Back in 1770 the inaugural tourist accommodation opened in Chamonix. Prior to this Chamonix Mont Blanc was a uncivilized and craggy rural village where the populace hunted their own animals and produced their own oats.
Farms then were used to breed dairy cows during the summer. The milk was kept by turning it into cheeses and preserved in the village for consumption during the difficult winters. Throughout the winter the barns were barred, and all valued possessions were put safely in a tiny shed.
The person who invented the chalet holiday is nameless, it was likely several spirited people who realized a formula which was new and exciting. With Erna Low it began whilst she was a homesick postgraduate who could not see her folks back home in Austria as frequently as she wished. Thus in the 1930’s she took a punt and placed a small advertisement in the London Times to tempt punters on a winter vacation. For £15 they travelled to and from the ski resort, enjoyed meals and lodging in the sole chalet, and had ski hire and tuition. The holiday was strenuous work, there weren’t any lifts, no quick release bindings, merely leather boots, it was so popular that Erna Low continued to take people on breaks, ensuring she utilized superior lodges and skiing guides.
These Skiing holidays in the early years were a long way to the luxury ski chalets we have nowadays. Back then hot water was in limited supply, the bathrooms had to be shared with all of the clients, and there wasn’t a chef; all the punters had to help out with the chores. It was a real gamble who might share the accommodation for the trip, one may be surprised to encounter brand new acquaintances, or not gel with the group.
Ski holidays were later publicized on their extra benefits. A cook, who would serve you breakfast and dinner and made you a cake, plentiful warm water for washing.
