
FAQ
Is it ski-in-ski-out resort or chalet?
​
A: No, Les Contamines is not a ski-in-ski-out resort. Les Contamines is an authentic French village that has embraced ski-ing & mountain activities, not a ski resort with a makeshift village stuck on top. So, our Chalet is not a ski-in-ski-out chalet. It is a beautfully-located chalet with stunning mountain views, in a peaceful setting; it’s just a 500m walk up from the centre of the village, a bus ride from the ski lifts and everything else you could possibly want, but not a ski-in-ski-out chalet.
​
​
How far is the chalet from the ski lifts?
​
A: The main ski lifts are at the other side of the village, so it’s too far to walk. Some people are happy to take the (free) bus (‘navette’) but most of our clients find it easiest just to drive the 5 minutes to the (free) car parks at Le Lay and Le Pontet (aka ‘Gorge’). From here, it is just a few steps to the lift and, 5-10 minutes later, you’ll find yourself putting your skis on. (There’s very rarely any queuing to do at Les Contamines). If you want to ski the St. Gervais/Megeve area, just turn right at the bottom of our road (Route de la Frasse) and drive down the valley towards St. Gervais. This takes about 10 mins, unless you’re stuck behind Johnny English with no winter/snow tyres.
​
​
Is it possible to get around without a car?
​
A: Yes, there’s a bus stop nearby (50m from the chalet). The bus (‘navette’) is free. Allow 20 mins. to get to the ski lift station at Le Lay. Alternatively, just walk down to the village, the centre of which (the church) is a 5-minute walk (down) from the chalet’s front door. Allow 7-8 minutes to walk back up at a leisurely pace.
​
​
Do you need a 4WD to get to the chalet or to get around the village?
​
A: No, access to the chalet is via a flat, level track, which is cleared of snow during the season by a subcontractor. The road up to the chalet (route de la Frasse) is a gentle incline and cleared of snow within minutes of a heavy snowfall. What you need instead of a 4WD is snow tyres (Pirelli Sottozero will do; the name is enough to make you want to buy them). If you’re renting a car in Dec/Jan/Feb make sure you have winter tyres (standard issue from Swiss side). If you’re driving out from the UK, order them in July or August, before the rush, and have them put on steel wheels rather than fancy alloys – it looks much cooler! Then just change them back when you get back home, once the temperature rises above a consistent 7 deg. C (i.e. May in England) and ask National Tyre or whoever you bought them from, to hold them for you until the temperature drops below 7 deg. C again (i.e. August in England).
​
​
Do you allow pets?
​
A: Generally not, but if you’re really nice, and more importantly if your pet is really nice, we might consider it. If we agree to a pet staying, we will ask you to pay an additional payment of €250. We will return this to you if the chalet is impeccable when you leave and there is no sign of any damage to the chalet and its contents.
​
​
Do you let out your ground-floor apartment?
​
A: Since 2015 we have not let out the ground-floor apartment. We’ve always like to be able to go to the chalet ourselves from time to time in the ski season but never had much time in previous years owing to work commitments. With the chalet often being booked for most of the season, we’ve not been able to be there for more than a week during the ski season. So we decided to keep the ground-floor apartment free for ourselves. In summer, we let the ground-floor apartment out on its own, as we like to keep it free for ourselves in August and regular clients take it for July.
​
​
What are the payment terms?
​
€2,000 to confirm reservation + remainder, four weeks before arrival date, to retain the reservation. Use of the jacuzzi is not included unless specifically reserved (€500 additional charge).
Security deposit €1,000 – or €1,250 with a pet (if agreed)
​
​
What are the terms of rental?
​
-
The property known as Chalet Kiana, 1073 route de la Frasse, 74170 Les Contamines-Montjoie (‘The Property’) is offered for furnished holiday rental on a self-catered basis by Gregory McDonald (‘The Owner’) to the renter (‘The Client’). The local point of contact is the “Housekeeper”, c/o Chalet Kiana, at the above address. A local contact name & phone number will be provided upon final payment.
-
To reserve the Property, the Client should complete and sign the booking form and return it together with payment of the initial deposit (this is non-refundable), unless sent by bank transfer, in which case the form will be returned independent of the deposit. Following receipt of the booking form and initial deposit, we will consider the rental agreement in force and your reservation held until final payment is due.
-
A security deposit of €1,000 is required for The Property, with the final payment in case of, for example, damage to the property or its contents. However, the sum reserved by this clause shall not limit the Client’s liability to the Owner. Any chargeable expenses arising during the rental period (e.g. damage, breakage or extra cleaning) will be deducted from the security deposit. The owner reserves the right to retain money from the security deposit to cover additional cleaning costs if the Client leaves the Property in an unacceptable condition. Reasonable use of electricity and logs is included in the rental cost. No telephone is made available in the chalet.
-
The client is strongly recommended to arrange a comprehensive travel insurance policy (including cancellation cover and winter sports cover if visiting during the ski season) and to have full cover for the party’s personal belongings, public liability etc.
-
The rental period shall commence at 16.00 on the arrival day and finish at 10:00 on the departure day. The owner is not obliged to offer the accommodation before the time stated and the Client is not entitled to remain in occupation after the time stated, unless by special arrangement beforehand. The keys are to be collected by arrangement with the Housekeeper upon arrival and returned to the Housekeeper by 10:00 a.m. on the departure day.
-
The maximum number to reside in The Property must not exceed 12. There are to be no pets/animals or smoking inside the Property. Failure to observe these requests will result in the full security deposit being retained.
-
In special circumstances, pets may be allowed in return for an additional cash deposit of €250 on arrival. The full €250 will be returned via wire transfer one week after departure, assuming no additional cleaning was required and no damage made by the pet(s).
-
The Client agrees to be a considerate tenant and to take good care of The Property and to leave it in the same condition as found upon arrival at the end of the rental period. The Client also agrees not to act in any way which would cause disturbance to those resident in neighbouring properties.
-
The Client shall report to the Housekeeper without delay any defects in The Property or breakdown in the equipment, plant, machinery or appliances in The Property, so that arrangements for repair and/or replacement can be made as soon as practicable.
-
The owner shall not be liable to the Client for any temporary defect or stoppage in the supply of public services to The Property, nor in respect of any equipment, plant, machinery or appliance in the property; for any loss damage or injury which is the result of adverse weather conditions, riot, war, strikes or other matters beyond the control of the Owner; for any loss, damage or inconvenience caused to or suffered by the Client if the property shall be destroyed or substantially damaged before the start of the rental period and in any such event, the Owner shall, within seven days of notification to the Client, refund to the Client all sums previously paid in respect of the rental period.
-
The Client shall give to the Housekeeper funds to cover the Taxe de Sejour, which amounts to €1.50 per adult per night. An adult is defined as being over 13 years of age. So, for the purposes of illustration, for 12 adults staying 7 nights in the chalet/apartment, a sum of 7x1.5x12 = €126 should be handed to the Housekeeper upon arrival.
-
The Owner is not responsible for reminding the Client as to when payments are due and the Owner is not deemed responsible for chasing payments. It is the Client’s responsibility to make payments by the due date.
​
​
What is your booking policy?
​
Your deposit confirms the booking. Until the deposit is received, the Chalet remains open to other reservations. The deposit of €2,000 ensures your reservation is held until 4 weeks before your arrival date. The deposit is non-refundable. Once you make the final payment, four weeks before you arrive, your reservation is complete and the Chalet is held for your arrival.
What is your cancellation policy?
​
The deposit of €2,000 is non-refundable, as is your final payment. If you decide to cancel after you have made your final payment, we may consider refunding you €250 if you booked the Jacuzzi. If you are a regular guest of ours, we will give you a €1,000 discount against an alternative week in the same season (i.e. an alternative ski week if you have booked in the ski season, but not in the following ski season, which starts at the end of what could be the same calendar year).