7 of the best catered ski chalets
Catered pads assure blissful independence for minimal effort after a day spent on the slopes: breakfast in your thermals, returning from the slopes for afternoon tea and drinks by the fire while the chef rustles up supper for the kids, privacy without the faff of having to cook. Fortunately, for those who love the cosy chalet vibe but aren't sure where to choose, there's a raft of choice within the catered chalet world. This includes chalet-hotels, where you book by the room rather than taking the property exclusively, with the same excellent meals delivered to your door daily.
Some chalet operators offer simple bed-and-breakfast packages while others include the services of staff and charge only for the food and drinks you consume. Pricing varies significantly for these differing service levels, enabling you to select what works best for your budget and needs. And, of course, peak weeks (Christmas, Easter and school holidays) can triple the cost of a holiday, richly rewarding those able to travel during quieter times. This is our selection of the best catered ski chalets, from the French Alps to the heights of Japan.
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£ | HOT TUB | SLEEPS 15 | Half board | Best for passionate skiers
With a 200-year history of mountaineering derring-do, Chamonix offers skiing across five diverse mountains, ranging from sunny intermediate pistes overlooking Mont Blanc to the world's longest off-piste ski route, La Vallée Blanche. The historic town is also ideal for non-skiers, with winter hiking trails, husky sledding, guided snowshoeing and the historic Montenvers train, which chugs from Chamonix to the spectacular Mer de Glace glacier.
The rustic-chic Chalet Violette places it all on your doorstep, with a secluded setting near the popular Micro Brasserie de Chamonix, the go-to Cham spot for locally brewed après-ski beers and generous burgers. Note that the seclusion does mean a ten-minute walk to the nearest lift (the Les Planards nursery slopes) or a five-minute walk to the nearest bus station for access to Chamonix's main ski lifts.
The eight-bedroom accommodation serves hearty breakfasts, generous afternoon teas and lavish dinners with wine, adding a hot tub and outdoor sauna with views of Mont Blanc for good measure. All bedrooms are ensuite, and the wood-panelled living room with its huge log fireplace makes for a cosy base after a day on the powder. There's a fully-equipped kitchen and optional fridge stocking service if you do feel like cooking, but if you're feeling lazier, private chefs can be arranged at an extra cost (note the property is self-catering-only during the summer months). Olivers Travels works with local cooks and professional chefs to set you up with the culinary whizz best suited to your needs, be that an informal tartiflette night or a gastronomic feast.
• Discover our full guide to ski holidays• Best great-value ski resorts in Europe
££ | HOT TUB | POOL | SLEEPS 2-8 per apartment | Fully catered | Best for families
It can be hard to beat Club Med for hassle-free, all-inclusive holidays, particularly when you plump for one of their ski-in/ski-out properties like the Valmorel Chalet-Apartments. Set on Valmorel's family-friendly blue pistes within the extensive Grand Domaine ski area (100 miles of pistes, four dedicated freeride zones and several beginner slopes), the Club Med property packages up accommodation, lift passes, ski instruction and childcare for children aged 4-17 years, throwing in an on-site ski rental shop to boot. Full board is included in the room rate, with the option to enjoy fondue or raclette in the privacy of your apartment.
Guests are spoiled for choice when it comes to accommodation options, with spacious hotel rooms and suites, dedicated family suites and two to four-bedroom chalet apartments. Guests benefit from all-inclusive access to the activities, children's clubs and wellness area in the adjoining 4-Trident Village while the chalet apartments offer added benefits like a mountain-view terrace and butler service. Dinners can be enjoyed in two distinct restaurants and are fantastically French — work up an appetite on the slopes to indulge in regional specialties like fondue Savoyarde and tartiflette topped off with blueberry pie.
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£££ | HOT TUB | POOL | SLEEPS 10 | Fully catered | Best for luxury
Just a short hop from Salzburg lies one of Austria's largest ski areas, the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn. Spanning 167 miles of predominantly intermediate pistes and the four villages that make up its trips-off-the-tongue name, the Skicircus remains mystifyingly little-known by British skiers. Tranquil Leogang is particularly appealing for families, with sunny nursery slopes and gentle local blue runs at its base as well as easy access to the more challenging sections of the Skicircus.
The plush Chalet Henne, with wraparound full-height windows affording exceptional views, is a knockout property for multigenerational families. In addition to five stylish suites, it's got an indoor pool and climbing wall, private cinema and self-playing grand piano. Handily, there's also a chauffeur service from 7am until 11pm.
Guests are welcomed to the chalet by a hamper bursting with regional specialities and a wine fridge generously stocked with Austrian varieties, while a dedicated chef is on hand to create meals precisely to their requirements. Whether this means early suppers for the little ones, traditional raclette each night or burgers for the teens and healthy meals for the adults, chef has it covered.
• The world's most luxurious ski resorts
£ | SLEEPS 25 | Fully catered | Best for intermediates
Chalet Sondanella is located in the charming town of Selva at the heart of the Dolomites. Regarded by many as the world's most beautiful mountains, the jagged peaks provide a spectacular backdrop for the mostly intermediate 112 miles of trails that make up the Val Gardena ski area. Set at the foot of the towering Sella massif, Selva is ideally placed to tackle its jaw-droppingly scenic 25 mile-long circumnavigation, the Sellaronda. Toast your successful circuit with a glass of prosecco at Chalet Sondanella, where aperitivos are taken each evening before four-course dinners, with unlimited wine.
Served family-style, with all guests seated at the same time at shared tables if desired, dinners are convivial affairs and span a wide range of cuisines, from a classic French boeuf bourguignon to authentic Italian lasagne. Breakfasts are equally generous, with continental options served each morning and cooked ingredients, like a hearty full English, available on all but one day. The charming chalet staff also bake fresh cakes each day for afternoon tea, served with tea, coffee or beers if requested. The comfortable chalet, which is set just paces off a blue piste that leads down to the Ciampinoi gondola, offers 13 spacious bedrooms, some with balconies, and an inviting top-floor lounge with far-reaching views of the Dolomites.
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£ | SPA | POOL | SLEEPS 10 | Fully catered | Best for groups of friends
Located in a quiet residential part of St Anton — whose Ski Arlberg is the largest ski resort in Austria — just beyond Rendl mountain, Chalet Albona is one of four chalets in the contemporary Mountain Lodge, which has a communal spa area and plunge pool. Whether you team up with mates to secure the whole five-bedroom chalet or just take a double room or two, you'll enjoy generous chalet catering and a warm welcome from your hosts. Note that, outside of peak dates, children 11 years and under are only welcome when a group books the property exclusively.
A free bus service stops 300m away from the chalet, whisking you off to the main ski lifts in under five minutes. Bookings include flights, transfers and all your food and drinks, including a generous continental buffet or cooked breakfast, afternoon tea, a four-course set menu every evening, and local wines. One evening a week is all about Austrian cuisine, with a range of local delicacies served.
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££ | SLEEPS 6 | Fully catered | Best for culture vultures
Japan is one of the snowiest places on earth, lending the bountiful white stuff the nickname 'Japow'. More than merely incredibly fluffy powder, skiing in Japan also serves up a rich cultural experience, with authentic sushi and ramen for lunch and saké and traditional outdoor onsen (hot springs) for après. Let ski specialist Powder Byrne arrange a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Japan with catered accommodation in a beautifully restored kominka (traditional folk house).
Set in the mountainous Kiso Valley, the three-bedroom Zenagi overlooks rice paddies, rivers and forests. Staying here is a truly immersive experience, with refined Japanese cuisine served by a dedicated chef (your meals might feature wood-fired aged dairy cattle risotto with wild nameko mushrooms and red rice), skiing in Nagano's diverse resorts and soaking in a giant wooden bath tub with forest views. The self-styled 'expedition hotel' not only aims to pamper guests and immerse them in Kiso Valley's rich culture and unspoiled surroundings, it also matches them with highly skilled expedition guides, who can take you paddleboarding along pristine rivers and canyoning in protected private forests.
powderbyrne.com
• Best ski resorts in Japan
£ | HOT TUB | SLEEPS 10 | Fully catered | Best for après-ski
The ever-popular Méribel is a vibrant town in the midst of the Three Valleys, the world's largest ski area. With nearly 100 miles of local slopes that lead directly into the 3V ski area (370 miles), Méribel buzzes through the winter with live music and festivals. One of the best-known après destinations in the Alps, this is the place to be for table-top dancing at the infamous Folie Douce, cheesy sing-alongs at Le Rond Point (Ronnies to those in the know), comedy nights at Jack's and late-night finishes at Lodge du Village.
Explore it all from the traditional, five-bedroom Chalet l'Arclusaz, which has an indoor hot tub and sauna, a lovely south-facing balcony and a cosy sitting room warmed by a fireplace. The chalet is operated by Ski France, a pioneer of 'contactless catering', whose hosts deliver fresh breakfast, afternoon tea and pre-dinner snacks, as well as a three-course dinner on six of your seven nights here. Set in the secluded village of Mottaret at 1,750m, the chalet is a five-minute walk from the slopes and ski lifts. There's a regular, complimentary shuttle bus from Mottaret to the centre of Méribel, which is great for exploring the town's nightlife.
• Best ski chalets in France • Best ski resorts for beginners
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