November 2023…// Purple Ski, the premier luxury chalet operator offering exceptional properties across the French Alps, is delighted to introduce one of the most exquisite chalets in its portfolio – Val d’Isère’s Chalet Machapuchare.
The brainchild of Val d’Isère local, ski instructor and design enthusiast Yoann Marchand, Chalet Machapuchare enjoys a privileged position nestled in the exclusive and wonderfully private area of Le Crêt. Commanding uninterrupted views of the entire valley, from the rocky cliffs above La Daille across the two main ski areas and the pretty village of Val d’Isère to the glaciers and snowcapped peaks beyond, it offers the very best of serene alpine living, just a three-minute chauffeur ride away from the buzzing local nightlife, pistes, restaurants and shops.
Sleeping up to 15 in seven luxurious bedrooms, the sprawling property features a large, open-plan living and dining area, paneled boot room and numerous balconies and terraces on which to soak in the splendid panoramic views. When it comes to relaxation and entertainment, guests are spoilt for choice with an indoor pool (incorporating a counter-current for physical training), massage room, hammam, state-of-the-art gym, cinema and outdoor jacuzzi.
A Family Vision
Chalet Machapuchare was constructed in 2018 and has been part of the Purple Ski portfolio since 2020. Born and raised in Val d’Isère, owner Yoann Marchand knows the slopes like the back of his hand and lived in the direct area before building the chalet, allowing him to fully appreciate the surroundings and make the best possible design decisions for the project. Meanwhile, Yoann’s wife, Charlotte Guilhamat, a trampolinist and personal trainer with a masterful creative eye, organized the whole interior design of the property with Yoann.
“From the very beginning, I knew I wanted to work one-on-one with the architect to maximize the abundant light and stunning views seen from the site”, said Yoann. “From knowing where the sunrise and sunset hits the property to maximizing the natural light and creating windows and balconies that feel like fine art photo frames, I knew we needed to do this very special spot justice so guests can experience the best of Val d’Isére no matter the weather conditions. This has been a dedicated passionate project for myself and Charlotte, and we hope that our guests will become one with these stunning mountains when staying at Chalet Machapuchare.”
Chalet Machapuchare was born of a decades-long family history, with Yoann’s father and grandfather creating the original road to the property in the early nineties. The chalet itself was constructed from local larch pines, while Yoann and his father dug down two levels to create a 007-style parking lot that commands attention upon arrival. With meaningful details behind every corner of the luxurious property, the private garage has retained views of the natural rock of the earthwork along one wall, with all the stones excavated during the building process re-used in the chalet.
The name Machapuchare was inspired by the majestic Machapuchare mountain, which Yoann saw during an adventure in Nepal while trekking around Annapurna’s range. Protected by the Nepalese government, Machapuchare has never been climbed and holds a special place in local Nepalese beliefs and in many mountain lovers’ hearts as Shiva’s house, a sacred natural space. Each room in the chalet is named after one of the summits or villages from the Annapurna trek in Nepal, detailing the altitude of each one.
The Design
The scheme for the modern exquisitely designed chalet takes its inspiration from the natural alpine landscapes and the mountain while respecting and acknowledging the history of the area. Locally sourced natural materials such as wood, stone, leather, the luxurious super soft bespoke French wool by Arpin and iron are combined with minimalist and deep, natural colors to create a grounding yet luxurious interior.
Yoann’s deep family roots within the area are evident throughout the chalet, which has the feel of a ‘living museum’, featuring family antiques ranging from historic skiing pieces to old tools emphasizing being sufficient and surviving in the mountains.
Such artifacts include a wooden horse carriage wheel with an axel centerpiece that has been made into a dramatic seat in the boot room, crafted by hand by Yoann and his best friend, who is a local carpenter. Indeed, Yoann has made most of the furniture from family artifacts and antiques, breathing new life into historic pieces and creating a marriage between the history of Val d’Isère and his family to create something extraordinary that no other chalet can offer.
Other artifacts include leather racing ski shoes from a former Val d’Isère champion with the historic eagle symbol behind the bar, while the main light in the living room area is crafted from the wheels of a family chariot finished with black cable spirals and warm auburn-colored bulbs. There is a large coffee table underneath the light made from the base of an apple press from Yoann’s great uncle, adorned with orchids, photo books, cowhide-covered tissue boxes and historic ice skates. In the dining room, there are two lights made from Beaufort cheese-shaping boxes which Charlotte and Yoann have turned into stunning lights.
Combining the very best of old and new throughout the chalet for a truly spectacular result, custom sofas, headboards, pillows and fabrics have been created especially by L’Atelier des Frères with Arpin materials. The bespoke sofas were made to compliment the angles of the chalet, framed by large windows offering incredible views and white walls, providing a real sense of space and light. Iron suspended steps within the beams of the chalet lead from the living room upstairs to the master bedrooms, wooden steps, suspended from the beams of the chalet by wrought-iron bars, lead from the living room up to the master bedrooms injecting modernity, while underfloor heating within the modern oak flooring creates the warming feeling of a home-from-home.
Other highlights include the state-of-the-art interactive kitchen, offering every gadget imaginable to attract top chefs, the soundproofed cinema room featuring ostrich feather lights with custom L’Atelier des Frères fabrics. The stunning swimming pool adjacent to the state-of-the-art gym is the perfect spot to make a splash and relax post-piste next to the living botanical wall with natural rock; an oasis of calm that has been designed as a peaceful riverside retreat.
New for the 2023/24 season is a large wooden outdoor seating area with an antique stoned millstone firepit base next to the jacuzzi, perfect for a spot of après-ski relaxation. Featuring breathtaking views, there is also a new BBQ firepit area so guests can enjoy tasty treats, smoked meats and BBQ whilst enjoying the spectacular view of the entire valley.
The Purple Ski Difference
As with all chalets in the Purple Ski collection, guests of Chalet Machapuchare have access to a full team of staff, daily housekeeping, an in-chalet ski and boot fitting service and a private chauffeured minibus, as well as a dedicated concierge service to cater to every guest’s wish. From organizing private airport and helicopter transfers to restaurant reservations, ski lessons, spa treatments, childcare and the unique experiences that make a holiday extra special, the Purple Ski concierge is always on hand to provide the alpine adventure of a lifetime. Chalet Machapuchare has been awarded the Best Chalet in France at the 2023 World Ski Awards, the most prestigious awards program in the ski tourism industry.
Purple Ski offers an unparalleled portfolio of the finest luxury catered ski chalets across Méribel, Courchevel and Val d’Isère. These five-star alpine retreats are combined with Purple Ski’s signature outstanding service and gourmet quality cuisine to provide a truly unforgettable winter escape. All the chalets within the bespoke collection – which sleep from eight up to 15 people – have been carefully hand-picked and offer first-class facilities, each with a distinctive personality.
A seven-night stay at Chalet Machapuchare, Val d’Isère starts from €41,280 on a catered basis. For more information and to book, please visit https://www.purpleski.com/chalets/machapuchare/
