36 DEPARTURES TRAVEL CHECKING IN Schussing About New suites, chalets and even domes breathe fresh air into the Alps this winter. by Felice Hardy Private Escapes Imposing Le Grenier (consensiochalets.co.uk) in Méribel is the latest offering from on-trend chalet operator Consensio. The ski-in ski-out property has 550 square metres of space arranged over five floors, and the living area has triple-height windows and glass doors opening onto a large terrace with outdoor seating. The spa has a gym, sauna, massage room and a huge slate sunken whirlpool. Unusually, aside from its four double bedrooms, the chalet has not one but two master suites, making it ideal for two families to share. In the next valley, Saint-Martinde-Belleville is the quieter resort, where Chez Bugi (whitemountain-chalets.com) is ski-in ski-out and features muted, elegant decor, six bedrooms, with bespoke furniture and sumptuous fabrics. In the same village and standing side-by-side are the twins Pure White & Pure Black Crystal (chalets-stmartin-belleville. com), with five bedrooms each, featuring woody interiors, black slate, central fireplaces, vast windows, swimming pools and Nordic baths. Farther along the Tarentaise Valley lies Les Arcs. Here Chalet des Cascades ( flexiski.com) is on the piste 100 metres The sprawling lounge at Chalet Purmontes Le Grenier’s cosy entrance lobby from the highest satellite of Arc 2000. It sleeps 14, has a counter-current swimming pool and uninterrupted views of the mountains. Flexibility is the key, so you can book by the week or for short breaks. Italy’s South Tyrol has long been a leading light in ecofriendly properties, and Chalet Purmontes ( winklerhotels.com) in St Lorenzen takes the concept to a new height with its lovely natural materials and sustainable construction. The intimate hideaway contains five suites, each with a private pool, and sister property, Hotel Lanerhof, is 250 metres away. Also convenient for skiing Kronplatz, with its state-of-the-art gondolas, is another chalet collection based around a hotel: Chalet Salena ( chalet-salena.com) features six apartments and one vast penthouse, and it is connected to Hotel Quelle Nature Spa Resort, where you can dine or visit the spa, with its unusual offerings including an outdoor waterwheel sauna and an infinity sauna. From here there’s also cross-country skiing at St Magdalena in the Gsies valley. The third home in South Tyrol is Bergvillen ( bergvillen. com), set in utter seclusion An ultra-private, ultra-modern Bergvillen chalet in the Hafling woods. Four modern chalets, each sleeping two to eight people, offer gorgeous interiors and private pools, and you have access to neighbouring Chalet Mirabell and its 6,000sq m spa. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: MIKE JONES, EGBERT KRUPP, FLORIAN ANDERGASSEN
