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A ski holiday is something many of us look forward to all year – stunning views, crisp mountain air, the thrill of fresh powder, and long days on the slopes. But after all that adventure, the last thing you probably want is to spend your evening shopping, cooking, or washing up. That’s where catered chalets come in.
Catered chalets come with dedicated chalet hosts who take care of the cooking and cleaning, leaving you free to make the most of your holiday – whether on the slopes or relaxing in a hot tub with a glass of bubbly. You also have the added bonus of being able to connect with other like-minded mountain lovers, should you wish to.
However, every catered chalet is different, so it’s worth exploring a few options before booking. To help with this, we’ve partnered with SkiWeekends, the UK’s largest provider of short break ski holidays, to bring you seven catered chalets in the French Alps. (Despite the name, they do weeks, too.) We’ve also included some information about each of the resorts they’re in to help you choose a destination.
What can you expect from a catered chalet?
If you’ve never stayed in a catered chalet before, you might be wondering what to expect. As mentioned above, they come in all shapes and sizes.
Popular features include luxe facilities like saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs, and ski-in ski-out access (meaning you can step out of your chalet straight onto the piste). Some catered chalets, like those from SkiWeekends, also include transfers to and from the airport in the price of your stay.
As far as catering goes, you can expect a hearty breakfast, afternoon tea, multi-course dinners, and a drinks package. To help avoid high lunch prices at restaurants on the slopes, SkiWeekends chalets also provide an optional ham and cheese baguette to take out with you.
Catered chalets are great for large groups who’d prefer the whole space to themselves. However, many providers, including SkiWeekends, offer shared occupancy, too. This means you can book individual rooms within the chalet, sharing communal spaces and the dinner table with other groups – like a small, intimate hotel. This is great for people who enjoy sociable accommodation where they can meet new people after a day on the slopes.
Read on to discover seven catered chalets across French resorts like Avoriaz, Courchevel, and Val-d’Isère.
Les Gets
For some gentle skiing, why not seek out a family and beginner-friendly resort like Les Gets in the Portes du Soleil ski area? Of France’s three big ski areas, Portes du Soleil is probably the easiest to reach from the UK – just an hour’s drive from Geneva – and has over 600km of fabulous slopes.
Les Gets is well-suited to those who enjoy zipping through snow-dusted pines, as well as beginners who don’t want to be caught out on exposed pistes in white-out conditions. But the huge, wider ski area means that there’s plenty to challenge more experienced skiers further afield, too.
Les Gets village has a more authentic vibe than many French resorts. It’s small, but there’s plenty to do when not on the slopes – for example, gliding around the outdoor ice rink, decompressing in the spa and swimming pool complex, or relaxing in one of the many bars and restaurants.
1. Chalet Marjorie
Sleeps 28-42
Thanks to a complete renovation, Chalet Majorie recently received a five-star rating from the Les Gets Tourism office. This large chalet excellently balances modern luxury and classic Savoyard-style cosiness, with its rustic wood-panelling, warming fireplace, hammam/steam room, and 10-person outdoor jacuzzi. Plus, full-height dining room windows mean you can enjoy meals with spectacular alpine views.
Situated in the village centre, everything you need is just a few minutes’ walk away – from the lifts to shops, bars, and restaurants.
Morzine
Next to Les Gets is Morzine. It may not be the highest resort in the French Alps, sitting at just 1,000m, but it’s well-connected with snow-sure neighbour, Avoriaz, and the wider Portes du Soleil ski area. So, if you’re confident venturing away a little way from your base, you won’t need to worry about finding plenty of the white stuff.
One benefit of the lower altitude is that Morzine is surrounded by gorgeous swathes of conifers, making it especially picturesque. It’s also significantly cheaper than Avoriaz, while offering many of the same perks.
Morzine feels more like a proper alpine town instead of a purpose-built ski resort. As an ex-mining community, it’s got some interesting history, plus a great selection of restaurants and après spots, whether you’re up for a chilled beer or dancing on tables.
Aside from skiing, visitors can try memorable activities like snowmobiling, tobogganing, and husky sleigh rides.
2. Chalet Tavernier
Sleeps 10-13
Located in a quaint hamlet just outside of Morzine proper, and flanked on both sides by tree-cloaked mountains, Chalet Tavernier has an idyllically isolated feel. Inside, guests are greeted by a log-burning stove and cosy traditional furnishings. As well as a sauna, there’s also an outdoor hot tub with exquisite sunset views over the Prodain valley.
Chalet Tavernier may be quiet, but its location is far from inconvenient. Jump on a free 10-minute bus to reach Morzine or ride the Prodains Express cable car up to Avoriaz. There’s even an on-site tuck shop, so you can buy extra beer, soft drinks, and snacks without leaving the comfort of the chalet.
Avoriaz
Eight hundred metres above Morzine, Avoriaz 1800 has everything you could want from a ski resort. Firstly, it’s beautiful, with wood-clad buildings blending naturally into the mountainscape. Because it’s totally car-free, the streets also have a magical, untouched feel (horse-drawn sleighs with tinkling bells taxi people from place to place) – and its clifftop vantage offers jaw-dropping views over the plunging valley below.
As for the skiing, Avoriaz is famously snow-sure and suitable for all tastes and abilities. Of the 53 slopes in the local area, over half are greens (plus 14 blues), so it’s perfect for learners and families. But there are plenty of challenging runs nearby, too, including the famous Swiss Wall, and many more further afield in the Portes du Soleil area. If you’re visiting with children and want time off the slopes, the Aquariaz indoor water park will also be a draw.
Intrepid intermediates and above can set off on the famous Portes du Soleil circuit, a full-day loop of runs and lifts, taking you through other big-name resorts and even across the border into Switzerland. Avoriaz also has four snowparks, making it ideal for boarders and freestyle skiers, too.
3. Chalet Jean-France
Sleeps 12
It’s easy to see why Chalet Jean-France is SkiWeekends’ most popular catered chalet. Conveniently located just minutes from the centre of Avoriaz, almost everything you need is just paces away. And the ski-in ski-out setup means you’ll be riding a lift up to powdery summits within minutes of stepping out of the door in the morning.
Inside, guests are greeted by a gorgeous blend of traditional and contemporary but comfortable decor. Every room is ensuite with a shower, but two have bathtubs, if you’re partial to a post-ski soak. There’s even a communal shower area on the lower ground floor, complete with a sauna, where you can relax and change after an exciting day on the mountain before heading upstairs for a warming meal.
4. Chalet Violetta
Sleeps 14
Also boasting ski-in and out convenience, Chalet Violetta has a more traditional feel than Chalet Jean France. But it certainly doesn’t skimp on modern amenities – such as a sauna and boot heaters in the storage room.
Just a couple of minutes’ walk from après spots like the Yeti bar and La Folie Douce, it’s an ideal bolthole for party seekers. However, these bars close by 6pm daily, so you won’t have to worry about loud music disturbing your peaceful evenings in, if that’s not your sort of thing.
Val-d'Isère
There’s little wonder why more British skiers choose Val-d’Isère than any other destination in the world. Together with its neighbour, Tignes, this famed resort offers over 300km of slopes, including gorgeous scenic paths and Olympic-worthy descents. Reaching 3,450m, it’s also one of the highest European resorts, giving visitors good chances of great snow.
While there are some great beginner runs, particularly in the Solaise area, Val-d’Isère is generally better suited to confident skiers. Piste grading is strict (blue runs here might be red runs elsewhere), and the slopes leading down into the town can be challenging. That said, experts will have a blast tackling famous off-piste areas and world-famous runs like the plummeting Le Face de Bellevarde.
The village itself is particularly scenic, tucked between two sharply rising mountains crested with pines. Val-d’Isère is often associated with glitz and glamour, and the town has many excellent restaurants, designer shops, and even an art gallery. Plus, the après scene is quite lively, particularly at the buzzy mountainside bar La Folie Douce.
5. Chalet Santons
Sleeps 14
This catered chalet is perfectly located on a gentle path leading down to Val-d’Isère’s main lift junction. In the morning, all you need to do is step onto the piste and you’re away! No need for long walks or bus rides. A 13-minute stroll will take you into Val-d’Isère centre, and there’s a bus stop on your doorstep if you fancy visiting nearby Tignes.
If you’re booking for a larger group than 14, SkiWeekends’ other Val-d’Isère chalets, Cascade, Vallon, and Charvet, are located in the same building, giving you the option to stay together.
6. Chalet Cascade
Sleeps 11
Looking for something even more luxe? Chalet Cascade offers skiers the ultimate sanctuary to unwind after a busy day on the slopes. Relax with facilities like a sauna, hammam/steam room, and outdoor jacuzzi with beautiful mountain views. There’s even a pool table, offering in-chalet entertainment.
What’s more, at Chalet Cascade, guests enjoy SkiWeekends’ upgraded VIP board package. This includes decadent four-course meals, featuring petit fours or cheese boards with port – plus carefully selected fine wines.
Courchevel 1650
Courchevel is as famous for extravagance as it is for world-class skiing. Over the years, the main village (Courchevel 1850) has hosted celebrities ranging from David Beckham to Prince William. In this high-altitude playground for the super rich, you’ll find bougie spas, luxury five-star hotels, and numerous Michelin-starred restaurants – so, of course, it can be expensive.
But if you’d like to experience this alpine glamour for a reasonable price tag, why not consider the village of Courchevel 1650 (aka Courchevel Moriond)? It’s quieter, more down-to-earth, and better value than its neighbour, and still has a fantastic snow record.
There’s a lot to do off the slopes, too. There are plenty of marked walking trails with exceptional views for non-skiers – plus intrepid activities like climbing and paragliding. In the evenings, there are many great little bars with live music to choose from. And any younger visitors will surely be excited by Aquamotion, a swimming complex complete with waterslides and indoor surfing.
Most importantly, from Courchevel 1650, you’ll have instant access to the largest ski area on Earth: the Trois Vallées (the Three Valleys). With 600km of interconnected runs, pistes range from high-altitude carving highways to enchanting pine-lined paths to daring off-piste descents.
7. Chalet Mouria
Sleeps 18-21
This 177-year-old farmhouse-turned-luxury-chalet has character in buckets. Stepping inside feels like entering a cosy, historic hunting lodge, with gorgeous stone walls, sandblasted wooden beams, and plenty of fluffy throws for snuggling up in front of the roaring fire.
Alongside these rustic details, Chalet Mouria has been completely renovated to include various swish perks, such as an outdoor barrel sauna and terrace hot tub with glorious alpine views. SkiWeekends’ VIP Chalet Board also comes as standard.
Final thoughts…
After a long day of skiing or snowboarding, there’s nothing better than returning to a cosy space, relaxing by the fire, and enjoying some delicious food without lifting a finger. Catered chalets take all the pesky tasks of a ski holiday off your hands, so you can focus on making the most of your break.
Whether you’re seeking something with rustic charm, modern comforts, or extra indulgences like jacuzzis and steam rooms, these seven catered chalets hopefully show there’s something for everyone out there. So why not consider one for your next alpine escape?
Looking for a weekend, a week, or something in the middle? SkiWeekends has a great choice of chalets and over 100 tailor-made hotel options. Head over to their website to find your next holiday.