…And we were lucky enough to follow Christoph and Sarah to Chalet Lampisterie, and so had the great advantage of all that snow that had eluded them. So much snow, in fact, that a path had to be dug from the chalet and its neighbours to the road with the help of a mini digger sent remarkably quickly by the mayor of Le Buet (“we have a great new mayor”, one of our delightful neighbours told us, “he gets things done”). It was so beautiful, romantic and peaceful in all the snow, but it didn’t stop us getting around and enjoying the fabulous skiing. Or getting to the village and enjoying the hospitality and at Hotel Le Buet.

Christoph has not done justice to his divine chalet. There’s no better feeling, with the snow falling heavily outside, than being toasty warm (thanks to the brilliant log burner he brought all the way from the New Forest), cosy and comfortable, with UK channels on the widescreen telly, bluetooth for our music and lots of cards and games. The chalet’s interior is charming and stylish, full of clever touches, and the kitchen is beautifully equipped – a pleasure to cook in. And if you worry about living beside a railway line, don’t. Trains are infrequent, there is almost no noise, the old station is cute and it’s such fun to lie in bed in the morning and see the red and white carriages drawing to a halt outside. We adored Chalet Lampisterie and we can’t wait to go back, to ski in winter and to walk, read, write and think in summer.