La Ferme Blanche, Montalbert, La Plagne

La Ferme Blanche sits on the top edge of Montvilliers, a tiny unspoilt hamlet tucked away on the mountainside under Montalbert (one of the La Plagne ski villages). It's a quick drive up to the lifts, and you can ski back off-piste if you dare, although a guide is advisable.

It's a gorgeous 18th century farmhouse surrounded by meadows and forest, with breathtaking views across the Tarentaise valley and surrounding mountain tops. It still has its original timbers, and the stone walls are nearly a metre thick in places.

• Ski in (off-piste)
• 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (sleeps 6)
• Delicious home cooking with organic ingredients, freshly baked cakes, and good quality wines (see food for details)
• Guest robes, heated towel rails. hair dryer and complimentary organic toiletries
• Cosy sitting room with log stove and French doors to the sunny terrace
• Farmhouse kitchen and dining area with flagstone floors and french doors opening into a sunken terrace
• Large gardens and sunny terrace
• Free wifi internet access, DVD player and stereo
• Basement ski room
 

Bedrooms

• Bedroom 1: standard double room with painted tongue-and-groove panelling and wood floors (shower room across the hall)
• Bedroom 2: luxury room double bed, bunk beds and ensuite shower, wood floors and balcony with views of the farmhouse opposite and St Jacques mountain (La Plagne) 
 

About the village

Montvilliers (1100m) is a quiet unspoilt hamlet with just a handful of houses and surrounded by meadows. Despite being so close to the slopes, it’s managed to stay hidden and undeveloped. Children make snowmen and sledge in the village fields, deer and wild boar visit the gardens at night, and the sky is lit by stars and a few old fashioned street lamps.

You feel a million miles away from the outside world – no traffic, no bars, and no shops. The nearest are 2 kilometres away in Longefoy – a 20 minute “flatish” walk along a country lane.

Skiing

Montalbert (1350m) is one of La Plagne's village resorts. Situated in the Vanoise Massif opposite the Mont-Blanc and Beaufortain ranges, Montalbert benefits from tree-lined, north facing slopes, helping to retain its snow throughout the season. La Plagne also has a glacier and lots of skiing above 2000 metres, so snow is more or less guaranteed.

The slopes of Montalbert have beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and the village itself is free of the ugly high rises common in many resorts. There is a wide selection of restaurants and bars and plenty to do away from the slopes – including walking trails starting from Montvilliers itself.