Many chalets claim to be luxurious (it is a much-abused term in ski circles), but Ferme de Montagne is one that absolutely qualifies for the label. It is a supremely sophisticated, deluxe chalet hotel that feels slightly more formal than most - more hotel, certainly. The emphasis is on superb service with excellent attention to detail, and it delivers time and time again.
The décor is sumptuous and traditional, the 7 rooms spacious and lavish, but the staff are all young, eager and super-friendly, making the ambiance wonderfully relaxed rather than stuffy. Food is a massive highlight, and guests enjoy the fine cuisine in a large dining room at separate tables rather than round a big communal table, which adds to the hotel feel. Throw in a plum location beside the slopes of the fabulous Portes du Soleil ski resort of Les Gets, and it's a complete winner. Skiing doesn’t get much more comfortable - or convenient - than this.
Highs
- The food: sophisticated, light and Michelin-inspired; twice a week dinner is a 7-course tasting menu! Rates are half board, and there's lots of choice at each meal
- The chalet pairs members of staff - all keen, extremely accomplished skiers - with guests of a similar level, so you have someone to guide you around the resort
- Flexible booking: Ferme de Montagne is run like a hotel so can be booked for short or long breaks, on a room-by-room basis, or as an exclusive rental for 23
- Special Family Weeks during school holidays
- The level and standard of staffing - the youthful, extensive crew all spend a fortnight training at The Lanesborough in London before coming here
Lows
- Only open from mid-December to mid-April
- An expensive treat
- Limited spa facilities - there's an outdoor hot tub and a small sauna, but both are a bit of a squeeze at busy times...
- ...as is the small lounge area, called the library, where guests gather for afternoon tea
- Suzanne the owner is quite hands-on and dines with each guest party during the course of your stay - it's a high for many, but if you want to dine alone don't be afraid to say
Best time to go
Ferme de Montagne is only open in the winter, from mid-December to mid April. The peak weeks of New Year and February half term are usually booked by regulars, so plan way in advance if you want to go then. The best times to go are either the end of January, when it is quieter anyway, or the beginning of March. Snow is consistently good.
Our top tips
Being only one hour from Geneva, you could take a morning flight and get a couple of hours' skiing in on your arrival day. Or book an evening return flight to allow a full morning on the slopes before you head home (the hotel will look after your bags, and you can use their common rooms and facilities).
And don't forget, their rates normally include a ski guide, dinners and local transport, as well as discounted equipment hire, so it's not as pricey as it might look.
And don't forget, their rates normally include a ski guide, dinners and local transport, as well as discounted equipment hire, so it's not as pricey as it might look.
- Boutique Chalet Hotel
- 7 (or exclusive rental for 23)
- Half-board
- Older teens (17+) only except during Family Weeks
- Open all year
- Pool
- Sauna
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Concierge Service
- Board games + petanque
- In-resort driving service
Rooms
The 7 rooms are opulent and lavishly furnished - most have kingsize or twin beds and their own living area with sofas and a writing desk. One is smaller, with just a queensize bed. Another is dubbed the 'Family Suite', and has a kingsize bed on the main floor, another on a mezzanine, plus a single bed and space for a rollaway bed or baby cot (both kingsize beds can be twinned). You can rent the chalet exclusively for 23 people.
The look throughout is traditional; Louis-XIV style chairs and tables, great swags of curtains, and rich, brocaded bed covers and curtain ropes. Bathrooms have gleaming chrome fittings and tubs with showers over them.
Attention to detail is impressive. Bathrobes and slippers are provided and there's a generous stash of Jo Malone and Penhaligon toiletries, as well as the hotel’s own handmade essential-oil sea salts specially formulated to ease aching ski legs. Beds are dreamily comfortable with Hypnos mattresses, thick lambswool covers and crisp linens. There's plenty of hanging space for ski clobber, a full pillow menu, and each room has a Nespresso machine plus a supply of your favourite teas (you're asked before your stay). There's even a welcome pouch, containing suntan lotion to your preferred SPF level, a piste map and a goggles wipe.
Features include:
- WiFi
Eating
Ferme de Montagne's food is fabulous. The dining room resembles a restaurant, with guests at their own table rather than communal, chalet-style dining around one large table. Dishes are intricate and elaborate, perfectly plated works of art, with everything made in-house and locally sourced as far as possible - gorgeous cheeses and meat are supplied by a dairy farmer down the road in St Jean d’Aulps.
Dinner is included in your room rate and there's loads of variety. Three times a week the menu is à la carte (with lots of choice), there's a brasserie menu once a week, and a full-blown 7-course tasting menu twice a week. Standout dishes during our stay included pan-fired cod with fennel puree and melting, slow-roasted pork belly with pickled pear and black pudding. The wine is a treat, too; Henry the owner is a keen wine enthusiast and the choice of bottles is extensive. All alcohol costs extra, though, so be careful when ordering!
Chef’s night off is usually Wednesday, when we'd advise heading to La Perla in the centre of Les Gets for traditional Savoyard dishes (10 minutes' walk). Les Coppeaux is good too; top organic steaks with a good accompanying wine list.
Breakfasts at the chalet are a cold buffet (pastries, local charcuterie and cheeses, homemade granola and compotes), plus 2 hot specials (the likes of eggs Benedict and smoked salmon on a dill potato cake) or a full English. And after a day on the slopes, you'll be delighted to find afternoon tea laid out in the library when you return - perhaps fresh scones, chocolate tart and lemon drizzle or pistachio cake.
Features include:
- Children's meals
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Pop your skis or board on and scoot straight onto a piste. The chalet sits in Les Gets, which is part of Portes du Soleil, with a vast 650km of slopes to suit all abilities. Your room rate includes staff to guide you
- Don't miss Mont Chéry, the local hill dubbed the seasonnaire’s mountain: slopes are quieter than the main ski area, including the challenging Bouquetin black run
- Lunch on lobster tartiflette at Le Grand Ourse, a charming mountain restaurant with knock-out views of majestic Mont Blanc.
- Snow-shoeing: there are lots of lovely tracks to explore, especially in the Mont Chéry area
- Kids will love ice skating on the little rink in the centre of Les Gets
- All sorts of other wintry pursuits are on offer, too, from dog sledding to parapenting (paragliding off the side of a mountain) and ice hockey
- Go chocolate making at Chalet du Chocolat - an unmissable experience for all chocoholics
- There's boutique shopping in Les Gets or further afield in Geneva
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Shopping / markets
- Skiing
Kids
This is principally a beautiful chalet hotel for adults. However, it allocates 5-7 weeks each winter (normally school holidays) for families and they are well looked after - early dinners are offered for young ones, and staff will help parents look after their offspring, assisting with dressing in the morning, carrying their skis and supervising them in the hot tub. Children under 16 get a 15% discount.
Outside Family Weeks, only teenagers are accepted.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
One room has 2 kingsize/twin beds, one on a mezzanine sleeping area, plus an additional single bed and space for a rollaway bed or baby cot. Other rooms (except the smallest room) can each fit 1 rollaway bed or baby cot.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms
Babysitting:
On request.
Baby equipment:
- High chairs
- Baby cots
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Children's meals:
- Kids' menu
Kids Activities on site:
- Hot tub
- Family DVDs
Kids Activities nearby:
- Skiing and snowboarding (staff can advise on ski schools)
- Ice skating and watching ice hockey
- Husky sledding
- Chocolate making
Distances:
- Airport: 1 hour's drive (Geneva)
- Shop: 10 minutes' walk (Les Gets)
- Hospital: 35 minutes' drive (Thonon)
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Ferme de Montagne is located in La Turche, a tiny hamlet 10 minutes’ walk from the charming village of Les Gets in the Portes du Soleil domain of the French Alps. It is just across a quiet road from a private drag lift or a run that takes skiers down to one of the main lift stations.
By Air:
Geneva (85km) is the nearest airport and is less than an hour's drive away. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving this airport.
From the Airport
Return private transfers can be arranged and are the best option as you won't need a car while you're here - you can walk into Les Gets and staff will transport guests around on request. However, if you'd prefer to be independent, click here to see our recommendations for car rental; parking is available on site. If arriving via Geneva airport, it’s worth picking up your hire car on the Swiss side of the border (it has 2 exits), as you’ll find it easier - and probably cheaper. Note that you’ll need a vignette (annual permit) to drive on Swiss motorways.
By Train:
Cluses is technically the nearest train station, 30 minutes' drive from the chalet, but the most convenient one is Geneva, from which the hotel will do transfers.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to France and getting around
Airports:
- Geneva 85.0 km GVA
Other:
- Beach 62.0 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 1.0 km