Plans-Mayens · Crans-Montana · 1,700 m
Chalet Solaire
A private alpine chalet that sleeps ten, let one party at a time. Five rooms above the long Rhône valley, ninety minutes from Geneva.
In short
1,700
m
On the south-facing sun terrace
5
rooms
Each en-suite, sleeping ten
90
min
From Geneva airport by car
140
km
Of marked piste from the door
Plans-Mayens — sixty private chalets on the south-facing shoulder, the Rhône valley unrolling below.
The setting
La terrasse du soleil.
The plateau sits at 1,700 metres on the south-facing shoulder of the Bernese Alps — high enough for reliable snow from mid-December to mid-April, low enough for a treeline of mature larch and stone pine. Sixty private chalets, a single switchback road, a forest path to a wood-fired inn six minutes away. The view from the fireplace takes in the Wildhorn glacier and the long Rhône valley unrolling toward Sion.
Inside
Larch, brushed stone, light.
The kitchen — brushed steel and oak, the valley framed in the south glass.
Bella Lui — the master bedroom, the Wildhorn glacier through the glass.
The master bath — a Vals-quartzite tub on the glacier.
The Finnish cedar sauna, the golden-hour valley through the glass.
Wellness
Sauna, plunge, and the long terrace.
A Finnish cedar sauna with a south-facing glass wall, a small treatment room, and a stone cold plunge fed from spring water at four to eight degrees in winter. Below, the heated lower terrace runs the full south face — a wood-fired oven, a long oak table for fourteen, and the cedar hot tub looking straight down the valley.
The cedar hot tub at 38°C — the most-used feature, October to April.
A building that disappears into the sun.
Anniviers larch meeting the Vals quartzite plinth, autumn needles on the stone.
The materials
Old wood, contemporary architecture.
Reclaimed Anniviers larch and brushed Vals quartzite, a fourteen-metre run of south glass, a board-formed concrete spine anchoring the fireplace. The cladding has weathered to silver-grey; inside, the larch keeps its warmth. Materials chosen to age into the mountain rather than against it.
Getting there
Closer than it looks.
Ninety minutes from a major hub, half an hour from a private runway, eight minutes by helicopter to the lift. The journey is part of the stay.
90
min
From Geneva, by the A9 to Sierre
30
min
From Sion, by aircraft then car
8
min
By helicopter, Sion to Bella Lui
22
kW
EV charging; the drive self-clears
Sundown over Mont Blanc through the south windows at 16:38, mid-December.
The rooms
Five bedrooms, ten guests.
Each named for a feature of the surrounding mountains, each with its own en-suite. Two configure as twins; one is set up for children.
Bella Lui
Master
The corner room, a king bed facing the south window under exposed Anniviers beams, and the Wildhorn glacier through the glass. Freestanding Vals-quartzite tub in the en-suite.
Wildhorn
Second master
South-facing with a private balcony and the most direct Wildhorn morning light. Walk-in shower, double basins.
Plaine Morte
Twin or double
King or two singles, south-facing, with a built-in writing desk under the window. Dog-friendly.
Mont Lachaux
Twin or double
A reading chair under a brass swing-arm lamp, and the quietest corner of the upper floor for an afternoon.
La Tza
Children
North-facing and quiet, set up for children with a cot, high chair and stair gate on request.
Stay notes
The practical questions.
How many people does the chalet sleep?
Ten, across five en-suite bedrooms, let to one party at a time. Up to fourteen people may be on-site at once, including day guests for dinner.
When is the chalet open?
All year. Winter runs mid-December to mid-April; summer mid-June to mid-September; the shoulder seasons are fully open and often the quietest. October — golden larches, blue skies, no crowds — is one of the best months.
What is included in the rate?
The pre-arrival grocery shop, ski hire delivered to the boot room, restaurant bookings, drivers and guides, EV charging, and a concierge throughout. Private chefs and catering are arranged at cost.
Can we bring a dog?
Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the Plaine Morte and La Tza bedrooms, with a fitted dog-washing station in the boot room. A supplementary cleaning charge of CHF 250 per pet per stay applies.
Is it suitable for young children?
Yes. La Tza is set up as a children's room, and a travel cot, high chair, stair gate, bath toys and a baby monitor are provided on request. The local ski school takes children from three.
How do we book, and what does it cost to hold?
Direct only, by email or phone. A 30% non-refundable deposit confirms the booking; the balance is due six weeks before arrival. A refundable CHF 5,000 security deposit is held on arrival.
Minimum stay?
Seven nights in winter, four in summer.
Can we work from the chalet?
Yes — 1 Gbps symmetric fibre, strong mobile signal on all four Swiss networks, and desks in Plaine Morte, Mont Lachaux and the snug. Several guests have stayed four to eight weeks.
Reservations
From Geneva, ninety minutes by car.
Direct bookings only — no agency, no marketplace. Every enquiry is read by a human in the Valais and answered within twelve hours, every day of the year.
stay@chaletsolaire.ch · +41 27 481 0000
Minimum seven nights in winter, four in summer.
Chalet Solaire · Plans-Mayens, 3963 Lens · Valais, Switzerland