From humble Alpine hut, to homely mountain ski chalet, we talk to Ski Beat about the allure of the ski chalet holiday.
Ski chalet holidays are unique. Book a private, ensuite room in a hosted Alpine chalet and share the chalet with like-minded skiers. Take meals together and relax in sociable company after a day on the slopes. Enjoy comfortable, homely surroundings, hearty breakfasts, tasty cakes with afternoon tea, and freshly prepared evening meals with unlimited local wine. A private chalet host takes care of the guests and the chalet, cooks, cleans, serves and washes up. Simple.
Yes, the idea is simple, sociable and perfect for those looking for an affordable, homely base in the Alps. A package ski chalet holiday costs a fraction of the cost of hiring a hosted, private chalet, while the homely atmosphere and inclusive catered meals, rival any hotel holiday. It is also a particularly British concept, with companies such as Ski Beat having welcomed guests to their ski chalets the Alps for nearly four decades. So how did it all come about?
The idea of sharing accommodation and dividing up the cost with fellow skiers goes back to the 1920s and 30s. Well-heeled guests, with time on their hands to travel met up with friends and strangers to make use of dairy herders’ huts, otherwise empty over the winter months. 100 years ago warm water in the huts was a luxury and rare, furnishings were basic and the bathrooms shared. And of course skiers had to hike up the mountains if they wanted to ski back down. Sophisticated lift networks were a thing of the future.
Ski chalet holidays have come a long way since the posh ski house parties of the pre-war years, while the `spag bol and rough local red’ of early ski package holidays are best forgotten. Today’s ski chalets offer a warm and welcoming, home from home in the mountains. They are also the most popular choice for British skiers.
Ski Beat’s Laura Hazell, The UK’s leading ski chalet operator to France, says “Our chalet hosts are professionally trained; how to clean, how to cook, how to take care of the guests and the chalet. Bathrooms are en-suite, views spectacular, coffee filtered, log fires roaring and locations are sublime, close to the slopes in seven of France’s top high altitude resorts. Every chalet is fully equipped with creature comforts and staffed by a competent chalet host. For those looking to enhance the experience, options include in-chalet massages, wine and beer upgrades, as well as a choice of chalets with hot tubs, saunas, indoor pools, gyms, cinema and games rooms.”
In some respects, nothing has changed. Skiers have always been hell bent on enjoying the mountains. The closer to the slopes, the deeper the snow, the higher the mountains, the better the lift infrastructure, the more appealing the chalet. Ski Beat’s chalets tick all the boxes. Better still, for those without champagne pockets, the good news is that a week’s catered stay, with flights, costs from around £120 per person, per day (£842 / week).
Ski Beat are pioneers of the modern ski chalet lifestyle. This season they have their name on thirty or so of the best located, comfiest, and most sociable chalets in seven, high altitude French ski resorts, offering ski chalet holidays through from December 2024 to April 2025. That’s a lot of Ginger Beef Casserole, Salmon with Parsley & Parmesan Crust, Pine nut and Mushroom Parcels, medium bodied Merlot, and dry and fruity Sabadie.
Talking of food, Laura Hazell adds “One trend we have seen in the past twenty years or so is the huge increase in the number of guests following vegan and vegetarian diets, and those with dietary intolerances. When we started, it was rare. Now around 10% of our guests request alternative meal plans. Hosts simply serve the weekly menu and cater individually for those requiring plant based and dairy or gluten free meals, with menus that change daily.”
With the British appetite for good food and a homely base in the mountains, France’s excellent high altitude resorts and great lift infrastructure, it seems that the best way to ski is to go Dutch, and enjoy the economy, and value, of sharing a chalet. Nearly 100 years on from posh Brits roughing it in Alpine herders’ huts, the ski chalet holiday concept is alive, and well. With clogs on.
Ski Beat
When Ski Beat’s first guests sampled a taste of the ski chalet high life, Bronski Beat (the inspiration for the company’s name), were in the British charts and Eddie the Eagle had just finished last in the Olympic ski jump. Nearly four decades later Ski Beat is the UK’s largest ski chalet package holiday company to France and are pioneers of the modern ski chalet lifestyle.
This season they have their name on thirty or so of the best located, comfiest, and most sociable chalets in seven, high altitude French ski resorts. They offer hosted ski chalet holidays from Gatwick and Manchester, departing between 14th December 2024 to 12th April 2025.
Contact www.skibeat.co.uk, 01273 855100
