The best large ski chalets give you space to properly unwind, eat together, socialise, and enjoy the mountains without feeling squeezed into separate hotel rooms or separate apartments. If you’re planning a ski trip for a bigger group, whether that’s friends, extended family, multiple families together, or a celebration, booking the right chalet is everything.
At Ski Basics, we’ve been helping groups find the right chalet in the French Alps for over 20 years, and we know exactly what makes a large group holiday work. From catered comfort to prime slope access, this guide explores what to look for, who large ski chalets suit best, and some of our favourite options in Meribel.
What to Look for in a Large Ski Chalet
- Adequate sleeping capacity (dedicated rooms vs shared)
- Quality catering facilities (kitchen, dining space, chef availability)
- Communal spaces (spacious living areas for group relaxation)
- Location proximity to slopes (ski-in/out or short walk)
- Professional service & support (staff, concierge, flexibility)
- Value for money (transparent pricing, no hidden costs)
- Social spaces (hot tub, sauna, cinema, group bonding essentials)
Adequate Sleeping Capacity & Flexibility
Adequate Sleeping Capacity & FlexibilityFor large groups, “sleeps 10” can mean very different things. A great large ski chalet should offer dedicated bedrooms (not just sofa beds or awkward shared areas), plus a layout that suits your group; couples, teenagers, kids, grandparents, or a mix of everyone. Flexibility matters too: twin/double options, family rooms, and enough bathrooms to keep mornings calm whilst everyone is busy getting ready to hit the slopes.
Quality Communal Spaces for Groups
Communal space is what makes a group chalet holiday feel special. Look for a generous lounge where everyone can actually sit comfortably, a dining area that fits your full group, and a warm “gathering” feel. The kind of space where you can play games, share stories from the ski day, and settle in for long, relaxed evenings by the fire.
Professional Service & Catering Options
For many groups, catered is the easiest route to a genuinely relaxing holiday. It can also be a great value option when you look at what you get for your money. Breakfast, afternoon tea, and hosted dinners remove the stress (and the washing up), and it keeps the group together.
If you opt for a self-catering large ski chalet, quality facilities still matter, a kitchen that can handle group cooking, proper storage space, and a dining setup that makes meals feel like part of the holiday, not a chore.
Prime Location & Slope Access
When you’re coordinating 8-14 people, location is a big deal. A large ski chalet that’s close to the lifts, ski school meeting points, or has simple transport access will make your week smoother, especially if your group has mixed abilities, different schedules, or younger children.
Value for Money & Transparency
Large chalets can offer excellent value, especially when you compare the cost per person to hotels or multiple smaller apartments. The key is transparent pricing, knowing what’s included, what’s optional, and avoiding surprises. For groups, that clarity makes splitting costs fair and stress-free.
Types of Large Ski Chalet Holidays
Family Ski Chalets for Multi-Generational Groups
Large family ski chalets are perfect for the “everyone together” holiday: grandparents, parents, kids, cousins, all under one roof. The best setups offer space for togetherness and space to retreat: cosy lounges, flexible rooms, and easy access to slopes and local amenities.
Group Ski Chalets for Friends
If you’re travelling with friends, the chalet becomes your hub. Big breakfasts all together, ski days that split into smaller groups, apres ski plans, and relaxed evenings back in the lounge together again. For friend groups, a great chalet is one with proper social space and an atmosphere that makes it easy to all hang out together.
Corporate & Team-Building Ski Retreats
For corporate groups, large ski chalets offer privacy and comfort, great for team-building, celebration trips, or incentive travel. Having everyone in one place keeps coordination easy, and catered service helps the trip feel polished and effortless.
Ski Chalets for Large Groups
Catered Large Chalets in Meribel
Meribel is the perfect base for groups because it’s easy to navigate, well connected, and sits right in the heart of the Three Valleys. You get a huge ski variety (ideal for mixed-ability groups) with a huge range of beginner slopes, infamous pistes as well as, off piste skiing for those who want to explore further afield, all while still enjoying a classic Alpine atmosphere.
As side from the extensive ski area and traditional alpine charm, Meribel is also home to a huge range of beautiful chalets with options to suit every group.
Here are some of Ski Basics’ most popular catered large chalets in Meribel, ideal for groups and families:
Chalet Brenettes – Sleeps 8 | Catered
Located in Meribel, Chalet Brenettes is a comfortable and welcoming option for families or smaller groups who want an easy, relaxed base for the week. The chalet offers well-proportioned bedrooms, a sociable dining area, and a cosy open plan living space that works particularly well for evenings together after skiing. Its position makes it a ideal choice for accessing the slopes and getting around the resort without fuss.
Chalet Chamois – Sleeps 8 | Catered
Beautiful Chalet Chamois is a large ski chalet that sits on the same plot as Chalet Brenettes, offering a shared hot tub and spa area, and is well suited to groups who value a traditional yet modern chalet feel with comfortable communal space that opens out onto a beautiful south-facing terrace. The layout lends itself perfectly to long, relaxed evenings unwinding after the day’s adventures, while the catered service helps keep the week running smoothly. It’s a perfect all-round option for families or friends looking for a straightforward, well-balanced chalet stay. Its location next to Chalet Brenttes and smaller, 6 bed Chalet Lapin, make the trio of chalets the ultimate choice for extra large groups looking to stay all together.
Chalet Victoire – Sleeps 8 | Catered
Nestled in Meribel Village just a stones throw from the high-speed golf-chairlift, Chalet Victoire offers a stylish alpine atmosphere with a layout that perfectly suits groups. Each room is well designed, and there’s lots of space to unwind together, with a dining and living area that make evenings feel relaxed and sociable – plus you can enjoy the welcoming sauna for soothing tired legs after a day on the slopes.
Larger Catered Chalets (Sleeps 10+)
Chalet Arbalète – Sleeps 10 | Catered
Chalet Arbalète is one of our catered large ski chalets in Meribel Centre, ideal for extended families or bigger friendship groups who want extra a little space whilst maintaining a welcome and cosy vibe. With spacious en-suite bedrooms and generous communal areas, it offers a comfortable setup for groups who like spending time together without feeling on top of one another. The chalet also boasts a private relaxation and spa area, equipped with a sauna, all just a short walk from the hustle and bustle of Meribel Town Centre.
Chalet Hermine – Sleeps 12 | Catered
Beautifully renovated for the 2023/24 season, Chalet Hermine is a stylish 12-bed large ski chalet in Meribel Village with true ski-in, ski-out access and easy proximity to the high-speed Golf chairlift. It blends modern comfort with classic Alpine character, offering all en-suite bedrooms, generous living space, and plenty of thoughtful touches for group stays. After skiing, guests can unwind in the steam room, enjoy film nights in the cinema room, relax in the outdoor hot tub, or simply soak up the mountain views from the large sun terrace and balcony.
Chalet Blanchot – Sleeps 10+ | Catered
Set in the peaceful Meribel Mussillon area, just a short distance from Meribel Centre, Chalet Blanchot is a charming 12-bed chalet with classic Alpine character and wonderful views across the valley. Each of the six bedrooms has its own private balcony, offering a quiet spot for morning coffee or an evening moment of calm, while the living space feels welcoming and relaxed after a day on the mountain. With a sauna and outdoor hot tub, plus a log fire and all en-suite bedrooms, it’s a comfortable, well-balanced chalet for larger groups wanting space, atmosphere, and easy access to resort life.
Chalet Bouquetin – Sleeps 12-14 | Catered
Located in the heart of Meribel, Chalet Le Bouquetin is a spacious, well-equipped ski chalet that works brilliantly for larger groups and families. It offers a welcoming combination of comfort and convenience, with two generous living rooms, a separate dining room, and a large south-facing balcony that catches the last of the afternoon sunshine. Bedrooms are all en-suite, and the chalet’s sociable layout makes it easy for everyone to relax in their own way, whether that’s unwinding in the hot tub, settling by the log fire, or letting the kids enjoy the playroom. A great option for groups wanting space, a central location, and those little extra comforts that make chalet life feel special.
Self-Catered Options for Independent Groups
Some groups prefer to self-cater for flexibility, independence to spend each evening as you please, especially if you like eating out some nights and cooking together on others. Self-catered stays can work brilliantly for friend groups and multi-family trips, particularly when the chalet has a proper kitchen, a big dining space, and enough communal room for everyone to relax together.
Learn more about our self-catered service.
Why Ski Basics for Large Group Ski Chalets
20+ Years of Group Booking Expertise
Whilst booking a group ski holiday certainly doesn’t need to be stressful, booking for 8–14 people is undeniably different to booking for two. We’ve been helping groups organise unforgettable group chalet holidays for over 20 years, and we know what makes a week run smoothly, from room planning to practical resort logistics.
Hand-Picked Properties in Prime Meribel Locations
Our chalets are carefully selected with group stays in mind: layout, comfort, and locations that make ski weeks easy (especially when your group has mixed abilities or different daily plans).
Flexible Service Options (Catered & Self-Catered)
Some groups want fully hosted comfort. Others want independence. We offer both with two styles of catered experience plus self-catered service too, and we’ll help you choose what suits your group’s style and budget.
Explore our three different experiences, all with the same level of dedicated and friendly service.
Dedicated Support for Group Coordination
When you book as a group, it helps to have a team who understands the details and can help coordinate the pieces, answer questions quickly, and keep everything clear and straightforward. With Ski Basics, our team is here to make your holiday stress-free from the moment you book until the moment you leave us, with pre-holiday support like ordering lift pass and ski hire discounts with your ski passes delivered to your chalet door on arrival, restaurant reservations, local recommendations, and a dedicated in-resort manager looking after you throughout your stay.
Planning Your Large Ski Chalet Holiday
Group Size & Property Matching Guide
Here’s a simple guide to help match chalet size to your group:
- 8 guests: look for chalets sleeping 8 with dedicated bedrooms and a comfortable communal area
- 10 guests: aim for a true 10-bed chalet (extra dining/lounge space makes a big difference)
- 12–14 guests: choose a chalet with enough bathrooms and social space to avoid bottlenecks plus a spacious ski store and boot room
- Multi-generational groups: prioritise flexible room layouts, spaces for kids to play whilst adults relax and easy resort access
- Friends groups: prioritise communal space and social features
Budget Breakdown for Large Ski Chalets
For large groups, budgeting is easiest when you split it into categories:
- Accommodation (catered or self-catered)
- Travel (flights/train/driving + transfers)
- Lift passes
- Equipment hire
- Lessons (if needed)
- Food & drinks (for self-catered groups, or lunches out)
- Extras (activities, spa, celebrations)
Large chalets often work out cost-effective per person, especially when you consider the shared space and the group experience.
Best Time to Book Large Chalets
Large chalets are high demand, particularly for peak weeks and popular travel dates. If you want the best choice (location, layout, and value), booking early is strongly recommended. This is especially true for school holidays and celebration weeks.
Ready to Book Your Large Ski Chalet?
Planning your large group ski holiday now means more time to get excited, to picture everyone together around the table, imagine those long ski days, and start counting down to your week in the mountains. Whether you’re travelling with friends, extended family, or a mix of both, large ski chalets in Meribel gives you space to relax, unwind, and make memories that you’ll treasure for years to come.
So, what are you waiting for? Take a look at our large ski chalets, explore availability, and start bringing your plans to life. And if you’re not quite sure which chalet will suit your group best, just get in touch with the team, we’ll be happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Large Ski Chalets
How Many Bedrooms Do We Need for Our Group?
As a rule, aim for one bedroom per couple/family unit if possible. It keeps the group dynamic easy and everyone well-rested.
Is Catering Worth It for Large Groups?
For most groups, yes. It removes planning pressure, keeps mealtimes simple, and makes the holiday feel more like a true break.
Can You Help Coordinate a Mixed-Ability Group?
Yes and that’s one reason Meribel works so well. Groups can split up easily, meet for lunch, and enjoy terrain that suits everyone.
What’s Included in the Service?
This depends on whether you book catered or self-catered, and the chalet itself. We’ll always make it clear what’s included before you book.
How Do We Split Costs Fairly Among Group Members when Booking Large Ski Chalets?
Most groups split evenly, while others adjust for room size or occupancy.
What Happens If Our Group Has Mixed Ski Abilities?
You can plan flexible ski days: lessons for beginners, cruising routes for intermediates, and bigger adventures for confident skiers, all while staying connected as a group.
Are Large Ski Chalets Better Value Than Multiple Smaller Properties?
Often, yes. The per-person price can be competitive and the shared space and group atmosphere are hard to beat.
Can We Rent Large Ski Chalets for a Specific Week or Are We Limited?
Availability varies by chalet and season but will always usually run Saturday-Saturday or Sunday-Sunday. If you have a specific date in mind, it’s best to enquire early.
What’s the Difference Between a Large Chalet and a Ski-in/Ski-out Resort?
A large chalet refers to the size and layout (ideal for groups), while ski-in/ski-out refers to direct slope access. Some chalets offer very easy slope access, while others may require a short walk, bus, or lift connection.