Want to make the most of your self-catering holiday in the French Alps? Here are my top tips for a smooth self-catered ski break, covering everything from choosing the ideal accommodation to taking full advantage of the amenities and services available in your residence and apartment.
I’m Giorgio, and I’ve been with Skiworld for over five years. I’m Italian and have skied in about 50 resorts across the Alps. My wife and I, along with our two children, make a compact group of four. We love a self-catering ski holiday, as it allows for independence and flexibility and perfectly suits our children’s needs. I like to plan, and for me, that is the key to a great self-catering ski holiday.
Find the Ideal Self-Catering Apartment
At Skiworld, we offer a range of carefully selected ski apartments to fit every budget and group size, from basic to luxurious, centrally located or tucked away with ski-in/ski-out access. Always consider proximity to lifts, ski schools, and shops. Need help? Our expert sales team can guide you to the best option. I’ve tried several of these residences, and I can guarantee they are ideal for enjoying a memorable ski trip.
Residence l’Hevana in Meribel, France is a popular self-catering property for skiers
Know what is included
When comparing deals, note that Skiworld packages include 20-23kg luggage on flights, plus bed linens and towels—items that many online booking platforms won’t include or may charge extra for. Also, our bookings come with full travel regulation protection, ensuring you’re covered if any issues arise.
Pick your travel option
We offer charter flights and shared transfers for excellent value, every combination of scheduled flights and private transfers for ultimate convenience and self-drive with Eurotunnel for the best flexibility.
Airport transfers are part-and-parcel of a ski holiday, but there are options to help make the journey suit your preferences…
Arrival in Resort
Whether you arrive by private transfer, shared transfer, or self-driving, arriving early, if possible, is always smart. You’ll have several tasks lined up, and it’s best to complete them as soon as possible so you can enjoy your skiing time right from the next morning.
In most cases, you might be able to start the check-in process (verifying your identity, collecting paperwork and information and paying the Tourist Tax, and you will be requested to leave a credit card deposit). Still, you might not be able to access your apartment before 4 or 5 pm.
Some suppliers (not many though) might offer early check-in options. If you arrive early and can’t check in right away, you can usually leave your bags at reception (ensure this is possible and that the reception is manned or has proper storage). You can then start by collecting your lift passes, arranging ski hire, visiting the ski school (if booked), and checking the meeting point for the next morning. Don’t forget to do your food shopping, too.
If you’re driving to the resort, you can better plan your arrival time, bring more with you, and take advantage of stopping at a hypermarket along the way, which is both a smarter and more affordable option.
Instead, if you know you’ll arrive late, be sure to contact the residence to arrange a late check-in and plan your tasks for the next morning. In this case, it’s not advisable to book ski lessons early, as you’ll still need to sort out your ski hire first. If you are travelling on one of our shared transfers or to one of our staffed resorts and you know that you are running late, you can ask our team to contact the residence and help you with the late check-in.
Get to Know Your Facilities
Once in the apartment, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the setup and facilities. Knowing if your kitchen includes a hob, combi-oven, microwave, electric oven, and fridge-freezer is key for meal planning. Ensure that all necessary cutlery, utensils, and cooking equipment are provided to avoid any surprises—like realising you don’t have a bottle opener. Our suppliers usually provide well-equipped apartments, but standards can vary depending on the supplier and star rating.
I usually pack a good wine bottle opener, a portable knife (not in the hand luggage), and a couple of tea towels — they can always be useful. It’s also a good idea to check if you know how to use the oven, cooking hobs, dishwasher, and coffee machine (depending on what’s provided). Some high-quality residences might provide pod-type coffee machines and sell the pods at reception.
In most cases, you’ll find basic cleaning kits for the kitchen and a few dishwasher tablets (again, depending on the supplier and the category of your apartment). Recently, suppliers have started providing eco-friendly products in just the right quantities. You should have the first roll of toilet paper available, but you’ll need to buy more as needed. Top apartments might provide toilet paper for the whole week, and the best suppliers in their top residences are now starting to offer kitchen basics like salt, pepper, oil, and even ketchup and mustard, like CGH for their “5* CGH Boutique Residences Collection”.
Many of our self-catering properties offer extra amenities such as wellness and spa areas, outdoor/indoor heated pools (always a hit with the children), and cosy reception areas. In these cases, you might often find slippers and extra towels/bathrobes for the spa area/pool (sometimes available directly at the pool).
High-end accommodations are usually spacious and offer ample storage space, while lower-rated apartments might be more compact with fewer storage options.
Upon arrival (or within the first 24 hours), you may be asked to do a quick inventory of the apartment’s contents.
Plan Your Meals in Advance
Planning your meals ahead of time is essential. Local supermarkets are nicely stocked, you’ll find excellent local cheeses and charcuterie, and you can always pack some of your favourites from home, like biscuits, coffee, seasonings, and, why not, your preferred tea bags.
The key is not to choose overly complicated recipes. I know what my children like, and I stick with that. Even in the best apartments, kitchens are often small, so it’s important to familiarise yourself with the facilities, space, and available tools. Easy pasta recipes are usually a safe choice, and we love to pair baguettes, fromage, mountain ham, saucisson, and some nice French red wine. So easy, but so nice. Cordon bleu is easy to make in a frying pan and pairs perfectly with chips. I wouldn’t recommend attempting a roast or similarly complicated meals during a ski holiday.
I also love using the raclette and fondue kits that are usually available at reception. Always ask for them a day or two in advance, and the reception team will reserve them for you. It’s a great way to enjoy classic Alpine meals by preparing a cheese fondue or traditional raclette in the comfort of your own space. The right products for these dishes are easily found locally. Some nice grocery shops also offer freshly prepared meals to take away. And, why not dine out on the last evening? It could be the perfect end-of-holiday treat and save you from the hassle of last-minute kitchen cleanup.
Or, where available, why not consider an in-resort meal delivery service? Just enquire with our team at booking time to ask about this or any other available add-on like our Ski All in Deal which can help you save money with lift passes and ski hire.
For lunches, consider preparing picnics and sandwiches to take with you on the slopes. It’s always a great option for families, especially on sunny days.
Can’t go wrong with a sandwich. Pop to the local supermarket and grab some sandwich filling essentials and prepare the night before so you are ready to head out bright and early. Indulge in the local fresh bread, cheese and meats.
Take Advantage of Residence Facilities and Services
Many residences offer a range of facilities and services, These can include end-of-stay cleaning or bookable spa treatments, making your self-catered getaway even more enjoyable.
Another great perk is the convenient bakery delivery service offered in several residences. You can order freshly baked bread and pastries each morning, with some places even delivering right to your door!
Don’t forget that Skiworld provides comprehensive resort information ahead of your trip, helping you locate supermarkets, ski rentals, and local restaurants near your accommodation.
On Departure
Some suppliers include end-of-stay cleaning in your booking; others may charge extra, so always check your travel documentation. Regardless, the kitchen is your responsibility—empty the dishwasher, clear the bins, and strip the beds. If you’ve used any additional services like spa treatments or bakery delivery, make sure to settle the bill at check-out. Some residences might conduct checks to ensure there are no damages to the accommodation before authorising the return of your deposit.
Now’s the perfect time to try a self-catering ski break. Explore our range of properties in top resorts and start planning your next holiday!
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