How To Land A Ski Resort Job

Ever fancied being able to ski or snow board for an entire season for free? Stay in some of the most beautiful alpine resorts in the world? If so, then a ski resort job could be for you. Whether you want to be a snowboarding instructor, or something a little more low-key like cooking for a chalet, there is something for everyone when it comes to working a ski season.

In exchange for your hard work you will receive a weekly pay-check, and depending on your role you may also receive free accommodation, drinks and meals. The great thing is that most jobs offer a seasons ski pass and medical insurance, and if you don’t have your own snow gear a lot of resorts have affiliations with ski shops meaning you may be able to negotiate a good deal. Discounts on food and drinks is also usually provided for people working an entire season – great if you want to party the winter away!

Which Ski Resort Job Is For You?

For those of you not sure what’s on offer, here is a summary of the different kinds of jobs you could perform in a ski resort.

Chalet Host – As a host of a chalet you are responsible for preparing meals and looking after your guests well-being. It’s quite long hours, 6 days a week, including cooking breakfast and dinner, afternoon tea and cleaning, socialising and anything else your guests need. On the upside, all food, alcohol, accommodation is included, and if you have a freindly group staying in your chalet you can have a great time and potentially earn some impressive tips. To land a host job, experience in cooking is desirable, but if you’ve not cooked before there are short courses available to get you up to scratch.

Chef – In some of the more exclusive (and expensive!) chalets, a separate chef is also provided as well as a chalet host. You will be required to cook whatever your guests want, when they want it. As with the chalet host you will have pretty much everything included on top of your weekly wage. You will need to be an experienced cook/chef to apply for this role.

Chalet Handyman – This is a general maintenance role, so you’ll be fixing chalets, cars and even ski’s and snowboards on some occasions! Experience is required for most roles, and you may have to pay for your food and accommodation – this differs from resort to resort but you will probably have more time on your hands compared to working in a chalet job.

Driver – Resort drivers are required to greet guests at the airport and assist with their bags and transport them back to the chalet. It may also include ferrying of guests to lifts and ski shops. You are likely to work less hours for your wage, but early mornings and late nights mean they may be spread out over the day. Accommodation and food aren’t usually included in these roles.

Ski/Snowboarding Instructors – To become a ski or snowboarding instructor you will need to complete a course in the country/region you want to work in, after which you will be able to apply for jobs. If you want to work in France for example, you will most likely need to do your instructor course in Europe –  most resorts only allow people to work for them if they have experience in that region/area. This usually takes an entire season to complete, so take this into consideration in your timelines.

Bar Staff – Pretty much anyone can apply for a bar job in the alps, so if you have limited experience this could be for you. The jobs usually come with accommodation, food and alcohol, but be aware the hours are long and wages sometimes low. If you’re good though, you have the potential to make some great tips!

How To Apply For A Ski Resort Job

Applications are usually open all year round, but if you are looking to work an entire season (December – April in the Northern Hemisphere) then you will need to start thinking about applying in June, and ensure that your application is submitted by September when most jobs close.

There are lots of websites through which you can apply for jobs, however some of the most popular include Season Workers, If You Ski and Ski Jobs. If you are thinking of applying for next year all of these sites will have information on the key dates you need to take into account when submitting your application, and when registration opens.

Depending on the website you use you will be required to send in your CV or complete an application form, and if you are short listed you will then be required to have either a phone or face to face interview. This may take place at a nearby capital city or at a ski-event near to where you live. There may also be other competancies you need to show, for example if you are applying for a chalet role then you may need to provide a sample meal plan to show you are able to adequately plan meals for your guests.

All of this information will be provided to you when you apply so make sure you understand what is required before you submit your application.

Good luck!

Photo Credits – Thanks to Mike!

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