Ski Half Term

You may be surprised to see a blog right after the school holidays on the half term ski break, but having talked to many operators, repeat bookings and guests who missed out this year, not wanting to miss out on the next years ski half term holiday, has meant already catered chalets are being booked up fast, particularly in the big resorts such as Chamonix, Courchevel, Meribel, St Anton, Val d'Isere, Verbier, and Zermatt.

If you are looking at a catered chalet or luxury chalet for half term, our advise is book early, but as its a family ski break, search out for the chalet operators that have a family ski friendly record (this in our opinion should not necessarily mean the branded 'family ski company's' as many of the private catered chalets provide better family friendly, high quality chalets and service in comparison), and one's that are close to the slopes and ski school, preferably ski in ski out if possible to really make life easy!

Ski Christmas

Well if you really don't want to have to endure the Queens Speech on Christmas Day, skiing might just be the ideal alternative. Whilst it is a popular week, the Christmas ski week isn't as expensive as you might think and it is a chance for someone else to peel the brussels sprouts and stuff the turkey! And if you aren't convinced yet, just think 'White Christmas', the Christmas tree in the corner, the decorations in the room, and no step ladder needed, its all done for you!

And if you are worried about the snow, its generally never a problem, but just in case you can always ski Chamonix, Courchevel, Meribel, Val d'Isere, Verbier or other high altitude resorts that are as snow safe as it gets!

So if we have wet the appetite, don't forget that this year Christmas Day falls on a Saturday and catered chalets are likely to stagger the departure dates to deal with Christmas Day and New Years Day falling on the transfer day, with some operators swapping to a Sunday and others for mid week for the peak weeks before switching back to the popular Saturday to Saturday changeover.

Whatever the changeover, a ski Christmas break in our opinion is a great way to avoid Her Majesty's Voice!!

Luxury Catered Chalets Val d Isere

This week we are focusing on great chalets that give unrivaled access to ski Val d'Isere. If you haven't skied Val d'Isere, then make sure you clink on one of the links because it is without doubt one of the best resorts in the world to ski.

The resort itself is situated at 1,850m with the high altitude skiing up to 3,450m. On piste there are circa 130 pistes for all abilities and the off-pist rivals some of the best in the world. So you won't get bored skiing Val d Isere and the Espace d'Killy Network!

The Val d'Iser apres-ski nightlife is lively and in many streets are pedestrianised. A sophisticated, high class, chic affair with a good variety of bars, boutiques and restaurants.

In terms of chalets, if you are going to ski Val d'Isere, I guess the chalet needs to be two things, one ski in ski out, so you can get a head start whilst others queue at bus stops or struggle down slippery paths, and two, if you ar going to stop at probably one of the best ski resorts in the world, it really should be one of the best luxury catered chalets Val d Isere has to offer!

Luxury Catered Chalets Chamonix

Did they or didn't they, well according to reports Chalet des Drus run by HIP Chalets and Chalet Prarion which is run by Chamonix Exclusive both had high profile clients over the Ski New Year week. As luxury catered chalets go, both are exceptional ski chalets, for size alone in the case of Chalet des Drus, least of all features that include an indoor swimming pool, and in the case of Chalet Prarion for its on piste location and features that includes cinema projection. Chalet des Drus incidentally boasts seven bedrooms, whilst Chalet Prarion six. Whilst these two chalets are exceptional ski chalets, in many respects they typify many of the catered chalet offerings in the Chamonix Valley. 

Chamonix has long been a tourist destination, long before skiing was invented, with the Western Alps highest peak, Mont Blanc (4,808m) on its door step. Many of these visitors have been British, who were some of the most enthusiastic pioneers for exploration. More recently the British visitors and influence has increased with a number of British setting up catered chalets in the ski resort. Many have been attracted by Chamonix's exceptional and spectacular scenery, all year round mountain sports, and the fact that it is not only widely considered the Alpine Capital of the world, but also the Mecca for skiers who want to ski the most extreme off piste skiing. 

In terms of catered chalet clients, many are attracted by the legendary high altitude skiing, its reputation for great apres ski, and of course the very convenient one hour transfer from Geneva which also makes Chamonix a very popular for weekend ski breaks. 

The influx of British chalet owners has meant that the catered chalet market in Chamonix is competitive, which is great news for the skier looking for great catered chalets, at a great price. As we have mentioned, the two chalets mentioned above are exceptional luxury chalets that without such strong competition in Chamonix, in other world famous resorts would probably sell for at least 50% more than the standard prices they are quoting, and possibly even twice the price in similar resorts! 

Therefore if you are looking for a a great luxury catered chalet, in a world famous high altitude resort, but a resort that will leave you pleasantly surprised by the price (and the quality of choice), you might want to consider a ski holiday in Chamonix!

Catered Chalet

If you are looking for the best catered chalets and luxury catered chalets, this blog intends to bring you great recommendations, up to the minute availability, and general resort information against the catered chalets we intend to feature. 

In our next blog we intend to feature Chamonix and explore the chalets relating to the media gossip regarding who did and who didn't ski in Chamonix at New Year. Chalet Prarion was the main headline, a luxury catered chalet run by Chamonix Exclusive, that if the media rumours are correct was the choice of Elin Nordegen, wife of Tiger Woods for the New Year holidays, and then there was Chalet des Drus run by HIP Chalets luxury catered chalet where Kylie Minogue was reported to have stayed.

The week after we will be taking a look at Verbier and searching out great catered ski chalets that won't leave your bank manager looking too concerned!