Chalet La Grande Ourse
The environment
Meribel-les-Allues and Meribel-Mottaret are positioned in the heart of the Trois Vallées, with about 450 miles of piste the largest skiing area of Europe. The skiing resorts of La Tania, Couchevel, Les Menuires en Val Thorens can be reached in a very short time from this central valley of Meribel.
Location & distances:
The chalet is positioned 200 meter uphill of the centre of Meribel-Mottaret. Cars can be parked on the road in front of the chalet. With the free télécabine des chalets, of which the middle station is at about 30 meters of the chalet, uphill walking with groceries is not necessary. The ski piste is about 100 meters of the chalet and can easily be reached walking down alongside the road. In the snow season it is a walk of about 40 meters and the rest can be done skiing. The way back to the chalet is simpler: up to 40 meter distance of the chalet if a smart route is taken, in the snow season up to the entrance of the chalet.
Guests of our chalet state that the chalet is located perfectly, everything is close by (pistes / shops). Meribel-Mottaret is positioned up in the valley, such that from a ski-in/ski-out perspective (like going back for a quick lunch) is easy and the smallest detour in comparison with e.g. Meribel Altiport, La Tania, Meribel Village, Les Allues and also Meribel.
Also for a quick popping in/out of the valleys of Courchevel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens: Meribel-Mottaret is best positioned: from our chalet you'll be on the rim of these valleys in half an hour or so. When going back one can take the last lift home from these valleys. Once back on the rim one can get back home without requiring running lifts (i.e. no stress). For La Tania, Meribel Village and Les Allues this is not an option. Coming from Les Menuires or Val Thorens after 16:45 to Meribel Altiport or Meribel-les-Allues, one has, besides the longer return trip, to take a bus to get back home (if there is space, usually pretty crowded at this time of day).
Although Meribel-Mottaret has several bars and a disco, the center of Meribel-les-Allues is the better place for going out. From our chalet this is a 7 minutes drive. Do note that, since Meribel-les-Allues is a pretty expanded village, its center is not always at walking distance, you may also need to drive to get there.
Parking: One can park the car in front of the chalet. In the low season this should not be a problem, in high season this may be more difficult, but it should not be a problem to find a parking space within 100 meters distance.
The chalet
The chalet is very spacious in comparison with standard apartments: 65 m2. There are 2 bedrooms that provide space for 5 persons *. The apartment is very cosy with wooden finishing, traditional details and warm tiling. A big renovation has been carried out in the summer of 2004.
* The 5th bed is an underbed that can be pulled out and elevated to the level of the other beds.
For whom a view from the within apartment on the mountains is a prerequisite: The apartment receives direct sun from the outside but the views on the mountains from within the apartment are restrained by neighboring chalets and trees. The apartment has a terrace (2 x 8m) facing South / South East.
Layout
Entrance with wardrobe and room for skis and shoes (professional ski shoe dryer)
Hallway with 2nd wardrobe and cupboards.
Bathroom with bath incl. shower.
Separate WC
Sleeping room approx. 4.5 x 3 mtr with 2 single beds, and a 3rd bed below
Sleeping room approx. 3 x 3.5 mtr for 2 persons with 1 bed (2 single persons duvets)
Living room/dining room with fireplace and TV approx. 4 x 7 m
Terrace facing South / South East
Kitchen with oven, dishwasher, microwave and kitchen aids
Chalet extra’s/attributes:
Fire place
Ski shoe warmer/dryer (professional)
New seating corner
New furniture in French local style
TV
DVD player (and + 30 DVD’s)
HiFi audio installation
Dish washer
Hot air oven / grill
Microwave
Fridge with freezing compartment
Kitchen machine
Electrical lemon squeezer
Senseo coffee machine
Filter coffee machine
Hoover
Toaster
There is ADSL but at times there are problems with this one, so not guaranteed. There however are several bars in Mottaret which offer free internet access and a coffee costing less than 3 €.
Wood is not included but can be bought at various supermarkets in Meribel, like 200 Meter before Meribel (in Mussillon) in the SPAR supermarket on your left hand side on the way up. Fire wood is also sold by the Petit Casino close to the rond point in Meribel Centre. N.B. carefully read the fireplace instructions before making a fire!
Cleaning and bed linen
Cleaning is organised on a seasonal basis and mandatory, costing 60 €. We expect from renters that the apartment is left in a proper state for the cleaners.
Cleaning does not include washing the dishes, emptying the dish washer and the disposal of garbage bags. For reason of hot coals, no fire should be made on the evening before departure.
Bed linen, towels as well as drying cloths can be arranged via Boutik Services if this has preference over bringing your own. Mail: meribel@boutikservices.com
Web: www.boutikservices.com.
Boutik Services take care of the cleaning and hence will bring new and pick up the used bed linen on Saturday. They offer many more services (see their website) from making the beds to welcoming fruit and champagne.
If you plan to bring your own bed linen: All duvets are 1 person (all down duvets). There is one double mattress (180x200cm), all other beds are single (90x200cm). Do not forget to bring drying cloths for the kitchen as these are not standard available in the chalet.
Xavier Mills of Boutique Services is also our concierge / caretaker, he has a house on the way to our chalet in Mussillon just before Meribel-Les-Allues. Keys to get access to the chalet have to be picked up there.
Pets
In principle no pets. Exceptions can be made in agreement with owners and will be bound to a few rules.
Summer
We also rent out in the summer. The border of the Parc National de la Vanoise is at about 500 meter from our chalet, great for mountain walks. Besides beautiful flora one can see alpine marmots (many), mountain goats (usually at a distance) and capricorns (if you get lucky).
Besides this there are options to play tennis, football, basketball, beach volleyball, ping pong, mountain scooter and carting (this without engine, downhill), golf (9 holes), fishing (trout), swimming, horse riding, archery, star observatory, mountain biking, canyoning, rafting, mountaineering, ice skating and more.
A health club in Meribel offers fitness facilities, sauna, steam bath, swimming pool and massage (for in winter also).
In summer in Meribel there are no mosquitoes, the atmosphere is relatively dry (not damp), the sun is fierce (sun creams are a necessity at this altitude) and all of this at an agreeable moderate temperature of around 25 degrees on a sunny day.
The rental prices for the summer are around half of the prices in the winter.