Nerdistan

1770 was when the very first guest house was opened up in Chamonix Haute Savoie. Prior to this Chamonix Mont Blanc was a uncivilized and rugged agrarian hamlet where locals hunted animals and farmed their own barley.

Farms at this time were used to farm cows over the summer months. Their milk was conserved by changing it into cheese and butter and stocked in the farm for consumption over the bleak wintertimes. Throughout the winter season the farms were barred, and valued possessions were locked in a liitle shack.

Quite who devised chalet holidays is obscured by time, it was probably several enthusiastic chaps who realized a set up that worked. For Erna Low it commenced whilst she was a homesick student who couldn’t see her folks back home in Austria as often as she liked. So in 1932 she took a risk and put a small ad in the papers to tempt guests on a winter trip. For £15 they travelled to and from the resort, had food and lodging in the only pub lodging, and had ski gear and lessons. The trip was arduous work, there weren’t any skiing lifts, no quick release bindings, simply heavy leather shoes, it was so successful that Erna Low continued to take people on breaks, guaranteeing she utilized superb lodges and ski instructors.

Catered chalet trips in the early years were a long way from the luxury ski chalets we can enjoy today. Back then hot water was in limited supply, the bathrooms had to be used with all of the customers, and there wasn’t a cook; the clients were expected to help out. It was a complete lottery as to who may share the chalet for the week, one may be pleased by meeting new friends, or grimaced by the thought of spending another day with unpleasant guests.

Catered chalet holidays were later on publicized on their additional bonuses. A chalet chef, who served you cooked breakfast and an evening meal and baked you cakes, lots of warm water for washing.