The lowdown on self-catering ski holidays

Cathy Rankin, UK sales and marketing manager for Pierre et Vacances, shares her expertise about self-catering ski holidays.

What are the main advantages of a self-catering holiday?
Self-catering holidays give you total flexibility on meal plans, without having hotel meal time/buffet style food restrictions, and the ability to enjoy the vast range of food options in France, ranging from take-out pizza, delicious locally-cooked meals delivered from the deli and freshly delivered baguettes daily. All Pierre et Vacances residences either have morning bread deliveries or an onsite bakery. Some guest like to splurge out at local Michelin-star eateries, but there is also the option to cook in for fussy kids or those with restricted diets.

What kind of customer best suits an apartment ski holiday?
All customers can enjoy an apartment style ski holiday. At the top level, guests benefit from more space and privacy if going as a family, when compared to staying in a hotel room. There are often great facilities on offer such as pools and spas within the residence, somewhere to keep the wine chilled and make ice or benefit from the savings of self-catering if on a budget. Customers driving to resort can plan in advance and bring pre-cooked meals with them. There is also more room ski kit and drying out wet ski gear.

What booking trends are you seeing in the ski market?
Currently there is massive growth in apartment holidays as the new working regulations have impacted chalet and club hotel operators severely and capacity in this sector has been reduced, some estimates claim a reduction of over 30% since 2017.

This season most resorts are having a good year, but notably for us UK sales are up in M-©ribel where the brand new 5-star Premium residence L’Hevana has just opened. Sales have also been strong in Avoriaz, where 30 new apartments have increased the capacity of the Atria Crozats residence. Meanwhile, we have seen growth in Andorra with the recent addition of the Hotel Grand Pas.

Next season will the see the opening of the Capella residence in Avoriaz with 143 flexible modular life-style apartments. The innovative design allows for the furniture and apartment walls to be moved, allowing guests to optimise their living space. Sales will open in April with some great early booking incentives, including free kids lift passes and discounts on selected Christmas and Easter dates in Les Arcs, Avoriaz, Isola 2000, Valmorel and Valmeinier.

What money-saving tips can you share for customers on a self-catering ski holiday?
Optimise the budget by planning meals in advance. If driving, cook meals at home and freeze them for the journey. Plan the week’s groceries and do an online shop with a pre-booked delivery slot at the residence for arrival day. Sherpa supermarket and off-courses.net both offer this service. Hu.ski offer a home delivery service of wines and nutritious meals you just need to pop in the oven. Bring small quantities of consumables with you, like condiments and dishwasher tablets. Download your favourite programmes and films and watch them on the big screen for quieter nights in. Money can also be saved by pre-booking ski packs before November when the early booking lift pass offers are available (guests can save time too with lift passes delivered straight to reception). Choose a residence with a pool and the kids apres ski entertainment is solved at minimal cost, allowing parents to treat themselves to a well-deserved spa treatment. Watch out for some operators (not Pierre and Vacances) who charge extra for some items which can add up to an extra £100 on the price.