From Chalet Hosts to Business Owners: Where VIP SKI Seasonnaires Go Next

A ski season isn't just a winter in the mountains - it's often a launchpad into entrepreneurship. Skills learned running chalets such as hospitality under pressure, problem-solving, teamwork and managing guests all translate surprisingly well to entrepreneurship. Many of our seasonnaires have returned from the Alps and launched incredible businesses and we couldn’t be prouder. This isn't a coincidence - something about winter seasons builds resilience and ambition. Here are just a few of the talented ex-VIP SKI staff who've built thriving ventures back in the UK.

The Story: Both Elle Corfield and Rachel Hirons managed resorts and operations teams for VIP SKI, overseeing everything from staff coordination to guest experience across multiple properties. Rachel married Ned, Elle settled down in the UK with Russ (both also ex-VIP SKI - mountain romances are real!), and after their seasons ended, Rachel and Elle decided to build something of their own. The result? Sandgate Deli, an independent delicatessen in the coastal village of Sandgate, Kent, that's become far more than just a shop.

What they've built: Sandgate Deli stocks a carefully curated range of artisan British and Continental cheeses, fresh locally baked bread, charcuterie, snacks, wine, beer, homewares and gifts. They source locally grown flowers from Folkestone Flower Farm (available Thursday-Sunday) and offer custom hampers - thoughtful gifts curated and beautifully packaged for any occasion.

But it doesn't stop at retail. The back of the shop houses a dedicated event space hosting local art exhibitions, community events and weekly yoga classes. There's even a resident artist, Janet Snowman. It's become a genuine community hub, the kind of place that brings people together over quality food, local art, and shared experiences.

Sound familiar? That's chalet hosting energy translated to Kent.

Where to find them:

Sandgate Deli
Instagram

The Story: Amelia started as a chalet host, progressed to Assistant Resort Manager in Avoriaz, then became Chalet Manager in Les Arcs - working her way through VIP SKI's mountain operations and experiencing the full spectrum of what it takes to run exceptional ski holidays. After her time in the Alps, she traded resort management for something completely different: professional art.

What she's built: Now based in the British countryside, Amelia is an illustrator who turns everyday moments into bright, colourful prints. Her work celebrates the ordinary - comfy café spots, food and drink, silly animals doing silly little things (most inspired by her Sprocker Spaniel, Lola) and the small joys that make life beautiful.

Everything is designed by hand and printed on high-quality fine art paper. Her style is light-hearted, vibrant and refreshingly unpretentious. In addition to prints, she offers limited edition original paintings.

She's also open for commissions (bridal bouquets, new homes, favourite café spots -anything bespoke) and offers guided Paint and Sip sessions, bringing people together, creating atmosphere and making something special feel accessible and fun (just like the convivial evenings in her chalet).

Where to find Amelia:

Amelia Hamlet Art
Instagram

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A post shared by Amelia Hamlet (@a.meliahamlet)

The Story: Hugo spent the 2019/20 season working with VIP SKI, then returned to Cornwall with co-founder George and a problem to solve: they'd discovered a passion for US-style pale ales and IPAs that were rising in the UK beer scene, but couldn't find them locally in their corner of North Cornwall. So they did what any good problem-solvers would do - they built a brewery.

What they built: In 2021, Hugo and George founded Bluntrock, a young, independent brewery in Rock, Cornwall. They started small: a tiny brewery, taproom, and beer garden built from yellow recycled shipping containers. A beautiful, vibrant place to share their passion for fresh, diverse styles of beer brewed using modern and traditional techniques.

Support from like-minded drinkers grew quickly. Demand for Bluntrock beers soon outstripped their capacity, and the brewery has kept expanding ever since. Now they operate:

• Bluntrock Brewery in Rock (the original container setup)
• Bluntrock Container Taproom (a stunning space for enjoying their beers fresh)
• The Pagan Arms in Newquay (their newest venue)

Their beers are available at the brewery, both venues, via their online shop, and "out in the wild" across Cornwall and beyond. Run by a small, passionate team, Bluntrock takes pride in their work, community and values - always striving to combine the best ingredients to create beers that delight their customers all year round.

Where to find them:

Bluntrock Brewery Rock & Newquay, Cornwall
Instagram

The Story: Euan spent the 2019/20 season with VIP SKI in Val d’Isere, feeding hungry skiers and learning the fundamentals of hospitality under pressure. When he returned home, he didn't just launch one food truck - he built three distinct concepts, each winning recognition at major street food awards.

What he built:Lemon Squeezy Food Truck Mediterranean-style flatbread wraps and snacks served from an Edinburgh-based food truck. Fresh, vibrant, accessible food done exceptionally well. Lemon Squeezy was a finalist at the Scottish Street Food Awards 2022, establishing Euan's reputation for quality early on.

Firebowl Streetfood Japanese street food made with Scottish ingredients - a brilliant fusion that honours both culinary traditions. Operating at The Pitt Market and beyond, Firebowl won at both the Scottish Street Food Awards 2025 and British Street Food Awards 2025. That's national-level recognition for a business built from scratch.

Wing Theory Crispy fried chicken done right: saucy, sustainably sourced and allergy-friendly. Because good street food should be accessible to everyone, and quality doesn't have to compromise on inclusivity.

Chalet hosting is hospitality in its purest, most demanding form. You're cooking multiple courses daily, managing dietary requirements, working long hours in tight kitchens, keeping standards high even when you're tired and making sure every guest leaves happy.

Sound familiar? That's exactly what running successful food trucks requires. From three-course dinners in the Alps to award-winning street food across Scotland, now Euan is applying his expertise and experience across three thriving street food businesses.

Where to find them:

• Lemon Squeezy – Edinburgh
• Firebowl Streetfood – The Pitt Market & events
• Wing Theory – Various locations

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A post shared by Lemon Squeezy | Food Truck (@lemonsqueezy_foodtruck)

Common threads among ex-seasonnaires who go on to build businesses:

• Hospitality under pressure: Running chalets during peak weeks teaches you to perform when it matters
• Problem-solving instinct: When the power goes out or the transfer's delayed, you figure it out
• Teamwork and leadership: Managing teams, supporting colleagues, keeping morale high in challenging conditions
• Attention to detail: When guests notice everything, you learn not to cut corners
• Resilience: Long hours, exacting guests, challenging weather conditions - seasons build mental toughness
• Community building: Creating atmosphere, making people feel welcome, creating unforgettable memories

A ski season teaches you more than how to make the perfect three-course dinner or coordinate ski school drop-offs. It teaches you how to run something, how to care about quality and how to keep going when things get hard (or you’ve over-indulged at après the night before!). Not bad for a winter in the Alps.

To Elle, Rachel, Amelia, Hugo, Euan and all the ex-VIP SKI staff building incredible things: we're incredibly proud of you. Thank you for the seasons you gave us, and congratulations on everything you've built since.

If you're considering a ski season, know that it's more than a gap year or a winter escape. It's genuine experience that translates far beyond chalets. You'll learn hospitality, management, resilience and team dynamics in a high-pressure, high-reward environment. You'll build friendships that last (and sometimes marry your colleagues - see above!) and you might just discover the skills and confidence to build something yourself.

We're recruiting now for winter 2026/27.

Apply online or read our seasonnaire life blogs to learn more about living and working in the Alps.