A ski holiday can be a fantastic experience, but we all have memories of low budget ski vacations, where the accommodations left much to be desired as far as amenities and comfort went. If you'd like to make your next trip to the snow the holiday of a lifetime, try renting a luxury catered ski chalet. Instead of sharing facilities, upmarket chalets offer en-suited rooms, sumptuous bedding including duck-down duvets, fluffy towels, exclusive toiletries, DVD and CD players, telephone and fax facilities, and broadband wireless internet. This all adds up to a ski holiday in style.

Resorts and chalets range from charming, picture-book alpine chalets to ultra-modern apartments with the latest media technology built in. The best chalets have a complimentary bar and ambiance is provided by roaring log fires. Your weekly tariff often includes delicious and hearty breakfasts that set you up for the day's skiing, afternoon teas with fresh, homemade cakes and biscuits, and four-course gourmet dinners, prepared by a chef. You can round off the meal with a glass of Pinot and dessert. Dining options range from delicious home cooking to the fine haute cuisine, and all diets are catered for.

A well-stocked library of books and popular board games keep you entertained in the evenings. And separate TV rooms with satellite, video and DVD players and a stock of films are further entertainment alternatives. There are generally music systems that cater for most tastes and which connect to Mp3 players and dedicated internet computers, plus ethernet, WIFI and Bluetooth access for your own laptop.

An in-chalet boot and ski fitting service makes daily action on the slopes more comfortable, and the best luxury chalets have a ski and boot room, with a heated boot warmer. Weekly rates starting from around 850 Euros, although lift passes, ski rental and lessons are all extras that you should budget for.

The ski resort of Meribel, in the French Alps, is world renown for the quality of its chalet accommodation. Some of the more exceptional luxury self-catered chalets in M'ribel include: Chalet Rousillon, a traditional, alpine-style chalet with great character and warmth, just five minutes? walk from the piste. In the private Dou du Pont enclave, Chalet Chopine, with great views, has an outdoor hot tub that is perfect for apr's ski relaxation.

At Chalet Lamato, a five-star chalet in M'ribel Village, it is usually possible to ski back to the chalet door, while the luxurious Chalet Kouneli has superb views and is just a 10-minute walk to and from the pistes. The enormous sitting room is beautifully furnished with antiques and all rooms have views. The Jacuzzi spa and sauna room is perfect at the end of a skiing day.

Whichever resort you choose for your ski holiday, book a luxury catered ski chalet and enjoy great service, sumptuous accommodation and fine cuisine to top off each memorable day.