In 1770 the very first lodge was completed in Chamonix Mont Blanc France. Before this date Chamonix ski resort embodied a wild and tough rural village where the locals caught their animals and grew their own wheat.
Farmhouses back then were used to breed herds over the spring and summer. Their milk was conserved by making it into different types of cheese and kept down in the valley for eating over the hard winter times. Throughout the snow season the chalets were fastened, and valued possessions were secured in a shack.
Who invented chalet holidays is unknown, however it was likely several keen folk who acknowledged a set up that worked. For Erna Low it commenced when she was a unhappy postgraduate and could not see her parents back home as often as she wished. And so in the early 1930’s she took a gamble and put a small advertisement in the Times to ask punters on a skiing trip. For £15 they traveled to and from the skiing resort, had meals and accommodation in the sole hotel, and had skiing hire and lessons. The holiday was difficult work, there were no lifts, no quick release bindings, only leather boots, however it was so successful that Erna Low carried on taking skiers on holiday, ensuring she sourced fine accommodations and skiing instructors.
Chalet trips during the early years were a far cry to the luxury ski chalets we receive nowadays. Hot water was in limited supply, washrooms were used by all of the guests, and there was no a chef; the guests needed to muck in. It was a real gamble who might share the chalet for a trip, you could be pleased to meet new skiers, or grimaced by the thought of spending another day with unpleasant guests.
skiing holidays were later on publicized on its new benefits. A cook, who served you breakfast and an evening meal and made you afternoon tea, private bathrooms hot water for washing.