Traditionally, staying in a ski chalet was rather regimented and in most cases it still is. Wake up bright and early to a huge breakfast, return around four or five to mountains of cakes and hot chocolate before a four or five-course meal in the evening.
But not everyone burns can burn calories on the snow each day so a tub of hot cheese, ham and buttery potatoes isn’t always necessary, but you need to get what you are given.
And you might fancy trying out that new restaurant in town but the ski chalet staff have been preparing’ since noon. Fortunately things are changing and it’s now possible to find (though still hard) a more freestyle attitude to dinners and dinner times. Above all, be nice to the staff. Take out things they can’t get in the Alps as little presents/tips – the staff will then go out of their way to be extra nice. Why tip at the end? And because of the way the budgets work, it’s good to get the hosts on side.
