Whether maximising minutes on snow, or minimising hassle for families and beginners, ski-in/ski-out chalets are now the number one requested type of catered chalet.
When the piste runs past your door, the convenience of doorstep skiing enhances every moment on and off the snow and you get back the time others spend on a shuttle bus or schlepping skis to the lifts, to spend sipping cappuccinos and savouring croissants.
While charming wooden chalets grace every picture-perfect Austrian village, ski-in/ski-out chalets are less common and are a hidden treasure in most resorts. However, one such gem is in St. Anton, the legendary "cradle of Alpine skiing." Here, among the pulse-pumping slopes and vibrant après-ski scene, you can ski from your door to the main Nasserein lift from the Haus Hochkar straight to nursery slopes, ski school, and even kindergarten. The contemporary setting provides slopeside accommodation for up to 11 people.
France excels in ski-in/ski-out lodging, from mega resorts to traditional Alpine villages. Explore epic terrains outside your door in Avoriaz La Plagne and Val Thorens. Popular French catered chalet spots like Val d'Isere, also allow skiing directly from your accommodation onto world-class runs. Must-try ski-out chalets include Chalet La Brêche in Alpe d'Huez, sporting a Scand-chic design with infrared saunas. Some of our other favourites are Chalet Lys Martagon in Tignes and Chalet Hellebore in La Plagne with an outdoor hot tub.
While ski-in/ski-out chalets are less common in Italy's top ski destinations, the country still promises convenience and charm. Instead of being slopeside, Italian chalets sit a short walk or quick shuttle ride to the pistes in renowned areas like Cervinia, Sestriere, and Sauze d'Oulx. What Italy's accommodations lack in ski-out access, they make up for in lively villages and welcoming hospitality. The alternative to ski-in/ski-out chalets are family-run ski hotels with their own shuttle services to minimise schlepping equipment back and forth, Italian-style comforts and the aroma of nonna’s fresh pasta.
Ski directly to your Swiss chalet door. This is the ultimate in convenience in prized locations like Verbier and Zermatt in Switzerland. While not all resorts offer slopeside accommodations, even in non-doorstep resorts, Switzerland's renowned public transport and chalet-operated shuttles whisk you seamlessly to the lifts. In Verbier, Chalet Sorojassa, tucked away in a quiet forest nook, lets you ski down a charming tree-lined path straight to your door. And Chalet Mowgli on the edge of Le Rouge piste makes sure you can ski until your legs (and heart) are content. While in Zermatt, the chalets Shalimar and Elena EW perfectly positioned for ski-in/ski-out access in good snow conditions.
Chalet | Resort | Country | Sleeps | Features |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chalet La Rocheure | Val d’Isere | France | 12-13 | Ski back to door on red run |
Chalet Samuel | Courchevel | France | 6-8 | On the edge of a piste |
Chalet Elodie | Meribel | France | 9-11 | Ski to door via off piste |
Chalet Chanterelle | La Plagne | France | 12 | Right on the piste |
Chalet Marie | Avoriaz | France | 14-15 | Ski directly to and from door |
Chalet Les Arolles | Tignes | France | 15 | Ski back to door on off piste route |
Chalet Lys Martagon | Tignes | France | 12 | Ski-in-ski-out from adjacent blue run |
Chalet Montana | Val d’Isere | France | 10-15 | Luxury chalet on the Face de Bellevarde slope |
Chalet Poudreuse | Avoriaz | France | 12-14 | Top of the resort, ski in/out, by the ski lift |
Chalet Annapurna I | Tignes | France | 10 | Ski in chalet |
Chalet Crocus Blanc | La Plagne | France | 6-7 | Ski back on a blue run |
Chalet Violetta | Avoriaz | France | 14 | Right on edge of piste |
Haus Hochkar | St Anton | Austria | 10-11 | Ski from the door to the lifts |
Chalet Nadine | Val d’Isere | France | 14 | Right by piste, ski back to chalet |
Chalet L’Arpege | Meribel | France | 12 | At the end of the Hulotte piste |
Chalet Carmen | Tignes | France | 6 | Intermediates and above can ski back |
Chalet Ossetra | Avoriaz | France | 6-7 | On the piste, lifts nearby |
Bellevarde Lodge Chablis | Val d’Isere | France | 12 | On the Santons piste |
Chalet Mont Blanc | La Plagne | France | 11 | Ski directly back |
Chalet Annina | Tignes | France | 8-9 | Intermediates and above can ski back |
We update this list often but facilities can change, so if any specific feature is essential to your trip, make sure you ask us to confirm the details before you book your holiday.
Chalets designated to have “doorstep skiing” range from 0m to 150m+ from skiable slopes. The further ones are still super close but, it if you’re itching to be the first to fresh powder (or you’re avoiding walking while breaking in those new boots), above are all the chalets virtually on top of the piste - at most a hop skip and jump away, so you can ski straight down to a lift first thing… and back to your door at the end of the day for afternoon treats!
French resorts are the boss of slope-side lodgings and there’s rarely a pair of chalet doors you can’t ski from in some of the high purpose-built 1960’s set. But that’s not to say you won’t find well-positioned pads in other countries, or in the older prettier French places. Take a look at our top ten ski-in, ski-out resorts here.
Check out our recommendations from the four corners of the French, Austrian and Italian mountains above. Booking into ski-in ski-out accommodation doesn’t mean everyone can step outside clip-in and schuss. The adjoining run could be a bunny, a difficult intermediate, or sometimes even a black because the “doorstep” label doesn’t differentiate. To dig deeper read property details and ask our experts so you arrive with realistic expectations. Whether you want a pad moments from the nursery slopes or with access to off-piste, tell us your ski level and we’ll find the right options.