Winter Bookings & Price List 2011/2012

The price per person per week includes

Breakfasts of home-made bread, croissants, compôtes, fresh fruit, cereal, eggs, fruit juices, porridge, cereal, coffee teas and/or infusions

Afternoon tea of homemade tarts, biscuits,pancakes or cakes.

3 course evening meal (except one night per week) with aperitifs and wine with the meal.

Generally holidays start on a Sunday evening (except sometimes for Xmas and New Year) but occassionaly we can be flexible.

The price does not include travel, holiday insurance, health insurance, equipment hire or ski passes.
For summer availability, please see separate page

In peak weeks, marked by a *, the chalet will normally be rented to a single party, which will be expected to fill it.

Prices assume two people per room. A single supplement of £150 may apply.

Children aged 0 to 24 months – £250.

The Writer’s Retreat is self catered with most food provided and is £900 per week for 2 people (please call to discuss).

Family Discounts

A 20% discount for children (those over 2 but under 12).

A 50% discount for a fourth child in a family (all four children having the same parents).

This is your holiday and we can often be flexible: early suppers for children and packed lunches can usually be arranged.

Booking Form

Please download and complete the  Winter booking Form (also available as a PDF -Winter Booking Form)

Return it to us by email at  lafermedusoleil@hotmail.com

or Fax 01235 861 643 (ring 01235 833643 first so that we can switch on)

They are not the cheapest and they do not have the broadest range but the people are nice and they speak some English. They have not only a normal range of skis but boards, ski de randonnée equipment, snow shoes etc.

Their address is:-

Magasin de sports, Ski Service Deloche

L’Envers du Chinaillon

Le Grand-Bornand Chinaillon

74450 Le Grand-Bornand

Tel : 04 50 27 00 73 (+33 4 50 27 00 33)

www.skiservice-grandbornand.com

contact@skiservice-grandbornand.com

Opening hours are officially from 08:45 to 18:00 (18:30 at Christmas through New Year and in February) although they seem to open a little earlier and are often there a little later, clearing up.

When hiring, mention that you are staying at La Ferme du Soleil.  You will still need a passport to show them.  Generally, you pay when you return your hired stuff. They take all the normal credit cards.

You can ask them to reserve you skis etc.  There is a form, which you can send them.  Emails work much better than telephone with them as they are not there until the season starts.

When driving through Chinaillon, take the left turn, marked to the slopes, and you will se it on the left after about a kilometre.  The shop is after the start of the car parking, just afte the Gettier lift  and the sign, “Ski Service”  faces you.

You can get your ski tickets 150 yards from the ski shop, just down the road.

You can, of course, go anywhere else that you choose.  However if you hire from Le Grand Bornand, remember that is more of a trek than shops in Chinaillon.

October is the month when we get all the stores up the hill to la Ferme. As all the cows with bells leave the mountain for winter, we start getting in all the logs, wine and dry ingredients. Once the snow arrives, all the rest of the stores and the fresh fruit and vegetables etc have to be brought up on the skidoo.

Mel’s Testimony “I had the most magical 21st birthday at la Ferme du Soleil..The day started with a champagne breakfast on the balcony..Then a postcard arrived saying a man in black would take me to heaven and back….Little did I know it was actually a tandem parapenting flight off the Lachat piste just by the chalet. A superb day was rounded off with midnight fireworks back on the balcony. Thanks for a 21st I will never forget!” Melanie, Banker, SW1

Chris and Christina Gosney who have come every year for 9 years! And celebrated both their 50th birthdays here: ”Sun snow and great company. The Ferme does it again. Is there anywhere  else for a ski holiday? I don’t think anywhere could come close. Thank you for so much attention, we will return again and again and again. Chris and Christina.”

And another time: “I write the same mantra every time, because its always just how it is: beautiful Ferme, wonderful food, great company -HEAVEN ON EARTH”

“Without doubt the most amazing chalet I have ever been to” Hamish Barton

“Sorry to sound repetitive but this chalet is absolutely gorgeous.” “It is such a luxury being looked after – and so well! food is amazing and special thanks to Andy and Alexa for taking us out skiing and joining in with our murder mystery” Victoria

The family Munro are also return guests like most of our guests, who have developed strong friendships with staff and owners:

• “How on earth does on leave such an idyllic place? I’m having to tear myself away from the mountains again – what a wrench! Look forward to another visit.” “Thank you, once again for allowing us to share this tiny corner of ‘paradise’ and for the friendship produced. Love to you all Lynn Munro x”
• “Anthony would be impressed – only 10 minutes from out of the door to the bottom of the Gettiers!!! Our skiing has improved, but the Ferme Du Soleil has nothing to improve on! same time next year please!!! With grateful thanks to Andy Alexa – and Veroni and Anthony.” Ian Munro
• “Thank you for all your hard work we will miss you” Lewis Munro
• “Thank you for all your help and we will miss you a lot” Ellie Munro

“Thank you for a wonderful week! An awesome place to learn to ski and have my birthday.” “I wont forget my week here” James Norman

“When I stayed in the summer I much wanted to come again in the winter as I guessed this would be a winter wonderland – how right I was! Magic – and thanks to all of you. I hate to have to leave” Jane Cranston

“Once again a truly special time” “most incredible experience ski touring Randonay, well worth the effort and highly recommended! Hope to be back soon – in-fact I have not left yet and I am already looking forward to my next return, could not have had a more relaxing week, lots of love, Aron Klein Barge”

“Thank you very much for introducing us to such a Special place! Hope to return soon!” Sophie Kebbelll

98″A very happy Christmas, Emma’s cooking would have fit into a five star hotel” Fin Barge

“As a chalet girl of two years, I have just learnt how the job should be done” Verginia Hemery

“HO HO HO, thanks for the pillow fight” Peter Hemery

“A truly superb chalet atmosphere to support a wonderful ski holiday. A memory I will cherish for years to come” Adrian Hemery

“Thank you Veroni for finding the most beautiful chalet in the most superb location” “It has been a treat for us to stay here and none of us want to go home”Louise Burnet

“The chalet has been wonderful, much the best we have stayed in” ” Both Simon and Emma have gone to so much trouble to make us welcome” Geraldine Watkins

“It would be impossible to improve on anything a superb holiday” Geoff Watkins

“This has been my best holiday ever, please can the next people who come to the chalet look after our igloo” Sophie Watkins

“Emma and Simon have given us the best and they deserve the best, a spectaculary good chalet position has been well and truly taken advantage of, in all regards. Thanks for spoiling us rotten and being great company too.” Mary and John Sutton

“The most wonderful week in a chalet as close to heaven as you will ever get” Pam Astell

“Wonderful  few days escaping into another world – very relaxing and enlivening energy” Rosie Canney

“Thank you Veroni for giving us this opportunity of healing friendship and above all hope, this has been a wonderful ‘journey’ – physically emotionally and spiritualy. Thank you for having the courage forsight to make it happen.God bless you and your family. Love Katie x”

99 “Had a wonderful time – rejuvenated” Ann Mills

“Thank you for letting us stay in your extra ordinary chalet we had a truly memorable week” Andrew Sally and Katie

“You certainly found a gem of a place at La Ferme Du Soleil, What a location what views…..thank you again” Teddy

“Just where and how do we begin to thank you for the most amazing few days?! We did not know what to expect from all the descriptions we’d been given, but certainly nothing as mind blowingly magical as we discovered! It was fairyland personified, from the moment we skidooed up the mountain with the moon and the stars lighting up the way ahead and the valley below” “I don’t think Nick and I could quite beleive it” “Then to have such a warm welcome” ” yet the treats kept coming……a delicious dinner (as was every night) prepared by the ever-smiling Jamie and Kristen” ” the world needs many more people like you”  ”a unique experience one of the best we’ll ever have” Nick and Jo-Jo

“What more can we say -  See you next year” Georgina Borley

“Thank you for a great holiday, Jamie and Kristen have been excellent hosts and have looked after the children marvelously” Chris and Christina again!

“Dear Veroni and Ant,  this, our fourth visit, has been as superb as all the others, we have all had the best time ever – a wonderful setting with great food, drink  and very friendly hosts! We will certainly be back again” Cheryl, David, Gary, Janet, Richard, Kim and kids

“Only one word for it -Paradise” Jeremy Moss

” Thank you a thousand times for such a blissfull holiday” Lydia Burnet

” Very special treat, enjoyed by all” Lisa Maclachlan

” As always fabulous – Big Big Thanks” Binnie and Edward

“Thank you for the most wonderful welcome, the lovely, homely, fabulous home – I love the attention to detail”

” Wonderful place ,starting with the skidoo, all the children were happy, the cakes, the fire, the fireworks, the building of the igloo, the lessons snowboarding from Matt were all fantastic. Hannah – her cooking was perfect! Thanks a lot from us all”

“Thank you very much for a wonderful time – my favourite ski holiday ever.  x” Anna Burnet

” Definitely the most beautiful mountain chalet I have ever seen….. with wonderful hosts, Max’s amazing gourmet meals….we have really been spoilt” Alexandra Jenkins

“This is the most beautiful spot in the alps” Sue Bruegger

“Bowled over!” Sara Allun

” Just one of my favourite places in the world” Ann Mills

” We don’t want to leave” ” We thank you for your ‘great’ hospitality and gentle attentive care” Katrina Hurdle xx

“The ultimate in peace and tranquility with lots of tender loving care thrown in for good measure. A haven for bruised bodies and souls. Thank you for taking such care of our needs.”

” Chalet girl and boy and Max surpassed themselve! We’ve been so well looked after. Puddings were particularly delicious as were afternoon teas. Lisa

“Wonderful welcome and fantastic hospitality. We loved all the little touches” Giles and Natalie Ashbee

“definitely the best and friendliest hotel ever!” Julliet Moss

One of the ways to arrive at la Ferme du Soleil

Fly to Geneva which is one hour away and our local taxi company will pick you up and bring you to our friendly ski shop.

Take the train to Annecy and our local taxi company will meet your train.

If driving, in  winter, you should approach from Bonneville, Annecy or la Clusaz as the Col de la Colombière pass from the east, the road from Cluses, is usually blocked by snow. When you reach Le Grand Bornand, the following instructions may be useful:

In the centre of Le Grand Bornand, take a very sharp left turn signposted to Chinaillon.

After 6 km. of this uphill alpine road, at the entrance to Chinaillon village, there is a petrol station (ELAN) on the right. Turn right 200m afterwards (it is sign-posted to the pistes). This is initially downhill. The road then bends to the left.

Take the second turn to the right. This is just after a building on the right called “La Drayade”, which partially faces down the road, and just before the recycling area. There is a small grey sign with yellow letters saying “Les Outalays” on the wall of the road, pointing up the hill to us. Follow this steep uphill road for 1.3 km. until you arrive at a plateau and T junction with restaurants and télésièges. This is La Côte.

In winter, the last part of this road is the piste! Guests should park as far up the road as they can reach. Their luggage can then be picked up by skidoo if prior arrangements have been made. The nearest ski lift is Les Gettiers which arrives within 100m of (and just above) the house.

When the snow has melted, you can reach La Côte. There, take the left hand fork to Les Gettiers and go up the road for about 500 m. La Ferme du Soleil is the sixth house along.

If walking from Le Grand Bornand, take the “Telecabine Rosay”, to its top.  As you come out of the exit, look half left and you can see the house on the brow of the hill. Just walk down, past the restaurants and under the two chair lifts, and you will see a track, which is used by walkers, going up, just below another piste.  We are the fifth house, about 500 metres along that track.

See where we are on the Google map below and zoom in:
View La Ferme du Soleil in a larger map