A Chalet for all Seasons

Chalet Pearl, one of the most beautiful chalets at Courchevel 1850, is the epitome of refinement and luxury. The beautiful sunny panorama of the Dent du Villard can be taken in over a chocolat chaud (or something more refreshing in the summer months) from discrete, private terraces, while the concierge service and Michelin-starred chef cater to your every whim.

Your lodgings in Chalet Pearl will be nothing short of seductive luxury. Every room has an en suite, and the master bedroom boasts a private hot tub. Everything has been meticulously designed to protect your privacy, yet the feeling of space and comfort transcends through the entire chalet.


Only 50 metres from the slopes, skiing enthusiasts can enjoy some of the best pistes in the region. Skiing not your bag? The summer months are just as beautiful and fun packed, with local festivals, hiking trails, para gliding, golf and many more activities for couples or the entire family.

Time to start planning your Winter Getaway?

Steeped in luxury and perched high in the beautiful Three Valleys in the Alps, Chalet Pearl provides the perfect balance of recreational activities and an elite nightlife. For those avid skiiers amongst you, this is the ideal holiday. With world class ski slopes from calm greens to thrilling black pistes, there really is something for every level of skier.  If you fancy pushing the boundaries of a 'standard' skiing holiday somewhat, there are other exhilarating alternatives to wet your appetite. Why not try heli-skiing, or take a hot air balloon ride through the beautiful peaks of the stunning Alps? You won't be disappointed.

From the moment you step into Chalet Pearl after a hard day's skiing, it truly is a reward in itself. It affords a state of the art gym featuring all the latest fitness equipment, as well as a beautiful marbled spa, with cascading waterfalls, sauna and a private pool. You can't help but relax! Once you can't relax anymore, the Michelin-starred catering means you don't have to lift a finger, and you'll dine like royalty whilst a bartender mixes you whatever drink you like at your request. From the gorgeous decor to the stunning views in the opulent bedrooms, you could hardly be blamed for not wanting to set foot outside!

Chalet Pearl - What will you do with your holiday?

We've already covered Courchevel in the summer, and touched on the variety of activities to be taken up, and here's a bit more detail for all the golfers and fishermen amongst you.

Wake up in your immaculately decorated Chalet Pearl bedroom, enjoy breakfast with a beautiful view before setting off on your chosen activity for the day. The Courchevel area and the Three Valleys caters to all interests. When the snow has melted along the Verdons plateau, it gives way to a beautifully landscaped nine-hole golf course. With spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and azure Lac de Verdons, there's no more idyllic locations to enjoy a leisurely round of golf.

From this week until mid-September, there's a whole variety of lakes full of trout, salmon, and carp to spend a relaxing day fishing. Permits are required and available from tourist offices. Cast your line in the lakes at Le Praz, Bozel and La Rosière. For truly breath taking views (but a bit more of a walk), opt for the high level lakes near Col de Chanrossa and Chenus.

If fishing or golfing don’t float your boat, then not to worry, there’s plenty more activities on offer to choose from: from mountain biking, hiking, tennis and paragliding to ice-skating, bowling, swimming and even archery.

At the end of your day, meander back to the comfort of Chalet Pearl. Kick back in the games room with friends, work out in our state of the art gym or or get some peace in our beautiful spa, complete with marble columns and a cascading fountain. With all of that done, all that's left to do is settle back with a glass of wine while a 5 star gourmet chef prepares your meal.

Summer's here in Courchevel

Courchevel prides itself with some of the most breath taking scenery in the Alps. Take it all in at your leisure with a host of outdoor activities for you and your family. Why not explore France's first National Park - La Vanoise National Park? With its beautiful mountain lakes and a variety of walking trails catering to all levels, pack a picnic and enjoy the spectacular views of waterfalls, mountain peaks and meadows as you relax with your lunch.

Fancy something more adventurous? Mountain biking and paragliding are main attractions to the region through the summer months.            

Many ski shops become bike shops from July, and once you master getting your bike on and off the chairlifts, then the area has various downhill descents (no pedalling needed!) to get your adrenaline going.

To get the best bird's eye views, take to the skies and gently glide through the mountains. Fly tandem with an instructor and discover what it's like to be airborne above one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world.

Also coming up in July, look out for Fête de la Musique in June - a music events that takes over the streets and bars of the area on the Summer Solstice; The Three Valleys Mountain Bike competition in early July; and for the younger of us, there's the Teenage Games - varied competitions include archery, football, races and much more.

After a day's activities, relax in your mountain retreat, and let Chalet Pearl take care of your every need as you enjoy the comfort of your luxury surroundings. Wind down in the steam room or jacuzzi before enjoying true fine dining prepared for you by your personal Michelin star chef, finishing with a digestif on your balcony or in front of an open fireplace. What more could you possibly ask for? 

Summer in the Valley

The Three Valleys are as stunning during the hotter months as over the Winter period, and it’s a fantastic time to experience all sorts of sports, events and activities not available when the mountains are doused in white dust.

As well as all the activities you would expect from Europe’s largest, most beautiful alpine resort, such as tennis, archery, glacier walks, hikes, helicopter rides, acres of golf courses, horse back rides and picturesque hot air balloon trips, there are some more daredevils pursuits.

My suggested list of the best things to try then, is as follows:

Fishing – Courchevel has seven fishing sites, a suitably idyllic setting for a pastoral pastime.

The Arbe Adventure – Zip lines through the trees and forest in an eco friendly adventure.

Cannoying – Jump into mountain pools in the hot hot heat and move over river rapid obstacle courses.

For the Children – Courchevel offers lots of entertainment for young ones during the summer months, festivals take place during this time as well.

White-water rafting – Trained guides will take you on the rapid rivers into which the melting ice flows from the last of the seasons snow.

Still not enough?  Try paragliding, paintball, rock climbing and mountain biking, which should keep you entertained. There is something for everyone in the hotter part of the year. If possible, there is even more diversity than the Winter months, so be sure to take full advantage.

 

The Alps in April

If skiing and lounging around in designer shades have got a bit passé, two things are on the top of the list this month to welcome in the spring sunshine of April.

Firstly, why not give some well earned to support to a different group of sportswomen. The runners of the annual ‘Race for Life’ raising money for organ donation will be reaching the finish line here, having run 750km all the way from Paris four days earlier. Go down and give a well deserved round of applause!

If the success of these ladies drives you to push the limits too, then feel free to check out this year’s 3 Valley X Wing Rally on April 13th. Open to every man, woman and child, pro-skier, dog walker or coal miner, teams will make their way around different obstacle course areas, choosing which challenges to take on. If you are brave enough, you will find Speed Skiing, Giant Slalom, a Derby, Super Combo, Ski Stlye and The Triple Border – the biggest bordercross worldwide. But don’t panic! There is something for everyone and none of the races are compulsory. You will find me on the Big Air Bag (unsurprisingly) where you can practice jumps landing on this Scotland sized cushion. The all important prizes to be won include an invitation to the X-wing Transalp (£10,000), European ski trips, designer ski gear and lift passes.

And after all this I am sure you will be ready to retreat back to the paradise of the Chalet for a well deserved glass of Bolly by the pool!

Haute Couture in Courchevel

Courchevel is well placed in the minds of the elitist skiers as a kind of haute couture Elyisuim. From tailor-made threads to diamonds the size of the Ritz, in Courchevel 1850 no one would flinch at adding a Rodin to your collection over your lunchtime Laurent Perrier.

There are over one hundred shops in Courcehvel, with the finest of these to be found in 1850 itself. Apart from the haute couture, 1850 showcases boutiques selling the more refined things from all walks of life, ranging from Bang and Olufsen home cinema systems to Chanel jewels, Rigby and Peller lingerie, JP Gaultier handbags and Valrhona chocolates. Courchevel holds antiques shops, toyshops, florists, jewellers, art galleries, chocolatiers and perfumeries.

From the finest pralines in the valley, to your handmade, custom designed snowboard; I guarantee that you will not be disappointed with the style and shops that surround Chalet Pearl. For a stop-of during a ski day, or an outing in itself, it is the ultimate in luxury retail therapy to match the elegance of the Chalet, in one of the most exclusive settings in the world. Superlatives simply will not suffice.

extravaganski

Though skiing is what draws most of the thrill-seekers, speed freaks and, as I often like to call myself, ‘atmosphere absorbers’ to the breath-taking valley of Courchevel at this time of year, it is not the be all and end all of the wintersports season. In fact, there is no real need to ski at all.

Though snowboarding long ago began to debunk the ‘ski’ holiday myth, I hope to shed some light on the other exciting alternatives to skiing that I have discovered this season. From exhilarating heli-skiing and hot air ballooning over the mountains, to fresh air of mountain hikes, there is far more to Courchevel than often meets the eye.

Fitting for the splendor of a stay at Chalet Pearl and it’s surroundings, helicopter rides are a stylish alternative to the snow shod mountain walk. Or, one step more sumptuous for those who are harder to please, fly your own plane around the playground of the Alps. Flying lessons are available in Courchevel and lessons can be designed around your every whim.

Don’t be put off a hike, through the settings that inspired the imaginations of some of the greatest Romantic poets however; beautiful secluded hamlets abound Courchevel, very handy if you have a whisky St.Bernard and a raffish mountain guide with you.

If none of the above has taken your fancy, why not try out Courchevel’s luge, unique in France and at 2km and floodlit, you can toboggan at night straight from Courchevel 1850, Chalet Pearl’s garden. Or take a snowmobile across the mountains and then a husky sleigh ride back for a truly majestic Snow Queen moment.

And if still none of that has tickled you, check out the twinkling International Festival of Pyrotechnic Art from the 12^th of February until the 12^th of March, where fire-starters from across the land come to compete in the firework shows. 

Failing that, just stay in, under the spell of Chalet Pearl’s lavish wine lists, and, in keeping with the philosophy of our ski holidays, bar tender on hand to mix you whatever you want, whenever you want.

The Age of The Railway

To slink in ten minutes before departure, just enough time to devour a glass of something bubbly before boarding and get away with no qualms at all, sounds like the dream I have the night before I travel anywhere, followed by a rude awaking to the blasting sound of the impatient London cabby’s horn and the near neurotic fit about how heavy our bags are and whether we really have (but are you SURE?) got passports, toothbrushes and occasionally children in tow.

Every traveler experiences at some point, this break down, in fast and furious attempts to make arrival times hours before flights, packing light to follow baggage restrictions and amnesia over various children.

This week I traveled out to Courchevel and back using the Eurostar. Which was, if you will, the stuff dreams are made of. Going direct from London Kings cross and stopping at Moutiers it was the perfect transition from city living to Chalet Pearl's alpine luxury. I was Chauffer driven direct from work to the station, arriving just ten minutes before my train departed, just enough time for my (now tangible) glass of champagne in the premier business lounge and a flick through of Vogue.

Compared to the hassle of flying it was glorious. All our ski baggage could be loaded onto the train for no extra fees and there was no chance of it being eternally lost in the Bermuda triangle of terminal 5. 

Once on board, the train provides space to work and (if I’m honest) chat on my iphone, all fears about electro-magnetic interference recklessly abandoned when your not up in the air. When you arrive at Moutiers you will be greeted warmly by Chalet Pearl’s Chauffer and their brand new long-wheel based Mercedes Viano complete with plasma screen TVs and leather interiors, which is at the beck and call of guests throughout the duration of their stay. The Chalet is perfect and attentive in catering to any bespoke needs of their lucky guests.

Although flying is often fantastic, this made a seamless transition to a week of skiing, Chalet Pearl and the Eurostar in many ways provide the perfect combinations of luxury and ease, with all needs catered for before one has even realized them. For the perfect start to a holiday, the two make for a pretty stylish couple.

Apres Ski Season

For those of you looking for a different ski experience this year, there is as much to choosing the Chalet as the slopes themselves.

Over the last decade, Apres Ski has become as important as the slope action itself. Skiing is no longer just the old fashioned work it out it once was, but so much more. A new breed of skiers demand as much to do off the slopes as on them and i'm not referring to drab bars in barns and a raclette resembling a giant molten ‘baby-belle'.

Perched on a mountain ledge and steeped in luxury, Chalet Pearl fulfills just this. Pearl provides the perfect dose of skiing and nightlife. In the middle of the Nogentil area in Belle Cote, this mountain top beauty spot is surrounded by all the action, for the more ‘hard-core’ skiers amongst us, making it an ideal base for exploring the whole of the Three Valleys. From gentle greens, to blackcountry thrills, this is world class skiing at its very best.

For those of us who prefer a glass of chocolat chaud or, (and why not?) a large Sauvignon, Chalet Pearl affords a luxurious and relaxing Chalet break. The gym is fully stocked with all the latest fitness equipment, or, if you would rather relax, cascading fountains, sauna and private pool complete with marble columns will help you do just that. You would be forgiven for thinking that you were on a indulgent spa break. 

And Pearl’s personal two Michelin star catering makes all the difference. Whether delighting in the often elite, nightlife, or staying in, in one of the Chalet’s opulent bedrooms, it’s the ultimate in luxury skiing.

For a bewitching ski break, whether traveling as a family or a group, Chalet Pearl combines, without compromise, the thrills of the slopes with the celebre of luxury travel that are not to be missed this season.