 Poster: A snowHead
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We are a private family living in Switzerland,
We would like to find a couple of helpful volunteers to help look after our chalets (and us) for the winter season.
That means helping out on weekends and in turn getting the rest of the week for yourselves to ski or enjoy the Swiss winter..
This is not a job! we want help you enjoy the season as much we do, we want you to have as much free time to ski in the week and help us make the most of our free time on the weekend by helping out with household chores.
What does that mean?Usually we would arrive most weekends on a Friday night, and leave Sunday evening.
Of course there are some chores we would expect you to help out with. Shopping, Enthusiast cooking, some cleaning up after the Weekend, but mostly not more that a usual household.
Only couples may apply, we have found its just more balanced all round.
You are expected to be competent skiers.
Ski guiding some of our less experienced guests it can be rewarding (we dont want to know)
Transit between chalets east and west is simply a matter of snow conditions - take your time in the week.
Greek SUV at your disposal. 
Please apply by private message, privaacy is valued and expected.
N.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Goat orgy protocol?
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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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Winters coming
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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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| nixmap wrote: |
Greek SUV at your disposal.
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What is one of these? Greek ships I know, but a Greek SUV?
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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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SUVlaki innit peeps?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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This thread will go downhill rapidly, and there will be the usual suggestions of "exploitation". The people that are most critical are also not the kind of people that would ever consider this kind of thing anyway. It's a pretty good deal for the right people.
Personally I'd take it over a chalet job (less money but more free time). It's also better than the usual ski volunteering jobs (last hostel i stayed in you were doing more hours for a room in a dorm).
As someone that spent a good few years backpacking I came across a lot of people doing this kind of volunteer work (typically work in exchange for bed and board). The vast majority of the time it was mutually beneficial for all parties with everybody walking away happy. I've done similar myself - even now I am kind of a volunteer during winters - free bed and meals in exchange for answering a few emails and providing some information to guests in the mornings and evenings. Well worth the minimal amount of work to get to ski all day.
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@boarder2020, you talk about “mutual beneficial”. But reading @nixmap’s post, it’s clear it’s far from “mutual”. He’s doing a “favor” for those who work for him.
If your dignity doesn’t mind accepting that “favor”, good for you. I know a lot of ski bums don’t mind that attitude either, as long as they get what they bargained for. When you’re a ski bum, it’s pretty easy to justify taking a little odd “attitude” to get what you want. Part of the bargain. Some even do it with sex too. It’s their business.
I once worked with a colleague from India. The consulting firm housed him 4 in a room in an apartment, in bunk beds. The company charged a premium for their work but gave only a tiny portion to them. Sounds like exploitation? But he’s “happy” to have the opportunity, because it’s a lot better than what his situation back home! You get my drift.
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As @nixmap keeps returning for recruits one must assume that they are successful in their search. But why is there never any feedback from these recruits. There could be NDA s but you could expect some level of anonymous feedback unless of course the recruits vanish without trace. Anyone got Stephen King's number ?
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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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@ster, the only plausible answer I can find is the 72hp Keraboss Super K. Not sure if that's a selling point or not
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| nixmap wrote: |
We are a private family living in Switzerland,
We would like to find a couple of helpful volunteers to help look after our chalets (and us) for the winter season.
That means helping out on weekends and in turn getting the rest of the week for yourselves to ski or enjoy the Swiss winter..
This is not a job! we want help you enjoy the season as much we do, we want you to have as much free time to ski in the week and help us make the most of our free time on the weekend by helping out with household chores.
What does that mean?Usually we would arrive most weekends on a Friday night, and leave Sunday evening.
Of course there are some chores we would expect you to help out with. Shopping, Enthusiast cooking, some cleaning up after the Weekend, but mostly not more that a usual household.
Only couples may apply, we have found its just more balanced all round.
You are expected to be competent skiers.
Ski guiding some of our less experienced guests it can be rewarding (we dont want to know)
Transit between chalets east and west is simply a matter of snow conditions - take your time in the week.
Greek SUV at your disposal.
Please apply by private message, privaacy is valued and expected.
N. |
All the best with your search
I get it
Would love to do it
Missus can't get away for the whole Winter
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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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I've missed this thread. Its nice to see it back. Did the deal always involve chalets plural or was it just one chalet in the past?
I'll admit i've flip flopped over the years on whether or not this is a troll. I think this is the year nixmap has jumped the shark though.
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| Quote: |
All the best with your search
I get it
Would love to do it
Missus can't get away for the whole Winter |
I get it too @Mike Pow. It's brilliant for those who fit the bill. It's absolutely clear what they are signing up for (a free ski season in a lovely chalet in exchange for a few weekend chores) and absolutely ludicrous to raise issues of dignity and compare it to third world workers escaping poverty. And throwing in a reference to a possible sexual element amongst seasonnaires had to be seen to be believed! Where do I sign up for that? 
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You know it makes sense.
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| Mike Pow wrote: |
Missus can't get away for the whole Winter |
Maybe nixmap can supply you with a new Missus from the dungeon?
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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You know winter's approaching when this thread appears - hope it works out for whoever takes it
As mentioned I'm sure there are NDAs in place, but I'm amazed nothing has surfaced in all the years this been running
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I really can't figure it out, is this for real or just a troll post  . Anyway, winter is at the doorstep when this thread appears.
Just a question, where is this chalet located and in which resort?
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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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@matejp, he doesn't normally like to say. I have feeling that it is Meiringen or somewhere near there but I'm not going to trawl through his posts to confirm.
@Nixmap feel free to correct
Were my situation different (children/mortgage/job etc) I would be pretty tempted it it was for example in Verbier, but not in Meiringen
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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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| mountainaddict wrote: |
| compare it to third world workers escaping poverty. |
You totally missed the point!
My Indian colleagues were not “escaping poverty”! They had a nice living back in India. They’re only being “exploited” due to visa restrictions and their wish to work in the US!
My point is, unequal exchange exist all over the economy! I once stepped in to look after my firm’s accounting software and got to see what the head trader of my firm makes. He makes in a month what I make in a year! But he couldn’t have done his business without some of the software I developed. Except I was already making a rather nice living. It’s hard to get angry about my position of being the exploited.  But others might get upset knowing that information and feeling of unjust.
It all depends on the perspective of the individual involved. (My Indian colleague’s situation was not all that different from a ski bum wishing to ski in Switzerland, mind you)
@nixmap’s position is clearly a bartering exchange. The value of the exchange need not be equal. It’s the tone of his post that got people irritated as he made it sound like he’s doing his housekeeper a favor. In reality, he’s simply offering a position and pay in material instead of a salary.
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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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| Quote: |
@boarder2020, you talk about “mutual beneficial”. But reading @nixmap’s post, it’s clear it’s far from “mutual”. He’s doing a “favor” for those who work for him.
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Honestly have no idea how you read it that way.
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we want you to have as much free time to ski in the week and help us make the most of our free time on the weekend by helping out with household chores.
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Seems pretty mutually beneficial to me! Of course he is going to highlight the benefits of the "job", I don't really know what else you can expect.
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As mentioned I'm sure there are NDAs in place, but I'm amazed nothing has surfaced in all the years this been running
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Struggle to believe there are any NDAs. If I'd done it I likely wouldn't say anything on here as not worth the hassle of people trying to tell you that you were exploited or jokes about dungeons Probably just normal people that like their privacy, and aren't interested in doing some kind of "tell all" about nix who I believe probably ends up on friendly terms with them.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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There are never any reviews as he murders his 'volunteers' at the end of each season. They've been so worn out there's nothing to return to report back to us anyway. He makes this very clear here:
| nixmap wrote: |
| This is not a job! we want help you enjoy the season as much we do |
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| boarder2020 wrote: |
| Quote: |
@boarder2020, you talk about “mutual beneficial”. But reading @nixmap’s post, it’s clear it’s far from “mutual”. He’s doing a “favor” for those who work for him.
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Honestly have no idea how you read it that way. |
Clearly you don’t read it the same way. As I said, different perspective from different individuals with different circumstance.
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| Quote: |
As mentioned I'm sure there are NDAs in place, but I'm amazed nothing has surfaced in all the years this been running
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Struggle to believe there are any NDAs. If I'd done it I likely wouldn't say anything on here as not worth the hassle of people trying to tell you that you were exploited or jokes about dungeons Probably just normal people that like their privacy, and aren't interested in doing some kind of "tell all" about nix who I believe probably ends up on friendly terms with them. |
That, I totally agree. I don’t write about everything I do on social media either, not even when it’s skiing related. Plenty of people live their lives away from the spot light of social media.
Typically, things surface on social media when situation don’t go as expected and the party couldn’t reached an agreement. But nixmap can fix that by altering his side of the bartering setup to keep it from happening. I seem to recall he didn’t offer lift pass in his first year offer, but now it’s included. Compared to the first time this was offered years ago, my impression is the terms are significantly more favorable now.
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@nixmap,
Try posting on ski.com.au - plenty of Australians looking to do a season in the Alps.
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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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| Quote: |
| You totally missed the point! |
| Quote: |
| But he’s “happy” to have the opportunity, because it’s a lot better than what his situation back home |
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| My Indian colleagues were not “escaping poverty”! They had a nice living back in India. |
The second two points above appear to be contradictory, but I get your drift. So, in summary, the situation became even better than the nice life they were already living in India. It was easy to conclude from your first post (with no mention of a nice life) that things weren't great in India.
OK, so I perhaps should have written 'improving his life' as opposed to 'escaping poverty.' A bad assumption on my part.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I've posted this on earlier versions of this thread, but just want to point out that what this guy is doing is illegal under Swiss law.
He would be deemed, by almost any measure you could think of, to be employing this chalet assistant, and as such would need a proper work/residence permit and be responsible for social security, accident insurance and a raft of other things.
The worker would equally be breaking the law by working here - you guys get a 90-day visa exemption here like in the EU but absolutely are not allowed to work without a proper permit. Even if they're from the EU who can automatically get a permit they need to go through the process of obtaining it.
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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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@Chaletbeauroc, what can you do. It takes two to tango, both the offerer and offeree are breaking the law if the offeree is not entitled to work.
But he’s not excluding entitled workers to the job. You don’t know if he rejects those not entitled.
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Hence the secrecy. He has over the years repeatedly given the impression that he is a scofflaw in this regard. Perhaps this is bluster and ultimately things are done within the law, as I thought anyone of his means would potentially have more to lose in legal hassles than the cost. But maybe he likes the thrill or considers his own interpretation of barter to be fine.
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You know it makes sense.
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| ster wrote: |
@Chaletbeauroc, what can you do. It takes two to tango, both the offerer and offeree are breaking the law if the offeree is not entitled to work.
But he’s not excluding entitled workers to the job. You don’t know if he rejects those not entitled. |
It's not just about who may be entitled to a residence/work permit, but the question of whether he's registering them as employees and fulfilling all his, and their, legal responsibilities.
He's consistently failed to address these questions when asked on here, so I think it's fair to make an assumption that he is not in fact doing so. If he were then he would be happy to say so, I'm sure.
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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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The guy that found "keraboss super k" is clever.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Chaletbeauroc, spot on. If the guy is not prepared to answer questions on the legality of what he's doing, I don't think he should be permitted to solicit for staff on this site.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@KSH, why? Isnt that between him and the respondent?
I can’t see anywhere him encouraging people to break the law in his posts.
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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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| Dave of the Marmottes wrote: |
| or considers his own interpretation of barter to be fine. |
Depends on the penalty if caught.
The chance of being caught is quite small. So if it's just a pesky fine that isn't going to bankrupt him, it's perhaps a risk he's willing to take. But if the risk is jail or deportation, then the "small" chance of getting caught may not be worth it after all.
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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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| ster wrote: |
@KSH, why? Isnt that between him and the respondent?
I can’t see anywhere him encouraging people to break the law in his posts. |
+1 this.
He (and apologies if they are not a he..) is actively seeking people to message privately and engage in conversation as to the specifics of the role.
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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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@ster, he isn't even acknowledging what Swiss law is.If he isn't behind the scenes ensuring full compliance then he is at least inducing others into breaking the law.
Some might suspect you get a better pool of candidates by being above board but maybe that's not his intent.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@ster,
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Isnt that between him and the respondent?
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No, not on a public site. I think it potentially brings the reputation of snowHeads into disrepute.
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Oh pish and tish to most of you. If "my mate" has a chalet that I can stay in exchange for a bunch of chores and helping out then why not? This is only one step removed from that. Personally I'd jump at the chance if I could, (Mrs G doesn't ski and works fulltime am we're probably far too old).
Good luck to you nixmap, I hope it all works out for you. Sounds like a golden opportunity for some lucky couple.
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| KSH wrote: |
@ster,
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Isnt that between him and the respondent?
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No, not on a public site. I think it potentially brings the reputation of snowHeads into disrepute. |
Er, have you seen the other threads. Personal name calling and posts that could be interpreted as threats of physical violence to politicians and even a reigning monarch.
I reckon this is tame stuff.
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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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@ster, two (or more) wrongs don't make a right!
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| Quote: |
Oh pish and tish to most of you. If "my mate" has a chalet that I can stay in exchange for a bunch of chores and helping out then why not? This is only one step removed from that.
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Exactly. Who really cares. Literal victimless crime among consenting adults who all come out happy. Perhaps some jealousy I suspect the same people would happily pay in cash for a lower price to rent a chalet and have no qualms about the owner not paying tax.
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FAQ
