 Poster: A snowHead
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hey so I'm about to do my first season and have a few questions, I'm from the UK about to go out to 3 valleys - I've been to VT before with my family but I don't really know what I actually need for the whole season.
Does anyone have any recommendations of winter sports insurance? - I feel like I'm shooting in the dark and I know that the company I'm with don't provide this
Is there anything that you wish you had packed and forgot/didn't know to pack? I have a lot of ski equipment/gear anyways so it will probs be the things that are specific for living out there.
I think I'm going to wait to deal with the lift pass once I'm out there as the company provide money towards it (if you think this is a bad idea please stop me). I'm also waiting until I'm out there for the SIM card etc so I know the best coverage.
Any general tips please, I'm a bit nervous about it all lol.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Tue 14-10-25 17:31; edited 1 time in total
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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, 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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What job are you going to be doing?
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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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Insurance - read the small print, especially for exclusions for skiing off-piste (and make sure it specifies off-piste, NOT back country).
Lift pass - get the full 3 Valleys one. Find out if there is a discounted workers pass available, and what information/documentation you need to provide to get one.
Get around the bars and restaurants early to introduce yourself (in uniform if possible). Find out which do seasonnaire discounts and kick backs for recommendations.
Ditto hire shops and ski schools. Find if any schools do early season cheap/free lessons for seasonnaires, including transceiver training. Find if any shops do season long kit hire, if you need it.
More info about what role you have and when you arrive & depart resort would help. As would letting us know where in the 3Vs you'll be based.
Take a role of strong gaffa tape - repairs much torn kit!
Does your employment include laundry? If not, check out where the launderettes are.
How small is your accommodation & for how many? Consider this when considering how much kit to take - I'm betting space will be limited.
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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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as others have mentioned, it may be an idea to to let us know what role you are carrying out, and if it is with a T/O or bar/resto (no need to name your employer if you are not happy to)
also how you are getting out to the alps, coach/flying etc.
this way you may get more detailed advice from people who have done similar roles, ie working as a resort rep is completely different to working in a bar of a night time.
this may sound silly, but does your accommodation come with bedding?
it caught me out, and others in my company, in my first season 
was lucky as it was sorted out after a couple of days, after initially using the chalet bedding
with regards to lift pass, if your employer cannot get you a discounted rate, there are a couple of deals available at the moment where you sign up to certain organisations for a small 12euro fee, and then you can get discounted season passes (approx -30%).
might then still get a bonus contribution from your employer 
with this you can then also get a good rate on the season carre neige insurance, good to have on top of your seasonaire insurance, as in the worst case scenario of an accident on the slopes you will get taken off by the pisteurs without having to worry about payments
https://www.clubsportsmenuires.com/actualite/11143
sounds like you do not need ski kit, but still a good idea to find a friendly ski hire shop to get good rates, or even free servicing throughout the season
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Look into the possibility of buying a season lift pass - maybe cheaper if you buy in advance. But as others have said, without knowing what job you'll be doing, and what accommodation you'll have, it's hard to respond in any detail.
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Paracetamol/Ibuprofen and anything else a French pharmacy will leg you over for.
You can fix most things including basic first aid with duct tape, zipties and superglue. Though don't write kidnap kit on the baggy.
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| Quote: |
this may sound silly, but does your accommodation come with bedding?
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it doesn't sound silly at all - much French holiday rental accommodation comes without any bedding or linen included in the basic price. I've rented a nice apartment in a modern development next week - no linen/bedding included but as I'm travelling very light I'll take up the opportunity to rent some from the woman who does the cleaning.
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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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@hannahdavidson, re season lift pass. Do you know how much your employer will contribute, or will they buy a local area pass for you? I’m not sure if staff passes come at a discount to them, but if you have to get your own, check out this thread for joining “clubs” that get you a whopping 30% discount on a season pass if you joint and buy early. https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=166254&start=80.
I think there may be reduced rates for under 30s too.
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Take your favourite deodorant and any over the counter and prescription medicines you use
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@hannahdavidson, ask what the living arrangements are for staff and plan accordingly, for example are you in the chalet or remote. Do you have own room or sharing.
Son did a season last year and was in a shared room and had a fair old trek to get to and from work. Luckily he was prepared as his cousin worked for same company previously and had warned him on what to expect.
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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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That reminds me, Boris. A good pair of boots for walking through snow, with ankle support. Not Uggs!
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Getting out there - for our son we booked Swiss and bumped it up to Business Class as it wasn't much more. So he had extra baggage, skis are included and he could use the lounge so had eaten well before he set off.
Season Pass - those are quite cheap and can be even cheaper to purchase through a bona fide company.
Seasonaire discounts - it will depend on where you are going - there are usually discounts for that.
I'll try and check insurance.... I know we bumped it up a little... I think it was through https://www.ergotravelinsurance.co.uk/winter-sports-cover/ most was covered by the company but extra was paid for by us to bump it up a little.
Check your mobile - does it have Euro roaming included? Some companies can get a bit sniffy about that, especially for such a long time. We had an EE sim which was fine out there as it had EU roaming included and most calls and messages are data anyway, so make sure you get on wifi.
Accommodation - can be very basic and may be some way away from the place you are working at. He was a 5-10 minute walk from the chalet, but other companies were making seasonaires get a bus into resort...
Which resort, ah 3V - which area in the 3V? and what role? My son was a chef, so in charge of all of the cooking, ordering and cleaning of the kitchen area. There was a separate chalet host who looked after the rest of the chalet.
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You know it makes sense.
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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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| Origen wrote: |
| Quote: |
this may sound silly, but does your accommodation come with bedding?
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it doesn't sound silly at all - much French holiday rental accommodation comes without any bedding or linen included in the basic price. I've rented a nice apartment in a modern development next week - no linen/bedding included but as I'm travelling very light I'll take up the opportunity to rent some from the woman who does the cleaning. |
Happened to me recently, had booked an gite over in the Dordogne to attend a friend's 70th birthday party, sharing with two good friends who recently got married. Arrived there to find no bedding, clarified that it was in fact not included, managed to borrow some, but would have been very awkward if we hadn't had local friends as it was far too late to get anything sorted out that day and would have been quite expensive to buy stuff for three people just for three nights.
I've had guests here ask me if bedlinen is included, so perhaps I should have thought about it. Maybe I would had it been an airbnb, but it was booking.com, which somehow I expect to be a more professional setup. Live and learn.
And it certainly used to be, maybe still is?, the default in French ski resorts, with linen rental the norm, so you had to traipse down to the shop and pick up your stuff on arrival, strip it and take it back for a deposit at the end of the week to get your deposit back.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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First priority insurance, the rest you'll work out as and when, I went to Zermatt for 2 weeks in the 80's and ended staying 10 years, go figure......
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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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Any general tips please, I'm a bit nervous about it all lol.[/quote]
Yes. A general tip. Post back and thank people who bother to reply to your question
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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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@hannahdavidson,
As @rickboden, said!
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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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A drying rack, preferably heated.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| rickboden wrote: |
| Any general tips please, I'm a bit nervous about it all lol. |
Yes. A general tip. Post back and thank people who bother to reply to your question[/quote]
Sorry! I’m completely new to this whole website so just coming to terms with how everything works. I do appreciate all the help
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| Quote: |
so just coming to terms with how everything works
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It's a conversation. That's the thing!
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@hannahdavidson,
The more information you give us, the more we can help you. Plenty of us ex-seasonnaires on the site.
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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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Depending on how many devices you have, multi-socket extension lead (and/or multi-USB charger), as rooms in France often have very few wall sockets.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@hannahdavidson,
Will you be doing the cooking as a chalet host? If so, have you been told what you'll be expected to produce on Xmas Eve, Xmas Day, NYE and NY Day? It's an unfortunate part of the job that the two prime weeks come at the start of the season!
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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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Don't Panic
There are plenty of shops in France and some hypermarches in Moutiers. If you forget anything (I forgot my ski gloves once) you can always go to the shops and buy replacements. I think you might need a towel if you fancy washing during the first few days before you can get to the shops.
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I was a Chalet Host... lets say a few years ago. Things that were utterly essential - a good cook book. We got given one, but often had to improvise, and so having Don't Sweat the Aubergine by Nicholas Clee covered everything - though now you can probably google recipes! As long as you have data - O2 and Lebara have free roaming. I massively over invested in knives... but i still use them 20 years later. All you need is one good chef's knife - an overpriced Global Cooks Knife (wow they have doubled in price since i bought!), or a £30 Victorinox Chefs Knife will make prep in the kitchen a breeze. There will be knives in the kitchen.. but it might be random assortment of 30 year old junk!
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You know it makes sense.
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Take some fancy dress.
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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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| Kenzie wrote: |
@hannahdavidson,
Will you be doing the cooking as a chalet host? If so, have you been told what you'll be expected to produce on Xmas Eve, Xmas Day, NYE and NY Day? It's an unfortunate part of the job that the two prime weeks come at the start of the season! |
yeah i’ll be cooking - i did a course about a year ago in the alps and i cook once a week for my family - haven’t tackled a christmas dinner before but my dad likes to make a roast every sunday so i’m going to help him out which should help me prepare a bit hopefully
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Poster: A snowHead
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| artaxerxes wrote: |
| Don't Sweat the Aubergine by Nicholas Clee covered everything - though now you can probably google recipes! |
I’ll definitely look into the book! I checked with O2 they’ll start charging me after 3 months because i haven’t connected back to a UK network - but at that point i’ll buy something out there. totally didn’t think about the knives, i’ve got a scrub daddy sponge to bring with me if the pans get some hard crust that won’t come off with a normal one. i’ll have a look into the knives - thank you for your help!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@hannahdavidson, Do you design the menu or is it prescribed by your employer? I guess it is more likely to be the latter-in which case practise in advance. I did a season 20 (  ) years ago this winter, and the menus were down to the individual cooks, subject to a tiny budget.
There no doubt that first couple of weeks are stressful, but you will get into your stride.
How many people are you catering for?
Prepping in advance on the day is really important-so-peel spuds before breakfast for example. Your target is to produce great food, but also maxing out your ski time. if it's a 3 course menu, make sure at least one course is served cold (pud or starter). Remember that water boils at a lower temp an altitude (6 mins 30 secs for a soft boiled egg at 1800m for example).
Cakes-everyone does a yoghurt cake cos of issues with how cakes rise at altitude. I did brownies -no issues, flapjack, biscuits.
Ask your employer about the equipment in the chalet, it is often/usually a bit sh*t.
I heartily agree with good knives being a priority. I second the suggestion of a Victorinox chef's knife, plus their serrated tomato knife, and a speed peeler.
Make sure you have a range of veggie recipes and also gluten free recipes (my first 2 weeks included a coeliac guest-). if I was doing the job again, I'd batch cook things like veggie curries etc and freeze them in single portions.
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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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Boy did a season last year and with the exception of Xmas and NY was the same each week. By end of season he could do it in his sleep and had perfected the art of what steps could be missed with no notable difference
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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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Hannah, You are going down the insurance route - good, but take an EHIC card. Years ago Moutiers/Albertville hospitals had a basic inpatient rate of several hundred €€€ a night. With a GHIC (as it was) this came down to €50 including theatre time, xrays, the lot.
Also, if you will be driving (your own or a company vehicle) remember that the Gendarmes go in for random breath tests.
Have a very good, fun winter!
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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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Have a fabulous time. Advice;:
1. Read every word of your insurance. If you don’t understand it ask for help. You don’t want to be injured and uninsured. If you are already a good scare and will Ski off piste then make sure your insurance covers that especially.
2. Unless you already know that your menu is prescribed for you learn how to cook diots au vin blanc. Sausages in white wine, Which is a classic French dish and incredibly simple to prepare even for many people. Poulet Sauté Chasseur = Hunter’s Chicken is another dead simple recipe that never fails to delight.
3. Make sure you’re absolutely clear what your employer provides with regards to lift pass and ski equipment and also servicing of soda equipment during the season. Ensure that you get a full 3 valleys all season lift pass.
4. Don’t get worn out by going crazy in the first three weeks you have a lot of time to enjoy yourself and whilst the guests are having the time of their lives up until New Year week your season really starts in Full in early January once the crazies are back at work
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Being a good scare is important around Halloween.
Question the service of your soda equipment. Easier just to buy pop rather than fizz your own.
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Take fewer socks than you think youll need and just do more washing. In fact take less ski kit as you will just rewear it and, honestly, get used to some of it getting a little bit smelly between washes.
You actually need more clothes for going out.
Take some of your favourite snacks as theyre often hard to get hold of in resort and or excruciatingly expensive. Although I think a Lidl has opened or is opening down the valley.
If you can, save up and take as much money with you as possible as you will likely only be paid enough to pay for nights out when theres much more you can buy/do and you dont not want to be able to afford it.
Take a few adapters and keep them hidden. There are never enough.
Condoms.
Youll be very surprised about just how little you can live with. Priority is work out the best seasonnaire bars and get acquainted with when the big gigs are at which bar and follow these each week. If in Courch then Funky Fox and the Ski Lodge in LT are both great bases.
Tape was. Great suggestion. Will be useful for the inevitable fancy dress parties
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As @Ryunis, says, adaptors. I always had several 13 amp 4-way power strips. I'd cut the UK plug off and put on an earthed French plug. If you are not 100% confident of doing this safely, ask your maintenance man to do the cut and replug. If you can find a power strip with USB ports as well, better still!
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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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I'm just preparing supper for close family tonight. One doesn't eat any sort of cheese, one is temporarily entirely off any sort of meat and is paranoid about "germs". I did some prep (made ice cream) last night, just done some more. Will pop out to get cumin, which seems to have disappeared. Was thinking, as I peeled potatoes, that these days it can take me all day to prepare a moderately complicated meal and for a big Christmas or New Year dinner for a chalet full of people it would take me two days. I think it must be my age - and being retired. On the principle that "work expands to take the time allotted" and I have a lot of free time!
Taking on cooking for a chalet, when you don't have much experience, is something young people do.
It'll be a fantastic experience and you'll learn loads! Just don't expect to be out skiing much in the first few weeks.
I've been a chalet guest lots of times - in a range of chalets from quite low budget to really quite good but booked at the last minute (Le Ski). In all cases the chalet staff coped well, or better, sometimes with really crap facilities. In one, the power would keep going off in the busy after ski hours when everyone was taking hot showers and using hair dryers. The chicken was clearly undercooked when it came to the table. The cook whipped it all away back into the (stupidly small) oven, served the starter and plyed us with free wine. My 15 year old son, unnoticed by us as he was sitting down the table with another family with an exceedingly pretty daughter, got slaughtered. Couldn't look red wine in the face (or get it into his face) again for 10 years.
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| Quote: |
I always had several 13 amp 4-way power strips. I'd cut the UK plug off and put on an earthed French plug
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or save with the faff and just stick with the uk plug and plug into an adaptor, you can then use the extension lead when back in the uk.
i was a chalet maintenance man, and even i didn't bother doing that
even better nowadays where you can get extension leads with a combination of 13a outlets and USB ports
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FAQ
. So sorry everyone! I’m looking into all the insurance companies everyone has suggested and I’m going to be a chalet host 