The catered chalet holiday is a uniquely British idea. Tour operators install their own cooks and housekeepers in private chalets which they take over for the season. In the early days this meant roughing it in creaky old buildings, cramped bedrooms with Spartan furniture and paper thin walls, with six or more people sharing a bathroom and a loo. And the chalet girl was often straight out of college or finished school and more intent on having a fun season on the slopes than cooking you gourmet meals and pandering to your every whim. The main attractions were convivial company, a cosy living room with a roaring fire, unlimited free wine with the evening meal and a good price. But for a truly comfortable stay you went to a hotel. But now times have changed,

The general standard of chalets has risen. You can still get economy chalets and some companies still employ staff who are there mainly to have a good time for a year. But a new breed of genuinely luxurious chalets has gradually found its way on to the package holiday market. These generally have huge airy living rooms with great views, en suite bathrooms in most or all bedrooms and are staffed by professional chefs or mature couples who regard catering or hotel-keeping as their chosen profession. Four out money these luxury chalets now represent the ideal base for a winter holiday with a group of friends, combining privacy with comfort in a way that gives a real sensation of privileged living.