 Poster: A snowHead
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I've got my heart set on a ski season this upcoming winter as it's my gap year and so I'm trying to get all of this youthful flights of fancy out of my system. Originally I'd set myself up for somewhere in France as that appears to be where the vast majority of British TOs (and thus seasonnaires) are based.
However I've now begun looking at the Swiss resorts as I speak basic German in addition to my French and thought it would be useful to use this season as an excuse to build up my proficiency in both languages. Aside from that, as a keen photographer I am very excited by the prospect of seeing the Matterhorn and some of the spectacular scenery around Verbier or Zermatt (my top choices).
At the minute, I am compiling a list of hotels and bars to which I will apply. However, I've been searching these forums and those over at Natives for wisdom on the Swiss resorts and there appears to be a school of thought that Verbier isn't appropriate for beginners and that it may be too 'uninteresting' to keep someone's attention for an entire season.
Part of my interest in going to Switzerland is that my brother lives in Zurich and it is a nation with which I am already (albeit to a limited extent) familiar with. I didn't know whether my brother residing within a 4-hour drive of the resorts would quell any employer's concerns regarding homesickness - am I thinking too outside-the-box here?
What resort would people recommend for a working season?
Any other tips for applying for jobs in Swiss resorts? They don't appear as forthcoming as their French counterparts!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Astraeus, I think you may have left it a bit late for this season with tour ops, but they're better placed over on Natives to confirm that for you.
At the moment it can be very hard to get jobs in ski resorts - with so many city types taking career breaks there are lots of applicants.
Personally I think Verbier would be fantastic for a season! But it would maybe depend on your level - if you're a beginner or intermediate and don't ski off piste, then perhaps less so. I wouldn't narrow your search to specific resorts however - apply absolutely everywhere, then make your decision when you get offers.
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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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Astraeus, If you are applying directly to hotels and bars, you will need to read up on getting a short term Work Permit. If you find a job over here with a UK holiday company that places you in Switzerland, they will deal with the Permits. Don't be tempted to start work without the right paperwork.
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Verbier would be brilliant for a season if you could get a job there (not perhaps the best place for a beginner on a weeks holiday learning to ski but for the whole season would be as good as anywhere else). Natives should be good for the general 'how to get a ski job' advice with regards to timing/method etc but sometimes you might not have a choice where you go with a big Tour Operator
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Definitely not too late for this season. It all goes quiet for August but a lot of ads will reappear when we hit September. However ... the jobs market is tough. If you have a skill or experience to offer great. If not you may struggle.
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Natives is the site to ask all those questions.
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Not too late for the TO`s but do it NOW NOW NOW.Not many will let you pick where you go but Skiworld do.Research only Swiss companies and apply for them NOW.
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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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At the risk of being hounded, what kind of work are you looking for, and whats your work life balance outlook.
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Sorry to be rude but I completely forgot about this thread in my hunt for jobs!
I applied to about six TOs and got rejections from all of them save Mark Warner who placed me on a shortlist and told me to contact them in 4 weeks. I did, and received nothing back.
nixmap, ideally I'd be looking at driving work or bar work but I'm so keen to get out there that I'll take just about anything. I'm a sucker for work (work full-time in England just to keep me busy!) so a couple of days off a week for skiing would suit me fine. If I was driving, would appreciate another day or two off. I'll be learning to ski whilst I'm out there so enough time to get me some lessons would be ideal!
I've been on Natives and they're helpful but, even with their help, there doesn't seem to be anything forthcoming.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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 got my heart set on a ski season this upcoming winter as it's my gap year
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Stop applying for driving jobs (assuming by 'gap year' you mean you've just left school) - slim chance you'll get one under 21 or more likely 25 (insurance etc). Bar work likewise - it's popular so it tends to go to returners and older staff.
I'd do the rounds of TOs again and apply for KP, hotel staff, chalet assistant, other such dogsbody roles. If your French is decent there are pages of seasonal jobs on www.pole-emploi.fr and upcoming job fairs in Albertville and Chamonix. Natives also runs a job fair in London, probably this weekend (usually coincides with the ski show).
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| Lizzard wrote: |
| Quote: |
I've got my heart set on a ski season this upcoming winter as it's my gap year
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Stop applying for driving jobs (assuming by 'gap year' you mean you've just left school) - slim chance you'll get one under 21 or more likely 25 (insurance etc). Bar work likewise - it's popular so it tends to go to returners and older staff.
I'd do the rounds of TOs again and apply for KP, hotel staff, chalet assistant, other such dogsbody roles. If your French is decent there are pages of seasonal jobs on www.pole-emploi.fr and upcoming job fairs in Albertville and Chamonix. Natives also runs a job fair in London, probably this weekend (usually coincides with the ski show). |
Thank you, some helpful advice. I'll check out the website but I'm not able to attend the Natives job fair owing to work commitments. With hotel experience, I suppose I'm in decent standing...
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FAQ
Sure it's not THE best resort for beginners but presumably one of the points of doing a season is that you're looking to improve rapidly? there's always somthing harder,steeper,narrower to aspire to.......
