What is a Chalet Holiday?

What is a luxury catered ski chalet holiday?

A luxury catered ski chalet holiday means exclusive use of a private alpine home, with a dedicated team chef, host, and concierge, taking care of everything so you can focus entirely on themountains. Included is daily breakfast, afternoon tea on your return from the slopes, a multi-coursedinner most evenings, and in-resort chauffeur service. Unlike a hotel, the chalet is yours alone the schedule, the menus, and the pace of the holiday are built around your group.

What is the difference between a catered and self-catered ski chalet?

Catered chalet includes a private chef and host who cook, clean, and manage the household throughout your stay. A self-catered chalet gives you the full privacy of an exclusive property with housekeeping support but no in-house cooking.

Is a luxury ski chalet better value than a five-star ski hotel?

For groups of ten or more, a luxury catered ski chalet is almost always better value than a five-star
hotel and significantly more personal. The cost per head is comparable to a premium hotel room,
but you get exclusive use of the entire property, a private chef cooking to your preferences, flexible
mealtimes, and none of the shared spaces. For families and groups, the difference in experience is
substantial.

What does a private chef in a ski chalet actually do?

Your private chef plans menus around your group's tastes and dietary needs before you arrive, shops
for ingredients locally, and cooks breakfast and a full multi-course dinner most evenings. On the
mountain, lunch is yours to explore. In the evenings, dinner is served in your chalet — a genuinely
personal dining experience rather than a set restaurant menu. Armadillo's chefs bring professional
backgrounds from Michelin-starred kitchens and private superyachts.

Who will be our chalet chef and host, and how do they plan our menu?

You’ll receive a pre-arrival call from your experienced chalet host, in which you can discuss any dietary requirements and preferences before your trip. All of our professional chefs are experts in tailoring menus to our guests' wishes!

Resort - Verbier, Switzerland

Why is Verbier considered one of the best ski resorts in the world?

Verbier sits at 1,500 metres in the Swiss Alps, with skiing rising to 3,300 metres across the Four
Valleys - 412 kilometres of pistes and some of the finest accessible off-piste terrain in Europe. Its
reputation draws experienced skiers, but it's the combination of serious mountain, an international
village atmosphere, exceptional restaurants, and a legendary après-ski scene that makes it genuinely
different from any other resort. Verbier rewards those who want more from a ski holiday than
groomed runs.

Is Verbier good for beginners or intermediate skiers?

Verbier has a reputation for advanced terrain, but it works well for intermediates and determined
beginners. The Savoleyres sector is gentler and less crowded than the main Médran area, with long
blues and easy reds well-suited to building confidence. Beginners will progress fastest with a
private instructor — something Armadillo's concierge arranges as standard. The Four Valleys also
gives intermediates essentially limitless terrain to explore as their ability grows.

What can non-skiers do in Verbier?

There is plenty to do in Verbier besides skiing! From ice skating, sledging and winter walking trails to luxurious spa days or indoor sports - check our Verbier Resort Guide for our top recommendations. Your concierge can help you book all your non-skiing adventures, as well as reserve restaurants accessible to all, so your group get the most out of the mountains.

Is Verbier good for families?

Yes - Verbier works well for families, particularly those with children who have some skiing
experience. The resort has excellent ski schools, a dedicated beginner area at Les Esserts, and a
concentrated village layout that makes meeting for lunch or the end of the day straightforward. Off
the slopes, there's ice skating, sledging, and winter walking. Booking an exclusive-use chalet
removes the usual friction of family holidays - flexible mealtimes, children's suppers on request,
and a dedicated team on hand throughout.

What is the après-ski like in Verbier?

Verbier's après-ski is among the best in the Alps - high-energy, international, and genuinely fun without tipping into the raucous. The legendary Farinet Apres is the centrepiece, along with Pub Mont-Fort or Ice Cube for early après, and a strong restaurant scene that runs late. For those who prefer a quieter evening, the chalet is always the better option - canapés by the fire, dinner cooked to order, and no need to book a table anywhere. Verbier lets you choose your own version of the evening.

What is the best time of year to ski in Verbier?

January and February offer the most reliable snow conditions and the fullest resort atmosphere. March is excellent - snow is still good at altitude, the days are longer, and the mountain feels lesspressured. April brings spring skiing: warm sunshine, soft afternoon snow, quieter pistes, and amore relaxed pace. Verbier's altitude means it holds snow well into the season. Christmas and NewYear are magical but book out twelve months in advance - plan early if those dates matter.

How do I get to Verbier from Geneva airport?

Verbier is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours from Geneva airport by road. A Shuttle or private chauffeur is the most comfortable option. There is also a train from Geneva to Le Châble via Martigny, with a cable car up to Verbier village. For groups who want to arrive in style, helicopter transfers from Geneva or Sion can be arranged through our concierge.

Can you heli-ski in Verbier?

Yes - Verbier is one of the best places in Europe to heli-ski. The surrounding terrain offers
exceptional descents accessible only by helicopter, including routes through untouched powder in
the Mont Blanc and Grand Combin massifs. It requires a guide and good off-piste ability.
Armadillo's concierge arranges heli-ski experiences for guests - including guiding, permits, and
logistics — as part of our standard concierge offering.

What is off-piste skiing in Verbier like?

Verbier's off-piste is world-class - widely considered among the best lift-accessed backcountry
skiing in Europe. The classic routes from Mont-Fort and Chassoure descend through open bowls
and technical couloirs, with options ranging from challenging to genuinely extreme. For serious
skiers, a day with a private guide unlocks terrain that most resorts simply don't have. Armadillo
arranges private off-piste guides as part of our concierge service.

Resort - Meribel, France

Why choose Méribel for a luxury ski holiday?

Méribel sits at the heart of the Three Valleys, the largest linked ski area in the world, with 600 kilometres of pistes across eight resorts. From Méribel you can ski to Courchevel and Val Thorensand back in a day. The village itself is consistently beautiful - traditional Savoyard architecture, nopurpose-built tower blocks - with an excellent restaurant scene and a relaxed, confidentatmosphere. It's the resort that rewards those who want serious skiing without having to sacrifice thesurroundings.

Is Méribel good for families?

Méribel is one of the best ski resorts in France for families. The terrain is well-balanced - good beginner areas, long confidence-building blues, and enough variety to keep stronger skiersinterested. There are two free beginner zones, a strong choice of ski schools, and a village that feelssafe and easy to navigate. Off the slopes, the options include ice skating, snowshoeing, and sledging. In an exclusive-use chalet, the whole experience flexes around the family rather than the other way around.

How does Méribel compare to Verbier for a luxury ski holiday?

Both are exceptional - the choice usually comes down to what matters most to your group. Verbier
is Swiss, higher altitude, more challenging terrain, with a livelier international après scene and a
stronger off-piste reputation. Méribel is French, slightly more relaxed, with arguably the better
family credentials and access to far more total skiing via the Three Valleys. Verbier suits groups
who want serious skiing and a vibrant village. Méribel suits those who want effortless variety and a
more refined pace. Armadillo operates chalets in both - our team can help you decide.

What is the Three Valleys ski area and why does it matter?

The Three Valleys is the largest linked ski area in the world, covering 600 kilometres of pistes across Méribel, Courchevel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville. A single ski pass covers the entire network. For a week-long holiday, it means you willnot ski the same run twice. Méribel sits at the geographical centre, making it the natural hub - you can reach any corner of the Three Valleys and return to the village for lunch.

What is the best time of year to ski in Méribel?

January offers quieter slopes, excellent snow, and lower prices outside school holiday weeks.
February is peak season - busy, festive, and at its most vibrant. March is widely considered the
sweet spot: reliable snow at altitude, longer days, and a more relaxed feel on the mountain. The
season runs from 6 December 2025 to 17 April 2026. Méribel's altitude gives it strong late-season
snow reliability - April skiing here, with spring sunshine and uncrowded pistes, is genuinely
special.

How do I get to Méribel from Geneva airport?

Méribel is approximately two hours from Geneva airport by private chauffeur - the mostcomfortable and straightforward option for groups. Chambéry airport is closer at around one hour,and Lyon Saint-Exupéry is an alternative for international flights. Armadillo arranges chauffeurtransfers for all guests as part of the arrival experience. Driving is also an option; the route via theA43 motorway and Moûtiers is straightforward.

FAQ

What is a Chalet Holiday?

Resort - Verbier, Switzerland

Resort - Meribel, France

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