Whitepod Original

It all began in 2004, when former London-based mergers and acquisitions lawyer Sofia de Meyer set out to create an alternative to traditional ski resorts—one that combined comfort with environmental responsibility. Her search for the right location and the right concept gave birth to Whitepod, an unusual hospitality project that quickly caught the attention of the international press and won several awards for sustainable tourism. In 2006, Swiss entrepreneur Patrick Delarive acquired the property and spent the next six years transforming it. Originally, the pods had neither electricity nor private bathrooms. Over time, Whitepod evolved into an eco-luxury destination in the heart of the Valais, where sustainability provides reassuring substance rather than the main reason to visit. Today, there are 18 fully equipped pods, all with private bathrooms and pellet stoves that switch on automatically whenever the temperature drops. Less unusual perhaps, but just as appealing—if not more so—are the handsome wooden chalets that have since joined the collection, offering a better fit for families and groups of friends. Sleeping up to eight guests, they feature multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a garden and a terrace. Whether you choose a pod or a chalet (the latter being the only accommodation directly accessible by car), each of the two nearby sites has its own Social Cabin, complete with a wellness area including a sauna, Nordic bath and yoga room. As for dining, if you're staying in a pod—or simply forgot to stock up on groceries—there's one obvious choice: Les Cerniers, serving honest regional cuisine and a generous breakfast.