Hotel of the Week: This Secluded Swiss Chalet Is an Adventure-Seeker’s Paradise

Cabane Tortin is a design-forward private retreat offering breathtaking views of the Canton Valais in every direction

January 24, 2025

Personalized dining. Photo: Yves Garneau

Set high above the Tortin Glacier and the ski resorts of Verbier and Nendaz, you’ll find the sleek Cabane Tortin—a stunning, design-led ski chalet with views of the Canton of Valais in every direction. Accessible by the Verbier lift system, or, for heartier guests, by skinning up from the Col des Gentianes or skiing down from Mont Fort, the Scandi-style home-from-home houses just six guests at a time (with additional guests upon request) in unparalleled 360-degree alpine splendor.

Set on the site of a former mountain hut, the new, minimalist structure by Norwegian architect Snorre Stinnesen is a vision in stone, blond wood, and powder-coated steel, with a breathtaking 33-foot sloping panoramic window designed to be the star of the living room and bedroom shows.

Unobstructed views. Photo: Albrecht Voss

Brushed concrete floors are softened throughout by furniture and design touches including pieces by Fredrik A Kayser and Le Corbusier, as well cozy woolen throws and chic, glass-encased wood-burning places. Three interconnecting bedrooms as well as an upstairs double pod sleeping area that can accommodate another six guests, offer dazzling sunrise views as well as technicolor sunsets with Mont Blanc in the distance.

Cabane Tortin living area. Photo: Albrecht Voss

Fully staffed by a group of expert yet low-key people, a guest’s every wish is catered to in this sumptuous setting. From arranging ski equipment and passes for the 4-Vallees ski area, to hiring ski instructors, booking heli-skiing tours and dog sled rides by starry sky, no activity is out of reach. A similar experience is found with food and wine—a comprehensive cellar is included—and a chef creates Swiss delicacies (think raclette) using locally made cheeses, meat, and produce.

Cabane Tortin is accessible via the Verbier lift system. Photo: Albrecht Voss

The overall approach here is one of Swiss sustainability; the cabane is energy-sufficient, water is sourced from a mountain spring (keep the showers short!), with solar panels incorporated throughout and a pellet stove generates incredible warmth. While the property is quietly luxurious, it is also remote and takes a bit of altitude adjustment, so the staff will advise about staying hydrated, not spending excessive time in the sauna, and most importantly, not wandering off at night without letting a “guardian”—the traditional term for a Swiss chalet attendant—know.

For those who love first tracks in the morning followed by an outstanding fondue at the end of a day spent outdoors, then the Cabane Tortin is your new oasis.

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