Chalet host: whats it like being a chalet host? any advice?
Started by G93 in France 31-Mar-2010 - 8 Replies
G93 posted Mar-2010
I'm thinking about doing a season after I finish college, and being a chalet host seems to be the best job to go for. Can anyone who's done the job before tell me what its like - is it easy to meet people? do you get much skiing in? Also what age are most of the people that do it?
Ive heard its really hard work! but thats fine as long as its fun aswell lol.
Any info and advice would be great - thanks! :)
Pertyb2
reply to 'Chalet host: whats it like being a chalet host? any advice?' posted Apr-2010
Be aware-to do the job properly, isn't for the faint hearted-ypu will be utterly knackered. My day (for 4 days of my week)-up at 7.20, into chalet to prep breakfast and serve 7.30, off with guests skiing 9-4.30, break for 2.5 hours, 7pm help with supper, 9.30 finish. Changeover day-up at 5.30, see guests off, clean, prep cake/ dinner till 12/12.30ish, Shower and put on best smiles. New guests arrive 1.30/2pm-settle them in for about an hour. Get a couple of beers in till 5/6pm, cook dinner, finish about 9.30. One other day- breakfast, clean cook till staff meeting at noon. Afternoon free and then prep dinner. One day off. Even my younger colleagues were not ones for endless partying-and they had time for a middday kip if they wanted it!
As a ski guide-best bit is skiing all day, but you can't decide not to go out, unlike my colleagues who could chill all day after 11am till dinner prep time at 5.30 ish if they fancied it.
Worst bits-no privacy, sharing a room. Crap "pay". And in my case, virtually no free time at all save my day off when I used to just go off on my own to get some headspace.
Best bits...the skiing........
it's important to check
- what the perks of the job are-make sure you get a lift pass, kit and insurance thrown in (I have heard recently some operators are not even doing lift passes now), if you are working in a large ski area-do you get the whole area lift pass, or just a local one. I was lucky to get a whole 3V lift pass for the season.
-will they tell you where you are to be employed before you go-you may want to have an idea whether you will be somewhere with lots of nightlife or not;
-can you use company vehicles to get about on your day off?
-do you want to work alone (chalet of 8-10 guests) or with others?
-some chalet hosts live in, some live out. How far away is the live out option? What will the accommodation be like?
Hope that helps!
Liberace
reply to 'Chalet host: whats it like being a chalet host? any advice?' posted May-2010
Trencher
reply to 'Chalet host: whats it like being a chalet host? any advice?' posted May-2010
NellyPS
reply to 'Chalet host: whats it like being a chalet host? any advice?' posted May-2010
It is hard work and the mid season blues can stretch your patience, but I wouldn't change anything about my years in resort.
Equity Total Ski employ a number of people for various jobs from running your own chalet to working in a hotel with lots of other people, where there's also bar work, nannying etc.
Good luck with the hunt!
NellyPS
reply to 'Chalet host: whats it like being a chalet host? any advice?' posted May-2010
I knew of plenty of people of all ages doing what they love, age really is just a number when it comes to skiing and working in a resort.
You will have a blast!
TheoBane
reply to 'Chalet host: whats it like being a chalet host? any advice?' posted May-2010
Calvahead
reply to 'Chalet host: whats it like being a chalet host? any advice?' posted May-2010
Have fun :D
Topic last updated on 18-May-2010 at 21:28