From Country Life:
Each week, James Fisher fantasises about a dream ski chalet he'd like to buy, but can't — from architecturally striking marvels, to cosy mountain retreats, and everything in between. This week, we are off to Meribel, the birthplace of the hangover.
Those of a certain algorithm will be aware that the snow has begun to fall, and fall heavily. Resorts across Europe can scarcely contain their glee as the early season snow blankets their mountains, which means that the snowsports season is well and truly on its way (and for some intrepid adventurers, has already begun).
It is at times like this that I like to daydream about the kind of chalet I would buy, should I ever win the lottery or if it turns out that one of the plentiful scammers in my inbox is telling the truth about untold riches to be found in Nigeria or elsewhere
There would be certain essentials. Anyone who has ever skied or snowboarded anywhere, at any level, knows that carrying skis or snowboards is the most annoying thing in the world, so direct access to the slopes (otherwise known as ‘ski-in, ski-out’) is essential. I would also like a sauna, so I can get rid of the aches and pains from my joints and muscles, as well as sweat out the many vices I will have undoubtedly indulged in at lunch and/or apres. The last thing would be enough bedrooms for all my friends to come and stay. I find hot-tubs to be quite unsettling objects, so I can take or leave one of those.
But Country Life is a broad church, so in this round up of ‘Ski Chalets That I Would Like To Own One Day If I Suddenly Had Lots Of Spare Cash’, I will not only pick things that I want, but also things I think you might want. I am kind and generous like that, and should be celebrated for being so (ideally by you, the reader, inviting me skiing). Let’s begin.
Chalet Genepi
Ahhh Meribel, the birthplace of the hangover. It was here that Monsieurs Hang and Over first joined forces to invent ‘après-ski’, thus creating the dry mouth and stinging headaches that can only be cured by a day on the mountains. Who can forget misspent youths dancing in RondPoint, Sullys, or Le Pub. Depends how hard you party, I suppose.
The good news is that Meribel and Les Trois Vallées as a whole is still a pretty sensational space to ski, even if your best partying days are behind you. And a sensational place to ski needs a sensational place to stay. Where better than within the sublime stone walls of Chalet Genepi on the snowy banks of the Georges Maduit piste? Seven bedrooms, premium ski-in, ski-out access and only minutes away from the town centre. Tres bien.
For sale with the chalet specialists Free Spirit Alpine for a more than reasonable €11.95 million, this is a rare chance to own one of the best chalets in not just Meribel, but the entire ski area. If you’ve been to Meribel before, you might ask: ‘Is this that chalet?’. The answer is 'oui, c'est ça'. Let’s look inside....
....MUCH MORE
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