Ski - Ski Season? Useful Tips & Advice
Working a Ski Season is hard work with long hours and low pay but can be rewarding. Thousands of people work for British-based ski companies, private chalets and local businesses each winter. The average season starts in early December and runs to mid/late April and many larger tour operators also offer summer placements to staff who have successfully completed the winter season.
Recruitment can begin as early as May and continues throughout the summer, with a flurry of activity in October and November as companies compete with each other to fill their remaining vacancies. Their recruitment also continues throughout the ski season as they always need to replace no-shows, drop outs, sackings and staff who are injured and return home.
By registering with Seasonal-Jobs.com you are able to gain access to many of the employers through one source. Your CV profile is held on our database and you simply view the Job Adverts on our Job Listings, click on a job that interests you and apply for the job online. Your Cv is automatcially grabbed and emailed to the employer! It couldn't be easier!
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 Applying for the right job is important.
For example, a Chalet Host is a more responsible position, usually involving catering for guests on your own, keeping a record of your expenditure, weekly shopping within a set budget and planning the actual menu you will be using during the season. In addition to looking after the guest's welfare, you also have responsibility for the cleaning and minor repairs in the chalet. You should therefore only apply for a position like this if you have a lot of stamina and a keen interest in cooking and looking after people. If you do not want the responsibility of running your own chalet then why not work as a Chalet Assistant or a Hotel Host if you prefer working in a bigger team.
If you have the management skills to take on more responsibility, enjoy problem solving and making decisions, then you should consider applying for Resort Representative, Hotel Manager or other junior resort managerial roles.
If you would prefer to work in the kitchen and are a Trained Chef then why not apply for a position in a hotel or large chalet.
If you have basic maintenance skills and can turn you hand to any job or wish to gain some valuable cooking experience without the pressures of a chalet, then a Kitchen Assistant or Plongeur in a hotel is the role for you.
Take time to decide which position suits you by browsing through the Job Descriptions page
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Have I got the right qualifications ? Complete your CV in as much detail as you can, showing the dates, subjects and grades of your qualifications achieved at school, college, university and any professional qualifications achieved. If you have any ski qualifications, food hygiene certificates or any other training remember to include these.
If you are interested in applying for a role that involves cooking but have had no training, visit our Cookery Courses page for details of cookery courses tailor-made for chalet work.
Try and enrol on a cookery course before going to interviews for chalet host positions as this will show the company your eagerness to get a position and also shows your commitment to wanting to deliver the food to the right standards and of the right quality. Most companies pay you more for a role that involves cooking so the investment in a cookery course will pay dividends and gives you skills to take with you for the rest of your life!
If you are going to be working with food check whether the company will give you food hygiene training before the season begins or invest in a course.
Seasonal-Jobs.com ...THE EASY WAY TO FIND WORK !
Interview preparation and technique is important, if you are to get the job you want, with the company you want.
Always allow plenty of time to get to your interview, making sure you are suitably dressed and have a list of questions ready for the interviewer.
You will need to distinguish yourself from the other applicants at an interview and the easiest way is to have prepared some research on the company and the size of their ski programme. Have an idea of the type and size of accommodation you would like to work in and check their brochure or web site to ensure they operate in the country or resort you would like to work in.
Always look at the interviewer when speaking to them and do not be afraid to ask questions or ask them to repeat a question if you did not understand it. If you do not know the answer to a question it is better to say "I am sorry, I do not know the answer" rather than try to bluff your way through. Most interviewers will be people who have done seasonal and resort work themselves, so they will be able to offer advice but will spot a bluffer easily!
Take notes during the interview and make sure you write down the details of the package and take these away with you, as you will not remember all the details if you have more than one interview in a day. You might make the wrong choice because of a mistake in your interpretation of a company's package from memory!
Questions to ask during the interview:
- What is the job description/role of the position I am applying for?
- What management structure is in place in resort?
- What are my expected hours of work?
- What training is provided and where and when does it take place?
- How much free time do I get?
- When is my day off?
- Does the package include transport from the UK to resort and back?
- Is the ski pass local or area?
- Are accommodation and meals provided?
- Is ski/board equipment hire included?
- Do I have to pay any deposits in the UK or in resort?
- Is insurance included and what does it cover?
Does my wage get paid in resort in local currency or in the UK?
- What uniform will I have to wear and is there a deposit to pay for it?
All these questions must be answered in your interview so as to give you a clear understanding of the whole package the company is offering.
 Which company do I choose ? There are many different companies employing the same type of people for similar roles so always go to as many interviews as you can before making your choice.
You should choose the company who offers you the right amount of training and support at the beginning of the season and who have a proven track record in their field. You can always ask in an interview what percentage of staff are returning from the previous season. Between 20-40% is a good rate. If the return rate is lower then ask more questions as to why this rate is low.
You may have your heart set on a specific resort but might be offered an alternative one. Think carefully before rejecting a position as more often than not a season in a lesser known resort is just as enjoyable as (if not better than) one in a more 'glamorous' resort.
 An enjoyable season is about the team of people around you and not just about how many bars there are in the resort!
What do I take to resort with me ? Keep your luggage to a minimum! Most employers will provide you with a uniform to wear when you are at work. You will really only need to take your ski gear and a few items of casual clothing to wear when you are not at work. You will almost certainly buy clothing and ski gear during the season, so even more reason to travel light out to resort!
Take plenty of vitamins, aspirins and other toiletries, as these can be more expensive in resort. Make sure you have a supply of (or access to) funds to keep you going until your first pay day. Most resorts have cash points where you can use Cirrus, Maestro, Visa and Mastercard to withdraw cash. Use a card rather than having to carry traveller's cheques or local currency around with you.
Seasonal-Jobs.com ...THE EASY WAY TO FIND WORK !
The secret to enjoying your season is to have the right attitude to your work, your colleagues and your employers. The old saying of 'work hard and play hard' holds true, but many staff get caught up in the party atmosphere and their quality of work suffers as a result. It is possible to work hard, have a good time with your guests and deliver a quality service, and still have time to enjoy all that the resort has to offer.
All good ski companies should send you on a training course either in the UK or in Europe, where they should cover the standards they expect from you in your work and the quality of the product they want you to deliver to your guests. These training courses can be hard work, covering an intensive programme in a short time span, but they can be good fun and offer you a chance to meet the people you will be working with throughout the season.
  
Summer employment opportunities. Many of the larger tour operators run both winter and summer programmes. Check our job listings for these and other summer jobs. Just highlight your requirements and availability in an email to us and we will help you to find the job you want.
Last minute/short term placements. Do you only want to work for a week or two? Even if you are only available for a short-term placement then contact us today so we can get you away tomorrow!.
Make sure you indicate the dates you are available, whether it is for the whole season or the exact dates. This information is important if we are to match your availability to an employer's requirements.
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