No matter how many school trips or family holidays you’ve had to the slopes, nothing beats the first day of seeking the powder snow on a newly discovered ski route. Now imagine having a whole season of waking up every morning with that same feeling.
You can earn money while pounding the pistes if you sign up to be a ski chalet worker or work as a ski-snowboard instructor. You will need to already be competent on all kinds of runs and will probably require a qualification from an accredited organisation before you’ll be allowed to teach other people how to ski.
For many “doing a season” is a really popular gap year job. Ski companies are always on the lookout for enthusiastic and energetic people who can work in resorts between the months of December and April to work in Europe and North America.
Companies Hiring Now
Ski Resort Work
Chalets and recruiters provide the highest levels of service and comfort in a selection of the most luxurious properties in the Alps. They are always are looking for outstanding members of staff to take on challenging and rewarding roles over winter. Positions can include:
• Managers
• Chalet Assistants
• Household Assistants
• Chefs
• 2nd Chefs
• Chauffeurs
• Nannies
Anyone with finely honed cooking skills with be quickly snapped up by chalet companies, but there are other jobs available. Many firms need childcare staff and don’t always insist on qualifications for people with a reasonable amount of experience.
There are also more general roles for people who can turn their hand to everything from washing up or driving a minibus to chopping wood or greeting guests at the airport.
If you fancy turning a season into a full career, you could take a ski instructor course and once qualified work as a ski instructor!
Where to Find Work
Some of the most popular countries to find jobs include Canada, USA, France, Austria and Switzerland. You can also find ski resort work in places like Australia, Chile, Japan and New Zealand!
There are a number of recruitment websites that specialise in seasonal jobs in travel. The most popular is Seasonal Jobs Abroad but ads also appear in the local press and also our work abroad directory.
The usual job application rules apply, ensure your CV is focused on the job on offer and put yourself across in the best possible light. Competition can be fierce.
Role & Benefits
Hours of work vary depending on your role and for many jobs you’ll have just one full day off.
Most positions do allow you some time to hit the slopes in the middle of the day though. Someone working in a chalet might start work at 07.30 and finish at 22.30 but they’ll probably be carving turns on the mountain between 11.00 and around 16.00.
In exchange for your hard graft you’ll usually have a package that includes accommodation, ski pass, ski equipment and sometimes food. You won’t be paid a fortune but you will earn enough to enjoy the vibrant social life on offer in most ski resorts as well as hone your skiing or boarding skills.
For many working a ski season is a one off but there is plenty of career progression for people that get the bug. Many a ski company is run by an ex-saisonnaire who signed up to do “just the one season before settling down” and made a career out of it!