FAQS
GENERAL
ARRIVAL
We are easy to find as the chalet is just off the main Route Cantonale road in Ayer (See Contact page for Google Maps reference). Parking is available opposite the chalet along with the bus stop. We will send an email 2 weeks prior to your arrival to confirm directions.
ARRIVAL TIME
Check-in is available from 4pm on your arrival date.
Dinner is served from 7.30pm. Please let us know if you intend to arrive after this time.
DEPARTURE
On departure day, we kindly request that you check out with us by 10am so we can clean and prepare for the next guests. However, you can leave your bags with us and spend the day on the mountain before you start your journey home.
TRAVEL
FLIGHTS
There are several airport options which serve the Val d'Anniviers. Our two closest are Geneva (2 hours) and Zurich (3.5 hours).
TRAIN
Travelling by train is also great option. Sierre is our closest train station and is well served from across Europe. If you are travelling from the UK, the Eurostar/TGV takes just 6.5 hours from London to Geneva and runs throughout the year.
BY CAR
There are great motorway links to the Alps from wherever you are travelling from. For UK travellers, the Val d'Anniviers is approximately just 10 hours drive from Calais/Dunkirk. The French motorway tolls are approximately €60 each way.
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
BOOKING
HOW CAN I MAKE A BOOKING?
To make a reservation or to check our room availability, simply use our booking page. For any other enquiries, please complete the form on our contact page.
WHEN CAN I BOOK?
We are taking bookings now and we can't wait to welcome you!
HOW MUCH IS THE DEPOSIT?
The deposit is 30% of the total amount. You can pay the balancing payment in instalments when you choose. We require the final balance to be paid 6 weeks prior to your arrival date.
WHAT PAYMENTS DO YOU ACCEPT?
We can take payment via bank transfer, credit card (via Stripe) and TWINT.
SHORT STAYS
We are flexible to your needs, whether you require a long stay, a short stay, half board or bed and breakfast we are happy to oblige. Please note that during high season weeks we have a restriction of 3 night minimum stay during these periods. High season weeks include Christmas, New Year and February half term in winter.
THE CHALET
HOW OFTEN IS MY ROOM CLEANED?
Your room is deep cleaned prior to your arrival. The rooms are also cleaned on a daily basis by your hosts.
WHEN ARE MEAL TIMES?
Meal times are as follows:
Breakfast: 7.30am-9am
Afternoon tea: 4-6pm
Dinner: 7.30pm
OUR SERVICES
La Bergère is a fully catered chalet where we aim to provide the very best service we can. To kick off your stay with us, you will be welcomed with tea, coffee and cake to mark the beginning of a fabulous week! Please contact us in advance if you have any special requests for your stay, and we will do our utmost to accommodate you.
OUR SERVICES
We can provide three different catering options during your stay:
Chalet board (Winter season only) - includes breakfast, afternoon tea, canapés, 3-course evening meal with free-flowing beer and wine.
Half-board - includes breakfast and a 3-course evening meal.
Bed and breakfast - includes breakfast only.
BREAKFAST
Each morning you can look forward to an inviting breakfast of fresh bread, croissants, homemade cereals, yoghurt and fresh fruit. Hearty hot options are served every morning during the week. These change on a daily basis and will include eggs, porridge and pancakes amongst other options.
AFTERNOON TEA (Winter season)
After a hard day on the slopes there will be a delectable cake, tart or biscuits waiting for you on your return to the chalet. Following afternoon tea, you can kick-back and relax in front of our wood-pellet stove.
DINNER
Tuck into a 3 course evening meal on 6 evenings during your stay, preceded by a selection of canapés. We offer a carefully designed, varied menu, including international and more local dishes.
ALLERGIES AND DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
More information is contained in the Allergies and Dietary Requirements section below.
DRINKS
In winter complimentary red and white wine and beer will be served during dinner. All options have been carefully selected to suit the menu. Tetley or PG tips tea, freshly-roasted coffee, Twinings infusions and Caotina hot chocolate are available throughout the day.
CHALET DAY OFF (WINTER)
A continental breakfast will be served mid-week, with afternoon tea also laid out. The evening provides the opportunity for you to sample one of the local restaurants. Emily and John will be very happy to recommend restaurants in the valley and book a table for your party.
ALLERGIES & DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
ALLERGIES
We understand the challenges for individuals affected by allergies and will do our utmost to accommodate you. If you have a specific allergy please let us know and we will work together to mitigate any risk.
Although we carefully manage the purchase and use of ingredients, we cannot 100% guarantee that allergen products have not been used and we cannot therefore accept liability in the event of an allergic reaction.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
Across Switzerland, access to ingredients for specific diets has improved year on year although these tend to be more expensive than the UK and not all alternative ingredients are readily available. We will provide these wherever possible, and are also happy to provide a vegetarian or vegan menu to those who request it at no extra charge.
We ask that you inform us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so that we can be fully prepared, or a minimum of 2 weeks before your holiday. Failure to inform us of any specific dietary requirements may limit the menu options available to you.
SKIING
WHERE CAN I HIRE SKI/SNOWBOARD EQUIPMENT?
Ski/Snowboard equipment hire is available in the nearby villages of Zinal and Grimentz. Once you have collected your equipment, we have secure storage at the chalet including boot heaters.
WHERE CAN I ARRANGE SKI/SNOWBOARD LESSONS?
Ski lessons can be arranged in Grimentz and Zinal via Ski Zenit. We recommend organising lessons with the ski schools to ensure the most appropriate instruction for your group.
WHERE CAN I GET A LIFT PASS?
Ski passes in the Val d'Anniviers are some of the best value in Switzerland, covering 5 resorts and 225km of pistes. Prices start at CHF295 per week for adults and discounts are available for seniors, youths and children. The ticket offices are located by each of the main lifts in Grimentz, Zinal, St Luc and Chandolin.
TRAIL RUNNING & HIKING
WHEN ARE THE HUTS AND LIFTS OPEN?
Generally the mountain huts and lifts are open in the Summer from mid-June until October. Some higher huts (the Tracuit and Arpittettaz, for example) close earlier in mid-September.
WHEN ARE THE TRAIL CONDITIONS AT THEIR BEST?
All year! The climate is generally very sunny and dry during the summer months and the Val d'Anniviers benefits from one of the longest summer seasons in the Alps. Depending on the previous winter season, the lower trails are generally snow free from as early as April. For higher routes, snow has usually disappeared by the end of June. And at the tail end of the season, the trails are good until early November. Please see our social media posts for regular updates.
MTB
WHAT TYPE OF RIDING IS THERE?
There are a multitude of different areas suited to different mountain bike disciplines in the Val d'Anniviers. Beginners can look forward to plenty of rolling descents over alpine meadows and for experienced riders there are a number of more committing, technical descents.
The majority of riding is either lift-assisted single track or cross country. However, there is also a fully-featured downhill park in St Luc with northshore ladders, tabletops, gap jumps and committing drop offs.
Remember to bring an adequate amount of protection for riding long alpine descents. If you're hitting the downhill park, we would recommend a full face helmet and knee pads at a minimum.
WHAT TYPE OF BIKE SHOULD I BRING?
There is something for everyone in the Val d'Anniviers. However, if you want to make the most of your stay we would recommend a bike which is capable of ascending i.e. any All Mountain, Trail, Enduro bike.
INSURANCE
Travel Insurance is essential and should be taken out as soon as you book your holiday so that your flights and deposit are covered if anything goes wrong before you travel.
It might sound obvious but you must make sure that your insurance covers you for lift assisted mountain biking in the Alps as some companies don’t.