In short… Mountain adventures based in a tiny Alpine village on the French-Italian border
The vibe… Rustic luxury in a fairytale-like Alpine chalet that makes the most of its views over the Tarantaise Valley. Think cozy stone fireplaces, shearling-draped chairs and overstuffed sofas. Chalet Pelerin’s main living room has a wall of windows that give the space a light and airy feel and overlook a traditional farming village. French doors open out to multiple balconies with charming, intricately carved details and flower boxes. The tiered patio has a fire pit and banquette seating—perfect for watching the sunset while sipping pre-dinner drinks.
The rooms… There are four king-size bedrooms and a bunk room set over three floors, each named after nearby mountain peaks. Decorated with locally sourced decor, the rooms have traditional alpine furnishings like heavy wooden armoires and wall-mounted antlers—and also modern amenities like Apple TV, an integrated sound system and USB chargers on the nightstands (shout out for the amazingly plush robes and slippers provided in the bathrooms). I stayed in Sassière, a ground-floor room with casement windows overlooking the garden, but the largest bedroom is Mont Pourri, which has its own fireplace and balcony. All the rooms contain cozy touches like fur throws and thick plaid flannel curtains.
The wellness… Like most Eleven properties (including Deplar Farm in Iceland and Taylor River Lodge in Colorado), Chalet Pelerin is all about the activities, which are overseen by their expert guides. I was there in September and we went whitewater rafting on the River Isère, glacier hiking in neighboring Italy, and e-mountain biking (to Le Monal, a tiny village so picturesque it doesn’t seem real, and is only accessible by foot or bike). In winter, you can ski at any of the seven resorts close by, or opt for heli-skiing from three nearby bases in Italy (heli-skiing is not permitted in France). Even better, the Chalet provides all the gear you need in their perfectly appointed boot room (it even has dryers for ski boots). There is also more low-key wellness at the Chalet, with a fresh water indoor pool, steam room, Finnish sauna and outdoor hot tub on the bottom floor.
The food and drink… There is no on-site restaurant, so meals are prepared by the Chalet’s chef—expect classic Savoyard cuisine, including fondue and tartiflette, as well as local cheeses (often from the neighboring goat farm) and wines. After dinner, try the local aperitif Génépi, made from flowers that grow only in the region.
Be sure to… Hike to Ruiter Alpage, a historic stone building in the hills of Le Plateau La Sassière, which has been restored with the same rustic-chic vibe as the chalet. Eat lunch al fresco and watch the sheep and goats graze by the glacial river running through the valley. Magical.
Date of stay… September, 2023
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