 Poster: A snowHead
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Afternoon folks,
I'm in the fortunate position of holding job offers from both Crystal Ski and Inghams to be a resort rep. Both seem quite similar, wondering what people's reviews of them are, be it as a customer or staff?
Cheers
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Can't help on the reviews, but well done on getting the offers. Have a great season.
And welcome to Snowheads.
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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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@etoiledesneiges, it's a few years back now, but when I stayed in an Inghams chalet in Val Thorens our host told us that Inghams gave their staff a bit more freedom for how to operate, whereas Crystal was very rigid. E.g. every day's meal plan was centrally planned by Crystal, whereas Inghams allowed the host to innovate a bit. I don't know how that would translate to resort repping though. It could be that the job is a bit easier for Crystal because the rules are clearer. Hopefully someone with more insider knowledge will come along soon.
Is it the same resort you've been offered in both cases?
And also welcome to Snowheads 
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Id second the above, Crystal are very rigid, certainly with newbies, those that have been there a while get to know the system, Inghams are also a bit more upmarket 
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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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Inghams are part of the same group (Hotelplan), that own Total & Esprit & Collets. The three companies operate in a very similar way as they are managed by the same team at the top. They all use a fixed menu plan for hosts and the terms of employment are the same. In my 10 seasons working in the Alps, I heard a few tales about the poor quality of Crystal staff accommodation. As a rep you will be sharing with someone else, over which you have no influence. Reps can usually get a bit more ski time, especially if working in Austria, Italy or Switzerland(unlikely). That may be a factor in deciding which to take. Have they indicated which resort they are thinking of sending you? It won't be certain as they can change it depending on operational needs.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Cheers for the replies! Feeling very lucky and looking forward to a season.
Been offered Morzines for Inghams which is what I asked for, and put some preferences in France down for Crystal but they don't confirm until later. Both stated that this could change last minute though due to operational needs.
Interesting about the rigidity bit for Crystal - as you suggest might well make the repping part easier though as reduces hassle/risk of disorganisation, which would make life easier overall - I've been working for a disorganised company the past year and I can tell you it makes some days an unnecessary struggle. Might be more fun to have some flexibility though? Both offer shared accomodation.
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@etoiledesneiges, We use Crystal in most cases for our winter trips and find the chalet staff and reps pretty good and clued up. In April we used Inghams for the first time for an end of season trip to Tignes. We heard good things about Inghams so was looking forward to it. Unfortunately I found the staff that had stayed on for the final week to be useless and did not give a crap. I accept that it was the last week and the pay these guys gets is nothing, but it did take the shine off our last week away. They may have been following orders from the top so maybe a little harsh from my point but I was a paying guest at the end of the day.
I'm not saying you will be like these but if you worked for them, If you get your stuff together and keep organised I'm sure both companies will be fun to work for.
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Pity about your last trip. Generally Inghams are pretty good. Seems like a lack of in resort management. Unless the manager is on top of staff, they WILL try and get away with doing as little as possible in a lot of cases. The pay really should not be of any concern to guests. With all the benefits staff get, the return isn't too bad, they just don't see it for the most part. Too short sighted. The last week should be the best as by that time they ought to have mastered the role's. I very much doubt, 'it was orders from the top'. The top management at the Hotelplan companies is pretty good and would not have wanted staff to behave this way. As I said probably a slack local manager not on the ball.
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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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@Old Man Of Lech, Yeah it was a little disappointing as we had heard so many good things about them. At least half the chalet was ill during the week which we put down to the freezer being run low and the meat not being as good as it could be. Things like tea bags ran out, not enough glasses, wine ran out on a few nights etc. Also my partner and I were more interested in racking up the miles rather than going on the bar crawls etc. Once our rep knew this she hardly spoke to us all week and was very cold towards us.
Anyway this is in the past and its sidetracking the the OP question.
@etoiledesneiges, Do what you feel is right for you and enjoy the experience and make the most of the snow everyday!
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Inghams are a tad more up market - and chalet based. Crystal have a variety of accommodation and cater to most markets.
As a rep I assume you will be doing airport runs each weekend, so it might be better to be in a resort closer to the airport (says the bloke that lives in Tignes!). I haven't checked recently, but Crystal used to offer Sat and Sun departures which could mean 2 trips a week to a soulless arrivals area, Inghams seem to be Sunday transfers (certainly in Tignes) only.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| iskar wrote: |
| Inghams are also a bit more upmarket |
Is that a benefit when you're working for them or does it mean that you have a higher probability of getting the "I paid x amount for this holiday and should be treated like the queen" types? Just asking, I've only ever done budget so would't know!
I've been away with Crystal a couple of times but self catering and rarely had any need to get in touch. It all looks like hard work on changeover day, there's lots of moving about and dicking about with tablets to upsell a few things (although I've never found them to force it). Not sure if Inghams do the same (suspect that they do) but I know that I wouldn't enjoy having to try and buy lift passes on a tablet while sat on a coach. On my latest trip they also seemed to be lurking outside the hotel every morning, which could be a drag if you're there to party during the week.
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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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Depends on what resort they put you in. I had a friend who worked for Crystal and was put in a resort with only one other Crystal member of staff - had the best, most relaxed working season. No managers/bosses and had complete freedom. Tough one. Have an awesome season though!
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Of the two I'd recommend Inghams but I'm sure you'll have a great season with either. Have fun!
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You know it makes sense.
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I repped for Crystal a few years back (2010-11) and loved it.
What you'll find with Crystal in the main, bigger resorts is that you'll be part of a team. Sometimes quite a large team; I was in les Arcs and was one of 14. So you have a load of instant mates, probably shared accommodation, with resort manager(s) on hand. Inghams in my experience you're more likely to be on your own in resort or with a much smaller team of reps. That made a difference to me, I wanted to be part of a team rather than on my own (I rejected my first Crystal placement which put me on my own).
There are pros and cons of both. The Crystal transfer day is pretty full on, but I really liked the fact that there was a very good backup network in resort in case of emergency, staff illnesses etc. And because Crystal are so big there were a lot of perks such as free parapenting, bobsleigh (in La Plagne), we did ice-karting in Val d'Isere, off piste guiding etc which the suppliers are keener to give as Crystal sell so much of their services.
The downside of course is that you don't find out your resort yet, and may not get what you've asked for. For France I found that most people asked for 3 Valleys, Espace Killy and Paradiski in their top 3 choices, so obviously not everyone can get that. I got very lucky with Les Arcs but after rejecting their first allocation (Val Cenis, only crystal employee in resort) I had to wait until 2 days before travelling out there before I knew where I was actually going.
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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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Hi @etoiledesneiges,
Out of interest, was there any difference in salary between Crystal and Inghams?
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Poster: A snowHead
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kopt22}There is very little difference between the major TO's pay structure. The 'headline' pay appears very low to most people, but with all the additional benefits, IE accommodation, meals, season lift pass, season insurance, the overall package isn't so bad. Reps generally will get about 75-90 GBP a week depending on numbers in resort they potentially have to look after. Their commision is quite poor on sales but if paid during the season is a useful 'top up'.(some companies hold it till the end of season).
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well that's what I was expecting @Old Man Of Lech, however I've just had two contracts through (both for resort rep) and one company is offering more than double the salary (per month and taking into account deductions for provision of service) than the other! Am hoping it's not a mistake!
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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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Surprised if that is the whole story? I know Crystal 2 years ago altered their pay structure to take account of enforced rules on hours & pay in some European countries but the NETT result was no different. Still if you're sure it's double and you fancy that role, so be it. Good luck & have a great season.
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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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I worked with Mark Warner as a rep/ski host (a few years ago to be fair- 2010 season) and our pay was c.£50-60 a week, plus accommodation, travel to/from resort, lift pass, ski hire, food, insurance. Basically everything, leaving your wages as beer money. Specialist employees, like chefs and accountants get paid quite a bit more, up to 2 or 3x that.
I have traveled with Inghams and Crystal and agree that Inghams is a bit more up market, but that might be a minus as they will expect more of the staff and you are likely to get more difficult guests who have higher expectations. Generally we thought in resort that everyone got paid about the same across the British TOs, and tbh you don't do it for the money at the end of the day!
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FAQ
