Doing a ski season
Discussion
Just back from our first season in Wengen.
Where to go. Do you speak any foreign languages? If so, go somewhere where that language is understood. Lots of jobs in most ski resorts, none of which pay particularly well. What skills do you have?
A word of warning - you won't want to come home. We're going back for the summer season, and we'll be back again next winter too.
Where to go. Do you speak any foreign languages? If so, go somewhere where that language is understood. Lots of jobs in most ski resorts, none of which pay particularly well. What skills do you have?
A word of warning - you won't want to come home. We're going back for the summer season, and we'll be back again next winter too.
I did a season in Tignes in '91/'92 for the Albertville Winter Olympics.
The first month I spent skiing with a little drinking and some looking for work.
The second month I spent drinking with a little skiing and less looking for work.
The third month I found some work, got fired and carried on drinking.
The fourth month I ran out of money and came home to start my new career in IT.
As a 21 year old with no ties, it was great. I just wish I had more money. Skiing everyday on the same slopes, even in Espace Killy, does get boring though.
Some guys I knew worked all winter in the ski resorts and all summer on the boats in the Med or Caribbean and had been doing it for years.
The first month I spent skiing with a little drinking and some looking for work.
The second month I spent drinking with a little skiing and less looking for work.
The third month I found some work, got fired and carried on drinking.
The fourth month I ran out of money and came home to start my new career in IT.
As a 21 year old with no ties, it was great. I just wish I had more money. Skiing everyday on the same slopes, even in Espace Killy, does get boring though.
Some guys I knew worked all winter in the ski resorts and all summer on the boats in the Med or Caribbean and had been doing it for years.
I did a summer season in Grindelwald when I was 22 because I was broke and needed a job. I speak fluent German, which helps.
I hated it. The pittance they paid was not enough to live in Switzerland, even less in an expensive resort. I relied on the charity of hoteliers and friends. The travel company I worked for would have made Tiny Rowland seem liberal, kind and public spirited. They cared about nothing but money, and encouraged you to sell as many duff excursions to guests as possible in order to make some commission at the end of the season. One of my colleagues from another company fell and was killed whilst out walking, and my company forbade me from spending any time to help his relatives recover his body or sort out his effects. Compared to the UK, Switzerland is expensive, mono-cultural, quite racist, and incredibly boring for anyone who dislikes rules and following them. Some people really like it, but it's not a country I'd rush back to. There was a definite pecking order in the hospitality industry: Swiss at the top, who owned the hotels and generally had little to do with you. Then came the Germans or French, who were often the managers, and who seemed to be viewed at the same level as a Brit like me. Next down were the Italians, who tended to be in the kitchens and waiting on. Right at the bottom were the Spanish / Portuguese / Greeks, who did all the cleaning and menial work. It wasn't a nice system to be part of.
On the plus side, most of my guests were lovely and appreciated having a rep who tried to look after them rather than sell them stuff. There is also a fair amount of 'romantic opportunity', if that's your thing...
Never again, but then I'm far too old now!
I hated it. The pittance they paid was not enough to live in Switzerland, even less in an expensive resort. I relied on the charity of hoteliers and friends. The travel company I worked for would have made Tiny Rowland seem liberal, kind and public spirited. They cared about nothing but money, and encouraged you to sell as many duff excursions to guests as possible in order to make some commission at the end of the season. One of my colleagues from another company fell and was killed whilst out walking, and my company forbade me from spending any time to help his relatives recover his body or sort out his effects. Compared to the UK, Switzerland is expensive, mono-cultural, quite racist, and incredibly boring for anyone who dislikes rules and following them. Some people really like it, but it's not a country I'd rush back to. There was a definite pecking order in the hospitality industry: Swiss at the top, who owned the hotels and generally had little to do with you. Then came the Germans or French, who were often the managers, and who seemed to be viewed at the same level as a Brit like me. Next down were the Italians, who tended to be in the kitchens and waiting on. Right at the bottom were the Spanish / Portuguese / Greeks, who did all the cleaning and menial work. It wasn't a nice system to be part of.
On the plus side, most of my guests were lovely and appreciated having a rep who tried to look after them rather than sell them stuff. There is also a fair amount of 'romantic opportunity', if that's your thing...
Never again, but then I'm far too old now!
The Nantegue in Morzine.
http://www.nantegue.com/
My brother did six seasons here as pro-boarder and then another 4 years running the bar opposite. He didn't run out of off-piste
My other brother was so impressed he went out to do a season too at one point. Both brothers living in resort. Me stuck in crappy England!
I've been skiing there (Morzine/PorteduSolei) for 18 years
I cannot remember a single night of the time I spent visiting him at the Nantegue, the times were good.
We used to head up to the back country with shovels and beer, build a huge kicker, ride it all day and then smash it down in time to get the last lift back. Zero time on piste.
http://www.nantegue.com/
My brother did six seasons here as pro-boarder and then another 4 years running the bar opposite. He didn't run out of off-piste
My other brother was so impressed he went out to do a season too at one point. Both brothers living in resort. Me stuck in crappy England!
I've been skiing there (Morzine/PorteduSolei) for 18 years
I cannot remember a single night of the time I spent visiting him at the Nantegue, the times were good.
We used to head up to the back country with shovels and beer, build a huge kicker, ride it all day and then smash it down in time to get the last lift back. Zero time on piste.
N Dentressangle said:
I did a summer season in Grindelwald when I was 22 because I was broke and needed a job. I speak fluent German, which helps.
I hated it. The pittance they paid was not enough to live in Switzerland, even less in an expensive resort. I relied on the charity of hoteliers and friends. The travel company I worked for would have made Tiny Rowland seem liberal, kind and public spirited. They cared about nothing but money, and encouraged you to sell as many duff excursions to guests as possible in order to make some commission at the end of the season. One of my colleagues from another company fell and was killed whilst out walking, and my company forbade me from spending any time to help his relatives recover his body or sort out his effects. Compared to the UK, Switzerland is expensive, mono-cultural, quite racist, and incredibly boring for anyone who dislikes rules and following them. Some people really like it, but it's not a country I'd rush back to. There was a definite pecking order in the hospitality industry: Swiss at the top, who owned the hotels and generally had little to do with you. Then came the Germans or French, who were often the managers, and who seemed to be viewed at the same level as a Brit like me. Next down were the Italians, who tended to be in the kitchens and waiting on. Right at the bottom were the Spanish / Portuguese / Greeks, who did all the cleaning and menial work. It wasn't a nice system to be part of.
On the plus side, most of my guests were lovely and appreciated having a rep who tried to look after them rather than sell them stuff. There is also a fair amount of 'romantic opportunity', if that's your thing...
Never again, but then I'm far too old now!
Although I love the place, I can identify with a lot of that. Wengen is a lot smaller with a larger proportion of Brits, which probably helps.I hated it. The pittance they paid was not enough to live in Switzerland, even less in an expensive resort. I relied on the charity of hoteliers and friends. The travel company I worked for would have made Tiny Rowland seem liberal, kind and public spirited. They cared about nothing but money, and encouraged you to sell as many duff excursions to guests as possible in order to make some commission at the end of the season. One of my colleagues from another company fell and was killed whilst out walking, and my company forbade me from spending any time to help his relatives recover his body or sort out his effects. Compared to the UK, Switzerland is expensive, mono-cultural, quite racist, and incredibly boring for anyone who dislikes rules and following them. Some people really like it, but it's not a country I'd rush back to. There was a definite pecking order in the hospitality industry: Swiss at the top, who owned the hotels and generally had little to do with you. Then came the Germans or French, who were often the managers, and who seemed to be viewed at the same level as a Brit like me. Next down were the Italians, who tended to be in the kitchens and waiting on. Right at the bottom were the Spanish / Portuguese / Greeks, who did all the cleaning and menial work. It wasn't a nice system to be part of.
On the plus side, most of my guests were lovely and appreciated having a rep who tried to look after them rather than sell them stuff. There is also a fair amount of 'romantic opportunity', if that's your thing...
Never again, but then I'm far too old now!
I lived in ski resorts all over the world for over 10 years and still have a place in Chamonix... couldn't recommend it more, although it's not for everyone.
I would decide if you want to:
- Ski lots
- Learn a language
- Party
- Meet people
- Earn some money
Then you'll get better advice as ski resorts are not all alike.
I would decide if you want to:
- Ski lots
- Learn a language
- Party
- Meet people
- Earn some money
Then you'll get better advice as ski resorts are not all alike.
I've done a few seasons:
96/97 sold my Pub and did a season in Val Gardena Italy
97 Summer did my Ski School exams
97/98 Back out to Cortina for a season instructing
Done a few weeks here and there as well, as well as a few years with a Private School during term times.
Best times of my life !
Helps if you have catering experience but you can be a plongeur (Pot washer/kitchen porter) in a hotel or do a cooking course and be a Rep - Which i hated !
Good luck, but pick a good resort !
96/97 sold my Pub and did a season in Val Gardena Italy
97 Summer did my Ski School exams
97/98 Back out to Cortina for a season instructing
Done a few weeks here and there as well, as well as a few years with a Private School during term times.
Best times of my life !
Helps if you have catering experience but you can be a plongeur (Pot washer/kitchen porter) in a hotel or do a cooking course and be a Rep - Which i hated !
Good luck, but pick a good resort !
toasty said:
The guys I knew went to St Tropez around March time and found work on the big yachts. This was 25 years ago though so I imagine it's quite different now.
Hasn't changed that much - lots of people still this although you do need some basic qualifications to get on-board a decent yacht. I'm guessing you just needed a can-do attitude 25 years ago!Well now I'm thinking I might as well follow a ski season up with a summer season 👍🏻.
As I work in transport and have building experience im thinking a driver/handyman job. Or would I have more fun working with a group of chalet hosts? I'm thinking maintenance/driver = slightly more sensible job, less cleaning etc chalet host = worse job but more sociable due to working & living with other hosts.
As I work in transport and have building experience im thinking a driver/handyman job. Or would I have more fun working with a group of chalet hosts? I'm thinking maintenance/driver = slightly more sensible job, less cleaning etc chalet host = worse job but more sociable due to working & living with other hosts.
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