Before the ski chalet addicts among you choke on your fondue infused charcuterie, let me explain why traditional alpine ski chalets are fast becoming the minority accommodation, among all package ski deals booked worldwide.
They?re more expensive. There it is, I said it!
Before the great global meltdown of 2008 we saw skiers and snowboarders already switching to packages more economical than the traditional ski chalet, in a bid to ski more often each season.
Once the recession really began to bite, this new appetite for cheap ski deals was fuelled not by the desire to ski several times each winter, but to get out skiing at all, when the finances became increasingly tight.
Sure, they?re prettier and usually offer a higher level of personalised live-in service, but ski chalets also tend to come with many of the bells and whistles that we?re willing to forego, when trying to ski cheap. Do we really need ?tea and home baked cakes? each afternoon, just hours before an enormous multi-course supper? Is it really wise to head out onto the slopes with a stomach laden with a ?full English? cooked breakfast?
Surely one of the greatest boons of a skiing holiday, over a regular ?fly and flop? summer holiday, is the very real prospect of returning home a few lbs lighter than when you left!
More than this, the greatest argument for not booking a ?catered chalet? ski deal is that you miss the best opportunity of really seeing the place you?re visiting, by eating out a few nights of the week. Even self catering will force you to venture out into the beautiful mountain town and see life there, beyond the walls of your chalet or flag lined runs of the piste? if only to shop for groceries.
So what?s the best alternative to a chalet ski holiday?
Many a bargain hunter is seduced by the headline low price of self catering ski holidays but, with the weak pound and strong euro, it?s often a false economy to buy all your food in-resort.
The very best deals skiing this winter are half board, because that includes your breakfast and evening meal, but none of the frills which you don?t need. All inclusive packages are a bit of a waste because you?ll rarely need lunch when up on the mountain all day, although some now allow you to take the packed lunch with you (if you don?t mind skiing with a rucksack, or sitting down on the jammy brioche in your back pocket). Bed and Breakfast is a good option if you want to get up and out fast in the morning, but explore the town a little more at dinner time.
I?m maybe playing devil?s advocate a little ? I do really love being looked after in a cosy and traditional alpine ski chalet but, if it?s a choice between skiing cheap or not at all, the half board and cheap apartment ski deal wins every time.
Broaden your ski holiday search this winter, so you?ve not danger of missing the best ski deals in the best resorts. Because honestly, ski chalets are no big deal!
Richard Sinclair is director of ski deals and ski chalets for SNO Ski Holidays. If you are interested in ski holidays go over and check out his site as he know everything about ski trips and you will surely find a great ski deal for yourself and your loved ones.
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