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Choosing Your Ski Chalet
Choosing the right ski chalet is essential if you are going to get the most out of your ski holiday. It’s not just a case of going for the most picturesque ski chalet but choosing one that suits your group.
Catered Ski Chalets vs Self Catered Ski Chalets
When booking a skiing or snow boarding holiday, the decision to stay in a self catered ski chalets or fully catered ski chalets is one of the first choices you need to make.
Most people choose a self-catered ski chalet on cost. By choosing a self catered ski chalet, your accommodation will of course be cheaper. However there are other costs which need to be factored in before you have a true picture of what your holiday will cost. Consider the cost of food and drink for your party, not just at dinner, but throughout the day. Many catered ski chalets will offer a hearty breakfast, afternoon tea, and a two or three course evening meal. To provide an array of dining options three times a day will cost a considerable amount when added to the cost of self catering ski chalets, plus beverages, and can equate to or exceed the price of a catered ski chalets.
Another important factor when making your catering decision is time. How much of your ski holiday to you plan to spend cooking, cleaning, and washing?
Catered ski chalet hosts can also be vital in ensuring you get the most out of your stay in your chosen ski resort. Chalet staff will know the best bars, shops, boutiques, and babysitters, as well as having a keen knowledge of the best places to ski and snowboard in the local area. They will know the best places to get your ski equipment and boots, and will often have deals with local shops for their guests, and often will even collect you from the airport and delivery you straight to the ski chalet door.
Luxury Ski Chalets
The luxury ski chalet market has grown considerably in recent years resulting in some veritable piste palaces appearing across the Alps. Most offer all the opulence of a five-star hotel combined with the intimacy of a stylish private home. Most luxury ski chalets deliver fine food, quality complimentary wine, ski guiding and transfers.
Budget Ski Chalets
There are a huge range of budget ski chalets across Europe offering a more basic approach to Catered Ski Chalet accommodation. This doesn’t necessarily mean poor service, but if sharing, the main thing to consider is who is going on your trip and who do you mind sharing with? You are likely be sharing with a younger, louder crowd.
Ski-in Ski-out Ski Chalets
Mostly available in the higher ‘snow-sure resorts’, ski-in ski-out ski chalets allow you to maximise your time on the piste. They are also great for family ski holidays as they allow you to pop back and forth throughout the day. Expect to pay a premium for a ski-in ski-out ski chalet.
Family Friendly Ski Chalets
Ski-in ski-out ski chalets have an obvious family advantage, allowing you to return to the ski chalet at your convenience if anyone gets tired. Also look for Catered ski chalets that offer childern’s meals and split meal times. Many will also offer in-house childcare and have contacts with ski resort creches.
Eco Ski Chalets
With so much purpose-built accommodation in the Alps, you could be forgiven for assuming that skiing is not exactly an Eco-conscious pastime. If you want to make sure that you are doing your bit to minimise your impact, make sure you ask the right questions when choosing your ski chalet accommodation, such as food purchasing and recycling policies, the types of cleaning products used, heating systems, and if it is a newly renovated ski chalet, their build techniques and type of materials used. Some ski chalets are pitched as eco-friendly so this information is becoming more accessible