A beguiling village made complete with marvellous ski prospects lies deep in the heart of the Tarentaise region of the Alps. Here, alpine aficionados enjoy the snow that drapes this pretty medieval landscape. One architectural gem towers above the rest where those smitten with skiing are invited to live their own fairy tale. This is the grand dame of Val d’Isere hotels known as Airelles Mademoiselle.

The five-star Airelles Val d’Isère – Mademoiselle is in the centre of the village with prime access to the ski slopes and lifts. Inspired by medieval castles, the hotel fuses noble sophistication with modern-day materials to portray an alpine log cabin castle. Inside this huge building, one finds majestic rooms filled with antiques and decorated in a medieval style. Light streams into the floor to ceiling windows, framed by exquisite-draped curtains. The walls are adorned with oil paintings while the open fireplaces create a warm glow to complements the soft furnishings in rich reds, green and gold. Underneath beautiful beamed ceilings, rooms are superbly arranged and the tomes in the oak-panelled library are impressive.

Val d’Isère became an alpine resort in 1929, when Jacques Mouflier saw the merit in creating a ski town. Many opposed the notion given its remoteness. Yet this isolation has helped the original village to retain much of its heritage as a former seat of the House of Savoy 11th to 14th centuries. Many dwellings pointing to its past have remained intact such as the wooden and stone tower at Place des Neiges. Mademoiselle has its own castellations and turrets allowing it to blend into the medieval landscape. The Airelles brand is present in many of the Alps exclusive resorts, yet Airelles Val d’Isere Mademoiselle only opened its doors in Val d’Isère in 2019. Built by Christophe Tollemer this Leading Hotel of the World (LHW) immerses visitors in the Haute Epoque area. Castle-like Mademoiselle may be a huge ski chalet, but it invokes the aristocratic architecture of some of the most charming abodes in the Alps from times gone by.

Guests at Mademoiselle can take their pick from 41 grand options, including nine suites and five private apartments with personal butlers. All are richly furnished and the deluxe rooms with a king size bed face the historic village to family accommodation looking out over the slopes. However, for those wanting an enviable panoramic view of the whole mountain, the best choice is a suite where one can curl up by the open fire and enjoy the sumptuous surroundings after a days-skiing. In the penthouse d’epierre one can pick up the old-fashioned telephone to call the dedicated butler and ask them to bring lobster and champagne to enjoy with their loved one while surveying the 360-degree vista of the peaks around them.

Just like a lady that it is named after, Mademoiselle is an elegant hotel oozing feminine charm. It offers ski-in-ski-out, bringing the slopes closer for skiing in Val d’Isere. For those seeking solace after a day on the impressive runs, head to the spacious south-facing terrace and observe the scenery while listening to live music. Breakfast is a lavish buffet affair each morning and for the epicureans with coffee tailor-made by the specialist roasters at Folliet, while Mr and Mrs Tutel’s dairy shop supplies the best artisan rounds for the cheese platters at Mademoiselle’s four restaurants. For lunch and dinner take your pick of eateries serving Savoy specialities and gourmet French cuisine and later relax in the plush bar.

After a day on the slopes, expert hands work out the aches and pains of skiing at the Guerlain spa where two different salons provide specific treatments for any ailments. One is a European leader in the care of hands, feet and legs, while the other has a corian table and horizontal showers. Indulge in a pamper within the five treatment rooms and explore the 1,200sqm area giving plenty of room to move about. After a massage, take a swim in the 20-metre-long pool and loosen up those muscles further, then climb out and find a spot on a lounger to read a good book under the oak beams. While parents enjoy the spa, children can immerse themselves in a world of fun at the cave of Lascaux before their own pamper session. Later, while mum and dad are having a treatment, they can watch a film at the cinema or delve into the delights of the ‘Children’s Kingdom’ where an enchanted forest awaits. Later recline on the terrace and enjoy the panoramic views of the mountain before going down to dinner.

Skiing in Val d’Isere is like stepping back in time. It is one of those places that you simply must visit during your lifetime. If you choose to come to this faraway snow realm, one place you simply must stay is Airelles Val d’Isère – Mademoiselle as it is simply unforgettable.