Accommodation Options - hotels, chalets, self catering or B&B

Choosing your ski or snowboard accommodation can be confusing. This section provides a summary of the main types of accommodation available to you.

Chalets
Chalets holidays are extremely popular with UK travellers and can be booked on a catered or self-catering basis.

Chalets range from small two or three bedroom units to large buildings sleeping fifty to sixty people.

You can book a chalet for sole use by your party or book rooms in a shared chalet.

Chalets are popular with groups, couples and single skiers and boarders.

Catered chalets provide a sociable and homely environment with the convenience of chalet staff that will cook and clean for you. The chalet staff often live in the chalet with you.

If you are not booking the chalet for sole use you are likely to have to share your accommodation with other guests and the chalet staff. This can be a great way to meet other like-minded people.

If you do book into shared accommodation you must be prepared to take your meals and share your living space with strangers.

Additionally, if you are booking into a shared chalet that accepts families remember that you may be sharing your living space with other people’s children.

A lot of chalets provide en suite facilities but in some chalets you will have to share bathrooms. So you should check your room details carefully when making your booking.

See the Origin Sports Property Directory for a range of luxury chalets in some of the most exclusive winter sports resorts.

Hotels - General
Hotels in mountain resorts generally offer the same facilities you would find in any other hotel.

Of course you get what you pay for and hotel accommodation ranges from small family run establishments with a homely feel to huge 5 star rated luxury accommodation with swimming pools, spas, bars and entertainment.

Hotels can offer a degree of privacy combined with good on-site facilities.

Hotels with a good range of facilities are a good choice for families that are looking for activities to keep children amused whilst they are not on the slopes.

You may find that smaller family-run hotels will have a more homely feel and will allow you to experience the true culture of the country in which you are staying.

Operator run Hotels – a.k.a. Club Hotels
The main characteristic of operator run hotels is that they are staffed entirely by employees from the tour operator.

They can be a good choice if you are looking for a degree of privacy with the option of meeting up with fellow guests and staff in the hotel bar or lounge.

Most operator run hotels have a 'sociable' feel to them.

You are likely to be surrounded by employees from your tour operator and it's in their interests to keep you happy. So if you are nervous about taking your first winter sports holiday, operator run hotels with staff on hand to deal with your queries or concerns might be a good option.

The staff in these hotels should be able to provide you with the benefit of their experience and knowledge of the resort so you may feel less isolated than you would do in a privately owned hotel.

Private and operator run hotels remain one of the most popular forms of lodgings in ski and snowboard resorts.

Self-Catering
Self-catering chalets and apartments are available in most mountain resorts.

In North America self-catering properties are often known as condominiums or 'condos'.

Some European ski and snowboarding resorts are dominated by self-catering apartments and they are particularly popular with locals.

Self-catering offers you the most freedom, flexibility and privacy of all accommodation options.

However, if you intend cooking for yourself as opposed to eating out remember that mountain resorts will probably not have a large number of food shops so buying groceries can be a bit more expensive.

In some self-catering apartments cooking facilities can be limited to a small kitchenette so check your room details carefully when booking.

Apartments vary enormously in size and quality. Don't assume that an apartment sleeping up to 4 adults will have 2 bedrooms. In some cases, you could find yourself in a studio apartment with a set of bunk beds in the entrance to the apartment and a fold down bed in the lounge/kitchenette area.

Again it is important to check your room details carefully at the time of booking.

See the Origin Sports Property Directory for a range of self catering properties.

B&B's

Although less common than other forms of lodgings you also have the option to stay in bed and breakfast accommodation.

B&B's can be a cheaper option if you are on a budget.

Click the next button for more information on choosing your accommodation.