The Tax Cheapo

1770 was when the very first guest house was opened in Chamonix Haute Savoie France. Before this date Chamonix France embodied a wild and rugged agricultural town where folks hunted their own animals and produced their cereals.

Barns back then were used to farm dairy herds over the summer. The milk was kept by turning it into cheeses and kept down in the valley for eating over the bleak winter times. In the winter the chalets were secured, and any valuables were put safely in a mazot.

Who devised the chalet vacation is unknown, it was in all likelihood various passionate folk who recognized a formula that worked. With Erna Low it commenced whilst she was a nostalgic student and could not visit her family back home as frequently as she would like to. Therefore in 1930 she took a risk and took out a small advertisement in the papers to tempt guests on a ski trip. For only £15 they traveled to and from the resort, had food and accommodation in the sole inn, and had skiing hire and lessons. Skiing was arduous work, there were no lifts, no safety fixations, just heavy leather boots, however it was such a hit that Erna Low continued to take people on vacations, seeing to it that she utilized exceptional hotels and skiing instructors.

The chalet breaks in the early years were a far cry from the standards we get now. Back then hot water was in short supply, the bathrooms were shared by all of the clients, and there was no a cook; the clients had to help out with the chores. It was a real gamble who may share the lodge for a vacation, one could be agreeably surprised to encounter brand new acquaintances, or grimace at the thought of having to spend any more time with them.

Chalets France were later on marketed on their additional benefits. A chef, who would serve you cooked breakfast and an evening meal and made you a cake, ensuites hot water.