A chalet takes the convenience and informality of an apartment and the amenities and gourmet cuisine of a hotel and lumps them all into one fantastic package. Chalets are often converted private homes or small hotels, fully catered (breakfast, afternoon tea and snack and three-course dinner with wine), and run by professional hosts who cook, clean, and do the shopping. Many are ski-in/ski-out or near the slopes and even employ their own ski guides to get their guests acquainted with the mountain.

Chalets are best suited for young, sociable skiers looking for an easy way to form a group of friends to eat, ski, and party with (some chalets sleep up to 35 people!). Chalet-goers should be easy-going and not too squeamish about sharing bedrooms (there is a charge for unused beds or rooms), but in return you will stay in some of the nicest accommodations around with a group of people who may challenge even your apres-ski and nightlife stamina.

Staying in a chalet, you’ll also be able to customize your own vacation. While the meals and service included in the basic price are first-rate, there are a number of extras for you to choose from if the basic package just isn’t enough. When you book your vacation, be prepared to specify if you want vegetarian meals, premier service (with even more amenities and gourmet cuisine!), or even, packed lunches for the slopes, etc.

One thing to remember: chalets can be a great alternative for families (with discounts for children and nanny services at an extra charge); however, many of the chalets listed by various travel companies do not accept children under age 16 unless you book the entire chalet. If you are travelling with children, you will probably need to look for smaller chalets for your family or inquire about special family chalets that will cater to your needs.

Chalets are available at most major French resorts and at a few Austrian, Swiss, and Italian areas as well. There are a number of tour holiday operators to call or write to for information. Be aware that most prices they will quote include one-week’s lodging, food, ski guides plus round-trip airfare from London (or snowtrain from Calais), so be sure to tell the sales agent if you are not travelling from the U.K. All companies below have discounts for large groups and for children. The major tour operators are as follows (individual resort chapters list which ones provide chalets in the area):

Crystal Holidays (Internet: http://www.crystalholidays.co.uk E-mail: travel@crystalholidays.co.uk Phone: 0870 848 7000) claims to have the largest service, with chalets in almost all resorts in Europe.

Inghams/Bladon Lines (020 8780 4433; e-mail Travel@inghams.co.uk) has an impressively long list of chalets at major ski resorts in France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Andorra.

Thomas Cook/Neilson (08705 141414; e-mail sales@neilson.co.uk; Web site www.neilson.co.uk) has chalets in 11 of these resorts. Or contact your travel agent.

Simply Ski (020 8742 2541; e-mail ski@simply-travel.com), and Chalet World (01952 840 462) have chalets for rent at most French resorts and a very limited number in Switzerland and Austria. First Choice (0990 557755) also has chalets in France and Austria.

Thompson (0870 606 1470) has chalets in 15 of the resorts in this book.