 Poster: A snowHead
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@Rezman, you can make it all different flavours of yoghurt cake. I used to do lemon, white chocolate and cherry, banana, coffee and walnut, chocolate, raspberry, apple and cinnamon. Vary the icing as well and you have a distinctly different cake each day.
The prices don't sound luxury to me.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Rezman wrote: |
| What do fellow snowheads expect?? |
At this price point as a punter I would not expect much as it only just covers the rent but I would demand what had been promoted.
I am just back from a chalet holiday where the guests turned their requests for the advertised benefits into a cruel sport against the chalet hosts trying their best on their first week on the job.
Their hardened supervisor, our rep dodged everything.
Companies that offer a luxury experience at a budget price are unrealistic, it is not deliverable. It will become even more difficult went minimum legal wages have to be paid.
I doubt they would sell much being honest.
| Rezman wrote: |
| Am I worrying too much about everything? |
Yes, if your boss does not supply the necessary wherewithal make it their problem. The worst they can do to you is give you the sack , make sure you get the lift pass first. For most hosting is not a career, just a life experience - the goal is to minimise the time working, maximise slope time, drinking and fornicating.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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wow. it sounds as if these places are way off luxury end of the scale and maybe not that bad value for money. I have made a request that we have french bread for breakfast and dinner for the guests as they were planning on just basic sliced bread. Assuming I get the kit I will cook some decent cakes i hope and a filling breakfast- porridge, croissants, full english, cereal- whatever they want. Apparently the catering adds £300 per person per week so it does need to be a reasonable standard i think.
Thanks for everyone's input. let's hope it snow soon....
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Rezman, Don't forget to warm the plates for dinner! Past threads on here show that that's tremendously important!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Rezman, All sounds par for the course in budget accom, but if I was paying premium I would definitely expect more.
It's always nice when you don't have to ask for more loo roll, coffee, etc, etc, because the host is on it.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Really annoys me when no one can be bothered to replace the loo roll. I stay I hotels; the food is better.
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I like this thread... it makes me feel that I'm doing something right... but it also makes me think that I really need to put my prices up!
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Yeah, that's definitely well below luxury price point, in fact I'd say it's at the budget end of the spectrum.
By the way, our staff don't need to bring any of their own stuff (although some of them do because they're proper chefs and like to use their own kit). 6 variations on yoghurt pot cake is not acceptable!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@flangesax, We had a chalet host in a Neilson chalet in Åre, Sweden, two years on the bounce, same lass called Vicky. She was perfect. The food was excellent, she knew the resort well, the chalet was clean with all details (loo roll etc) checked daily and her food was excellent. Best we have ever had. If I had chalets, I would employ her in a heartbeat to show everyone else how it should be done. When was the last time you were paying a budget price ( £650pp all in except lift pass) and your chalet host cleaned all bathrooms daily?
Shame Neilson don't have that (or any ) chalets in Åre anymore, it was great.
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@thecramps, you may have missed my point....
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@flangesax, No, I was saying give Vicky a job. 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| thecramps wrote: |
@flangesax, We had a chalet host in a Neilson chalet in Åre, Sweden, two years on the bounce, same lass called Vicky. She was perfect. The food was excellent, she knew the resort well, the chalet was clean with all details (loo roll etc) checked daily and her food was excellent. Best we have ever had. If I had chalets, I would employ her in a heartbeat to show everyone else how it should be done. When was the last time you were paying a budget price ( £650pp all in except lift pass) and your chalet host cleaned all bathrooms daily?
Shame Neilson don't have that (or any ) chalets in Åre anymore, it was great. |
We stayed in Villa Arebo with Vicky a couple of years ago too. Totally agree with all of the above.
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@lilywhite, I knew another snowhead would agree at some point. Ta.
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You know it makes sense.
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Always heat your plates for hot food, easy to do and no hassle. Nothing worse than stone cold plates.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Sliced bread for breakfast in France is unacceptable at any price point. that mornings baguettes is minimum but croissants not a reasonable demand in budget accommodation.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Nit sure why a budget chalet would be offering sliced bread, given that it's more expensive than baguettes. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Rezman, good luck - and try to keep smiling - apart from when looking sympathetic.....
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Rezman, my partner used to work for a so-called upmarket company (still operating, and sometimes mentioned on this forum), and she tells me your experience is entirely normal.
There are good companies out there that care, but there are also a lot that don't.
Meantime you have to soldier on as best you can.
Do your best, make the most of what you have, and get a good relationship with your clients - that can paper over a whole host of cracks
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Rezman, I can forgive almost anything if you can provide hot fried/poached/scrambled eggs for brekky. Conti breakfast does my head in.
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@Rezman, don't worry at all the prices you have suggested £550 is very much at the low end of the catered chart price peak season. Have a look at Chalet Himalaya- £800 ish per person at Xmas / half term. It is very good with none of the faults you describe but it's 50% more expensive. http://www.go-alpine.co.uk/himalaya.shtml (we love it btw).
As set out above 'luxury' chalets are a good deal more http://www.powderbyrne.com/ski/laax/casa-prada (£1000/night - £4000/week per person - ouch)
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@thecramps, will she work for free?
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If the food's great, the place is clean and you show willing most people will put up with it. Oh, and get some hangers!!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I have been so fortunate to have been offered very affordable chalet stays through chalets direct solutions room. I don't ever think it would be fair for me to complain about anything given what I've paid in the past but I would say my top ten of chalets goes like this.
Warm chalet
Friendly staff
boot warmers
real French bread
high carb food, NOT salads, I'm burnin' all day so need fuel not rabbit food
comfy bed,
mirror near a plug socket in the room
out door hot tub
no playstation or other bleeping electronic games in the lounge
No little kids!
Must say I've been shocked to hear that basic cooking equipment is not always provided by the companies.
I have all but one time been so happy with my chalet experiences now realise just how amazing my hosts were. only once I was in a very average chalet where the boiler went wrong so there was no heating for days and although we were provided heaters in our rooms there was no hot water and had to go to another chalet for a shower, also the couple hosting, lovely lady but her husband treated us guests like school kids, rules were to be obeyed it got very irritating being told them over and over even though I didn't see anyone not following them.
@Rezman, I'm sure the mere fact that you can forsee the things that could be improved means you already have your guests needs at heart. keep us uptodate on how it goes, good luck pray for snow!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Quote: |
I like this thread... it makes me feel that I'm doing something right... but it also makes me think that I really need to put my prices up!
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Exactly what I was thinking @flangesax!
I hope that your first guests arrived safely @Rezman, and that you have enjoyed your first day. I know it's easier said than done but try not to worry too much about the lack of equipment etc. It's not something that you can change but your attitude towards it will significantly affect how good a season you have.
As a previous poster said you don't need scales etc etc to make yoghurt cakes, and you can make biscuits, brownies etc without a cake tin. Do you have a baking tray, loaf tin, muffin tin, tart tin or anything like that? Anything else you can use? If so just stick with using that until you get a new cake tin. Most cake recipies need pretty exact measurements but chunky biscuits and brownies don't. For most companies it would be fine to serve something like brownies or lemon tart for afternoon tea instead of a tea cake. Alternatively ask around the other hosts - does anyone else have two cake tins and wouldn't mind lending you one?
Do you go to the supermarket to buy your food for the week? If so next time you are down pick up one cheap cake tin and add it in with your shopping - no one is going to sack you for a €5 purchase!
Good luck with your season - hope that you get on ok?
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ps - can you tell us who you're working for? We're all intrigued now!
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You know it makes sense.
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Scrumpy - I am blonde. I am female - and I type, very quickly as the thoughts come into my head - I'm far too busy checking all the details of my next ski holiday to worry about spellings and punctuation - priorities! 
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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£550 catered over Christmas is def bargain end, don't worry rezman, customers should have been more than capable of reading between the 'luxury' lines 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Hello again. Can't spill the beans on who I'm working for but from now onwards I should be called Jack as I'm doing just about everything! I spent most of my time off putting up massive plasma screens in another chalet where the owner certainly is not afraid to invest in his property.
Going back on the pricing the chalet for the week is around £4500pw + £300pp catered. For 8 people that's just over £850 pw catered but there are only 6 guests staying so it works out at £1000 pp without transport etc. Whilst there are plenty of places far more expensive for Xmas it's more than I've ever paid but then again I leave till the last minute.
The guests seemed fine when they arrived and were more interested in getting to the snow. Am about to head over there in my black trousers and white shirt and will see how it goes. Wooden hangers have been bought in (yay) and I think a sieve has been found as well as a cake time or two. I might try my luck at a carrot cake tomorrow but just in a square tin.
I'm really interested in chalet perception, what makes a good trip, host etc as my plan is to see how the season goes with a view to setting up my own chalet next season. Going in at the deep end and learning what not to do can be just as important but if I can make it through these 2 weeks and it actually snows then hopefully things will work out!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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PS the same chalet is £1700 pw (not catered) in January so that's the price difference between peak and off peak!!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Rezman, so I assume for 6 nights? I could feed everyone like kings on that sort of budget. If I was paying that sort of money, I would also expect a chef, whatever the standard of the accommodation. Good luck.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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But the real question should be what is your food budget?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@ hells bells- yep 6 nights, 7 days. I worked out you could more or less eat out for afternoon and dinner each day for that price. Let's see what happens next. Meanwhile I'm dressed up like a gigolo. 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Snow and Sunshine, keep your prices as they are please. Once I find a flight . . .
@Dippy, one too many commas in that last post 
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Rezman, I've holidayed with ski Esprit for the last few years. Their chalets are often a little "shabby" and lived in, probably because of week after week of kids tearing through them. I find it rather homely. You don't die of shame if your kids spill things or throw up. But the rest of it is brilliant. Lovely food. The china and cutlery probably matches and everything is clean. They usually have hoards of staff who are polite and friendly and never seem worse for wear in the morning. They'll cheerfully do anything for you. And that's the main thing: they are lovely and helpful and will do anything for you.
If I were you I'd see this as a learning process, Wait and see what the guest say . Expect some complains because there are always some. Be as nice as possible. And have a look at what else is around so that if the worst happens you have an escape plan. That's my plan for customer service work!
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@henzerani, 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Just for fun I made a seach on Snowheads:
Budget chalet 2 hits
Luxury chalet. 1083 hits
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@Hyst, who'd have thunk it.
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FAQ
