5 things to know before working a ski season

The winter season in Europe is fast approaching and the allure of blue sky powder days is enough to make you want to leave for the slopes right now. If you’re after more than just a week away, then you may already be considering working a ski season. You may even already have a certain country, resort or job role in mind. Before you pack your thermals, check out our list of 5 things to know before working a ski season.

1 Bigger isn't always better

When we started applying for ski season jobs, we went to all of the large companies first. Basically, every ski holiday provider we had ever heard of. As it turns out, the company we ended up working for was very small and based in a ski resort we had never heard of. There were no more than 15 of us compared to the hundreds or thousands that work for larger companies each season.

There are so many benefits of working for a smaller company. For one, everyone knows each other and works together. You will also find yourself doing a variety of jobs which can be great to combat boredom. Furthermore, you’ll more than likely be paid better, get more benefits, get more food and drink included and have far better accommodation. I knew of seasonnaires who were in bunkbeds in a room of 8 others with very little space. Meanwhile, we were sharing a lovely two bedroom apartment with only one other couple.

2. Don't lie, it's not worth it

It sounds really obvious but if you’re going to be a chalet host, then make sure you know how to cook. It is not worth it to lie on your CV and make out you’re a pro cook. Trust me, when it gets to 7pm, you’re having a meltdown and the dinner for 12 people is a complete lost cause, you will regret it. Either go on a course first (a specific chalet hosting course), work in a restaurant at home or even cook for your family regularly. Just make sure you’re prepared as it’ll make it so much more enjoyable for you and you probably won’t get fired, which is a bonus.

Climbing the Foglietta, Sainte Foy Tarentaise, France

3. Know what you want

Whilst on a chalet cookery course before going out on the ski season, our chef told us the following: There are 3 parts to a ski season; work, skiing and partying and you’re only really going to have the time and energy to do two well. The work has to be done, so you need to chose whether you’re going to be a drinker or a skier.

I knew exactly what I wanted before going out there, I wanted to become an excellent skier. I couldn’t really have cared less about drinking every night as in my book, you can do that wherever you are in the world. You can’t, however, ski almost everyday for 4+ months. I would have never had the time to explore off piste skiing if I was hanging out of my ass everyday. It would have also made 6am wake ups for the breakfast shift pretty hellish.

Another great thing about our group was that we were all of a similar age and all wanted to ski. We were in our early-mid twenties and were more interested in powder days than doing jagerbombs. Now don’t get me wrong, of course going out, having some drinks and socialising is all part of doing a season. But at the end of the day, do you want to have memories of incredible off piste skiing, or barely remember stumbling out of bars?

4. People are gross

If you’re going to be a chalet host, then you will at some point come across some pretty horrendous sights. At the end of the day, people are on holiday, drinking and you are there to clean up after them. Most of the time, people are ok and don’t want to embarrass themselves. However, there will be a few occasions where you may require a hazmat suit to clean the bathrooms. You have been warned.

You will also get the occasional unnecessarily rude individual or those who have had far too many drinks apres ski. In essence, you will get many of the same problems that you would come across in any area of hospitality. If you’ve ever been a waitress then you’ll already know what I mean. The only difference here is that you’ll have to deal with them an entire week morning and night, not just for one unfortunate meal.

5. Be open to alternatives

I spoke to some people who were adamant they wanted to do their ski season in a particular resort, i.e. St Anton. Perhaps they had seen Chalet Girl one two many times, or just believed that was the best fit for them. I get it, you’ve heard things of certain resorts and you may have just set your heart on it. Either that, or you’re convinced that you need a huge resort, or one with loads of bars or whatever.

When I saw the piste map of Sainte Foy, I had doubts. I thought there is no way we would enjoy skiing in such a small area and I even asked my employer if I could have a pass to nearby Tignes instead. I remember him saying if you do a season in a big ski resort, you will become a good skier, and maybe a great one if you really push yourself. But here, in Sainte Foy, we arrive as beginners and we leave advanced. We leave having really challenged ourselves, having ventured off piste and beyond. Essentially, the more piste you have to play with, the more runs you have access to, the less likely you are to venture off because you simply don’t have to. In Sainte Foy, as a good skier, you ski the pisted runs in a matter of hours so naturally, on a season you will explore further. I am so grateful for this and I would never be the skier I am today without that experience.

At the end of the day, just make sure you enjoy it! The 4-5 months will go by in a flash, jam packed with hard work and some of the best skiing you may do in your life. No matter what resort you end up in, there’s always room for becoming a fantastic skier if you put your mind to it and push past your comfort zones. Buckle in because you’re in for an experience you’ll never forget.

Have you ever done a ski season? What was your experience? Let me know in the comments!

Happy adventuring,
Lorna