Self-catering accommodation in holiday chalets, bungalows and apartments tends to be booked solid for entire summer and winter seasons. For chalets in places like Zermatt, Verbier, Gstaad and so on, you may have to book six months or more ahead. Most are only let for a week at a time (Saturday to Saturday).

Interhome is one of the largest and most efficient international agencies, dealing with more than 5000 chalets and apartments all over Switzerland, sleeping from two to twelve people. Prices vary tremendously depending on the property and the season, but start from a bargain Fr.16–18 per person per night. High-season bookings are for a minimum of seven nights, Saturday to Saturday, but in the low season you may be able to find properties available for three or four nights only. Booking months in advance ensures you get a full choice of places to stay, but if you leave things to a week before departure, some chalet owners will knock up to a third off their usual prices. Contact details are: 383 Richmond Rd, Twickenham, TW1 2EF, UK (020/8891 1294, fax 8891 5331, www.interhome.co.uk); 1990 NE 163 Rd #110, N Miami, FL 33162, USA (%305/940-2299, fax 940-2911, www.interhome.com); Level 5, 22 Darley Rd, Manly, Sydney, Australia (02/9976 2155 or 1800/257 171, fax 02/9976 2208, www.interhome.com.au); Buckhauserstrasse 26, CH-8048 Zürich (01/497 22 22, fax 497 27 23, www.interhome.ch).