Catered vs Self-Catered Ski Holidays in Morzine: Which Is Right for You?

One of the first decisions you'll make when planning a ski holiday in Morzine is where to stay and more specifically, whether to choose a catered chalet or self-catered chalet or apartment.

There isn't one option that's better than the other.

A catered chalet is brilliant if you want most of the organising, cooking and day-to-day jobs taken care of. Self-catered accommodation gives you more independence, flexibility and control over your budget.

Increasingly, there is a very appealing middle ground: a luxury self-catered property with additional services added when you want them.

We've been organising ski holidays in Morzine since 2006 and offer both catered and self-catered accommodation with services from our concierge, so we're not here to convince you that one is better than the other.

Instead, here's what we'd consider when choosing between them. 😉

Catered vs self-catered: the quick answer

Choose a catered chalet if you:

• want your ski holiday to feel as effortless as possible

• don't want to shop, cook or wash up

• are travelling as a larger group or family

• like the idea of breakfast, afternoon treats, dinner and drinks being taken care of

• want more of your holiday spending accounted for before you arrive

• value the extra help and service that comes with chalet staff

Choose self-catered accommodation if you:

• want more independence and privacy

• prefer to eat when and where you choose

• enjoy discovering Morzine's restaurants and mountain restaurants

• want greater control over your overall holiday budget

• are travelling as a couple, family or smaller group

• want flexibility around arrival dates or shorter stays

• like having your own space and routine

Catered vs Self-Catered Ski Holidays at a Glance

And you don't necessarily have to choose between the two. Modern self-catering can be as hands-on or hands-off as you want it to be. At More Mountain, you can stay in your own private chalet or apartment and add services such as grocery and drinks deliveries, prepared meals or a private chef — giving you some of the convenience of a catered holiday while keeping the flexibility of self-catering.

1. Who are you travelling with?

This is probably the best place to start.

A ski holiday for two people is very different from organising 12 friends, three families or a multi-generational family group.

Catered chalets for groups

If you can fill a whole catered chalet with your own group, it can be a fantastic way to holiday together.

You have plenty of communal space to socialise, but nobody has to take responsibility for feeding everyone.

And that matters more than you might think.

Anyone who has organised a group ski holiday will know that deciding who's cooking, who's shopping, who's clearing up and how you're splitting the food bill can become surprisingly complicated.

With a catered chalet, much of that simply disappears.

Everyone comes back from skiing, relaxes, has a drink and eventually meets around the dinner table.

Self-catering for couples and smaller groups

For couples and smaller groups, a self-catered apartment can make much more sense.

You have your own private space, you're not paying for services you might not use and you can organise the week completely around yourselves.

Fancy a lie-in? Have one.

Want a huge lunch on the mountain and cheese and wine for supper? Perfect.

Want to stay out for après and eat at 9pm?

Nobody is waiting for you.

What about families?

Interestingly, both options can work brilliantly for families, but for different reasons.

Catered chalets remove an enormous amount of work. There's no supermarket trip, meal planning or clearing up after dinner — particularly welcome after getting children dressed, fed and delivered to ski school every morning.

Self-catering gives families more control. Young children can eat when they're hungry, teenagers can raid the fridge and different generations can come and go without having to fit around a particular timetable.

So rather than asking "Which is best for families?", ask:

How does your family actually like to holiday?

2. How much do you want to spend?

This is where comparing catered and self-catered accommodation becomes slightly more complicated.

On the face of it, self-catered accommodation will usually cost less than an equivalent catered holiday.

And if you're happy cooking several nights, buying groceries and keeping restaurant meals under control, it can be considerably cheaper.

But don't compare the accommodation prices alone.

A catered chalet costs more initially because you're buying much more than a bed for the week.

Depending on the chalet package, your breakfasts, afternoon treats, evening meals, wine, beer and other services may already be included.

With self-catering, your initial accommodation cost may be substantially lower — but you'll still need to eat and drink for seven days.

A few big mountain lunches, several restaurant dinners, après drinks and supermarket trips can quickly add to the holiday bill.

So when comparing prices, look at your likely total spend for the week, rather than simply the accommodation price.

If you're genuinely happy cooking and eating in, self-catering can offer excellent value.

If you know perfectly well you're going to eat out every night and spend heavily once you're here, the difference may be smaller than you initially think.

3. How important is food to your holiday?

For us, food is actually one of the biggest differences between the two types of holiday — but perhaps not for the obvious reason.

The catered chalet experience

Catered is about removing the daily question:

"What are we doing for dinner?"

After a day on the mountain, you can come home knowing that someone else has thought about it.

No supermarket.

No chopping onions.

No dishwasher.

No debate between ten people about what everyone wants to eat.

There's also something lovely about the rhythm of a catered chalet holiday: breakfast together in the morning, something waiting when you return from skiing, drinks and dinner around the table later.

For groups in particular, that shared dinner often becomes a big part of the holiday.

Self-catering isn't necessarily about cooking

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about self-catered ski holidays.

Choosing a self-catered apartment doesn't mean you have to cook every night.

In fact, one of the best reasons to choose self-catering in Morzine is having the freedom to explore the village's restaurants.

Have a long lunch at a mountain restaurant.

Pick up fresh bread and croissants from the boulangerie.

Book a fondue one evening.

Order pizza another.

Cook something simple at home when everyone is exhausted.

Or arrange a meal delivery or private chef.

That's the beauty of it: you decide.

4. Do you actually want to go to the supermarket on holiday?

It's worth being realistic about this one.

Some people love wandering around a French supermarket filling the trolley with cheese, charcuterie and wine.

Others would rather stick pins in their eyes.

If supermarket shopping, carrying groceries home and planning seven days of meals already sounds exhausting, traditional self-catering probably isn't your ideal holiday.

But this is also where modern self-catering has changed.

At More Mountain, our self-catered guests can add services such as pre-arrival grocery shopping, drinks packages, delivered meals and private chefs.

You can therefore have the privacy and independence of your own apartment without necessarily doing all the work traditionally associated with self-catering.

Which brings us to...

5. The In-Between: serviced self-catering

The old ski-holiday choice used to be fairly binary:

Catered chalet or DIY apartment.

It isn't anymore.

Serviced self-catering sits somewhere between the two.

You have your own apartment or chalet and complete independence, but you can add the services that make a difference to your holiday.

That could mean arriving to a fridge already stocked with breakfast ingredients, wine and beer.

It might mean having restaurant-quality meals delivered.

You could arrange a private chef for a special evening.

Lift passes can be organised in advance and ski or snowboard equipment can be fitted at your accommodation.

Essentially, you can spend money on the things that make your holiday easier without necessarily paying for a completely catered package.

For many guests, that offers the best of both worlds.

6. How much flexibility do you want?

This is where self-catering really comes into its own.

There are no chalet meal times dictating your evening and no expectation that everyone follows roughly the same schedule.

That works particularly well if your group has different priorities.

Perhaps some people want to ski from first lift until last.

Someone else wants a spa afternoon.

The teenagers want to disappear snowboarding.

Grandparents fancy wandering around Morzine.

And somebody is definitely going to end up in the pub.

With a self-catered property, everyone can do their own thing and reconvene whenever they like.

Catered holidays naturally have a little more structure — but for many people that's precisely the attraction.

You don't have to make decisions because someone else has already taken care of them.

You’ll be surprised how much time is freed up, when many of your household tasks are done by others. All you need to do is focus on having a great holiday and doing what you want. Whether it’s more hours on the slopes, the enjoyment of being spontaneous or that all important quality time with family and friends, catered gives you the benefit of choice.

Enjoy all the home comforts and laid back luxury of an alpine retreat

When you are out in the fresh air all day, there is nothing better than returning to your accommodation to sink into a comfortable sofa by a freshly lit fire and be handed your favourite tipple. Then there’s time to chill out in the hot tub before dinner is served. No this isn’t a dream… this is catered!

No meal planning, busy supermarkets or washing up

Unless you’re very lucky, meal planning, the weekly shop and washing up are all part of life. However, with catered accommodation, it’s possible to avoid the hassle of day to day chores and that’s a very liberating experience, even if it’s only for a short time.

Have the support of your chalet hosts

The best chalet hosts are a very social bunch and ambassadors for their area. They have extensive knowledge of all things alpine and a true local insight into their resort. If there’s a problem or if you just need some guidance, your chalet host is your go-to person for help and a hassle-free holiday.

Start the day the civilised way

Mornings on a winter holiday, can be a bit hectic. Getting up and ready, grabbing something to eat with a slurp of coffee, before putting on ski boots and rushing out. Catered accommodation means you can have a longer lie-in, a luxurious shower then saunter to the dining table where a lovely breakfast has been prepared. You can start the day feeling revived and full of energy.

Transport to and from the ski lifts

Sounds simple doesn’t it? But transport to and from the ski lifts can be a real game changer.

For a start you don’t have to walk any great distance in ski boots, carrying your skis and poles, plus the skis and poles of any children!

There’s no hanging about at the ski bus stop or squashing onto an already busy ski-bus. Imagine being dropped off within metres of the ski lift and arriving fresh as a daisy to start your day.

Of course this luxury is even more welcome in the afternoon, when legs are tired and you just want to get back and have a shower. Not all catered accommodation provides transport so check that it’s included.

Après ski boot drop

Don’t want to come straight back to the chalet? Fancy some après without worrying about your skis being left outside? Or walking back in ski boots a little bit squiffy?

We offer a boot drop service. We pick you up from the slopes, swap your ski boots for shoes, take your skis off you and drop you off at the pub so you can walk back to the chalet at your own leisure! This works brilliantly when you are staying in a chalet right in the centre of town.

Afternoon goodies to keep you going

All that mountain air can build up your appetite! When you get back to your chalet you'll find oven fresh cakes or something savoury to keep you going until dinner.

Drinks to accompany your evening meal

Knowing that the bulk of your drinks are already included in the price of your trip can really help where budgeting is concerned. Our More Inclusive Luxury Catered Chalets now include unlimited wine, Prosecco, beers and soft drinks in the Chalet so there are no big bills to surprise you at the end of your holiday.

We know that wine is a personal thing, so we have made sure that optional upgraded wines are available. Find this in the Honesty Bar of our catered accommodation.

Dinner is served

The 4 course evening meal is a wonderful part of the holiday.

Gradually everyone appears, refreshed and relaxed in casual gear, and gathers around the dining table to await their food being served. I love to see a group of people at a catered chalet dinner table - the oohs and umms as they taste the food, the clinking of wine glasses, the sound of laughter and general ski banter, as they recount the day’s escapades.

Why it’s Great for Couples

Staying in a fully catered chalet means getting the most from your winter holiday accommodation. You have more time on the slopes as your chalet hosts do everything else.

Airport transfers can be expensive for a couple, so look out for companies who include transfers in their catered holiday price.

After a day on the slopes, it’s always good to sample the buzz of après ski, safe in the knowledge that dinner will be ready when you get back. Even better when you can enjoy an après ski boot drop.

Luxurious catered chalets provide a stylish space to relax, where log fires, comfy sofas and mountain views come as standard and there are lots of lovely extras to make you feel at home.

The catered option is a great way to meet and socialise with other people who share your love of the mountains. Great friendships are formed around the dinner table and if you want, you can explore the slopes with your new ski buddies.

Gain insider knowledge of the area by getting to know your hosts over a glass of wine, as they prepare dinner. It’s the ideal opportunity to ask for advice about all things alpine. From something as simple as a mountain restaurant recommendation or as monumental as a quiet place on the slopes to pop the question, your hosts are there to help.

Why it’s Perfect for Families

Maximise quality time with your family as all the chores are done for you. You can bath the kids and relax while you wait for dinner, or snuggle up on the sofa after your meal and watch your favourite film.

When you pay good money for your winter trip, you want to be sure that you make the most of your time on the slopes. Then you can put all your energy into skiing or boarding as everything else is done for you.

Have fun at planned family events in the resort without having to worry about what to cook everyone for dinner or battling the crowds in a busy supermarket.

You can benefit from the support of your chalet hosts for help and advice. Maybe your ski boots just don’t fit quite right or one of the children is a bit off colour, your chalet hosts know who to call and what to do if there’s a problem.

Young children will love being transported to and from the ski lifts, especially when they are tired after a busy day…. and so will Mum and Dad!

Catered is Wonderful for Groups

Our luxury catered chalets provide a relaxed and luxurious open plan space to wow the most demanding of groups. With plenty of room for everyone, the whole group can chill out and have a laugh together.

A group trip is brilliant, but everyone needs a bit more space. Catered accommodation gives more flexibility for the group to split up and do their own thing.

Some may want to enjoy the après ski, while others will prefer to eat cake and sit by the fire before dinner. Then after your meal, you can just relax or head off to explore the resort’s nightlife.

If you have ever been the organiser of a group trip, planning the budget for everyone can be a daunting task. Catered accommodation makes budgeting so much easier, as most of the food and drinks are included in the price.

A group can take some organising on holiday, where household chores are concerned. With catered accommodation, it’s much easier as there are no arguments about who is cooking dinner, who is clearing up or who is doing the next supermarket run.

Ideal for beginners or if you are new to the resort

Chalet hosts are a great source of information if you are new to skiing, snowboarding or it's your first time in resort. Meal times and the short drive to the lifts are perfect opportunities to get all the top tips from your hosts about the mountains and resort.

Luxurious Self Catered Accommodation

People used to have pre-conceived ideas that self-catered apartments were small and cramped, but basic self catered has now been replaced with super contemporary state of the art spacious and luxurious ski apartments, with finishing touches that mean you have a better than ‘home from home’ experience. More importantly, if you can make the most of an Apartments Concierge Service to hold your hand from a distance, even better!

So...what are the benefits of choosing luxurious self catered accommodation for your next winter holiday in the Alps?

More independence and privacy

Self catered accommodation offers the ultimate freedom, as you can do exactly what you want and get a real feel for the resort as a whole. You can be as spontaneous as you wish, so if you want to party until late then lie-in until eleven, the decision is yours.

No set meal times

You can choose when and where you want to eat. So if you stumble across a brilliant mountain restaurant, you can have a big lunch knowing that you can eat something lighter that evening.

Enjoying the local food is an important factor for many whilst on holiday and self catered accommodation permits the luxury of sampling different restaurants.

If you don't fancy cooking or going out then you can also take advantage of our Meals on Wheels service where we deliver restaurant food to your door. We have partnered with one of our favourite restaurants, La Grange, to help make your self catered holiday even easier.

You Save money

Self catered accommodation is cheaper than catered, as long as you are careful about how often you eat out.

You can have the option to save money by cooking your own meals and living more like the locals. Why not make a tartiflette using local ingredients for an authentic alpine meal?

Or course, if you want to treat yourselves you can always hire a private chef for as many nights as you like. Some will even cook you breakfast or provide afternoon tea!

Home from home accommodation

Enjoy a home from home experience in your winter holiday accommodation with an air of sophistication. Use the FREE Wifi, Bose sound docks, UK satellite TV, Games consoles, MALIN+GOETZ toiletries, Nespresso coffee machines and Yorkshire tea.

Special touches to add to your winter holiday

To make your self catered experience as stress-free as possible we provide a welcome pack in all our accommodation with the essentials (wine, tea, coffee, milk, sugar and basic cleaning products) to get you started but we can also do a proper shop for you.

Imagine arriving in resort and, instead of heading to the supermarket,  being able to relax in your accommodation straight away. Just order your shopping with us before your holiday and our in-resort concierge team will shop, deliver and unpack your groceries ready for your arrival. 

If you have a special occasion to celebrate (or just happy to be on holiday in Morzine), we can also stock your fridge with some lovely bubbly, wine or beer of your choice. 

Don't forget about your first morning in resort either. Breakfast in France just doesn't seem right without some kind of pastry product. Some people like to take a morning walk to the nearest boulangerie, but why not have your bread and croissants delivered? We can organise a range of tasty treats to be brought to your door each morning with our bakery delivery service.

Concierge for help and support

A self-catered ski trip should never leave you feeling you are completely on your own. Our in-resort concierge team are on hand for any questions, recommendations or support so you can be as independent as you want to be. 

In the weeks leading up to your holiday with More Mountain, a member of our in-resort team will get in touch to make sure everything is in place before your holiday starts. We can take care of:

• Grocery shopping so your apartment is stocked for your arrival.
• Organising your lift passes and delivering them to your apartment so you don't have to waste the first morning of your holiday queuing at the ticket office. 
• Arranging ski and snowboard hire equipment to be fitted and delivered at your apartment. This is a godsend and a real help in limiting the first morning faff!

On arrival in Morzine, we will meet you at your chosen luxury property and show you how everything works, from the hot tub to the heating. We will give you all the information to get you started along with hints and tips for a great holiday.

All our properties have information packs to help you out, but you can call our in-resort concierge team at any time. 

Luxury long weekends

Sometimes, it just isn’t possible to book a ski getaway for a week, so having the option of a long weekend in luxury accommodation is the perfect solution.

Self catered apartments are great for this as they are super central and allow you the flexibility you need to get your ski fix.

Short breaks are available on selected dates throughout the winter season, and if you don't see an option that suits you please get in touch and we'll see what we can do!

Why it’s Fantastic for Couples

Independent travellers will prefer the freedom and privacy of their own apartment, allowing them to explore their new surroundings at their own pace.

Part of the fun of a holiday is getting to know the resort and enjoying the many bars and wonderful restaurants on offer. You can easily eat and drink in a different place every night if you want.

Self catered accommodation offers the perfect mix of long lie-ins and lazy days combined with more exhilarating times slope-side. Then after all that mountain air, there is nothing better than a cosy night relaxing by the fire, with a glass or two of delicious French wine.

Do you miss your dog when you’re on holiday? Some of our properties are suitable for small dogs, so it’s possible to bring you four legged best friend with you!

Why it’s Brilliant for Families

Self catered properties are the ideal solution, when families want to completely tailor-make their own holiday, knowing they have the help and support of an experienced holiday company

Every family has different requirements, so having the flexibility to spend money on elements of the holiday that they view as important, is vital. Self catered options can be the difference between a family going on a winter holiday or not, as only the accommodation is included.

The self catered option is ideal for multi-generational family holidays where various generations of the family have different needs and everyone can come and go as they please.

Why it’s Perfect for Families

Self catered accommodation is perfect for groups who want to be on holiday together, but have different priorities in where they want to use their spending money.

There is more flexibility for the whole group, especially if some don’t want to ski the whole week and are happy to spend time around the apartment or doing other non skiing activities.

Having less formal plans means groups can be spontaneous. So if you want to go snowmobiling or ice skating in the evening then there’s no problem, you can eat later.

If you want to laze about in a spacious lounge or sleep-in after a late night, the choice is yours. Or if your idea of breakfast is a strong coffee before you head for the slopes, that’s fine. You never have to feel obliged to pay for something that you don’t want.

So...Catered or Self Catered?

What's it going to be for your winter holiday? Do you want to kick back, fully relax and let us take care of everything, or would you prefer to pick and choose the bits that are important to you?

Whatever option you go for, take a look at our properties to find the perfect place to stay for your next ski holiday, and get in touch if you have any questions.

If you’re not quite ready to book then sign up to our free email course where you will learn everything you need to know about booking your winter escape.