What exactly is a catered chalet?

Sounds fun, eating with people that you don't know and possible don't like.

Endless drunken conversation from someone with a loud voice.

Uncomfortable beds.

Rooms not cleaned .

Fixed time eating.

Noisy returns from drunken nights out waking the whole chalet.

Sounds fun to me :mrgreen:

Ian Wickham wrote:
Sounds fun, eating with people that you don't know and possible don't like.

Endless drunken conversation from someone with a loud voice.

Uncomfortable beds.

Rooms not cleaned .

Fixed time eating.

Noisy returns from drunken nights out waking the whole chalet.

Sounds fun to me :mrgreen:

I think the first one is a risk which is not usually dealt with (everyone has the common skiing interest). The second can be a problem in any restaurant or pub (definitely in Scotland anyways :lol: ). The next 2 are on a get what you pay for basis in that it could happen in a sh*tty hotel too. Fixed eating time was not a problem for me at all. Noisy returns frequently happen in hotels. You just need to give it a try Wickham and remember-you get what you pay for.

Been several times with Skiworld in catered chalets, as well as Equity Ski, Total Ski and others.

They are all usually very accomodating when it comes to food, offering options (limited) for fussy eaters, vegetarians and kids. The chalet staff are usually 20-25 year olds, who often have no previous cooking experience, but through the TO's chalet training have become excellent cooks. We've always found the food to be excellent, and a whole lot better than hotel food. They often provide 4 course meals from tiny kitchens, for 12-15 people. It's a miracle how they do it.

Pablo Escobar wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:
Sounds fun, eating with people that you don't know and possible don't like.

Endless drunken conversation from someone with a loud voice.

Uncomfortable beds.

Rooms not cleaned .

Fixed time eating.

Noisy returns from drunken nights out waking the whole chalet.

Sounds fun to me :mrgreen:

I think the first one is a risk which is not usually dealt with (everyone has the common skiing interest). The second can be a problem in any restaurant or pub (definitely in Scotland anyways :lol: ). The next 2 are on a get what you pay for basis in that it could happen in a sh*tty hotel too. Fixed eating time was not a problem for me at all. Noisy returns frequently happen in hotels. You just need to give it a try Wickham and remember-you get what you pay for.

What makes you think I haven't 8)

In your search for DIY perfection you obviously ended up in the wrong chalet :D

What you need is a little trip to Sainte Foy!

hymac580 wrote:Been several times with Skiworld in catered chalets, as well as Equity Ski, Total Ski and others.

They are all usually very accomodating when it comes to food, offering options (limited) for fussy eaters, vegetarians and kids. The chalet staff are usually 20-25 year olds, who often have no previous cooking experience, but through the TO's chalet training have become excellent cooks. We've always found the food to be excellent, and a whole lot better than hotel food. They often provide 4 course meals from tiny kitchens, for 12-15 people. It's a miracle how they do it.

I'm with you. I love chalets. If it's with strangers I don't think I'd want it to be less than about 20 people, then it's small enough to get to know everyone but large enough to not have to sit next to someone that you don't want to :shock:

Pablo Escobar wrote:In your search for DIY perfection you obviously ended up in the wrong chalet :D

What you need is a little trip to Sainte Foy!

If I was taking over the whole chalet for a week or two it would be OK :thumbup:

caron-a wrote:

hymac580 wrote:Been several times with Skiworld in catered chalets, as well as Equity Ski, Total Ski and others.

They are all usually very accomodating when it comes to food, offering options (limited) for fussy eaters, vegetarians and kids. The chalet staff are usually 20-25 year olds, who often have no previous cooking experience, but through the TO's chalet training have become excellent cooks. We've always found the food to be excellent, and a whole lot better than hotel food. They often provide 4 course meals from tiny kitchens, for 12-15 people. It's a miracle how they do it.

I'm with you. I love chalets. If it's with strangers I don't think I'd want it to be less than about 20 people, then it's small enough to get to know everyone but large enough to not have to sit next to someone that you don't want to :shock:

We like to mix it up every night, and purposely sitting in a different place at the table. This does unnerve some couples/families, but it means you get to chat to everyone, and it means the more timid get involved. By the end of the week you're usually best of friends. Chalet I was in this year had a family, couples, mates, Irish, Scots, Canadians, Koreans, Northerners, Southerners. It was great. Not everyone was each others cup of tea, but everyone has something to give.
I find it much more sociable than hotels.