10 Things You Didn’t Know About Working a Ski Season

Every year we send a couple of hundred enthusiastic adventurers to join our community of like-minded individuals in the Alps and to embark upon the journey of a lifetime working in one of our resorts. We employ people from all walks of life united by one thing: a desire to work hard, sure, but also to immerse themselves in resort life for up to 5 months and ski, ski, ski. Learn the ropes quickly and you could be skiing up to 5 hours most days, day in, day out, for the best part of half the year. That’s an amazing, often once in a lifetime, opportunity.

Almost everyone in the UK team has worked a season at some point, so we’ve made a list of the top 10 things we wish we’d known before we went away:

1) You have not packed the right clothes

It might seem easy – a couple of ski outfits, your uniform and something to relax – but we can guarantee that you’ll have forgotten something vital. Think outside the box – fancy dress will definitely rear its ugly head at several points over the winter. Embrace life with a communal wardrobe shared amongst your roommates and you should be able to muddle through.

2) You can eat more cake than you think

Whatever job you’re posted in, cake will be a regular fixture of daily life. There always seems to be leftovers and you’ll never learn how to say no.

3) Sleep is for the weak

The 6:30am alarm will seem like second nature after your first week of guests. The first few mornings will be difficult but once you’ve made it through you’ll pick extra skiing time over a mid-afternoon nap every time.

4) Vegetarian guests are a blessing in disguise

Being confronted with a chalet-full of different dietary requirements might seem like an impossible task to begin with, but it’s the perfect chance to try your hand at cooking a new menu and learning about different ingredients. The satisfaction from nailing a technically difficult menu and ensuring that everyone has a memorable week is a thrill like no other.

5) You'll ski every week (except half term)

When you’re used to empty slopes and having your favourite run all to yourself it can be a rude awakening when half the UK descends in mid-February. Use the week to deep clean the chalet while your guests are out skiing and you’ll be way ahead at the end of the season.

6) Your guests will surprise you every week

VIP SKI clientele come from all walks of life and no two weeks will be the same. From families on first ski holidays to corporate groups, each party will present different challenges and opportunities. Getting to know your guests is one of the most rewarding aspects of the job and can really make your season.

7) Seasonnaire food and drink discounts are everything

Producing your seasonnaire card and saving 20% on your burger or round of drinks will make you feel like a temporary millionaire. Almost everywhere offers discounts for those lucky enough to work in resort, so make sure you ask around.

8) The table is the best dancefloor

Après-ski doesn’t really kick off until someone’s dancing on the table in ski boots. Why is it so much more fun than on the floor? No-one knows, but it’s scientifically proven.

9) Eventually, you'll get tired of baguettes and croissants.

At the beginning of the season the unlimited supply of French carbohydrates feels like the greatest thing in the world but come March the lack of plain sliced bread will start to grate. Pace yourself in order to avoid the transmogrification into a pain au chocolate by early April.

10) It'll be over before you know it.

One day you’re counting down the sleeps till Christmas and then before you know it you’re waving your last guests off and contemplating deep clean. When you’re living in the mountains, working a job you love and skiing every day with your best friends time passes in the blink of an eye. Enjoy it while it lasts!

Think you’ve got what it takes to spend a winter in the Alps with VIP SKI? We’d love to hear from you.

To find out more about what we’re looking for and what’s on offer.