Cosy home comforts are summit special

THERE are few feelings that can beat it.

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

IDYLLIC SETTING: Surrounded by forest

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 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.