The combination of the arrival the first snow of the winter in the Alps this week, the Metro Ski & Snow Show and the UK government’s announcement on budget cuts has generated lots of newsprint about how holiday-makers can maximise their value for money this winter.
At Alpine Ethos we recognise that value for money is of paramount importance to any holiday maker but we also recognise that dirt cheap doesn’t necessarily equal value for money. So here’s our two penn’rth on whether self-catered or fully catered ski holidays offer the best value for money.
Most of the really eye catching deals at this time of year are for self-catered holidays, often in the early season. The advantages offered by a self-catered break are clear. You have the flexibility of being able to eat when, where and what you want and theoretically spend within your budget. However the question is does this provide good value for money?
The answer is...it depends. You can satisfy your mountain fuelled hunger with bread and jam for breakfast, bread & cheese for lunch and pasta and sauce (or equivalent budget meals) for tea. Wash this lot down with some vin ordinaire (unless you're French maybe?) and you’ll be living the bargain-hunter’s dream.
The real question you have to ask is “what do I want from my holiday”? Are you going to want to cook (in what will probably be a small kitchen) every night, wash up and clear down after an epic day on the mountain? If you are in a big group, are you used to cooking for that many people? If you are happy with the cooking there is then the cost to consider.
It’s no secret that mountain resort shops and supermarkets ain’t cheap. You see a large “mountain tax” on every product from booze to broccoli and sometimes it can be an eye-watering calculation to make. On top of that, eating out in the mountains can be pretty pricey too. A decent pizza and a pint can cost you 15 euros and who has just one pint or no pudding on holiday?
A fully-catered chalet holiday is a different kettle of fish. Choose a good company (we’d suggest an independent operator – of course!) and you’ll have the strain taken out of the holiday and give yourself more time to relax with friends and family.
Most operators (us included) will offer hot and cold options for breakfast, tea and freshly baked cake when you get back from the slopes and a 3 course meal with wine/beer for dinner. Your holiday costs are fixed when you make the booking (no worrying about the exchange rate upping a food bill), the washing up is done, the menu is set, the fussier eaters in your group are looked after by understanding chalet staff and you’re not doing the cooking! All you have to worry about is whether you want red or white with dinner and where to eat on your day off.
While a fully catered holiday might seem expensive up front the actual cost at the end of your holiday might not be all that different to a self-catered break. If that little extra money means the difference between pasta and sauce and something like this, is there any real competition?
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