It was 1770 when the first guest house was completed in Chamonix village. Prior to this Chamonix village embodied a uncivilized and craggy agrarian town where locals hunted their animals and harvested their cereals.
Farms then were used to breed dairy cows during the summer. Their milk was kept by turning it into cheese and butter and kept in the valley for consumption over the long wintertimes. Throughout the snow season the farms were barred, and valued possessions were put safely in a hut.
Who invented the chalet vacation is unknown, however it was likely several keen folk who acknowledged a pattern that was new and exciting. For entrepreneur Erna Low it all began when she was a unhappy graduate who couldn’t afford to visit her parents back home as often as she liked. And so in the 1930’s she took a punt and placed a advertisement in the Times to invite punters on a ski holiday. The cost was £15 and they journeyed to and from the town, were provided with food and lodging in the only chalet, and had ski gear and tuition. The trip was laborious , there were no chair lifts, no quick release fixations, only leather boots, it was so popular that she continued to take people on holiday, ensuring she used fantastic accommodations and skiing instructors.
These Skiing holidays during the beginning were a far cry to the standards we have now. Back then hot water was in limited supply, the bathrooms were shared out with all of the clients, and there wasn’t a chef; all the clients had to muck in. It was a real gamble who might share the chalet for a holiday, you might be agreeably surprised to encounter new allies, or spend a week of hell with people you didn’t get on with.
Chalet holidays were later advertised on its extra benefits. A cook, who would serve you continental breakfast and a four course dinner and provided you cakes, plentiful warm water for bathing. And with Chamonix travel options so plentiful these days it makes your ski holiday so easy.
