A Tale of the Early Chalet Breaks
August 16th, 2009
As far back as 1770 the very first tourist accommodation was opened in Chamonix France.
Prior to this Chamonix France was a wild and sturdy agricultural village where the locals caught their animals and harvested their own cereals.
Farmhouses then were used to breed cows during the summer.
The milk was conserved by making it into cheese and butter and stored in the farm for consumption during the cruel winters.
During the winter the chalets were fastened, and any valued possessions were locked in a shed.
Quite who invented luxury chalet holidays is nameless, it was in all likelihood a few enthusiastic folk who acknowledged a set up which people liked.
With Erna Low it all began whilst she was a homesick student and couldn’t visit her parents back home in Austrias frequently as she wished.
Thus in 1930 she took a risk and took out a small advertisement in the Times to invite punters on a winter vacation. The cost was £15 and they journeyed to and from the skiing resort, were provided with meals and accommodation in the sole inn, and had skiing hire and instruction.
The holiday was strenuous, there were no lifts, no safety fixings, just strong leather boots, but it was so popular that Erna kept on taking skiers on trips, ensuring she utilized fine chalets and guides.
These Skiing breaks during the beginning were a far cry from the luxury we can enjoy today.
Hot water was in limited supply, washrooms would be used by all of the punters, and there was no a chef; all the guests were expected to help out.
It was a complete lottery as to who might share the accommodation for a vacation, you might be surprised to encounter brand new skiers, or grimaced by the thought of spending another day with unpleasant guests.
