Whitepod

Rooms

Each pod is made of a robust steel frame clad in white canvas, which is layered with green camouflage in summer, meaning it has minimal visual impact on the landscape. They are also covered in 3 layers of PVC to minimise heat loss; this, combined with the romantic wood-burners, means they’re genuinely toasty in winter. Inside, expect chairs covered in cosy sheepskin rugs, and deerskins on the floor. The furniture is unique to each pod and is mostly sourced from local flea markets and artisans. We had lovely antique wooden armchairs, and rough-hewn tree stumps for bedside tables.

The pods are all furnished with organic luxury bedding, and armchairs and desks located in front of the huge ‘window’. You also get a mezzanine sleeping level, accessed via a ladder, and panoramic wooden decks for sitting out on when it’s not too chilly. Each has a bathroom positioned behind the bed, complete with shower (on an eco-timer, of course), sink, loo, eco toiletries and even a hairdryer.

Family Pods have extra space for kids while Deluxe Pods have extra luxuries such as satellite TVs, Nespresso coffee machines and minibars. For the ultimate splurge, opt for one of the Pod Suites, each with their own design theme - Swiss chalet, Birch Forest, Timeless style and Japanese Zen.

Newly added to the slopes are a cluster of cabins sleeping 6-8. We are yet to see them in person, but they look roomy and modern in a very Scandi-minimalist way, providing plenty of space inside and out for friends or larger families.

Crocs are supplied for walking around in (sanitised for each new guest) and a backpack of kit is handed to you on arrival, which comes thoughtfully stuffed with a map, a pair of binoculars and a head torch (crucial for walking around outside in the dark). The pods also have walkie-talkies for contacting reception - no in-room landlines or wall-mounted TVs here.

Features include:

• Fan
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• WiFi

Eating

Whitepod has a choice of two superb restaurants. Opposite the reception, 15 minutes down the hill from the camp, is Restaurant Les Cerniers, named after the immediate area surrounding Whitepod; it serves utterly delicious traditional lunch and dinner options such as cheese fondue and Valais cold cuts, as well as an excellent à la carte menu. During our stay we dined on a wonderfully cheesy endive tarte tatin with Roquefort, followed by possibly the best slow-cooked belly pork we’ve ever sampled, then coffee with a cute selection of mini desserts including pistachio mousse and truffles. Quite delicious. Not surprisingly, it is run commercially so non-Whitepod locals can book a table, too.

The restaurant policy is true to the Whitepod philosophy. It uses local wine and seasonal produce; local suppliers are used first and other European suppliers only if necessary. The restaurant is open daily in July and August, and Sunday to Thursday for the rest of the year; there are more eateries within a 10-minute drive.

The restaurant can also do vegetarian options and even offers ‘pod service’ (their version of room service), delivering salads and cold cuts via snowmobile.

Since our last visit they have added a second restaurant; situated in the middle of the pods, La Tsijiri has breathtaking mountain views. The "Saveur du Valais" menu offers a variety of tasty alpine dishes, from fondues to traditional meals such as chalet soup and rösti. The menu is seasonal, changing regularly based on the availability of ingredients.

Breakfast is served in the Pod House in the middle of the camp and consists of a buffet-style selection of fresh pastries, creamy yoghurts, fruit, local cold cuts and cheeses, plus a small number of hot options. Guests staying in the Deluxe Pods or the Pod Suites get breakfast brought to their room each day. The Pod House also has an informal bar and games area, and serves a complimentary afternoon tea of hot drinks and pastries daily.

Features include:

• Afternoon tea
• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant
• Room service

Activities

WINTER

• Go for an exclusive ski on Whitepod’s 2 private slopes, set beside the camp and accessed by drag lifts - great for beginners and intermediate levels (free ski equipment and lessons available for an additional charge)
  
• If you fancy more ambitious, extensive skiing, head to Champery in the mighty Portes du Soleil ski area (just half an hour away) - but most people come to Whitepod to escape the crowded pistes
  
• Clip on your snowshoes (which are provided in your pod), grab your walking poles, and head off into the snowy wilderness. Hire a guide if you feel you can’t navigate your way or would like on-the-hoof lessons in the local flora and fauna
  
• Try husky sledding in the pretty woods around the camp or, if you're feeling adventurous, have a go at cani-cross. This is basically snowshoeing while being pulled along by a dog (attached via a harness). Great fun
  
• Go paragliding - take a tandem flight with an expert, lasting 20-40 minutes (depending on the weather), and see Whitepod and its beautiful surroundings from the air
  
• If you’ve never tried cross-country skiing, this is the perfect spot. There are some lovely, unchallenging trails near the camp, and it’s the best way to enjoy the scenery while burning heaps of calories
  
• Snowscooting is a cross between biking and snowboarding; Whitepod has 6 for you to try
  
• On rainy days (in any season) try out the cinema in The Social Cabin, or the ultra-modern gym facilities
  
  SUMMER
  
• Go hiking. There are 25km of sign-posted trails in and around the camp, incorporating stunning high-mountain terrain with knock-out views
  
• Hire a mountain bike and cycle down some of the nearby slopes, as fast or as slow as you wish
  
• If you fancy a fun excursion along the mountain trails, try dog karting. This is like dog sledding but on wheels, and you have the choice of either driving the kart yourself or simply being a passenger
  
• Attend a wild-plant cooking class. Go foraging with a local wildlife expert then learn how to cook up the ingredients into something super-fresh, healthy and delicious
  
• Whitepod has open-air badminton and pétanque (sort of like French bowls, with metal balls), and who can resist a game of ping-pong? There's even a giant outdoor chess set

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Cooking classes
• Dog sledding
• Hiking
• Hot air ballooning
• Mountain biking
• Paragliding
• Plantlife / flora
• Private guided tours
• Skiing
• Snowsports
• Yoga

Kids

This eco camp is perfect for a memorable family holiday - the setting is spectacular and there is heaps to do both in summer and winter. Children under 12 can stay for free in the pods; they are just charged for breakfast. There are sledges, board games in the Pod House, and a cinema room which shows films and web TV when the weather is bad. Note only one rollaway bed or cot is permitted to be added to a pod.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

The Family Pods can take two additional children. Kids sleep on cute, totally secure, cordoned-off mezzanine platforms on top of the pod bathrooms. The Swiss Pod Suite can also accommodate two additional children. Whitepod recommends they should be at least 8 years old to sleep there. Baby cots can be supplied free of charge for little ones, and those between 3 and 7 years are best sleeping in with their parents.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 90 minutes
• Hospital: 20 minutes
• Shops: 15 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The camp is located high on the hillside, at 1400m, in the village of Les Cerniers in the Chablais Valaisan region of Switzerland. The nearest town is Monthey, 12km away.

By Air:
Fly into Geneva (126km).

From the Airport
Train transfers are encouraged from Geneva airport. You can take a direct train to Aigle station (approximately 1 hour 20 minutes), from where the hotel can arrange a transfer. Or you can take a connecting train from Aigle to Monthey, and get a hotel transfer or bus from there.

By Car:
In the summer, most guests come by car as it is useful for exploring the surrounding area - see our car rental recommendations. In the winter, guests tend to stay in and around the camp, so a car is not really necessary.

Detailed directions will be sent when you confirm your booking through i-escape.com.