A Tale of the First Ski Trips to Chamonix

05.28.09 |

Back in 1770 the inaugural guest house was opened in Chamonix Haute Savoie France. Prior to this Chamonix Mont Blanc France embodied a uncivilized and tough rural place where people hunted their animals and harvested their own wheat.

Farmhouses at that time were used to farm dairy herds during the summer months. The cows milk was preserved by transforming it into cheese and preserved down in the valley for eating over the difficult wintertimes. During the snow season the farmhouses were locked, and valuables were locked in a small shack.

The person who invented the chalet vacation is unknown, it was probably several enthusiastic chaps who realised a pattern which was novel. With Erna Low it began whilst she was a homesick alumna who could not visit her folks in Austria as frequently as she wished. So in the early 1930’s she took a punt and put a advertisement in the broadsheets to invite guests on a winter trip. For £15 they travelled to and from the ski resort, enjoyed food and accommodation in the solitary hotel, and paid for skiing gear and instruction. Skiing was arduous work, there weren’t any lifts, no quick release fixations, just leather boots, but it was such a hit that Erna Low carried on taking groups on holidays, ensuring she utilized great lodges and ski guides.

These ski trips in the beginning were very different to the luxuries we can have today. Back then hot water was in limited supply, bathrooms would be shared by all of the guests, and there was no a cook; the clients had to help out with the chores. It was a complete lottery as to who may be in the lodge for a holiday, one might be surprised to meet fresh acquaintances, or grimace at the thought of having to spend any more time with them.

Ski chalet holidays were later marketed on their extra pluses. Your own cook, who would serve you cooked breakfast and dinner and even made you afternoon tea.