Your chalet holiday!

It starts with breakfast
Breakfast starts the night before.  Croissants and pain-au-chocolats are left to rise overnight in a warm place.  The following morning, Helen will be up about 6:15am to put them in to bake - and to ski down for fresh bread - to ensure that, by the time you descend for your breakfast, you will be greeted by the smell of freshly-baked croissants and pain-au-chocolats, a hot pot of steaming breakfast coffee, fresh orange juice, yoghurts, eggs, ham and cheese, cereals, bread, preserves, and the table fully laid out, just waiting for you.

     
"It's been an amazing time, great food. Fantastic people. Breathtaking view and adventures" - Adam & Camilla, Berkshire

The perfect chalet…
Helen waited three years and viewed over fifty properties in the Chamonix valley to find the perfect chalet.  Being able to ski both in and out of the chalet was a necessity, and an aspect that all our guests LOVE.

There are only three commercial chalets in Chamonix Valley where you can ski directly from the door in the morning, and back in at the end of the day.  Hence, we feel it is one of our most attractive features.

So, once you are all fed and dressed, you can simply step into your skis and ski straight out of the back door and onto the piste.

Discover the charm of Chamonix Les Houches
Les Houches is a simply delightful place to ski.
Watch our video showing the skiing from the chalet, and the pistes of Chamonix Les Houches....
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In amongst the trees, it has a superb variety of runs - all are well groomed - together with little known areas that are great for learning off-piste.  The "Vieilles Luges" is an old restaurant just off the red run back to the chalet - a traditional Savoyarde farm over two hundred and fifty years old - it serves the best "vin chaud" in the valley (in my opinion).  It is a gem.

     
"Wonderful holiday, delicious food, great hot tub, amazing views" - Kellie, Dorset

The more adventurous can try the infamous "Kandahar" or "Piste Verte" in Les Houches.
Despite its name, which literally means "Green run", this is actually a challenging black piste - Chamonix's world championship downhill ski run.  It runs from the top of Prarion right down to Les Houches.  The top world-class skiers do it in around 01:57. We prefer a leisurely 07:56.

If you are an off-piste expert, you might want to head to Brevent or Grands Montets for your skiing, or even go heli-skiing (which we can arrange).   However, because Les Houches tends to be quieter and more family-orientation, we often have fresh powder when the other stations in Chamonix valley have been tracked out long ago.

Also, when the wind is too high in the valley - when the weather is not so great - the visibility reduced - then, Les Houches truly comes into its own:  Les Houches is often the one resort left open when all the other areas are closed.

In short, Les Houches is ideal for beginners and intermediates alike.  I personally feel it is one of the most under-rated ski areas in the valley.  With the brand new, high-speed, 8 person cable car just 400 metres down the piste, the chalet is now even better served.

Other ski areas in Chamonix Valley
The other ski areas are just a short drive away too.  Whilst buses in Chamonix are included with your ski pass, we really recommend using a car; simply to avoid feeling like sardines packed on the bus in Monday rush-hour.  If you have a car, it will ensure you arrive quickly at the slopes, relaxed and ready for the skiing ahead.

We are ready to help you
If you plan to ski outside of Les Houches, Helen has been living and skiing in Chamonix for over eight years, so I recommend having a chat with her over breakfast: to find out the latest weather forecast, to receive the local avalanche report (if you are planning to go off-piste), to find out which sites are the least crowded, and to work out which ski area is likely to have the best snow.  

We are delighted to help, so please ask.

     
"Great chalet, Great hosts, Great food. Excellent Holiday" - Maxine, Huddersfield

Remember your bathing costume
When you return to the chalet, or even after dinner, you can relax and enjoy the hot tub.  This is permanently heated on the raised pine wooden decking of the terrace.  There is nothing like nine hundred and fifty litres of bubbling hot water between 38.0 and 40.0 degrees Celsius to relax your aching muscles.  Under the stars, most guests love to sip pink champagne or enjoy a beer.  Soft illumination from the underwater lights creates a wondrous atmosphere at night, as you warmly bathe with three feet of snow and ice all around.

Worried about getting frozen when you emerge from the hot tub?  Don't be...
Simply slip into one of our sumptuous white towelling bathrobes.

Watch a movie
In the lounge, the open log fire will be lit and burning well.  You can put your feet up on the enormous sofa that seats 10 comfortably and watch one of over 200 movies.  We have movies for all tastes: warm romantic comedies, action thrillers, all James Bond, Indiana Jones and Star Wars.  There are classic old movies, stand-up comedians, lots of ski videos, and even box-sets of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  

Alternatively, you can watch one of the many programmes we receive on Sky satellite.  With over 100 different television channels to choose from, you should definitely find something to interest you.

We also have over 6,900 music tracks, including the entire back catalogue of Queen, Dire Straits and the Beatles albums.

Please feel free to bring your favourite movies or music.

Read a book
Alternatively, browse through the library in the lounge.  The books range from children's classics, such as the "Mister Men" and Enid Blyton, through the "Da Vinci Code" to cheesy romance novels, Indian cookery books, gardening and fitness books, and even World Atlases.  With over 250 different titles, you should find something to cater for most tastes.

We also have packs of cards and a selection of board games.

Surf the internet
Should you feel the need to check your emails, you have unlimited access to the guest computer where you can surf at Broadband speeds. Alternatively, you can access the internet from your own laptop, via our Wi-Fi network.

     
"Super! Excellent!! J'adore beaucoup! " - Peter, Bury, Lancashire

It is a time of reflection and anticipation.  And a time to replenish your energy reserves too.
You want to be sure that your skiing holiday is well catered.

The centrepiece of the dining area is a beautiful, chunky, round oak table that seats 10 with ease.  So, six nights a week, you will enjoy 4 delicious courses - hearty portions of wonderful home-cooked food accompanied by free-flowing wine whilst the meal is served - meals which include local speciality dishes, such as tartiflette, fondue, or raclette.

High chairs are available for babies

One night a week, Helen takes the evening off.  This gives you a chance to sample some of the fine restaurants in Les Houches or Chamonix itself.  Transport will be organised to take you to the restaurant of your choice.

     
"Lovely meals, lovely lady, beautiful chalet. Thank you!!" - Sophia, Bradford

We start the process in May before the winter season even starts.  We review all the menus from the season before.  Then, Helen prepares each potential new menu for visiting friends and family.  Each dish is scrutinised and perfected.  Finally, menus are prepared for the season, and are checked over by one of our chef friends to ensure that you will enjoy each and every meal at Maison-Jaune.

We know that not everyone has the same taste though.  So, we always ask whether there are any special requirements.  Are there any vegetarians amongst you?  Any fussy eaters?

If so, it is no problem.
Helen will simply adjust the menus to reflect your needs, or prepare individual dishes if necessary, to ensure that you enjoy the best that her cooking offers, and others enjoy their meals too.

     
"Your warmth on my first European experience was truly exceptional." - Kyle, Massachusetts

Self-Catering? A kitchen worthy of a professional awaits you.
The kitchen is large and fully equipped:  the Rosières cooker has five gas-burning stove hobs, two ovens which are large enough to roast a turkey each, and a hot plate too.  Also, there is an enormous extraction fan to keep the kitchen fume-free and at a pleasant temperature.  In addition, there are two fridges available for you to use, as well as a microwave and dishwasher.  No-one wants to be washing dishes on holiday.

There is a 15 bar Krups combination coffee machine which produces both excellent espressos and pots of delicious filter coffee.  A toaster, food processor and a mixer, a salad spinner, and enough crockery, cutlery and glassware for 12 place settings.

Fantastic accommodation
After Helen found the perfect location, the chalet was completely gutted and over 120,000 euros was spent renovating and re-fitting the chalet from top to bottom.

Underfloor heating was installed in every bedroom and bathroom.  This means that even on the coldest of mornings, when you slide your feet out of bed, they are greeted by a cosy warmth rising from the floor.  Sheer luxury.  Our rooms are always warm, even in the depths of the coldest winter.  In addition, the heating in each bedroom is individually controlled, so you can ensure the temperature is just perfect for you.

All the bedrooms (except one) have en-suite facilities with showers - the master bedroom has a bath as well.  Plus, all of the bathrooms are fitted with towel heaters.  We know the sheer pleasure of emerging from a hot shower after a tiring day to be enveloped by an enormous, warm, fluffy white bathtowel.  Simply delightful.

It should also be mentioned that the one bedroom without an en-suite has private facilities instead - which includes an extra-large shower and heated towel rail (of course).

The bathroom taps are served from our industrial-sized Athena boiler, which provides bathloads of constant hot water, rather than a hot water tank.  This means, not only will the chalet never normally run out of hot water, but the hot water comes straight out of the tap piping hot, like in decent hotels.  The cold water in the rooms comes directly from the mains, and so is completely safe to drink too.

We also provide hairdryers for your convenience.

     
"Its a beautiful place where you can feel like home. Thank you" - Romain, Poland

Rustic bedrooms with charm and space
Maison-Jaune delights with the comfort, spaciousness and airiness of its rooms.

All the bedrooms give you a fresh, energetic feeling that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning and make the most of the day.  The walls are warming pastel-colours, and there are modern stylish curtains, and hardwood cedar floors which provide warmth and that rustic charm that only French chalets have.  The white plastered ceilings have little silver spotlights for illumination, and the wooden supporting beams are exposed in the top-floor bedrooms.

Scandinavian pine wardrobes and bedside cabinets provide ample storage to hang or store your clothes.  And all the rooms have comfortable pine chairs - don't we all simply throw our clothes over the chair at the end of an exhausting day!

Plus…
All the bedrooms have a balcony overlooking the ski piste.

And...

they ALL have STUNNING views over the mountain range of Chamonix.  Both Winter or summer!  Every single bedroom looks out on the Chamonix valley, the Aiguille du Midi, Mont-Blanc-du-Tacul, and the blue ski piste at Les Houches.

     
"Had a fabulous time! Thank you for making us feel so at home" - Trisha & Tom, South Carolina

The best night's sleep
The bed linen is soft, white and freshly-starched with perfect hospital corners, whilst the mattresses are firm, comfortable and supportive.  Whilst the beds can be transformed into either double or twins, they are "zip-lock" which prevents the mattresses from spreading - so you never disappear down a gap between the mattresses.  We know how annoying that can be.

Finally, each bed is smothered with plump, goose-feathered, down pillows and a warm, cosy, 4-season duvet which ensures simply the best night's sleep - so you will be ready for the following day's adventures.

(we have other pillows available should you be allergic to goose-feather).

     
"We had a fantastic time, we will be back next year for sure" - Susan, Edinburgh

All in all...
Basically, we want you to have the best ski holiday ever.

If staying at Maison-Jaune sounds like the type of holiday you want to experience, then I urge you to check the availability page right now to see if the dates you wish are currently available.