Self–catering ski holidays are a great way to enjoy your favourite sport at your own pace and budget. Your time is entirely your own, you can get up when you like, come in when you like and you don’t have to take you meals when and where someone else tells you to!  If you’re organised about it, you can even enjoy tea and cakes ‘catered-chalet style’ on your return from the slopes and knock up quick and inexpensive meals for lunch, dinner or both.  If you don’t wish to cook, there will be an array of restaurants at your disposal………

Unlike the old days when it was difficult even to buy fresh milk, resorts are now able to cater for your every need.  Well-stocked supermarkets, convenient mini-markets, bakeries, banks, launderettes and chemists are all readily available and will generally have some English-speaking staff.  Mosts resorts have a choice of shops staying open to around 7pm, whilst essentials such as lift passes, ski hire and lessons can be easily booked online before you travel .  With the French Alps so accessible by plane, train or car, you can tailor your travel plans to suit your requirements and budget.

Whether you opt for a chalet or apartment is down to personal preference.  When choosing a self-catering apartment, it is worth noting that most ski apartments have been designed as a base to return to at the end of a day’s skiing – practicality and convenience are often considered more important than space.  With this is mind and if budget allows, a group of four people may be better to take an apartment that sleeps six so that no-one has to fight over who gets the sofa bed in the living room!  The big advantage of purpose-built apartments over some individual chalets (other than price, of course) is that they are usually in a great position for easy access to the lifts and slopes, with all amenities close to hand.

Always a  popular choice with families, self-catering  is great for groups too.  Book several apartments in the same block and you can meet up at the ski lifts in the morning and for pre-dinner drinks in the evening before you hit the town!  Alternatively, how about sharing the cost, catering and fun with close friends or relatives in one large chalet?  Take a look  at the selection of ski properties we have available throughout the French Alps on the Chalets to Go website.

Filed under: Travel Tips, Website by kathryn