UK operators are upgrading the level of chalet service and facilities as demand from clients continues to rise.
Sales manager for Inghams’ dedicated chalet programme Bladon Lines Laurence Hicks said: “We’ve seen more demand for better quality chalets. A high proportion of our chalets are now four and five snowflakes [stars] in silver and gold locations [close to amenities and the slopes].”
Airtours head of specialist products Gary Wardrope added: “In the 1980s chalets were popular among 25-35-year-olds. These people are still skiing but now have money and are more discerning. Many now want Jacuzzis, saunas and open fireplaces.”
First Choice marketing and planning director Adrian Harwood agreed. “Over the last couple of years people have been upgrading to three and four-star properties. The next trend will be towards the level of service offered. This is reflected in the First Choice Fine Dining chalets where the quality of food, wine and service is better than the standard chalets offered.”
Airtours offer a Ski Cordon Rouge service at selected chalets in Courcheval and Meribel featuring five-star cooking and wine on arrival.
Neilson has also introduced a Super Service for an extra £30 per week. Senior product manager Nina Clifford said: “It has a beefed up menu, extra course and choice of wine, as well as freshly ground coffee.”
Crystal’s Premier Service costs an extra £35 per person per week. Added value extras include bucks fizz or a full cooked breakfast; pre-dinner appetisers; a four-course evening meal with wine, after-dinner mints and bubble bath. Crystal has also improved its service for families. Group managing director Andy Perrin said: “We have identified certain chalets which are well suited for families – you won’t find stone stairways without a banister or chalets on a busy road. They have a nanny service and nearby kids’ clubs.”
New this year are Family Plus chalets in France offering the above facilities and a range of baby equipment including bottle sterilisers and changing mats.
“These chalets will cost on average around £20-£30 more,” said Perrin, who added that other Crystal chalets do not allow kids under 11 years old so couples in search of peace and quiet will not be frustrated.
First Choice, which has over 70 chalets worldwide, is also putting them in different categories.
Harwood said: “We also offer the lower priced Chalet House Party International which is not run by First Choice but a resort-based company. This means you get people of different nationalities. We have them in Les Trois Valley and La Plagne.”
Thomson even have one chalet dedicated to snowboarders – the Chalet French St in Breckenridge, Colorado – and one -Êthe Eliane in Val d’Isere -Êfor people who like to choose their own food and wine according to what they fancy that night.
Airtours’ Wardrope said: “Chalets work particularly well in countries where hotels are expensive – such as France and Switzerland, not in Austria where hotels offer good value for money.”
Panorama only feature around three chalets in Andorra. But ski product manager Corri Boyle said it would expand the product in France, new to the programme this year. “The chalets are the quickest product to sell out as they offer good quality for a reasonable price.”