Powder N Shine, Reberty Village: Luxury ski-in ski-out chalet in the Three Valleys is top for families

Powder N Shine has everything in hand for the ultimate family ski holiday.

Not only are all their luxury chalets right next to the slopes in the little hamlet of Reberty Village, but they’re next to the slopes in the Three Valleys – the largest ski area in the world.

While the snow in most resorts has long since gone by April, when we stayed at Chalet Neve, we were still able to milk its ski-in ski-out credentials thanks to Reberty’s 2000m altitude.

Powder N Shine was set up eight years ago by Francesca and Steve Pangli while taking a sabbatical from their high-flying London jobs.

They had run a chalet for three winter seasons by the time Francesca broke her leg skiing, and then spent her recovery time building a business plan.

They spotted a gap in the market and decided to launch their own small company offering high-quality catering.

They now run four catered chalets in Reberty Village - a tiny enclave with a rustic feel, just above the starker and now iconic 60s resort of Les Menuires.

Unlike many chalet companies which employ chefs with literally no experience at all, Powder N Shine employ professionals who have worked at some of Europe’s most prestigious restaurants, like The Fat Duck and Noma.

This means you can expect exceptional four-course evening meals, preceded by aperitifs and canapés every night - like the sweet potato and coconut velouté or potato and cheese filled deep fried choux pastries our chef Colin rustled up.

Unlike some chalet companies where the unlimited wine comes from a crate, each course comes with a choice of quality red or white wine hand-picked by Steve and Francesca who spend their summers visiting the vineyards.

My Canadian partner who had never experienced a chalet before was intrigued by the very British concept which he described as a “high-end youth hostel with gourmet food and cakes”.

Chalets are certainly not like hotels, where you can blend into anonymity.

If your party hasn’t booked out the whole of the 15-bed chalet, meals are communal, and we shared our breakfasts and suppers in the large living area with three lovely families.

With origins dating back 60 years, a stint in a chalet formed part of the upper classes’ “finishing school” for posh girls, and everyone was expected to muck in with the cooking and washing up.

Luxury chalet providers like Powder N Shine have done away with the concept of chalet staff sitting down to eat their meals with the guests. Our hosts work very hard to make sure everyone is looked after, and really go out of their way to be accommodating.

Breakfast sets you up well before you hit the slopes, with Colin’s homemade rhubarb jam (which my daughter independently requested the recipe for, because she liked it so much), tortillas and pancakes.

Colin found out I had a penchant for Bircher muesli and would thoughtfully soak my oats in apple juice and yogurt each night.

In terms of skiing with your family, things couldn’t get any easier than at Neve.

With the weight of the kit to consider and the hazard on a family holiday of not only having to carry your own, but your child’s too, that’s priceless.

At Neve you find yourself slap, bang, right on the slopes once you walk outside the boot room, and next to the Ecole de Ski Français meeting point.

I signed my daughter up for a few lessons to hone her skills and build her confidence, while we nipped over to explore Val Thorens and back, just in time to pick her up.

VT as it is otherwise known stands at 2300m, and is the highest resort in Europe - therefore a great bet for Easter skiing.

Returning from the slopes you can expect the likes of homemade chocolate chip biscuits and the best coffee cake I’ve ever had.

Then you can soothe your tired muscles in the sauna or marvel at the splendid mountain views outside from the hot tub.

Powder N Shine’s piste-side location, virtually guaranteed snow and top notch food and service combine to create a perfect combination for a family ski holiday.

A seven night stay at Chalet Le Chamois from March 17 is now discounted 30pc at £739pp.

A week at Chalet Neve from April 7 is discounted by 20pc, and is now £860.

Email info@powdernshine for offers and prices, or call 020 7164 6356. See powdernshine.com.

A week-long lift pass for the Three Valleys which includes Courchevel, Meribel and the Belleville Valleys costs €240 per person in a family of four.

A pass for just Les Menuires and Saint Martin costs €191 this season.

Skis from Intersport Les Bruyeres, a 10-minute drive away, cost about €62pp per week. The range of skis is impressive and includes Black Crows, Salomon, and Atomic. You can swap your skis as often as you want throughout the rental period. Prices are cheaper if you book in advance. intersportrent.fr/en/.