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A catered chalet holiday: what’s it really like?
What to expect…
Getting to the chalet
You head to the airport or train, just like any other holiday… You’ll arrive at one of our local airports or the train station, and if you’ve booked a transfer with Ski Magic, then look out for our friendly team who will be awaiting your arrival and will take you to your chalet. If you’re driving, you’ll have used our directions to arrive at the front door of the chalet which will be your home for the week.
A warm welcome
Our hosts will welcome you, offer you a tea or coffee and a slice of cake, or perhaps you’ll choose a beer from the chalet’s Honesty bar. You’ll then unpack and settle in before your evening meal.
Why choose a catered chalet?
- No shopping, cooking, cleaning
- Helpful staff to look after you
- Great value way to experience skiing
- Enjoy more relaxed time with family & friends
- Experience local restaurants at lunchtime
- Good value extras: transfers, ski hire, childcare
Introducing: your chalet hosts
To look after you during your stay, you’ll have your own chalet host(s) who will come into the chalet to prepare breakfast, to clean and lay out afternoon tea. In the evening they’ll return to cook and serve your evening meal. They can help with any questions and want to help you make the most of your holiday. In resort is also our manager and the two directors to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Ski hire in the chalet
Soon after you’ve arrived to the chalet, our Ski Magic technicians will visit you to fit your boots and skis.
If you have time, maybe you’ll take a stroll around the village to check out the local bars before…
Dinner is served!
Your chalet hosts will have been preparing your meal and at 8pm (or earlier for children) you’ll be invited to take a seat at the table and tuck in to your evening meal. Expect dinner-party style food with free flowing wine included with your meal.
Food provided 6 days per week:
- Continental and/or cooked breakfast, porridge
- Homemade afternoon tea & fresh bread
- Dinner party style evening meal
- Red, white and rose wine
And on your chalet staff’s day off:
- Continental breakfast
- Afternoon tea
(Usually our guests visit a local restaurant on this evening)
A day in the life…
8am-9am
You’ll get up and dressed into your thermals and join your chalet mates for a cooked breakfast (or you can have porridge/cereal and fruit if you prefer)
9am-10am
Getting dressed into your gear and out of the door takes a while, especially the first time! Check your rucksack – you’ll need suncream, lipbalm, googles, sunglasses, phone/camera, wallet with cash and credit card and a hat. (You don’t need your passport on the slopes!) If you’ve got a lift pass (sometimes your ski school will advise you that you don’t need one for the first day or two), it should be placed in a left pocket of your jacket.
NB: If you’re booked into morning ski lessons, you’ll need to be at the meeting point by around 9am – check your booking carefully!
Your instructor will welcome you and explain how everything works and what you’ll be doing during the week – don’t forget to ask how to practice on your own in the afternoons.
On the slopes
Ski lots but don’t forget to take a break to eat and drink! Staying hydrated and keeping energy levels up is really important. Not to mention the fact that lunching in a ski resort is one of the best bits of a ski holiday…
Click here for our picnic tips!
Apres-ski
You could take it easy and head back to the chalet to have a shower (or jump in the hot tub/pool if your chalet has one) and chill out – you are on holiday after all!
We also thoroughly recommend appreciating the mountains on foot, and a little stroll is a good way to keep your muscles and joints moving so you don’t stiffen up.
Tuck into a slice of homemade cake for afternoon tea, then maybe sample the infamous ‘après-ski’ in one of the local bars! There’s live music to be found, or maybe you prefer a quiet drink? There’s something for everyone!
Make sure your ski stuff is all drying ready for the following day, and repack your bag.
8pm
Your chalet hosts will serve dinner at 8pm, and if you’re in one of our flagship chalets or have opted for this extra, you’ll have canapes and fizz at 7.30.
After dinner, if you have the energy, take a stroll into the village for a drink, or put your feet up and relax or play a game before going to bed for some beauty sleep…
Then you’re ready to do it all again the next day!
Ski holiday bucket list
- Ski every day!
- Dance in your ski boots
- Have a picnic on the piste
- Try vin chaud, toffee vodka, genepi
- Go sledging
- Build a snowman
- Eat a fondue, raclette or tartiflette
- Try a new activity: skidooing, fat bikes, paragliding, ice skating?