Catered chalets are the best

We had an amazing week’s skiing in Tignes. There were 20 of us in a chalet.  The food was really good, and the staff so friendly that they even came out with us on their night off. 

Catered chalets are great for a ski holiday: breakfast ready for us when we came down, split up into our various groups, then come home in the afternoon to the very hot tub, and know that dinner would be on the table for half seven.

On the day we arrived, the ski hire people came to our chalet that same evening after supper, and picked up our skis for us after we left.  Between that and having a downstairs changing room with heated boot racks, we really didn’t have to lift a finger.

Photo: Gwilym Ellis

We stayed in Tignes 1550.  We were a two minute walk from a funicular to a bubble lift, and could ski blue, red or one of the best blacks in the resort back to the funicular, which gave the feel of skiing to our door.  There was a great cafe right at the bottom of the runs where we met up each afternoon.

Eurostar was just the best way to travel.  On the way there we drank all our copious M&S prosecco and then drained the bar of champagne.  On the way back, everyone slept most of the way - the seats really are that comfy.

Photo: Gwilym Ellis

Staying in a catered chalet was the best part of the trip.  Once you are home, there’s no need to go out - even on the staff night out, you can order food to the chalet.  It means that you don’t have to spend a thing beyond the cost of the holiday.  The kitchen would even make us sandwiches for lunch if we asked nicely.  Our rooms were really big and airy, all with en suite, and there was a giant L-shaped living room and dining area that easily seated all 20 of us.  There was enough room to join in, do your own thing, hang out in the tub, play pool downstairs, whatever you felt like.  Even the rooms didn't feel at all cramped if you wanted an early night.

Photo: Gwilym Ellis

Better is that it means once you are done skiing for the day, you don’t have to do anything.  Some even just stripped off by the hot tub when they got home, jumped in and took the evening from there.  With 20 of us in the chalet we could do something different every night.  We played musical bingo, watched a film, made a human pyramid, or just read.  So much more fun than paying 12 euros a drink in a bar while some ski instructor chats up your girlfriend and the locals ask you how your country will survive outside the EU.

I had invites from friends for two 'Snowcarbon' holidays this year, this one in Tignes and another in Morzine.  Both were sensational.  It starts with the Eurostar, with being able to just turn up, meet your friends whizz through security and start having fun on the train.  The chalets were superb, the company brilliant and the skiing awesome.  I made a ton of friends and will definitely go next year.