A Self-catered Or Catered Chalet For Your Ski Holiday?

There’s nothing quite like piling into a roomy ski chalet with a bunch of mates at the start of a trip, knowing that you’ll soon be hitting the slopes and indulging in a fair amount of après-ski. But one thing that you might be wondering is whether it would be better to book a catered ski chalet, or to go for one of the many self-catered options. Help is at hand! Here are the most important pros and cons to consider when browsing.

Self-Catered

Opting for a self-catered ski chaletnormally works out to be less expensive than going down the catered route. Because you’ll be deciding when, where, and what you eat, you also won’t need to follow a set schedule for your mealtimes. Instead, you’ll be able to enjoy a totally flexible schedule and maximise your skiing time – although you will, of course, need to spend time cooking and washing up on your holiday.

That flexibility is particularly perfect for groups of friends. You can eat out, order in takeaways, or stay in and cook together using local produce. You could even try your hand at preparing some of your favourite regional mountain recipes.

Although self-catered ski chaletstend to fall toward the lower price range, remember that you will need to budget for food on top of the accommodation cost. 

Pros:

• The accommodation is cheaper

• You can choose your own meal schedule

• You have the flexibility to cook, eat out in local restaurants, or order in

Cons:

• You’ll need to spend time cooking and cleaning

• You need to budget for extra food costs

Catered

If you choose to go down this route, you’ll be living in luxury. Breakfast spreads, fine dining, and best of all – no washing up.

What’s more is that even though the price of the accommodation will be higher, you won’t need to fork out any more money on food during your trip. Your meal prices will all be included in the cost of the ski chalet. 

Without needing to prepare meals, shop for ingredients, or wait for service in restaurants, you’ll be able to spend more time relaxing. That being said, you will have to follow set meal times that might not always be ideal for your group’s plans.

Higher end chalets tend to include luxurious extras like hot tubs, staff to load up your skiing equipment into chauffeured cars each morning, and potentially even an open bar. 

Pros:

• No need to wash up or prepare meals

• The cost of your food is already included in the price

• You’ll probably have more time to relax during your holiday

Cons:

• The accommodation is more expensive

• You have to follow a timetable for your meals

Whichever of these options sounds like the right fit for your group, it’s highly recommended that you use a reputable ski company when booking your trip. They’ll make the process as hassle-free as possible, and get you settled in quickly so you can hit the slopes. 

Author Plate

Tim Heal is the founder of Chaletline, a travel agency offering catered chalet accommodation in worldwide ski resorts. With an extensive knowledge of resorts and excellent post booking care, they pride themselves on the personal touch they offer to each and every client. If you're looking for an excellent ski chalet they can quickly and efficiently match you with the perfect accommodation in a range of excellent resorts. Catering for individuals, couples and groups up to 50, the knowledgeable Chaletline team will help you choose the right chalet in the right resort.