Whether you’re going skiing with friends, family or your significant other, you will find several different types of accommodation available at most ski resorts. While most people opt to stay near the ski areas, you don’t have to stay at a ski lodge to enjoy skiing or other activities. Most people choose between ski chalets, apartments or arrangements at hotels on or near the ski trails in the area.
Choosing Your Accommodations
Probably the two main influences for deciding upon your accommodation will be your budget and the number of people in your party. If you are on a budget and plan to spend your holiday skiing, then you and your friends may wish to consider renting a hotel room during your stay. In many places, you can then take a bus, hire a car or take the lift to the ski areas and spend your day on the slopes.
Most resort areas offer privately run hotels and/or Clubhotels, which are usually operated by large tour companies. One advantage of renting a hotel room is you and your party are more likely to experience more of the local culture than you would in a Clubhotel or more private accommodation. Depending on where you go skiing, you could spend some time in a quaint village by renting a room at a local hotel.
Self-Catered Chalets or Apartments
If you want to have more privacy for your family, you can rent a self-catered chalet or an apartment near the ski areas of your preferred resort. Most of these accommodations sleep anywhere from four to 18 people and you can either go into town to try the local restaurants or buy food and cook it yourself. These accommodations can be quite luxurious, offering amenities such as swimming pools, hot tubs, Wi-Fi connections, satellite television and even game rooms.
Catered Chalets
If you prefer not to cook during your stay at a resort, you can rent a catered chalet. A catered chalet is a luxury ski chalet in which all of your meals will be cooked for you and your guests. You can expect to have a hot breakfast in the morning, an afternoon tea and, at many resorts, a three-course meal in the evenings. The staff will prepare your meals and serve them to you as well.
Like the apartments or self-catered chalets, your chalet will have many luxurious amenities available for you and your party to enjoy. In addition, most of the chalets are within walking distance of the ski runs or lifts or you can select a ski in/ski out chalet. All you have to do is strap on your skis or snowboard and head down the run of your choice when you rent such an accommodation.
Although a catered chalet may seem like an extravagant expense, when you consider that some of these chalets sleep up to 18 people, splitting up the cost amongst all of you can make it more affordable and attractive. Renting a chalet also allows your party to be on their own.