave of Les Carats. The famous La Face piste is only 200m away, making Nepenthe nearly ski in / ski out. Although the bedrooms are small it is stylishly decorated and feels much like an authentic Alpine chalet inside.
Chalet Nepenthe is on the second and third floors of the Topaze building and is accessed by the lift. On the lower floor there is an open plan living area with a fireplace, huge sofas that you sink into and a large south facing balcony which looks onto the forest behind which is ideal for soaking up the sun in the second half of the season. The kitchen is open plan so that you can see the chef host at work and discuss your skiing plans at breakfast. The large flat screen, satellite television, X Box 360 and DVD player will keep you all entertained.
The master double bedroom has a partially open plan bathroom and a balcony with a view of the Eleina mountain. The second double bedroom is on the same floor and has an en suite shower room.
Up the internal staircase is a small twin room which is ideal for children. It has a balcony and a small shower room. Just next door is the “den” – a separate TV and games room that gives the children some of their own space.
A ski/boot room with boot warmers is located on the ground floor with access to the chalet via a lift or stairs. All of our chalets are non-smoking inside.
The entire apartment has been finished to a high standard with a mixture of tiled and wooden floors. For a family wanting a skiing holiday with privacy and peace and quiet, the combination of ‘Nepenthe’ and our Original service is hard to beat.
Accommodation
Chalet Nepenthe features two double bedrooms and one twin bedroom, all with bathrooms, open plan kitchen/dining/living area with open fire and south facing balcony.
| Double with ensuite bathroom | Cosy open plan bedroom and bathroom, with small outside balcony looking onto the front of the building |
| Twin with ensuite shower | This room has an en-suite shower room with sink and the WC is located just next door to the bedroom. |
| Double with ensuite shower | Double bedroom with its own shower room next door. |
Childcare
Scott Dunn pioneered skiing holidays with childcare and this is an optional extra that many families consider indispensable. We offer childcare from 4 months and ensure that children have the most fantastic holidays and that parents can completely relax with peace of mind that their family is in great hands. Your children can be taken to and collected from ski lessons and will be kept entertained with a varied and imaginative activity programme and given healthy home made lunches and snacks.
Our childcare staff are qualified professionals and guests at Nepenthe benefit from our exclusive children's club. Babysitting is available too. A wide range of equipment for babies and toddlers can be provided to all guests on request, mostly free of charge.
| Baby sitting | Baby sitting is available in the evenings on a request basis and is chargeable per hour. |
| Children's Club | Purpose designed children’s club staffed by qualified nannies. Children engage in a fun and varied, indoor and outdoor activity programme with other children. They are fed a healthy lunch and snacks. Nannies take and collecting children from ski school as required. |
Facilities
The sitting room has a large flat screen TV with satellite TV and DVD player. There is a selection of games and wireless broadband.
On the ground floor is a small ski room with boot warmers.
| Lounge | Large flat screen TV, UK Freesat HD, DVD player, Apple AV Adapter, iPad, stereo with iPod and an Xbox 360. |
| Ski/Boot area | Private ski/boot room with boot warmers and space for ski and snowboard equipment and personal belongings. |
| Wireless ADSL | Broadband wi-fi. |
Activities
Val d’Isère is a mecca for downhill skiing for good reason. It has enough to keep skiers of all standards challenged and entertained for a lifetime, let alone a week. The off piste potential is limitless and the snow record enviable.
Val d'Isère has plenty to offer less enthusiastic skiers too. The new Oxygen centre has fantastic facilities including 2 swimming pools, climbing wall, multi activity sports hall, fitness suite, gym, squash courts and a Wellness area with sauna, steam bath, spa, cold baths and hydro-massage.
Designated walking trails are a great way of appreciating the scenery and there is an ice rink, husky riding, parapenting, skidooing, cross country skiing and much more.
There is a wealth of quality restaurants in the village and on the mountain (many of which are accessible to non skiers). The shops and galleries offer some great shopping (both the window and the real varieties).
Services
Our Original service is the foundation of Scott Dunn upon which our reputation as the benchmark for top quality chalet holidays has been built. Our guests in Chalet Nepenthe benefit from the Original Light service we offer in small properties where only one member of staff is needed. Your cook host will greet you on arrival with a Champagne reception, provide delicious, carefully prepared meals to your and your children’s tastes and will do everything to ensure that your stay is thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing.
| Cook/Host | Cook hosts are carefully chosen for their ability to provide exactly the kind of service a family will need in our smaller properties. They combine the ability and experience to prepare delicious dishes tailored to your tastes with the ability to provide seamless unintrusive service in your home from home. |
| Chalet Manager | Your Chalet Manager will be an experienced hospitality professional who will take responsibility for ensuring that your skiing holiday meets and exceeds your expectations. They will arrange transfers, lift passes, ski guiding and tuition, advise you on where to ski, where to have lunch and where not to and address any problems that come up. |
| Driver Service | Our trained drivers offer a prompt and pleasant service from 8am to 8pm each day anywhere in the village. They will be happy to take you to the ski lifts, shops, restaurants and back. On your chef's night off the driver can collect you from your restaurant until 11.00pm. Our 4x4 vehicles are the most comfortable and safest means of transport available. |
| Beauty treatments and Massage | Qualified physiotherapists and beauty therapists, can come to the chalet to provide treatments. |
| In chalet ski fitting service | On arrival, our recommended supplier will come to the chalet or look after you at their shop. They are specialists in ski equipment and will provide high quality skis and boots together with the best possible service and advice to guarantee you the most comfortable and most appropriate equipment to enable you to get the most from your skiing. |
| Ski lessons & guiding | Years of experience have enabled us to identify the best ski schools and guides who combine local knowledge, technical expertise and excellent communication to enable you to make the most of your skiing holiday, whether you are a beginner seeking confidence, an intermediate wanting to improve or an advanced skier looking to go off piste or heliskiing. NB book early in school holiday weeks. |
When to travel
Val d'Isère boasts one of the longest ski seasons in the world because, unlike other resorts above 1800m, 80% of the skiing happens above 2000 metres. As a result, early and late season offer reliable great conditions. Being high, it is cold though and we think March and April are the best times to visit Val.
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Location and directions
Val d’Isère, France
Chalet Nepenthe is in the Topaze building in the private enclave of Les Carats with secure access. It is 200m from the La Face piste and a 10 minute walk from the village centre. Geneva 170km, Chambery 135km, Lyon 234km.
How to get there
Scott Dunn offers scheduled British Airways flights from London to Geneva followed by shared transfers (2hr30mins). Regional and private flights and private and helicopter transfers can also be arranged. Alternative airports include Lyon (2 hrs 45 mins transfer) or Chambery (1 hr 30 mins transfer). Helicopter transfers take around 30 mins.
