Resort jobs tips and advice

I think this definitely proves the point that working for a couple of seasons for someone else to get a good insight into the catered chalet industry is essential.

We wondered whether we could do just the one season and then get stuck into our own business but can 100% see the benefits of more than one season.

Just hope that we will get a chalet couple job for the season we want it considering we have never worked a ski season before!!

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Hi Amy,
I don't know anything about the finances of catered ski chalets, but I do know quite a lot about self-catering cottages in the U.K.

We have been running our smaller one (2 bedrooms for 4 people) for 14 years and our larger one (4 bedrooms for 6 people) for 2 years. What surprised me was that it's harder to get bookings for the more expensive larger one than the smaller one, presumably because most British families don't consist of more than 4 people, and if we get 6 people it's usually 2 families.

Of course my situation is a bit different because our guests are booking the whole cottage, not one bedroom. However, I have a feeling that it might be harder to fill a larger chalet, judging by the discounts available if one books an entire chalet.

With the smaller one our bookings gradually increased year by year from around 16 weeks to about 34 weeks - but I think the average for our area is only about 22 weeks. For the year that's just finished we had 26 weeks on the larger one, but as I said we've only been doing it for 2 years (and they were both new businesses).

For the capital invested we definitely make more money on the smaller one. For one thing, I have to employ someone to help me clean the larger one and pay to get the ironing done. And then I have all the worry of what happens if my helper doesn't turn up because they're ill or whatever. Whereas with the smaller one I can clean it all myself, and I've never missed a day cleaning in 14 years however ill I've been.

I am sure getting reliable cleaners in the Alps or wherever is just as much a problem as it is here in the U.K. I find other people are never as careful as I am myself.

So, I suppose if I was thinking about running a catered ski chalet I'd get one small enough so that my husband and I could manage it ourselves. I reckon chasing staff to make sure they do a good job is more exhausting than doing it oneself. But then maybe it's me - and I'm just not very good at managing staff :D

I'm quite sure that the larger the chalet the more stress would be involved, even though you'd potentially make more money. And these days people expect very high standards - like en-suite, airport transfers, free wine with the meal, heated boot rooms, jacuzzis etc. We are continually having to upgrade our cottages - like putting in broadband, heated towel rails, top quality bedding etc.

I know teaching is very stressful, so I understand where you're coming from. I only lasted one term of a PGCE course many years ago before I dissolved into tears because of the stress and gave up. And I've been self-employed ever since.

Ally

Amy,
Another idea :D
Are you skiing this year? If not already organised how about finding an independently run chalet in the country/area you are most drawn to and as well as enjoying your passion for skiing sensitively pick the brains of the owners to see what they do and how they set up etc.? Oh and what the summer is like and .... the list is endless.
Wonder if this could help you with your own ideas?
and ....
It could help you feel like you are moving your plans forward. Don't forget it is never too early to start looking for a job for next season if this is the route you decide to take.

Ally, due to the costs in setting up a new chalet business your first year maybe just the husband & wife team Which is extremely hard work, and if you are tired you may not be so attentive to your customers, it is a real balance.
A cash flow forecast is very important when setting up a new business, the first couple of years can be very tuff, but once your rooms fill and you have put your own personality into the business success should follow ...... but one thing to remember when buying a chalet is location, location, location.

I too am a Teacher and looked into this a few years ago. There are Chalets that you can rent(thats what most TO's do) so you could look down that avenue before selling up and buying. Natives is a good resource. What put me off was I really don't like cleaning very much and probably would rather teach 9 Set 4 than clean someone elses toilet!! The other issue is that whilst you get time off out of season when you watch the programmes not many get time to do much skiing which for me would defeat the object. Another of our J2 posters (also a Teacher) got a job for the season as a Nursery Manager. In the resort we visit there is another chap who just does B&B at a flat rate of £100 per night per room in his chalet and lets Guests use his kitchen/living facilities in the evening. That sounds like the sort of compromise I could live with. )

I agree with Mr W - Location is key. Also take into consideration how easy it is for clients to arrange flights and transfers to and from Chalet

On size of chalet, when we looked ast it many years ago, we felt that you probasbly want 6 en suite rooms that take 12 adults, but could squeeze a couple of younger kids in.

Any less and you wouldn't make money, any more and it is too much of a slog and you can't sell yourselves very well.

Most operators rent their chalet though a few also own some or all. Silver Ski certainly used to own some and rent some, and one tiny chalet company I worked for own both theirs.

If based in one of the msin chalet resorts there are usually plenty of people happy to help out on change over day. There are also now loads of licenced private transfer companies so you don't need to go to the airport yourselves.

Being organized is the key to having a great time. First season chalet staff tend not to be very organized and get little skiing in. by our 5th season we had it well sussed so that one powder day we were out the door at 9am having cooked breakfast, cooked the cake, prepped dinner and cleaned the bedrooms etc. We were rarely in the chalet post 10 am in any event, and didn't need to return before 6 - 6.30 pm.

Again to keep things easy, being slopeside or short walk from the first lift saves having to offer minibus services, but you'll pay more for the property though can charge a premium.

I also don't thing that you need to have a really tight food / drink budget. If charging an average of say £400 pp (no travel) then will someone really be put off if your charge is £415 with the extra £15 being spent on making their stay more special? We used to take champagne and canapes to the airport as a welcome for the guests and provide at least one bottle of port per weeek, plus all toiletries.

Sites like Merinet.com will give details of many independent chalet operators, many of whom don't offer travel as part of the package, and they are successful companies who have traded for many seasons (eg Ski Cuisine)

While having a browse I came across this company.
They have a list of jobs available, might be worth having a look to see what's around

http://www.mrooms.co.uk/docs/staff.htm