The 5 best self-catered apartments for skiing

Enjoy the freedom of eating what, when and where you want on a skiing holiday, by staying at any one of these highly rated, self-catering apartments.

Club Alpina, La Plagne-Les Arcs, France

The gondolas up the mountain to La Plagne-Les Arcs ski area are located right outside these apartments, meaning access to miles and miles of pistes within minutes. There are red runs that lead almost up to the door and a free sauna, hammam and hot tub, so you can soothe your post-ski muscles straight after getting your boots off. Other perks include a wood panelled lounge with a fireplace and mountain views from your balcony. Buy ski passes from reception and book lessons in the ski school just opposite, before preparing packed lunches sourced from the local boulangerie and farmers’ shop.

Résidence Pierre & Vacances Premium L’Amara, Avoriaz, France

These apartments are technically self-catered but there’s a daily delivery from the local boulangerie to reception, so you can have a warm, fresh croissant with coffee on your balcony every morning with minimal effort. You can also ski in and ski out of the accommodation, with everything else you might need in Avoriaz super close by, from ski hire and the ESF ski school to ample restaurants and bars. And if you want a break from the slopes, the in-house saunas, steam rooms and outdoor jacuzzi will hit the spot.

David Appartments, Mauterndorf, Austria

In a daffodil-yellow chalet in the centre of town, these apartments are in a convenient location for both hitting the slopes and exploring Mautendorf’s 16th-century streets. Take a self-guided tour around the gabled, Bavarian-Franconian-style houses and visit the whimsical Mautendorf Castle, a medieval toll fort built atop a rocky cliff. Then it’s time to hit the town’s Grosseck-Speiereck ski area, whose high altitude means guaranteed snow and great conditions, even in the sunny state of Salzburg.

Haus Schönegger, Dorfgastein, Austria

Guests at Haus Schönegger get both the independence and convenience of self-catering combined with an authentic Austrian chalet experience. Though the cows grazing on dandelions in the surrounding fields won’t be a feature in the winter months, the rural landscape coated in snow is quite the silver lining – enjoy the best view of this and the mountains from your private balcony. Though the location is blissfully quiet, the Fluseck 1 Cable Car and the Wengerhochalm Cable Car are just a short drive away, to take you straight up to the extensive Dorfgastein-Großarltal ski circuit.

Appartements Onyx, Flattach, Austria

For modern, minimalist apartments, decked out with designer furniture, Appartements Onyx feels surprisingly lived in and laid-back; in no small part thanks to the friendly and welcoming owners, who’ve been known to greet guests with a bottle of champagne. Flattach sits at the foot of the Mölltaler Glacier and your ski pass will give you access to over 370km of slopes, including the Ankogel and all East Tyrolean ski resorts. Once you’re all skied out, have a glass of vin chaud on your private terrace, balcony or in the shared garden.