1770 was when the very first tourist hotel was opened in Chamonix, and it was nothing like today’s luxury ski chalets.

Prior to this Chamonix constituted a savage and tough farming village where locals hunted their own animals and farmed their wheat.

Farms back then were used to breed cows over the summer months.

Their milk was conserved by changing it into different types of cheese and preserved in the village for consumption during the hard winter times.

In the winter season the barns were bolted, and valued possessions were secured in a hut.

Quite who came up with the chalet vacation is unknown, however it was likely various enthusiastic people who realized a idea which was novel.

With Erna Low it began when she was a nostalgic alumnand could not visit her family back home as much as she would like to.

And so in 1932 she took a gamble and took out ad in the London Times to ask clients on a ski vacation. For £15 they journeyed to and from the resort, were provided with breakfast and dinner and lodging in the solitary hotel, and had ski gear and lessons.

Holidays were arduous, there were no ski lifts, no safety fixings, merely hard leather shoes, however it was such a hit that Erna continued to take groups on holidays, guaranteeing she found fantastic chalets and skiing guides.

Catered chalet vacations in the early years were a far cry from the luxuries we enjoy now.

Hot water was in short supply, washrooms were shared with all of the customers, and there was no a chef; all the guests had to help out.

It was a complete lottery as to who might be in the accommodation for the trip, one could be pleasantly surprised to meet new skiers, or have an uncomfortable week amongst strangers.