Travel & Directions

Travel & Directions

Car

Calais to the chalets: 9 - 11 hrs (970 kms)

St Malo to the chalets: 10 – 11 hrs (1014km)

The quickest way to Montchavin is by tolled autoroute. Journey time varies depending on the type of vehicle you have and the amount of breaks you take. The total cost of the tolls is approximately €86.60 for both routes. If you have the time and like seeing the beautiful French countryside, we recommend taking at least two days to break up your journey and take the national roads.

Don’t forget to ensure you and your car are well-equipped for the French roads:

  • Fluorescent security jacket to be kept in the cabin to wear it before getting out of the car.
  • Headlight converters to prevent oncoming traffic flashing frantically at you for blinding them.
  • Red warning triangle to be placed at least 30m from the car after a break down or accident.
  • Breathalyzer is recommended but you will not be penalised for not having one.
  • GB sticker – no explanation needed!
  • Snow chains in winter are important as Alpine roads become very icy very quickly!

Check out https://www.drive-france.com/checklist/ for further information.

Driving directions from Albertville to chalets Icicle, Lievre Blanc, Hermine & Hermine Blanc in Montchavin

As you approach Moutiers, keep left and follow the signs towards Aime & Bourg-St-Maurice. Continue past Aime heading towards BSM. Around 6km after Aime turn right at the signs for Landry. At the junction in Landry, turn right following the sign to Montchavin. Turn left about 500m down the road and follow the mountain road up to Montchavin.

Once there, take the first exit at the roundabout as if heading towards Les Coche then take the first turning on the left and a sharp left following the small road up towards the tele-cabin. Our chalets are to the left of the and the car park will be in front of you on the corner.

Directions from Albertville to Chalet Barthelemy in Peisey

As above but continue straight ahead following signs to Peisey at the junction in Landry. Once in Peisey village, take a sharp left, following signs to the centre. At the top of the road, turn left and drive past the ‘lobster pots’ ski lift towards La Villaret. Follow the road bearing left to a small lane between two chalets (Barthelemy being the one on the right). Parking is just through the lane on the right, in front of the garage door.

Directions from Albertville to Chalet Chanterelle in Plagne 1800

Passing Moutiers, turn off at Aime following signs to La Plagne. The road will take you through Aime centre and down into the valley past the round La Plagne tourist office building. Continue along the road until you see signs to Plagne 1800 at the roundabout which will be the first exit. Chanterelle is just off bend ‘0’ at the top (there are 21 bends to endure!)

Once at the roundabout (with the La Plagne mascot at its centre) on bend ‘0’ take the first exit (sharp right) and follow the one-track lane 500m until you see the sign for the chalet.

Train

There are several options from London:

  • Eurostar direct from St Pancras to Paris Gare to Nord (3 hours), then the TGV from Paris Gare du Lyon to Aime/Landry/Bourg-St-Maurice (5 hours). Landry is the closest station to both Peisey and Montchavin while Aime is best suited for Plagne 1800.
  • The Snow Train (overnight) service from St Pancras to Bourg-St-Maurice. The train arrives into BSM at 6.17am. There is a cafe in the station where you can have breakfast before getting your taxi to the chalet as nothing is open at that time in resort. For those who want to ski first thing while waiting for the chalets to be ready, you can leave your luggage in the chalet’s entrance hall. It’s handy to note that departure time the following Saturday is around 22:00 so you can 8 ski days in if you’re feeling energetic enough!  
  • The Snow Train (daytime) service departs St Pancras around 10.00 and arrives into BSM around 19.00.

Please note that the Snow Train direct services do not stop at Landry. More information can be found here: https://www.eurostar.com/uk-en & https://www.thetrainline.com/

Flights

There are three airports to choose from year-round (Lyon, Grenoble & Geneva) and a fourth (Chambery) during the winter season.

Lyon, Grenoble and Geneva are all approximately 2 hour’s drive away from our chalets with Chambery being around 1h 30min.

There are several airlines that fly to each including British Airways, EasyJet and Ryanair.

Public airport transfer

www.bensbus.co.uk 

Private Airport Transfers

Private transfer drivers will meet you at arrivals and quickly whisk you away quickly so there is no waiting around. We recommend the following as we use them frequently:

www.whiterides.co.uk (Please use code SKIHIV5 for 5% discount)

www.themountainrescue.com

More private transfer companies:

www.alpine-eagle.com/ (great for larger groups needing 16 seats)

www.coolbus.co.uk

www.a-t-s.net

www.genevaairporttransfers.com

www.alp-line.com

www.alpinecab.com

www.snowbus.co.uk

  • "Just wanted to drop you a quick note to say how much we enjoyed our stay last week. We absolutely loved the chalet, great location! Also wanted to mention how incredible Rosie and Jake were, the food was outstanding and both were brilliant with our son Arlo. We enjoyed it so much that we are thinking about coming back in Feb / March." (Ali Bovis, Caribou, Dec 2019)
  • “I can tell you on behalf of the group that we had an excellent stay and were extremely well looked after by Cat and Clive. They were very attentive to our needs and nothing was too much trouble. The chalets are perfectly positioned for the skiing and village, plus very well appointed. We have had a boys January week in Montchavin every year for the last 10+ and will no doubt be returning in 2021. I will most certainly contact you in the autumn to discuss the next trip.” (Martyn Pacey, Hermine, Jan 2020)
  • “We had a fantastic time. Really couldn’t have asked for better. Pat and Pete were fantastic hosts, and really looked after our every need. They were great to have around; they provided a wealth of knowledge on the area and where to ski and were only too happy to answer our million questions pertaining to every other aspect of skiing in Montchavin. The food was of a great standard, and we honestly enjoyed (aka loved) every meal. The chalet was really nice and clean. This experience was certainly one of our best ski trips ever.” (Tessa Kershaw, Lievre Blanc, Jan 2020)
  • Thank you for allowing us to share your wonderful chalet. We all thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Montchavin, and in your apartment with Pete and Pat. Pete and Pat were awesome, and the food was superb. We had a great time, and will spread the word this side. (Chris Cooke, Lievre Blanc, Jan 2020)
  • We had the most amazing week at Christmas this year. The chalet was great, the other guests were brilliant company, the skiing was awesome, the food was fabulous and Pete and Pat were the perfect hosts. As far as ski holidays go, we don't know how it could get any better! (Kevin Smith, Lievre Blanc, Dec 19)