General

Highlights

A magnificent 5-bedroom chalet on the piste to rent during winter or summer, The Big Bear sleeps 10 people in 5 spacious bedrooms. The chalet was architect-designed, built and furnished to a high specification to give a luxurious and high-tech mountain theme. Standing in a prominent position, the combination of old wood, traditional stone and glass balconies makes this chalet one of the top features of the resort. There is plenty of space inside, with the main feature being the large, stone-clad kitchen / living / dining area which has windows on all sides and is open to the wooden beams above. The cinema screen in the lounge area measures an impressive 75-inches (190cm) and there is a fireplace built into the stone wall.

Bedrooms and bathrooms

The combination of high-tech and mountain decor continues throughout the five large bedrooms. Each room is fitted with Apple TV and DVD with a choice of over 200 movies. The Master Bedroom benefits from private balcony and en-suite bathroom with his’n’hers sink and shower. Two of the other bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms, and there is a fourth bathroom with shower for use by the remaining two bedrooms. In total there are three double rooms and two twin rooms.  If you are travelling with children under 2 years old, you’ll be pleased to know that The Big Bear is equipped with a cot and a high chair.

Equipment

The open kitchen area has all that you would need to cook for large groups – not just an oven and hob.  There is a dishwasher, kettle, toaster and coffee-machine, plus fondue and raclette sets for a traditional Swiss evening in front of the log fire.  Your ski-boots and gloves will always be toasty-warm and dry thanks to the boot & glove dryers in the spacious ski-room.  An iron and hairdryer are available, and there is a portable gas barbecue for outdoor use. Please note that there is no washing machine available for guest use, and there is no launderette in the village.

Relaxing

The large cinema TV comes complete with Apple TV and the hi-tech stereo system comes complete with Airplay so it’s easy to find distractions in the luxuriously-decorated living areas of this magnificent chalet. In front of the fire, the sheepskin and fur throws coupled with the chic and comfortable sofas create a mountain atmosphere where you can really let go of the stresses and strains of everyday life. With your wine at the perfect temperature thanks to the built-in wine cellar, step onto the glass-fronted wrap-around balcony to watch the skiers or mountain-bikers gliding past the chalet, or in the evening contemplate the tiny cars as their lights crawl across the Rhone valley floor several kilometers distant. In summer, thanks to the tranquillity of this calm location, it is a joy listen to the birdsong coming from the nearby wooded area. The chalet has a dominating, elevated position above the village, so benefits from a stunning view across the nearby valley to the distant mountain peaks beyond.

Internet

The chalet is equipped with free, high-speed WIFI for your own private use.

Pets

We’re sorry but The Big Bear is a pet-free property. Please browse our selection of pet-friendly chalets if you would like to travel with your pet.

Parking

In summer, there is parking for 2 or 3 cars below the chalet. A 4-wheel drive vehicle with winter tyres and/or snow chains is required to access these spaces in winter due to the need to drive over a snowy, pisted footpath. Alternative parking is available 50m from the chalet if you do not have a 4-wheel-drive vehicle. Contact us for railway or airport transfers.

Winter

This chalet is ski-in and ski-out. The footpath at the side of the road in front of the chalet is prepared and maintained for skiers during the ski season, allowing you the luxury of skiing the 400m to the main ski piste and down to the Savoleyres telecabin and also skiing back home at the end of the day. This ski-route is suitable for all except complete beginners, who would need to walk the 400m to the beginner skiing area. The modern high-speed telecabin carries you from La Tzoumaz up to the top of the Savoleyres in less than 8 minutes, from where you can decide to ski back on the quiet La Tzoumaz slopes or ski down to Verbier’s legendary slopes and world-class off-piste opportunities in the vast 4-Valleys ski area.

We are very pleased to announce that we offer discounted ski-passes to everyone staying with us. To be eligible for the full 15% discount, 6+day ski-passes must be ordered and paid in full 31 days in advance of your first ski day. We accept all major credit cards. Orders for 1-21 days received up to 14 days in advance are eligible for a 10% discount. All advance-purchase passes will be printed for collection with your keys when you arrive in the resort. Last minute orders will be available for collection on the morning after you arrive. Discounted passes are available for all age-groups, for durations from one half-day up to 21 days, and cover the Savoleyres, Verbier or 4-Valleys sectors. The discount does not apply to the insurance options available. Ski-passes can neither be cancelled nor exchanged once they have been ordered. The discount is applicable in high and low season and also applies to family rates. It is not cumulative with any other offers or reductions. On arrival in the resort we will also provide you with discount vouchers for various other services, such as ski lessons and ski equipment rental.

Summer

In summer, the area turns into a hiking and mountain biking paradise, with hundreds of kilometres of marked trails criss-crossing the mountains, awash with alpine flowers and a range of wildlife to spot. The Big Bear is right next to the Maison de la Foret with its wildlife exhibitions and its Five Senses Nature Trail, along with the starting point of many beautiful hikes. The “Bisses” are relatively flat footpaths that follow the water as it trickles around the mountainsides, where for centuries farmers and villagers channelled the streams for their own uses. They have been preserved now and can be an incredible way to spend a day or more on easy hikes with stunning views across the Rhone Valley or over to the Massif des Combins. We’ll provide you with plenty of tourist information including our favourite suggestions for day trips that are easily reachable from La Tzoumaz, from spectacular gorge walks, cheese factories and roman festivals to rainy-day ideas such as underground lake tours. The road that winds up the mountain-top to the panoramic Croix-de-Coeur Cafe-Restaurant opens as soon as the snow melts and from here you can continue the drive (or cycle) all the way down into Verbier.

In the peak summer season from early July to late August, the telecabin link to Verbier operates daily from 08:45 to 12:30 and from 13:30 to 16:45, meaning that you can easily access the famous resort as a pedestrian or accompanied by your bicycle. You can even use a variety of mountain lifts to make your way up to Mont Fort at 3300m for Europe’s highest fondue and incredible mountain panoramas that include Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. Don’t miss the Swiss National Celebrations in La Tzoumaz on August 1st, or the famous festival of live music performances, the Verbier Festival, which runs from mid-July to the beginning of August.

The Big Bear Chalet La Tzoumaz

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