Snowgums

Briançon, Hautes-Alpes
Self-catering
+33 (0)6 78 39 65 73
Visit owner's website

From
€130 - €215
per night
From
€920 - €1500
per week

Pippa tells you where to find wild flowers, babbling brooks and butterflies... and hike, bike and swim. Magic for families

Place

2 places

Sleeps

Each sleep 4

Children welcome
Pets welcome
Babies welcome

€130 - €215 per night

€920 - €1500 per week

The Experience

Next to the apple and pear trees, Pippa has created a lovely spot in the garden from where you can soak up the views. You’ll catch them anyway from this charming old farmhouse, whose rustic walls and vaulted ceilings house two big apartments. Find cheerful covers on pale pine beds, cotton rugs on tiled floors, jolly towels in shining showers, brightness, comfort and joy. The cupboards spill novels and games, there are cots and high chairs for the asking, and the cable car is a two-minute drive. Raised in Australia, Pippa has that charming, relaxed manner you would expect and makes a stay here memorable. She and her daughter have a deep love for the outdoor life and will point you in the direction of hundreds of walks, from gentle saunters by the river to treks from one mountain refuge to another. What’s more, you’re five minutes from the World Heritage listed town of Briancon (beautiful squares, a super pool). Pippa buys local produce for the welcome pack and is totally involved with village life. Brilliant all round.

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Self check-in
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Oven
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Television
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Barbecue
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Washing machine
  • Tennis court
  • Microwave oven
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Electricity included
  • Dishwasher
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Accommodation

Pricing

Nightly price
from €130
Weekly price
from €920
Damage deposit
€200
Surcharges
Extra bed/sofabed available at no charge.
1 Apartment for 4
From €1304 beds1 bedroom
1 Apartment for 4
From €1434 beds2 bedrooms

Information

Special offer: Make the most of your travel, stay longer and really unwind. So much to do in the tranquility of the mountains! 50% off second week when booking a fortnight stay (excludes two Feb half term weeks).

Booking information

Check in
From 4pm
Check out
By 10am
Other details
Minimum stay: 3 nights. 7 nights in high season.
Closed
Rarely.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Owner has pets
Animals living on the property

Reviews

'Thank you for the friendly reception and for your recommendations for walks and places to swim. The apartment was such a great headquarters for exploring Briancon and having lots of amazing adventures. We had an great stay and great holiday with you. Enjoying the mountains, the waterfalls, the walks, the spa, the rafting and canyoning all from this wonderful house that you have created.' The Burrills

Jemima, London

The apartment was fantastic, well equipped, warm, clean and spacious with lovely French decor to add an authentic touch! The location is perfect with easy access to the amenities in town as well as all the local countryside. It was a perfect base for our week of ski touring in the valley. We had a fantastic time and will definitely stay again!

Jonathan, Conwy

Snowgums is close enough to the best of the villages of Serre Chevalier-Chantemerle-yet far enough away to be still at night. The Chantlemerle bus is close by, free, quick and cheerful. Pippa's place is a wonderfully old French mountain house with everything modern needed. You are more proof that Sawday's does not disappoint only excels. Your attention to your guests' needs and answering our endless questions helpfully and with great deference - we thank you.

Matthew, Buckingham

Pippa was a wonderful host, we really appreciated her local knowledge and all her recommendations. We went on some outstandingly beautiful hikes, swam in mountain lakes and enjoyed the lovely spa in Monêtier. The apartment was cosy and had everything we needed.

Nadja, Berlin

We had a wonderful stay at Snowgums. Pippa was full of great recommendations for a family staying without a car. We had a brilliant five days exploring the valleys near to Briancon. The children loved the Wendy house, the toys, and dog Chine. Thank you for a brilliant stay! Ellie, John, Alma and Romy

John, London

We couldn't have loved our stay at Snowgums any more than we did! The studio was well-equipped, cosy and comfortable. There was the huge bonus of the free shuttle into town, only a few minutes walk away. We went to the spa, ate in and ate out, explored the beautiful local towns, went walking, skied constantly (even when the rest of France seemed to have no snow) we even had a go at snow-boarding. Pippa was an excellent host with masses of local knowledge.

Safia, Wincanton

We had a lovely stay at Snowgums, the river walk was perfect for the dogs which is a big thing for us. Eating dinner at the top of the Col du Granon was total treat. Chantermerle was great for cake shops and spuddling and I loved the bike park which was as good as anywhere I've ridden in france. We also had the loveliest meal in Nevache, which is beatiful, but it was just as nice in the Garden at Snowgums relaxing in the sun. Pippa made us feel really welcome and helped out with info whenever we needed a guide. Thanks for a lovely holiday, Matt & Jo (plus many dogs!)

Matthew James, Newquay

We had a great stay with Pippa. The apartment was very comfortable and well equipped. Pippa was terrific with helping us find just the right hikes for the weather and our capabilities. We had two dinners provided by a local chef and they were both outstanding. I would highly recommend this inn.

Andrea, Portland, OR

We loved staying in such an old building - brought alive by reading Emilie Carle;s Wild Herb Soup. We enjoyed super skiing, mostly in sunshine. Snowfall on the last day made for added adventure and excitement. Lovely twilight walks by the river, sunbathing on the terrace accompanied by Chine, the dog, and many delicious treats from the Chantmerle patisserie. We have been really charmed by this very special corner of the Alps.

Bridget, Bath

Thank you so much - we had a great stay at Snowgums in August 2020. Pippa is an amazing host, sharing all her tips for great hikes and attractions in the area. Thanks to her suggestions, we had a fabulous time exploring the area and relaxing with some great homecooked food (from one of the local chefs). The apartment is very comfortable and with easy access to the garden- ideal for kids. Great for a family holiday. Highly recommend and can't wait to stay at Snowgums again.

Sara, Paris

Thank you so much for a wonderful holiday. We have had a magical time and you have been the most wonderful hosts. The apartment is lovely, you were both so great with the children and the village and skiing was amazing! We can't wait to come back next year!

Nick, Brighton

We wanted to visit France but are not fans of the bustle of areas with big populations visiting but were travelling in the peak season and after contact with Pippa decided that this accommodation would fit the bill of our requirements Looking back, we now know what a fluke this choice was. We loved every moment of our visit and experienced so much that we had not anticipated. As a childhood fan of the books about Heidi, I felt I stepped into that world again when I was able to see the first glacier that I had witnessed. The whole experience of our visit was exceptional.

Wendy, Marrawah, Tasmania, Australia

We loved staying at Snowgums! The apartment is very homely and Pippa made us feel relaxed from the get go. Our children (ages 6 and 3) had many hours of fun running their restaurant in the Wendy house and having races each evening down to the bottom of the field out front. The ice cave at La Grave was very impressive and the kids also loved the Monty express (luge), and of course Le Tour was a highlight! It was a fantastic place for walking our dog and Pippa gave us many valuable tips and suggestions for where to go - she is a terrific host.

Kate, Stroud

We had an absolutely lovely time staying at Snowgums. Pippa, the owner, is very dedicated to helping you have the best stay and experiencing the copious amounts of things to do and places to explore. I felt like Heidi on the fabulous walks she recommended. There are lakes, a spa, a river, a lovely medieval town to have a crepe. Super refuge restaurants to visit in the mountains. Our apartment was really pleasant and tastefully put together, full of beautiful objet d'art bought from local flea markets, which means a lot to me. A soothing place to return to after a busy day out. I have come home

Caroline, Bath

Thanks so much for your hospitality and for sharing your cosy apartment. It was a perfect retreat. We absolutely loved your suggestions for walks, and really fell in love with the smaller valleys and their picturesque villages and mountain refuges. We truly hope to return, and to continue the conversations too! You are most welcoming, which we greatly appreciated.

Carolyn, Toronto

We a wonderful Christmas break staying at Snowgums and skiing at Serre Chevalier as a family of five. Pippa and Becky made us so welcome and added lots of special festive touches that added even more to the very special ambiance of this apartment, which has been sensitively restored and tastefully decorated. We enjoyed the visits from Chine the dog and Luc the cat. The skiing was the best we've ever had, helped by sunshine and blue skies. Christmas meals from chef Carol were awesome and kept us going for multiple days, and on Pippa's advice we visited Briancon old town, which we enjoyed too.

Natasha, Aberdeen

A fantastic, lucky choice for our first Alpine adventure: a cool, restful home to return to after a hot day out exploring. We had a lovely week, arriving and getting around by public transport (although next time we'll hire a car too). It's been the perfect compliment to our preceding four nights in Turin and we now have so many ideas for what to do on our next visit.

Tamsin, Cambridge

Pippa is an exceedingly welcoming and likeable host. She listens well and takes a great deal of time and effort helping you get the most out of your stay at Snowgums which is such a helpful addition. Snowgums is a quirky older building which is a treat to experience; and the surrounding nature trails are an outdoor lover’s paradise. Snowgums is a tidy and clean self-catered apartment with all the necessities. Local chef Carol can provide super meals for a reasonable cost to enjoy at the apartment which makes life simple; and our dog, Jasper, was welcomed as well as us with no fuss at all.

John, Richmond, North Yorkshire

While part of a group organised by 'France Walks' to visit the Hautes Aples, I and my two singing and walking companions stayed in the Snowgums apartment, hosted by Pippa. The accommodation was very comfortable, very French and made us feel very much 'at home' with lots of little touches like wild flowers in vases, suppress in the orchard garden, getting to know Pippa's family: daughter, dog and pussy cat! A beautiful area to visit, Pippa is the perfect guide as well as the perfect host. Pop over from Italy or come down from Paris.

Marjory, Sydney

We loved our stay here so much we are already planning a return trip. Pippa and her daughter Becky were welcoming and made us feel at home the minute we arrived. The accommodation is charming, clean, well equipped and warm despite the minus temperatures outside. Don't miss out on a visit to the thermal baths at Montier les Bains swimming in the dark with the snow falling was amazing and try out the Ski Nordique in the nearby Vallée de Clarée. Great walks down by the river from Snowgums and ideal for dog owners. Merci Beaucoup Pippa et Becky !

Micaela

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Location

The neighbourhood

Local points of interest from Pippa Curtis

  • Briancon old town, UNESCO world heritage listed, fortified cobbled streets, bursting with atmosphere and character, street theatre, events & medieval festivals in season.
  • Thermal spa (10 mins) - internal and external thermal pools, jacuzzi, fountains, whirl pool, plunge pools, music dome.
  • Winter - in the heart of ski valley Serre Chevalier (250kms of pistes, 1200 - 2800m, all levels), snowboarding, sledging, relaxing, snowshoeing, husky sleigh rides, ski boot room, sledging slope opposite the house, free ski bus to the highest cable car
  • Spring, summer, autumn - excellent local swimming pool + long slide (5 mins), swimming lakes, Italy (15 mins), hiking, cycling valleys or Tour de France passes, kayaking, climbing, BBQ/ relax in large garden, safe bike storage.
  • Facilities - feather pillows and duvets, great games cupboard for all ages, toys + Wendy house for children, everything for children and babies, wifi throughout, excellent showers, optional chef prepared main meals - highly recommended!
  • Travel - Gatwick Turin with BA, 2 hours drive to here, other airports too, direct Eurostar London Lyon (then train or hire car), or overnight train from Paris, or TGV to nearby Oulx with connecting bus to bring you to Briancon