Chalet de Pierre

Built especially for YSE, this ski-in, ski-out chalet with sauna, gym and private lift, is one of the smartest in Val d'Isère.

The chalet overlooks the charming hamlet of Le Laisinant, just five minutes walk or one stop on the free bus past the edge of the main village, from a position just beneath the Traversé du Laisinant piste.

The sitting-dining room sits under the hefty rafters, with an open-plan kitchen, and mealtimes are accompanied by an unforgettable view of Bellevarde.

At the other end of the room, there is an equally spectacular view across the bottom of the lovely, smooth L piste and up to the glaciers of the Italian border, to be enjoyed from big, squashy sofas around the log fire. When it gets dark, there's a flat-screen TV and a selection of DVDs. Or just use the WiFi.

On the ground floor, between the front door and the private lift which whisks you to the bedroom floor or the living room floor, are the ski room with boot warmers, and the sauna and gym (cross trainer, cycling and rowing machines - just what you need after eight hours skiing).

You don't have to be a good skier to return to the chalet from the bottom of the L or Mattis pistes, while the never-crowded six-seater Laisinant Express chairlift is two minutes walk away. Already the quickest way into the Fornet ski area, a new run takes skiers straight into the Solaise area, making this chairlift a superbly convenient way to start the days skiing.