About Luke, Grace and the Friend family

Alpine Friends is run by Luke and Grace Friend, an English family based in France. The name reflects both our family name and the kind of warm, friendly chalet experience we want guests to enjoy.

Together with our daughters, Florence and Roseanna, we have built Alpine Friends around mountain life, generous food, practical hospitality and helping guests feel well looked after during their time away.

Our catered chalet holidays in Châtel are designed for families and small groups who want a relaxed, personal stay in the Portes du Soleil, with clear communication, thoughtful hosting and helpful support before and during the week.

We have spent more than a decade working in the Portes du Soleil, including time with a Swiss hotel and several chalet companies across the region. That experience gave us a strong understanding of how a ski holiday works day to day: early starts, tired legs, children, mixed-ability groups, non-skiers, transfers, ski hire, lessons, lift passes, restaurant bookings and the many small details that can make a week feel either smooth or stressful.

Before Alpine Friends, we also ran Rushview Guesthouse in Northern Ireland, where we gained further hands-on experience in guest accommodation, bookings, housekeeping standards, communication and day-to-day hospitality.

That combined experience shapes the Alpine Friends approach: generous food, useful local guidance, warm hosting and a calm, well-organised chalet environment for families and small groups.

Why Alpine Friends?

Alpine Friends grew from the things we genuinely value: mountain life, good food, practical hospitality and creating a stay that feels warm, organised and genuinely personal.

Our catered chalet holidays are designed for families and small groups who want a relaxed stay in Châtel, with clear communication, thoughtful hosting and helpful support before and during the week.

A family-run catered chalet

Alpine Friends is run by Luke and Grace Friend, together with our daughters Florence and Roseanna. Our name reflects both our family name and the warm, friendly chalet experience we want guests to enjoy.

To plan your stay, explore our chalet, read more about our catered chalet service, or contact us with any questions.