 Poster: A snowHead
|
Brilliant! Congratulations! Big envy here from me for you having the wotnots to do this. I'm sure you'll never regret it.
Carpe Diem, you're a long time dead etc etc etc
Lots of good advice here from those who have far better knowledge than me.
I'd just say that, particularly in a resort/mountain areas various types of work seem to find those who are best suited to them. As stated previous, take your time, just hang out and you'll gain lots of knowledge (of the locals as well as just "stuff") enabling you to sort out the bullsh*t offers from the ones of substance that you really want.
With military experience and several lives behind you, you'll have way,way more to offer than those out for a Gap year drinkathon. Already you're a lot more qualified than you may think.
Keep us sHs in touch with your progress, eh? So we can all be inspired...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
leedsunited, good luck, brother. Whatever you decide to do it's good to start with the language skills so if you were BAOR I would guess German is the starting point. If you decide to go down the instructing route there's a discussion elsewhere on the site about the changing requirements. You may get a partial 'bye' on your existing qualification but I would check asap. You could check the list of people who advertise chalet web-links on here and see if any of them are in need. There are a few with multiple chalets that might need a roving 'jack of all trades'. Given your background you may want to check out all the big ski manufactuers and see what their PR and marketing departments are doing by way of 'on slope' marketing or otherwise this year. They sometimes need bodies to go around demo-ing skis/kit and getting the brand out there (or other jobs e.g. the Burton gig above).
However it falls, best of luck to you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Good luck with it all and I'm sure you'll find your niche somewhere snowy. Would love to hear how you get on in resort.....and I'm sure many of us will read it with envy!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
You're from Leeds. Claim you were interfered with by Savile & make a fortune on the Jeremy Kyle circuit - could be an interesting spin on the Dave Peltzer/ Andy McNab cross-over book market too. You could easy write your tragedy/triumph memoir from a chalet somewhere.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
fatbob, Now then, now then!
leedsunited - good luck with it, brave move but i'm sure it'll work out for you. Here's a suggestion.............how about leasing a restaurant unit fr the season and taking 2-3 Asian guys out from Leeds/ Bradford area (low cost, high quality chefs etc) and opening a curry house chain (Mumtaz, Akhbars, Aagrah style) in resort somewhere, start with one and get one more each season? Serious - by Tuesday/ Wednesday I'm desperate for a chicken mushroom balti, never seen a decent one in any ski resort I've ever been to, my mates always say he same - you'd clean up. There was once one 10-15 years ago up near Les Laissenants in Val D'Isere, a van load of Bangladeshis from Bradford opened it......... I think the locals ganged up and ran them out of town, but done properly in 3V/ Val etc where its very British it'd work IMO, also plenty time for skiing during the day, and do some coaching whilst the guys go shopping and sleep off their hangovers  
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Wed 24-10-12 13:07; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
leedsunited, Huge congratulations!! I'm so happy for you. Having just spent the best part of the last four years in front of a computer, ruining my back, I'm about to return for 'one more season' myself. Counting down the days 
Re advice..others have said very useful things above. I would just add a few things..
On resort choice: what people want from a holiday resort and from a season tend to be different things. If you're not instructing, (ie reppingcooking/bar/driving) you'll likely be heading up the mountain a good hour or two after the ski school crush. Since the really busy peak weeks will be the exception rather than the rule when you're there for 20 weeks, I'd recommend including bigger resorts in your shortlist than you might for a week's holiday. You want enough terrain to keep things interesting!
Equally, bigger resorts = bigger pool of workers. This is usually a good thing, provided there is a decent range of ages amongst them. Always nice to share your season with people who have had all sorts of backgrounds, not just 18 years olds on gap year (not to be disparaging - many of them are lovely people and great workers, but it's nice to mix it up). Places that spring to mind as not just full of whipper snappers are Chamonix, Zermatt, Verbier, Engelberg, Morzine, St Anton, Berner Oberland...
On jobs... it sounds like you are ideally suited to so many resort jobs! Resort experience is really, reeeally not a requirement at the entry level (e.g. reps) If you fancy holding a clipboard and smiling a lot, problem solving etc, go for it! With your experience, I would imagine a tour operator would place you in a responsible rep role (e.g. in a single-rep resort, where you are effectively the resort manager, but the guest turnover is manageable on your own)
Alternatively, many TOs look for transfer reps in resort - people who are available to help out just on transfer day with escort guests to the airport and back. The pay is relatively good (at least it was 4 years ago) and it leaves you open to freelance elsewhere for the rest of the week. If you have a resort in mind, why not contact the TO or resort manager and offer your services?
Whatever job you get, if your employer is giving you insurance, check the fine print and make sure you're covered off piste and for heli rescue (both on and off piste). Some workers get stung on this one.
Oh, one more thing, bring a few four-into-one (UK) extension socket thingies and a bag of fun-size cadbury's crunchies. Very helpful currency 
Best of luck!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PS that is, check you're covered for off piste WITHOUT a paid guide.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OK 2 things - Firstly good luck with your endeavours and as someone who thinks of doing this ALL THE TIME please keep everyone updated.
Secondly you are obviously a Dirty Leeds fan are you sure you're not just on the run from the police after ruining Holy Hillsborough???
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
fordy11, That scrote was from Cheltenham!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Markymark29, My great ski business dream - curry house & combined Prncess Diana/Royal theme pub for Canadian & US resorts. Proper curry house for Euro resorts favoured by Brits. The Queen of Hearts will also run nightly Kareoke as we know the Japanese ski tourism market is big & contemplate franchise expansion to Niseko, Hirafu etc. So who is in with me?
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
fatbob, Markymark29, +1. How about combining it with a Sandwich Shop for the packed lunch trade, providing pocket sized cucumber sandwiches or cheese and pickle doorsteps to munch on the ride up on the super express chairlift? Brits abroad need never complain about the local onion flavoured dishwater they call soup ever again. Pocket sized portions enable snowsports fans to ride all day without being accosted in the Self_Serve Highway Robbery excuse for a lunchtime restaurant serving overpriced damp pizza.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| fatbob wrote: |
| So who is in with me? |
I am! Meribel or Val d'Isere to start?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| fatbob wrote: |
| Markymark29, My great ski business dream - curry house & combined Prncess Diana/Royal theme pub for Canadian & US resorts. Proper curry house for Euro resorts favoured by Brits. The Queen of Hearts will also run nightly Kareoke as we know the Japanese ski tourism market is big & contemplate franchise expansion to Niseko, Hirafu etc. So who is in with me? |
Already a curry house in Niseko. And a couple of curry vans (takeaways).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
WayneC, better still, pick up your "Tignes Tandoori Tiffin Box" from the top of the lift.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| fatbob wrote: |
| Markymark29, My great ski business dream - curry house & combined Prncess Diana/Royal theme pub for Canadian & US resorts. Proper curry house for Euro resorts favoured by Brits. The Queen of Hearts will also run nightly Kareoke as we know the Japanese ski tourism market is big & contemplate franchise expansion to Niseko, Hirafu etc. So who is in with me? |
I always though a proper British pub type thing, serving real sunday roasts/steak pies/etc, would go down really well with seasonnaires...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
leedsunited, good luck... Let us know how it goes and what you decide.
I always fancied it after watching the Sky(?) change jobs / country / life programme where they showed a small bar at the top of a nursery slope in Austria. I think a snowhead was on another episode with B&B or a chalet. I’ll try to find it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Again to all of you many thanks for some great advice, a plan is coming together so will give all an update soon but it looks like it could be starting in Austria with the Army Ski Team in Neustift!!
fatbob, Last time i met Jimmy i was 8 and he gave me a fix it badge for milking a cow blindfolded!!!!
clarky999 A proper kebab house i think would go down a storm in any resort!!!
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Thu 25-10-12 2:05; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Markymark29, A pint of Black Sheep for those at the Baaaaa 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
AlexT, Great advice and many thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark Warner ski-hosting would be fun. They've used quite a few hosts in your situation and they tend to do well. As well as attracting envious glances from guests.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
leedsunited, I keep going back to Mayrhofen for the 'Special Kebab Sandwiches'.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| leedsunited wrote: |
fatbob, Last time i met Jimmy i was 8 and he gave me a fix it badge for milking a cow blindfolded!!!!
|
You were blindfolded. Are you sure it was a cow?
(Sorry, very poor taste  )
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| driz wrote: |
| Offtopic but Aussies probably there under the WHP Canada - Working Holiday visa, granted in 2 year blocks repeatedly between ages of 18 and 30. |
Sorry still off topic. Same works for Brits too but apply early as Daughter applied in june for Nov and told they ran out in May ! There are only a specific qty of them. Also it is my understanding that they are for 12mths and you are allowed 2 max - hence the 2 years.
Did the stop working thing but too many commitments to just drop everything and go other wise I would be out somewhere like a shot. Hope you find something.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
I wonder how leedsunited is faring.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Chasseur, maybe not allowed to tell us if he's on ops with the Army. Hope he's OK.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
