The editor of a new online guide to the best ski chalets in the Alps picks her favourite boutique retreats

Best for location

Chalet de la Cloche, Tignes Les Brévières

If you're looking for a gorgeous chalet which is located in a properly French, Brit-free, village but linked to a giant ski area, then look no further. Chalet de la Cloche is an immensely stylish property, decorated with rich, jewel-bright fabrics and heaps of tasteful, modern pieces, sitting just yards from the bottom of the home run in this charming hamlet. It is far away from the crowds of Val d'Isère and Tignes but perfectly placed to access the giant Espace Killy ski terrain.

• Prices from around £1,000pp per week, fully catered; sleeps 12. ski-base.com

Best for traditional Alpine style

La Ferme du Bois, Chamonix

This looks like a rather simple, even humble, farmhouse from the outside, but it has the most charming and rustic of interiors, all gnarled and twisted old wood, beautiful antique pieces and ancient artefacts lining the walls. The main living area is huge, furnished with battered chairs, sink-into sofas and elegant desks and lamps, as well as an immense fireplace you can sit in. And not a TV in sight.

• Prices from around £600pp per week, self-catered; sleeps 10. 00 33 450 534886; hipchalets.com

Best for families

Chalet Kernow, Verbier

This is a genuinely family-friendly mountain home. Its vast living space with a gorgeous 19th-century French fireplace at its heart has a kid-friendly TV snug to one side, complete with state-of-the-art screen and every variety of games console, plus a mezzanine area above with pool table. There is also a cosy bunk room with gym mats for little ones to play in as well as a sleek, adults-only spa area with indoor sauna and steam room. Something for everyone.

• Prices from around £940pp per week, fully catered; sleeps 12. 00 41 794 280 172; ckverbier.com

Best for views

La Ferme de Moudon, Les Gets

La Ferme de Moudon is the iconic chalet that featured on Channel 4's Grand Designs Abroad in 2004. A traditional 17th-century Savoyard farmhouse from the outside, inside it is all sleek, contemporary design and flooded with light from two huge sheet glass windows that display breathtaking views of mountain wilderness. The chalet sits in its own private parkland, hence the knockout, uninterrupted scenery.

• Prices from around £1,400pp per week, fully catered; sleeps 10. 07957 192826; fermedemoudon.com

Best for billionaires

Chalet Spa, Verbier

If you want the gadgets rather than the gingham and cowbells, Chalet Spa in Verbier is unbeatable. Brand new this season, it bristles with state-of-the-art technology and modern fittings including "magic mirror" TVs, in-built stereo and pop-up TV screen in the outdoor hot tub, and funky dune buggies to transport you round the resort. It has a few of the necessary Alpine design touches such as cow-hide throws and chocolate leather sofas, but is almost more Ibiza villa than ski chalet. Just breathtaking.

• Prices from around £4,000pp per week, all food and drink extra; sleeps 10. 07797 718201; chaletspa.com

For further information and booking details on each property go to chicchaletguide.co.uk