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Kate Bullock Marketing Assistant

Kate has written some great blogs during her time with VIP SKI. Sadly, she has now moved on to other things, but we're hoping she may continue writing for us. We know how much she loves it!

Working a season

Fri June 12, 2015

You can’t buy happiness but you can buy a lift pass… or better yet work a ski season and get it free. Here’s our list of 15 things you’re pretty much guaranteed to experience whilst working a ski season.

1. IMPATIENCE…

There may only be 149 days until you head to the mountains but we know you’ll be waiting endlessly for the next season to begin. Each day will feel like a week, each week like a month. Of course it’ll feel like a lifetime when all you want to do is carve, daffy, handplant, iron cross, front flip, 360, huntony, rocket air, tip grab or just be in the mountains...

2. BEING SKINT…

Ok, so you’re earning money, but you’ll be spending it straight away on new ski gear, the trip down the mountain to McDonalds and probably most of it on your favourite tipple. Seasonnaire bar prices make it okay to have one more shot (or bottle).

3. MISUNDERSTANDING…

All your friends back in the UK thinking your job is that one on ‘chalet girl’. Sorry to disappoint most people right now but doing a season will not guarantee you ending up with Ed Westwick. Nor will your job be as easy as Felicity Jones. 

4. SKIING JEALOUSY…

It’s a natural fact that the guy who’s been in resort for 20 seasons will be amazing at skiing. Don’t worry, 18 weeks on the snow will take you somewhere closer to their level. Make friends with them and get some tips.

5. INJURIES…

Hopefully nothing serious, but don’t push yourself too far too soon. You don’t want to be going home when the fun has just begun, so those wild tricks you think you can do after a couple of beers at lunchtime might not be a good idea.

6. EXHAUSTION…

So who-ever is telling you their ski season was a breeze and they loved every minute of it… don’t believe it for a second, they have a selective memory and have simply forgotten the early mornings, long hours and just frankly, serious hard work.

7. FEELING HOMESICK…

Even with FaceTime, twitter, facebook and email, there will be times when you’ll be missing friends and family… don’t worry though, it will only be a fleeting thought before you hit the slopes or head to the bar.

8. FRIENDS COME & GO…

You’re thrown together with a bunch of strangers who will quickly become your best mates. For one reason or another some will head home mid-season, this can feel like a huge loss for… 5 minutes, until the replacement arrives and you’re welcoming them and sharing stories of the season so far.

9. CLEANING (LOTS OF IT)…

Be prepared to get your hands dirty. Oh the joy of cleaning toilets every day, and endless washing up. Best tip for seasonnaires – take plenty of hand cream!

10. POWDER DAYS…

There’s no waiting for friends on a powder day… If you have to wait, they’re not your friends. Getting up early and walking hours is totally worth it when you’re rewarded with fresh tracks.

11. BREATH-TAKING VIEWS…

So you arrive in the Alps and for the first week you’ll be constantly wowed with the scenery. By the end of the season you’ll not even notice it anymore… try not to get complacent.

12. GOGGLE TAN…

No matter how many times you take off your goggles on the chair lift trying to get the optimum tan, you won’t escape it.

13. WEIGHT GAIN…

Don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re burning calories skiing … finishing off the afternoon tea every day and all the drinking is guaranteed to make the waistline on your jeans a little snug.

14. DENIAL…

Come April you will still keep pretending that you can ski down the run even though you have to take your skis off part way down. 

15. SADNESS…

It’ll be over in a flash and you’re packing your bag to head home to the UK. We know you’ll be sad, but the new found friends and all the memories will keep you going over the summer months, until you can get back out to the mountains and do it all again!  

If you fancy experiencing all this and more we’re recruiting now for next season. It’ll be here before we know it. Interested? Email your CV and covering letter to recruit@vip-chalets.com

Visit our ‘work for us’ page for more information and current positions.

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Please contact Louise, Jess, Maxine or Millie if you have any questions.

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