The History of the Early Chalet Trips
Back in 1770 the inaugural hotel was opened up in Chamonix ski resort.
Before this date Chamonix Mont Blanc France was a wild and sturdy rural village where the populace captured their animals and grew their cereals.
Barns back then were used to stock cows during the summer months.
Milk was kept by making it into cheese and butter and stocked in the village for eating during the hard wintertimes.
During the winter the farms were locked up, and all valuables were secured in a tiny shed.
Quite who devised chalet holidays is unknown, however it was probably some zealous chaps who recognized a pattern that was new and exciting.
For entrepreneur Erna Low it all began whilst she was a homesick postgraduate and couldn’t afford to visit her siblings in Austrias much as she liked.
Thus in 1933 she took a punt and took out a small advertisement in the broadsheets to invite clients on a skiing vacation. The cost was £15 and they traveled to and from the village, were provided with meals and accommodation in the sole inn, and had ski equipment and lessons.
Skiing was arduous, there weren’t any skiing lifts, no safety fixations, only leather boots, however it was so popular that she continued to take friends on trips, seeing to it that she employed excellent chalets and ski guides.
Ski breaks during the beginning were a far cry to the luxuries we can receive today.
Hot water was in short supply, the bathrooms would be used by all of the punters, and there was no a cook; all the guests were expected to help out with the chores.
It was a complete lottery as to who might share the chalet for the holiday, one may be pleasantly surprised to encounter brand new skiers, or have an uncomfortable week amongst strangers. A far cry from the luxury chalets of today.