Chez les Amis in a Nutshell…. * 5 minute drive to Grand Massif ski lift accessing 5 resorts - Morillon, Samoens, Flaine, Les Carroz, Sixt * 1km (10-15 minute walk) to village bakery, grocery store, butcher, cafes, restaurants, bike hire, organic grocery * 1km to mountain lake with beach, lake swimming, high ropes adventure courses, restaurant, pump track, pony trekking, paddle board/canoe hire, pump track, mountain biking, mini golf, inflatables, river path * Superb road biking (Tour de France route) * World-class mountain biking (with lift system in Summer) * Under an hour from Geneva Airport & Lake Geneva * Hiking and biking from the front door * 40 minute to Lake Annecy with beaches, lake swimming, water sports * Stunning mountain views from the garden with outdoor dining equipment & BBQ * Grass lawn for games with badminton set, swings, racquets * Private covered parking ideal for Winter * WiFi included * Storage for skis/bikes * Cozy wood burning stove, with firewood included * Well-equipped kitchen with washing machine & dishwasher * Bedroom 1 (double) with separate WC and sink next door * Bedroom 2 (twin) with bathroom next door * Outdoor food markets all year round * Family friendly with large travel cot, high chair, kids books & DVD's. A visit to the Giffre Valley and surrounding mountains is a rare treat. Dubbed a "playground in the Alps" or the "Dream Valley" there's something for everyone - from parapenting or tandem parapenting, whitewater rafting or fishing in the river, sunbathing by the swimming pool in Samoens or dipping in the lake at Lac Bleu, golfing on one of the many 18-hole courses in the area to meandering through the local markets, botanical gardens or local heritage sites. The Mountain biking in Summer is world-class and extensive for all abilities with access to a system of ski lifts adapted to take mountain bikes. Of course there's skiing in Winter and you have access to 5 resorts, but also snow mobiling, heliskiing, ice climbing, snow shoeing, yooner and ice skating. Stay at Chez les Amis and you will be spoilt for choice of activities in Winter or Summer. Chez les Amis is a home away from home and guests often say that it is well equipped, particularly the kitchen. It has two bedrooms with a private entrance, a garden with grass lawn (50 sq meters), a back and front terrace and separate private covered parking. It is a spacious (57 sq meters) yet cozy, open-plan apartment on the ground floor of a traditional Savoie farmhouse renovated in the 1990’s. It has been furnished to a high specification with local wood furniture including an artisan dresser and pine dining table. The apartment is uncluttered and well-equipped and is suitable for families, couples or groups of friends. Chez les Amis is well positioned for stunning views of Mount Criou (which you can hike - rated difficult) and the Dents Blanches mountain ranges, which can be enjoyed from the garden. You can hike/bike for miles from our doorstep, or have a BBQ on the back or front patios and relax on the sloping lawn taking in the view with a glass of local wine. When they are not down at Lac Bleu or at the swimming pools in Samoens, our kids spend their time playing games on the lawn, catching butterflies in the next door meadow or walking just up the hill to the stream to build a damn. Activities in Spring/Summer are endless. Mountain biking is fantastic in Spring/Summer and the lifts open to allow access to some amazing bike runs. One of our favourites with kids is the Woodpecker in Les Carroz. One of the local road cycling routes, the Col de Joux Plane hosted the Tour de France recently and is a spectacular ride up or down with stunning views. In Winter, skiing in the Grand Massif (Europe's third largest skiing domain with 265km ski runs) is superb and only a few mins drive to the nearest ski lift with a large free car park opposite, ski hire shops and apres-ski bars and restaurants. Chez les Amis ideally sleeps 4 people (but can accommodate 5 using the double sofabed in the living area or the large travel cot for age 3 and under). We have a double room, twin room and a double sofa bed. Beds are made up prior to your arrival - bed and kitchen linens, bath towels and hand towels are provided. An allocation of firewood is provided for the cozy wood burning stove. A travel cot, high chair & buggy are available on request (at no extra cost - subject to availability). There is a marvelous wood burning stove in the lounge with a large sofa, armchairs, foot rests, a generous oak coffee table and side tables. There's a stereo with an iPod/iPhone/iPad connection cable, a library of books, CD's and DVD's. Most books are in English but we are growing our library of French books for kids. WiFi is provided free of charge for the convenience of our guests. The kitchen is fully fitted with a fridge, sink, oven, hob, dishwasher and new washing machine. There is an air dryer for drying clothes or wet ski gear. The kitchen is well stocked with cooking and baking equipment. The kitchen / dining areas are separated by a long breakfast bar with 2 high stools. The dining area seats 6 and has an Artesian pine dresser fully stocked with white plates, glasses, champagne flutes, serving dishes, salad bowls, pasta bowls and cereal bowls - everything needed for a leisurely breakfast, lunch or dinner. The newly tiled bathroom comprises a bath with glass screened shower over the bath and a sink with lighted mirror and large heated towel rail. There is a separate newly furnished WC which also has a sink with storage and a mirror, so each bedroom has access to a sink outside each bedroom for brushing teeth and washing faces. The 'cave' (outside storage) contains outdoor furniture - a new wooden table with six chairs - and a BBQ. There is a further table and two chairs for the front terrace. The cave can also store kids bikes (with additional space for bike storage in the covered parking next to your vehicle). Inside the apartment you’ll find some games and sports equipment for you to use including a badminton set with net, racquets and tennis racquets. Accommodation fee for stays longer than 4 days includes the following: 1. Reasonable use of utilities 2. Reasonable use of firewood 3. Bed linens with beds made up prior to guest's arrival 4. Bath towel and hand towel for each guest 5. Bathroom linens including bath mat, hand towels in the bathroom and in the WC 6. Kitchen linens including T-towels, oven gloves and new j-cloth & sponge. For stays of 4 nights or less, linens and towels as described above will be charged at £15 per person Covid-19 additional measures: Cleaning fee of £95 is charged for all bookings to include: 1. All bed linens and towels laundered at high temperatures and pressed in a commercial pressing facility 2. A full clean 3. Disinfecting using government standard disinfectant on all surfaces, handles and light switches 4. Disinfecting spray used on sofas, soft furnishings, pillows and duvets. Additional services can be quoted for or details provided to the guest to arrange: 1. Mid-stay clean/refresh of towels/turnaround of bed linen 2. Meal delivery service (helpful for first and last nights of your stay) 3. Delivery of ski hire equipment to the apartment 4. Babysitting (daytime or evening) 5. 15% discount on ski hire (Winter) 6. 10% discount on adventure ropes courses (Summer/Spring) The Property Damage Protection is up to £300 which will ONLY be charged IF the property or contents is damaged. Stays of 14 days or more and one month or more are subject to discount (please ask). 2-person discount is available at non-peak times (please ask). Additional nights are charged at £85 per night for the whole apartment. Additional guests over 4 guests are charged at £75 per person (up to a maximum of 5 persons). The Valley is a hidden gem and offers a vast array of activities for couples, families and friends and is equally delightful in Winter and Summer. And all under an hour from Geneva airport or around 8-hours drive from the Eurotunnel (Calais).