Booking a ski holiday ? Once you’ve decided which breathtakingly beautiful destination to choose, whether it’s the Swiss Alps, Colorado Rockies, Les Trois Vallées or the Italian Dolomites, the next step is to book your accommodation. There are a few options available, including hotels, chalets and cabins. The difference between each type of accommodation is not always clear, and you’ll also need to choose your board basis - so let’s make it a little easier.  

Catered chalet ski holidays are an ideal choice for your next break. They are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s easy to see why. They offer the chance to fully relax and enjoy your ski break without having to worry about cooking. All of your meals are fully covered, so all you need to do is enjoy the scenery, strap on your skis and have a wonderful time. You can spend more time on the pistes and give yourself over to some well-deserved pampering in the evening.

What’s more, the culinary standard in many of the world’s best and most famous ski resorts can be absolutely incredible. This means you can look forward to exquisite fine dining prepared by talented chefs, and you’ll even get to sample some of the most delicious traditional dishes from the region. It’s a step up in luxury, making your holiday even more of a special experience.

What is included in a catered chalet holiday?

Not all catered chalet ski holidays are the same, so it’s important to find out what is included before you book. Some holidays offer meals with a high calibre chef in a well-appointed restaurant or communal table. Here you can meet like-minded people and perhaps even make new friends over a delicious authentic Swiss feast.

Others offer additional options, such as private, romantic meals for two in your room. You may be invited to discuss the menu with the chef at the start of the day and make suggestions based on your favourite things, and you can rest assured that all dietary requirements are catered for.

Many catered chalets will provide a hearty breakfast to set you up for a high-energy day on the slopes, as well as afternoon tea, a three or four course evening meal and coffee with after dinner mints. You may be offered a cheeseboard on one or all of the evenings, along with aperitifs and canapes throughout the stay, and special meals and drinks if a one-off party or event is organised.

You really will be spoilt for choice on a catered chalet break, especially if you’re staying in a chalet with an excellent chef - perhaps even one who has worked in a Michelin starred restaurant. You can expect true luxury, from Wagyu beef and caviar to oysters and Champagne. It’s all there for your enjoyment, so bon appetit!

What is the difference between a cabin and a chalet?

When researching your holiday, you may come across cabins as well as chalets. The chalet has Swiss origins and is mainly found in ski and alpine regions, and you’ll be able to recognise it easily by certain architectural features. For example, a chalet has a distinctively sloping roof and overhanging eaves. Chalets can also be more than one storey tall, which is why you often find chalet hotels and catered chalets where guests can enjoy their meals in a dining room (often with breathtaking views across the mountains).