Chalet Hunting & Skiing Etiquette

Yes, that’s right, gentlemen, time to dust off the old kit and start bending ze kneez, as we give you the full low-down on how to prepare yourselves to be totally ski-savvy this season.

To start off, there’s no point in doing anything until you’ve got your accommodation sorted.

The chalet you’ll wish you had bought…

Courchevel Ski Chalet

This stunning property is both near the slopes and the centre of town, spread out over 254m2 with 5 en-suite bedrooms, it can accommodate up to 10 people. This incredible property also has a swimming pool, hammam, massage room, bar, and large TV room. Beautifully decorated to the perfect ski-chic level: think wood paneling, fur throws and cow-hide rugs, all without a hint of ‘Bodos’ to it, this chalet is a seriously worthwhile investment.

£POA from prestigeproperties.com

The chalet you’ll wish you’d booked…

Top of Mill, Aspen

Located in the exclusive Aspen, Top of Mill has just about everything you could require when on holiday. It has its own cinema, gym, games room and wine cellar. With room for up to 12 guests, it’s the kind of property that just begs to be filled with a raucous group of friends or family. The chalet also has its own dedicated concierge and housekeeper and, for a truly luxurious holiday, a chef, butler and chauffeur are available on request.

luxurychaletcollection.com

The resort you’ll wish you’d discovered…

Gulmarg, Kashmir

Get in quick as word is slowly starting to spread about this unexpected ski resort in Gulmarg, Kashmir. If you want to try your hand at some of the best lift-accessible powder in the world then look no further. Since the completion of the gondola a few years ago, daring skiers and snowboarders from Europe, New Zealand and Australia have been heading to the middle of India to explore this area and all that it has to offer; the powder is comparable to that of Hokkaido in Japan. The 5km-wide mountain face sits at an altitude of 4000m, and offers a plethora of adventures, all with the luxury of empty slopes and no queuing for lifts. Warning: only serious skiers need apply.

ETIQUETTE

With accommodation sorted you’re nearly set to go, but remember, skiing isn’t just any old holiday – a lot can go wrong. There’s no lounging on a beach, cocktail in hand in the sunshine here; it’s a serious sport after all. Broken limbs (and strained friendships) are never too far away, so be sure to follow our rules of chalet guest etiquette from morning till evening…

First things first…

My father has always said, “I don’t care what you do at night, how late (or early) you stay up, just as long as you are up in the morning to get on with the day ahead”. Whilst my teenage (and twenty-something) self has not always managed to adhere to this rule, never is it more apt than on a skiing holiday. Missing a day’s skiing because of a hangover/sore shins/or ‘helping the pretty chalet girl clear breakfast’, is simply not acceptable. Boot up, clip in, and get on that first lift – nothing cures a hangover quite like a chocolat chaud and some fresh mountain air.

Breakfast…

Breakfast times are set in stone, so don’t be surprised if you sleep in and have to go hungry. Eating at this time in the morning after a night of too much fondue and red wine is hard enough as it is, but it is even harder if the man opposite you is dressed in only boxers or tight fitting base layers. Whilst the woozy head may have deceived you into believing that you’re the next David Gandy, the likelihood is, you’re not – so dress appropriately. Note to self: you are not an underwear model.

Ski Lift Style…

Even better than broken elevators, chairlifts are prime location for a meet cute. Aside from this, use them to find out where the best powder is, which restaurants serve the best Kaiserschmarren, and which cliffs are safe to drop off. But more importantly, it gives you up to 20 minutes to talk to the pretty snowboarder sitting next to you. In fact, a friend of mine met her boyfriend on a chairlift after she accidentally hit him over the head with her skis whilst queuing, and he (mid chair lift ride) took the opportunity to insist that she buy him a drink to apologize. The rest is history.

Rules of the piste…

No matter how many years ago it was since your first time, don’t forget what it was like to be a beginner. Was there anything more terrifying than having a host of wild skiers swoosh past you in a flurry as you tried to stop your snowplough turns from ending in a face plant. Be courteous to beginners. Especially if there’s one in your particular group – think of it as an opportunity to show your gentlemanly self – especially if she’s a leggy snow bunny, cue: 80’s style montage of laughing on lifts, throwing snowballs and kissing in the snow. On another note, if someone cuts you up, remain calm, the only thing worse than road rage is piste rage.

Slope-side drinking…

Never was there a holiday where drinking at any point in the day was deemed so acceptable; from whisky in your coffee, glühwein at lunch, schnapps in between runs, and wine-fuelled evenings, it’s no wonder everyone is so keen to be dancing on tables in their ski boots come sundown.

One of my personal favourite parts of such a skiing holiday (aside from après ski of course!) is the lunchtime entertainment. With hangovers beginning to wear off, and stories from the night before still surfacing, lunch is the perfect time to pop on those Persol sunglasses, unzip your moncler, shot gun a few deck chairs and enjoy some glühwein in the sun. But be warmed, whilst tipsy skiing may add to the enjoyment of it all, there are lessons to be learnt.

When on one particularly rowdy University skiing holiday many years ago – one boy became so inebriated during après ski that he passed out mid-way down the slope to our accommodation, as the other 300 plus students skied home totally unaware. He was (thankfully) found at 4am by ski patrol – but spent the rest of the holiday in hospital, luckily escaping without any permanent damage – however, not a story to be taken lightly. Note to all – nothing in excess.

With all this thought of skiing and snow frolicking, it’s time to get booking. Look out for our ski style fashion feature soon to follow in the coming weeks, but before you start sending out group invitations, let me leave you with one final word….

‘Novelty’ skiwear is reserved for stag-do’s and children under 10. So leave the fun hats, ironic jumpers and banana suits at home. That is all.

All images within ‘Etiquette’ courtesy of Rory Langdon-Down at areldeemedia.com

By Holly Macnaghten