The Pros and Cons of Booking a Catered Ski Chalet

It’s a dilemma that most skiers have been faced with on more than one occasion: should you book a hotel room, a self catering chalet, or opt for the comfortable and hassle-free option of a catered ski chalet?

Hotel Versus the Chalet

If you are going skiing alone or as a couple a hotel can be an appealing option, with a room of your own and communal space downstairs in which to relax and maybe make some new friends. But remember to check whether the hotel offers full or half board, as eating at the hotel restaurant every night (if it’s not included) can be expensive.

Of course, at a hotel with half board the benefit is that you are free to eat out every night, so if you like the freedom of being able to try different restaurants around the resort then this could be the option for you. This is a great way to get to know a resort and experience some local life, but don’t forget to budget for eating out when you’re planning your holiday because ski resort restaurants can be notoriously pricey.

For larger groups or families who want to enjoy time together, either a self-catered chalet or a catered ski chalet can offer a more flexible style of accommodation. Rather than having members of the family secluded in separate hotel rooms, in a chalet you will have communal space in which you can all come together at the end of the day and enjoy just hanging out.

Family holidays with multiple generations all together can be noisy affairs as you share stories of your skiing adventures and the fun the kids got up to during the day. The great thing about having your own chalet is that nobody cares how much noise you make!

To Cook or Not to Cook

Of course, if you opt for a chalet, you are still faced with the decision of whether to go self-catering or not. This is when you need to use your imagination before making a booking.

Self catering is a great option to save money on your booking, but you are still going to have to buy food in the resort. Therefore, the main question to ask yourself is just how much do you like cooking?

If you’re a keen chef who finds creating a meal at the end of the day relaxing, then self-catering may be for you. But remember: this is a ski holiday. You’ll want to spend most of your day out on the slopes, not heading home early to get to the supermarket to stock up on ingredients for that night’s dinner. Not to mention the washing up!

A catered ski chalet may be a little more expensive, but use your imagination again and you’ll conjure up images of waking up to ready-made breakfasts or being met off the ski slope with a tea of freshly baked cakes and a three course dinner prepared by friendly trained chalet staff.

Belinda Smythson works for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service that has been helping avid skiers craft their perfect winter holiday for over a quarter of a century. If you're looking for the best catered ski chalet accommodation in the Three Valleys, Paradiski, Espace Killy or Chamonix Valley, Ski Amis is the go-to company for winter sports fans searching for the holiday of a lifetime.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.