What is the difference between a hut (baita) and a chalet?
You have probably heard of both huts and chalets: both have a wooden structure, sloping roofs and you can find them in an alpine setting. So, you may be wondering what is the difference between them.
To put it simply: size. While a hut is usually very small, suitable for a single family, the chalet is much larger, and can also include several floors. Usually, a hut has a rustic and less refined furniture, while a chalet has a more refined style, which often includes carved wood decorations, balconies and terraces.
The reason for these differences is to be found in the history and tradition of Trentino. Indeed, huts were temporary homes used in the alpine pasture period (between April and November), and often flanked by a barn or a stable. On the other hand, chalets were real houses, adjacent to vineyards, cultivated fields or orchards, with stable and barn.
So, if you have chosen to stay in a chalet, know that a welcoming, comfortable environment that smells of wood... awaits you.