My wife and I stayed at Chalet Etoile Polaire this summer and can safely say that from the first communication, the owners attention to detail and "aftercare" - coupled with an incredibly high standard of equipment and facilities - make this the best European rental we have ever stayed in.
Communication was always prompt, informative and very personable. The owners website is very professional and gives an excellent idea of what to expect - although the views and scenery have to be seen to be believed.
We were met by the local caretaker who was excellent and spoke very good English too.
We took a day to acclimatise to the altitude but enjoyed several walks through the well marked mountain trails (plenty of guides in the chalet as well as the local tourist office) - another tip to note is that the altitude also affects the length of time to cook food so add several minutes more to anything boiling on the hob!
The chalet is incredibly well equipped and had more than enough of everything we could need and a few extras one doesn't always expect - it felt very much a family home and very relaxing indeed.
We were lucky enough to arrive for the International Woodcarving Symposium and loved watching the artists transform huge tree trunks into spectacular works of art during our stay.
The owner was very prompt in returning our deposit and also went the extra mile in posting us a local souvenir we had forgotten to buy from the local gift shop (we ran out of time!) - exceptional service indeed.
The addition of free WiFi was a boon and proved useful when we had to contact the owner while we were there - again, excellent and prompt responses to a query that the caretaker couldn't answer.
Not many people think of staying in the Swiss high Alps in the summer but we cannot recommend Chalet Etoile Polaire highly enough - it's half the price of a winter ski let yet there is so much to see and do you won't regret booking.
Would we return again? - Without a shadow of a doubt!

We have just returned from a wonderful summer holiday at Chalet Etoile Polaire. It really is the best located chalet in the village! There are other chalets for rent at Les Collons but this is the most central one which stands just off the main street. All the village facilities are a couple of minutes` walk away (including Trabanta chairlift up to Thyon 2000)- so life is easy and chilled out staying there.
The views from the terrace and balcony (not overlooked at all) are fantastic... quite mind-blowing - it´s just like being in an aeroplane, flying high above the clouds- not that there were many as the sun shone for us every day! We were told that the weather in this part of Switzerland is as sunny as the South of France.
The chalet is extremely well equipped and comfortable with every modern amenity catered for, including super-fast WIFI (free of charge).
It is spacious but cosy as well- home from home for our family for the week.
There is no real need for a car if you are staying there, except if you wish to drive down to the valley to explore the towns: Sion with its old fortress castles and Martigny with the Fondation Gianadda and St Bernard Dog Museum would be recommended by us, together with the relaxing warm, thermal baths at Saillon.
Everything is on hand in this chalet- the local bars and restaurants, a supermarket, bank ATM, sports shop, delightful little rustic playground for children - and of course those spectacular summer walks - along the bisses and at altitude.
There is a direct train from Geneva Airport to Sion which works very well. The journey beside Lake Geneva is very pleasant! From Sion Rail Station a taxi brings you the final leg up the mountain.We had decided to drive and a car proved useful for us all but probably we won´t bother when we come back to ski here in winter as everything is so handy !!!

We had a wonderful stay at L'étoile polaire in July with five children.This place has everything you could ever desire. An amazing view, a complete and confortable equipment, modern kitchen, all in an authentic and peaceful surrounding.
The chalet is very well located : near a lovely children park very pleasant for young children. Furthermore you can start from the chalet very beautiful hikings.
We went several time to the outdoor swimming pool at Sion and to Brigerbad. Those places are very appreciated by the youngest.
Thank you very much Tina for your welcome and your advices about our stay.
We have all been DELIGHTED.... Young and less young