Mountain cabin with full board - freedom and service in one
Notes. In Sälen it is possible to book mountain cabins with full board via private chef, catering or agreements with nearby hotels and restaurants. Availability is best outside the high season and requires pre-booking. Price is affected by group size, menu and dates, and special diets, children's menus and in-cabin catering can usually be arranged for a comfortable, luxurious stay.
How full board works in a mountain hut
Renting a mountain chalet with full board in Sälen is entirely possible and is becoming more and more common among guests who want to keep the private feel of the chalet but still get the comforts of hotels. In practice, full board means that breakfast, lunch and dinner are included for the duration of the stay, either through a private chef preparing and serving the food in the chalet, through daily deliveries of ready-made dishes and breakfast baskets, or through meals being taken at a nearby restaurant under pre-booked arrangements. It's ideal for families looking to maximise their time on the snow, groups of friends looking to make the most of the weekend, or companies needing a flexible solution for their conference.
Plan according to needs and service levels
To succeed with full board in a holiday cottage, start by defining your needs and expectations. Decide on the dates, number of guests, approximate meal times and the level of service you want: do you want breakfast served every morning or do you want a generous breakfast basket in the fridge to pick from? Are packed lunches suitable to take to the slopes, or do you want a lighter main course served in the chalet at midday? Should dinner be rustic mountain food or a multi-course menu with table service? The clearer the framework you set, the easier it will be for the supplier to plan staffing, purchasing and logistics and provide a clear quote.
Availability in different seasons
Availability varies with the season and demand. During peak weeks such as Christmas, New Year, sports holidays and Easter, the changeover days and tight schedules of the cottages can make it more difficult to secure full board every day, but it is often possible to arrange a combination of some meals in the cottage and others in a restaurant. During spring-winter, spring and autumn, and much of the summer, it is much easier to get exactly the arrangement you want, and suppliers are often more flexible with times, menus and staffing. An early enquiry increases the chances of getting exactly the dates and level of service you want.
Price levels and offers
The price depends on several factors: how many people you have, how many meals are included per day, the level of ambition of the menu, the need for extra staff for serving and washing up, and whether ingredients should be local and seasonal. Some operators work with a price per person per day that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, others with a combination of a fixed chef's fee, the cost of ingredients and a service charge per meal. Sometimes there are additional costs for delivery, evening hours or special requests such as wine packages and cakes. Ask for an itemised quote so you can compare the whole picture, not just unit prices, and agree payment and cancellation terms well in advance.
Practical preparations in the cabin
The practical side is crucial to a smooth experience. A private chef needs a well-equipped kitchen environment, a working hob and oven, proper work surfaces, enough crockery and cutlery, and reasonable storage space in the fridge and freezer. Deliveries require that there is space to unload without disturbing, and that the times fit around the day's activities. For table service, it is good to decide in advance how many seats are needed and whether table setting and clearing are included, as well as how dishes and rubbish are handled. Clear routines allow you to focus on socialising, not on logistics.
Menus and special diets
Menu planning is one of the most fun parts. A well-planned full-board holiday in the mountains alternates between an energy-rich breakfast, a simple and smart lunch and a dinner that is the highlight of the evening. Breakfast can consist of freshly baked bread, local cheese and charcuterie, yoghurt, eggs and juice, served buffet style in the cabin. Lunch can be hot soups, stews or savoury sandwiches, either delivered to the chalet or packed as a picnic for the slopes. Dinner can range from comfort food after a long day to more ambitious dishes when you want to celebrate a little extra. Most suppliers offer children's menus, vegetarian options and allergy accommodation; just make sure you let them know your requirements in advance so that the purchasing and mise en place are right from the start.
Full pension as a time saver
Full board is also about saving time. When breakfast takes care of itself and the dishes disappear after dinner, many small moments that otherwise take energy are freed up, especially in larger groups. For shorter stays where you want to maximise the intensity of the experience, a half-way approach can be smart: choose full board on the most active days and leave one evening “free” to try a local restaurant. Half-board, i.e. breakfast and dinner but free lunch, is a popular middle ground for those who prefer to eat midday on the slopes.
Booking and confirmation
When you are ready to book, compile all the information in one enquiry: dates, number of guests with ages, desired level of service and estimated meal times, any allergies and special diets, and contact details of a responsible person in the party. Ask for a written confirmation listing menus or menu examples, what is included in the setting, serving and washing up, exact times for delivery or on-site chef, total price and conditions. Ask about the possibility of an early breakfast on the day of departure or packed lunches for the return journey; small details like these extend the experience without clashing with cleaning and check-out.
Executive summary
The bottom line is that full board in a mountain lodge combines the best of both worlds: the freedom of your own home in the mountains and the convenience of professional food and service. With clear expectations, good planning and a partner who knows the logistics of the mountains, the result is both luxurious and practical. You'll enjoy longer days on the slopes, more fun evenings around the table and a holiday that flows, from first breakfast to last coffee before heading home.
For a complete mountain experience with full board, you can book Sälengodset or Fjällgodset and complement the stay with private chef or catering in Sälen. Read more about spa and relaxation and family activities to create a holistic experience in the mountains.