As far back as 1770 the first tourist accommodation was opened in Chamonix Haute Savoie. Before this date Chamonix France constituted a wild and sturdy agrarian place where people caught their animals and produced their own cereals.

Farmhouses then were used to farm dairy herds during the spring and summer. The cows milk was kept by changing it into cheeses and preserved in the village for use during the bleak wintertimes. Throughout the winter season the farms were bolted, and valuables were locked in a tiny hut.

Quite who came up with the ski chalet holiday is unknown, however it was likely various passionate folk who acknowledged a formula which worked. With Erna Low it all began whilst she was a unhappy graduate who couldn’t visit her parents in Austria as often as she liked. Thus in the early 1930’s she gambled and placed a small ad in the London Times to invite guests on a winter vacation. The cost was £15 and they travelled to and from the ski resort, were provided with breakfast and dinner and board in the solitary inn, and took ski gear and instruction. The vacation was laborious work, there weren’t any lifts, no safety bindings, simply strong leather shoes, however it was such a hit that Erna Low continued to take friends on vacations, making sure she employed excellent lodges and instructors.

The chalet holidays in the beginning were very different to the luxury we have now. In the early days hot water was in limited supply, washrooms had to be used with all of the customers, and there was no a cook; all the guests had to help out with the chores. No one knew who might be in the chalet for a trip, one may be agreeably surprised by meeting brand new allies, or grimaced by the thought of spending another day with unpleasant guests.

Ski holidays were later marketed on their new benefits. Your own cook, who served you continental breakfast and a four course dinner and provided you afternoon tea.