A Tale of the Inaugural Skiing Vacations to Chamonix
As far back as 1770 the 1st tourist hotel opened in Chamonix village. Before this date Chamonix village constituted a uncivilized and rugged farming town where the populace hunted their animals and grew their own cereals.
Chalets then were used to raise cows during the summer. Milk was kept by changing it into cheeses and stored in the farm for eating during the difficult winters. In the snow season the farmhouses were barred, and all valuables were locked in a tiny shack.
The person who devised the chalet holiday is unknown, however it was probably various passionate folk who recognised a idea which was new and exciting. With Erna Low it all began when she was a unhappy alumna and could not visit her folks back home as frequently as she would like to. Thus in 1930 she took a punt and placed a ad in the London Times to tempt clients on a winter break. For only £15 they travelled to and from the resort, enjoyed dinner and accommodation in the sole inn, and took skiing gear and lessons. Skiing was strenuous , there were no chair lifts, no quick release bindings, merely strong leather boots, however it was so successful that she carried on taking groups on holiday, seeing to it that she sourced exceptional chalets and skiing guides.
These Skiing vacations in the formative years were very different to the luxury we receive today. Hot water was in limited supply, the bathrooms had to be shared out by all of the clients, and there wasn’t a chef; the guests had to muck in. No one knew who might share the chalet for the trip, you may be enjoyably surprised to encounter new friends, or spend a week of hell with people you didn’t get on with.
Chalets France were later on marketed on its other benefits. A chef, who served you cooked breakfast and dinner and baked you afternoon tea, plentiful hot water for washing.
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