Cosy home comforts that's summit special

There's lots for LAURA HAYNES to love while staying at a catered chalet on a ski trip to the French Alps

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There are few feelings that can beat it. After a long day of skiing, whizzing down the French Alps with snowflakes whipping into my face, the sensation of lowering into a steaming hot tub was truly magical. All of life's stress melted away, along with the routine bumps and chills the mountain - now towering above me as I sat in al fresco bubbles - had delivered.

I was in La Tania in Courchevel carving up the slopes on a group trip with Ski Beat.

The firm has provided catered ski chalets in France since 1987, built on the idea that "after an exhilarating day's skiing, our guests deserve their home comforts in the company of friends".

Almost four decades later, they're more than delivering on this ambition.

Each bedroom was en suite, which is a real luxury when travelling as a big group. Everyone had their own space and comfortable beds and could enjoy breathtaking mountain views.

The warmth and genuine hospitality of our chalet hosts set the tone as soon as we crossed the threshold out of the snow into the cosiness.

It felt less like staying in a chalet and more like being welcomed into someone's home.

They were always on hand to help with anything we needed, whether it was advice about the ski area, extra snacks or simply sharing a friendly chat.