Chalet Ard

Highlights This luxury four-bedroom, two bathroom chalet with sauna is a fantastic choice for a winter or summer holiday in the mountains.  Named after the Irish word for "Up high", you will really feel as though you are perched up high on the mountainside, with jaw-dropping views across to the distant mountains and down to the valleys below.  It is facilitated for ski-in and ski-out access in winter, and is right next to the Maison de la Foret and its Five Senses Nature Trail in the summer with direct access to the start point of hundreds of kilometers of biking and hiking trails.  Ideal for couples, groups and families seeking a peaceful mountain retreat with the option for plenty of action-packed activities on the doorstep.Bedrooms & Bathrooms The apartment sleeps up to 8 people in the four bedrooms: two have double beds, one has twin beds and the other is fitted with two bunk beds. The upstairs bathroom has a bath with overhead shower, sink and WC. Downstairs on the living floor is a sauna and a second bathroom with shower, sink and WC.  La Tzoumaz Chalet Ard is equipped with a high chair and a folding travel cot (bedding not provided) suitable for children under 2 years old, and a second is available on demand on arrival.  Please note that in accordance with the manufacturer's safety instructions, additional mattresses are not provided with the cots.Equipment In the kitchen you will find all the basics: a fridge and an oven with hob. A kettle, microwave, toaster, electric filter coffee-machine, Nespresso coffee-machine plus fondue and raclette sets for a traditional Swiss evening in front of the log fire. A hairdryer, iron and portable outdoor barbecue are all available for you to use and there is a washing machine and dryer available for you to use. A ski-storage area with coat hooks provides the perfect solution to storing your ski equipment, ready for the next day.Relaxing The sauna downstairs is a real treat at the end of a hard day on the slopes.  Or you can choose to relax in the large living / dining area, watch the flat-screen TV or listen to music, or simply sit on the balcony and admire the beautiful panoramic views that face the chalet. On a blue-sky day, the view stretches 20km, up to the peaks of the Haut de Cry and the Mont Gond. The chalet grounds border a forested area, which in summer fills the air with delightful birdsong.  Sitting at the garden table you can while away the hours watching the tiny cars far away in the valley as they hurry between appointments in the distant towns and cities.Internet Chalet Ard is equipped with free WIFI for your own private use.Pets We're sorry but this is a pet-free property. Please browse our selection of pet-friendly rentals if you would like to travel with your pet.Parking There is space for one car outside the chalet.  Winter tyres and/or snow chains necessary in winter due to frequent snowfalls and the requirement to cross the two metre-wide piste in order to access the steep chalet driveway.  Alternative parking is available 250m away, in a lay-by on the main road. At least one car is advisable in both summer and winter.  Contact us for railway or airport transfers.Winter This chalet is ski-in and ski-out. The footpath at the side of the road in front of the chalet is prepared and maintained for skiers during the ski season, allowing you the luxury of skiing the 400m to the main ski piste and down to the Savoleyres telecabin and also skiing back home at the end of the day. This ski-route is suitable for all except complete beginners, who would need to walk the 400m to the beginner skiing area. The modern high-speed telecabin carries you from La Tzoumaz up to the top of the Savoleyres in less than 8 minutes, from where you can decide to ski back on the quiet La Tzoumaz slopes or ski down to Verbier’s legendary slopes and world-class off-piste opportunities in the vast 4-Valleys ski area.Summer In the peak summer season (from early July to late August), we provide you with free VIP pedestrian lift-passes, half-price mountain-bike daypasses and a range of other discounts. The telecabin link to Verbier operates daily at this time of year from 08:45 to 12:30 and from 13:30 to 16:45, meaning that you can easily access the famous resort as a pedestrian, or accompanied by your bicycle or e-bike. For a small supplement you can even use a variety of mountain lifts to make your way up to Mont Fort at 3300m for the highest fondue in Europe and incredible mountain panoramas that include Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.In summer, the area turns into a hiking and mountain biking paradise, with hundreds of kilometres of marked trails criss-crossing the mountains, awash with alpine flowers and a range of wildlife to spot. Visit the Maison de la Foret with its wildlife exhibitions and its Five Senses Nature Trail, and the starting point of many beautiful hikes. The Bisses are relatively flat footpaths that follow the water as it trickles around the mountainsides, where for centuries farmers and villagers channelled the streams for their own uses. They have been preserved and can now be an incredible way to spend a day or more on easy hikes with stunning views across the Rhone Valley or over to the Massif des Combins. We will provide you with plenty of tourist information including our favourite suggestions for day trips that are easily reachable from La Tzoumaz, from spectacular gorge walks, cheese factories and roman festivals to rainy-day ideas such as underground lake tours. The road that winds up the mountain-top to the panoramic Croix-de-Coeur Cafe-Restaurant opens as soon as the snow melts and from here you can continue the drive (or cycle) all the way down into Verbier. Try not to miss the Swiss National Celebrations in La Tzoumaz on August 1st, or the famous festival of live music performances, the Verbier Festival, which runs from mid-July to the beginning of August.For families The centre of La Tzoumaz benefits from an outdoor ice-skating rink in winter, and a children's playground area in summer, with a rope-based agility park alongside more traditional equipment such as slides.  A fun channel system with running water is built into the hillside to provide plenty of entertainment for older children too. At the exit of the village the Domus playground is a fabulous spot, often bathed in late afternoon sunshine, with swings, a zipline, see-saw, climbing frames and even old tractors to clamber on.  It is overlooked by an outdoor cafe (check opening hours) providing drinks, snacks and ice-creams. There are rabbits, donkeys, goats, and there is also rock-climbing on the local crag in the background (contact us for equipment and instructors).The Maison de la Foret has a cafe area for drinks and snacks (check opening hours), wildlife exhibitions and its Five Senses Nature Trail with hands-on activities to borrow such as bird-whistling and learning to draw. The Nature Trail has disabled parking and is accessible to wheelchairs and children's buggies.Right at the top of the village is the "Defis de la Riviere", which is equipped as an outdoor physical challenge area for older kids on the river.  There are sensory walking areas for younger children and a basket swing, and also a picnic spot nearby.  A short drive down the valley takes you to the large lake at the Parc des Iles, with its playgrounds, high-ropes park, minigolf, restaurant, miniature train and more. Booking details The total price is composed of a one-off non-variable cost (per booking) to cover final cleaning, bed-linen and towels, and other one-off fees, plus a nightly rental rate (per night) and nightly tourist taxes (per adult/child and per night), plus website fees (site-specific).This total price includes the following: - our warm welcome and support during your stay - WIFI - beds made up for your arrival with our bedsheets and towels - an eco-friendly welcome pack (new for Winter 2023/4) - full use of private sauna - credit card charges - electricity & heating - final cleaning - tourist taxes for the number of adults/children stated at time of enquiry/booking. Please note that due to the inclusion of tourist taxes in the calculation, the price varies according to the number of people who will stay. Adults are classed as over 16 years, and children from 6 to 15 years. At the time of booking there is no need to declare (or pay for) children under 6 years old on the date of travel, however please mention them in the "Special Requests" box so that we can include them in our arrival preparations. - free summer lift passes for the number of adults/children stated at time of booking (early July to late August) - the opportunity to buy discounted ski lessons (15%) and rental (15%) and have them ready for your arrival (conditions apply) after booking a winter holiday with us (December to April).Not included in the price: - On arrival we will ask for a credit card pre-authorisation for use in case of breakage unpaid at departure (up to 1000 CHF). The deposit will be cancelled when no unpaid damage is found after your departure. - Firewood (22 CHF per 20-25kg crate from the agency, or from the supermarket. - Dogs not allowed - Only the exit cleaning is included in the base price so if you wish to have extra cleaning during your stay then this can be arranged on request. - Bedding and towels are provided for your arrival. If you require an extra set of bedding and towels during your stay then this can be arranged for 22CHF per person. - Standard arrival is from 16h00, and departure is by 10h00. Early Arrival from 14h00 can be purchased up to one week in advance of Saturday arrivals in winter and peak summertime