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The Ultimate Guide to Ski Season Jobs
So you fancy doing a ski season? How do you go about spending a winter in the mountains?
Working in a ski resort is a truly unique experience. One that many people compare to a long holiday. There is a huge stereotype around working in ski resorts about it being ‘just for one season”. When in reality, many of us say “I’m only going to do one season” and then somehow 10 years later they are still on that “season”. Whatever the reason was that you first decided to go on a ski season, there are plenty of regular work placements in snowy mountain villages.
I’d like to break the stigma that ski season work life is only for the instructors and teenage chalet hosts. There are stop-gap jobs, careers and lifestyles to suit everybody, so long as you actually like the snowy mountains that is of course. It is 100% possible to live an enriching sustainable life and income living in or near to a ski resort.
This guide explains the ski season jobs available in order to help you find the best one for you.
Jobs in this article:
A little bit about my job history:
I did my first ski season in 2016 in the large and popular ski village of Courchevel, in the Three Valley’s resort, France.
While many of my friends were months into their first post-grad job or working in a pub back home to save money for their travels, I was off to work in the French Alps. Alone. It was the best decision I ever made. It may not have any relation to my Psychology degree but I have no regrets. The season flew by and I was lucky enough to work for Scott Dunn, a company that at the time ran a summer Villa host program too! So I turned my love of winter chalet work into a summer of Villa hosting by the seas in Mallorca! Seasons don’t have to be a one-stop job. Many of them will take you places, whether you want to follow the snow or not! Click here to read more about my story.
I would encourage anyone and everyone to do a winter season, even if you’ve never skied before. You make life-long friends, learn new skills and get to spend five months surrounded by the mountains. Is that a dream life or what?!
Chalet Jobs
Chalet host (Europe)
The ultimate multi-tasker
This is quite possibly the most popular job role all over Europe, the role most people think of when we talk about working a ski season. I believe it is also possible to find similar roles in Canada and the US in their lodges. Since in New Zealand the ski resorts are short drives away from the town where people stay, the most popular accommodation types are hotels, apartments and Airbnb. So although it is possible to find a job helping people run their Air B&B business, this role isn’t as popular due to the lack of ‘chalets’ in New Zealand.
So what is a chalet host?
Chalet hosts are up at the break of dawn and are sometimes the last to finish work in the evening, but there is one huge pay-off. The middle of the day is yours to ski to your heart's content. Most hosts get between 3 and 5 hours of skiing per day. Hosts are also known in resorts for their keenness for après-ski drinks on their day off.
When it comes to the work, each company will have a slightly different set of requirements for their hosts. Some will ask that you cook/ prepare breakfast and dinner for the guests and prepare an afternoon cake for them to enjoy after their day skiing. Other companies hire chefs so that you don’t need to cook and instead you will be required to pay more attention to the cleanliness of the property and the individual needs of each guest (booking lunchtime restaurants, organising the driver lifts). Whichever company you work for, you will be the face of the company and the first port of call for anything your guests might need during their stay. By the end of the season you’ll be 'the hostess of the mostest' with napkin folds for every day of the week, the fastest bed maker, and you’ll feel like you’ve seen it all.
Great for: Organised, chatterboxes, with an eye for detail and are quick on their feet with solutions when dietaries or flight delays and extra guests are thrown into the mix.
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Chalet Manager/ Resort Manager(Europe)
Depending on the size of the company you work for, some companies will have members of staff who manage one of their properties as well as a resort manager who keeps the boat afloat. Either way, you are ultimately responsible for pretty much everything. From keeping the guests happy and eager to come back, to supporting the team, boosting morale and liaising with guests, suppliers and all of the other people who keep the company running at its best.
The role requires a decisive decision maker and a confident multi-talented communicator as there is always a problem to solve or a compromise to be reached. Chalet managers are usually given the task of chalet checks, accounts and budgets as well as some of the staffing logistics. These roles demand previous management experience as well as a strong ‘go-get em’ attitude.
Great for: Those who are looking for more responsibility and are less bothered about having time in the day to hit the slopes. Sadly managerial roles in resorts usually mean working during the day and being on-call during the evening too. They work the most hours and ski the least. It is why it was never an attractive career path for me. I NEEDED to SKI.
Chef
Whether you’re a fully qualified super experienced commercial chef or just handy and creative in the kitchen with the bare minimum certifications there are many work opportunities for chefs in ski resorts. It depends on the establishment but experience counts for a lot.
Ideally you want to be a chef in a chalet that doesn’t serve lunch giving you time off after breakfast until you need to start cooking dinner. . working in a chalet also means you’ll have a more personal working space, and the chance to connect with the guests that are eating your food.
If you enjoy the hosting side of things too, some chalet hosts roles are an all-in-one deal where you are tasked with cleaning, hosting and cooking for the guests (sometimes following a company meal plan to help things stay simpler).
In the right role, being a chef can be one of the best jobs in a ski resort.
Great for: Those who are great with food. Creative types. Organised, clean, flexible team players who are willing to work with others in the kitchen.
Driver
The logistical master.
In the larger ski resorts of the world, especially in Europe, there are many transfer companies that pick up holiday makers from the airport and drive them to their hotel or chalet. But, being a driver can be so much more than that too! Some chalet companies even have their own fleet of drivers for airport transfers as well as a driving service to pick up and drop off their guests to and from the ski lifts so that they don’t have to use the public bus or walk.
Whether you work as an in resort driver, or for a transfer company, it is a highly regarded job and usually involves much more than driving! Some chalet companies hire a couple of designated drivers for their guests who also need to have extra handy-man skills as their role doubles up as maintenance workers too. Need new light bulbs in the ceiling lights? Your driver is the person you call, have a leak in the kitchen sink? Call the driver and they'll help to fix the problem or they’ll find someone who can.
Therefore, when looking for driver jobs it's vital that you read the job description and requirements carefully. Some will require you to have more than just a clean drivers license.
Great for: Charismatic people who enjoy driving and don’t mind a bit of heavy lifting.
Chalet/ property maintenance
Some chalets and hotels will hire a small team of people who have experience and/or qualifications in a trade to help them fix things in the property(ies). So if you’re a plumber, electrician, or have general handyman experience, there are definitely companies that want you as part of their team in resort!
Great for: Jack of all trades. Strong and physically able. People who are willing to get their hands stuck in with anything and get the job done. The bob the builders of resort if you will.
Childcare
The baby whisperer
I have huge respect for the childcare workers in ski resorts. They see new children each week and they have to try to be friends with all of them, all while their parents are out having fun in the snow or the bars. Your shift is therefore often during the lift’s opening hours, which unfortunately means less ski time for you. In many companies the childcare staff have a different day off to the hosts too so it can be trickier to find fellow ski buddies (there are of course loads more nannies to make friends with around the resort though!).
Some may say that the nannies have the most fun. They go on hot chocolate trips, play dates, spend hours creating wonderful masterpieces and playing in the snow. Some even get creative in the kitchen!
This job requires some previous experience and qualifications (usually NNEB, CACHE, NVQ level 2/3 or equivalent).
Great for: Those who love to play in the snow. Still young at heart and skilled in the art of entertainment. It also requires the patience of a saint.
Ski season chalet companies
VIP SKI- They tend to hire post-university aged staff and operate in 10resorts across the Alps providing a VIP experience for all their guests.
Here are a few other luxury chalet companies that have come highly recommended:
Bramble Ski, Inghams, and Le Ski
If you’re 100% set on becoming a chalet host. Check out Silver Swan recruitment. They recruit for both the popular larger companies as well as the private chalet family companies that will have smaller teams and likely require you to take on more responsibility.
Other resort jobs
Waiting staff/ Bartender
The Party Animal
Working in a bar all season is a great way to meet the locals and other seasonaires in a resort. You’ll be part of a close-knit social team who all share a love for a beer or two. It’s a sociable and fun job but it does come at the price of late-nights and drunk holiday makers. If you’re that eager person who wants to catch first lifts, it is possible but this might not be the right job for you. That said, these late nights also maximize your available slope time.
Bar and waiting jobs are at the lower end of the pay scale but they require no training or previous experience. If you work in the right bar tips can be good too! If you put the time in, team leader and management positions come up more frequently than you might think.
Restaurant/Bar jobs in ski resorts vary hugely in terms of company perks and employee packages. Some include accommodation, and maybe even a season lift pass but sometimes you have to organise this yourself. TOP TIP: Do you research into what the company provides you and what they’re willing to help you with too!
Great for: Outgoing people who love to party.
Cleaner
If you’re heading to a resort where you don’t speak the main language used in the resort, being a cleaner in a larger chalet, hotel or restaurant can be a great way to earn your lit pass and beers. The best cleaning jobs are for the higher end chalet/ hotel companies since the pay will reflect the higher standard of your cleaning skills required.
This job can be entry level but it does come with a significant downside of having less time on snow since most cleaners will work while the guests are out on the slopes.
Hotel receptionist
Ski resorts are full of great hotels who are always looking for workers each season. Working at a reception is only one of them. The role involves a lot of communication between guests, other employees and the booking system. As a person on reception you will be the first face that the hotel guests see so it is perfect for people who take pride in their appearance and are well mannered and clearly spoken. Ski resorts attract guests from all over the world, some of whom may not speak English meaning ability to speak a second and third language is a huge plus if not a requirement for some hotels (When working on reception in France most hotels will require you to be fluent in French.). Previous experience requirements will vary between hotels.
Great for: Multi-lingual, organised conversationalists who love to meet new people.
Ski technicians (they are the people who work in rental shops and service and repair your equipment for you).
As careers for skiers and snowboarders go, being a technician is pretty good. Everything from boot fitting to ski set up to gear servicing requires someone who knows their stuff. The best part? People want it early morning or late evening meaning you get plenty of time to ski everyday.
Every shop is different, but most have busy days at the weekend (transfer day for hotels and chalets where people leave and arrive in resort). Plus there are always ew skis and boards to test!
Rental shop workers/
If you don’t have the necessary training or experience to become a technician, working in a rental shop as part of the sales or retail team is a great place to start. There are usually a few companies to choose from in each resort.
Great for: Laid back ski aficionados.
Massage therapist, beauty therapist, physiotherapist.
A ski resort is the ideal place to get a massage or beauty therapist or physiotherapist. In what other environment are you surrounded by people who are doing six hours of hard physical exercise everyday? Snowsports is hard work and many people consider it a leisure activity and are ignorant of the physical toll it takes on our body. Therefore skiers and snowboarders pick up injuries and generally have plenty of aches and pains after a day on the slopes. Many Will turn to a professional for help to be able to get out and do it all again the following day.
Becoming a massage therapist revolves around a year of training. Once you’re qualified you have lots of options. Get a job at a spa, set yourself up in your own space or go mobile. Plus skiers don’t want a massage during the lift hours so you’ll have plenty of time to ski or board!
Great for: Those looking for a full-time position in their industry.
On snow jobs
Ski instructor
The Pro
Ski everyday, all day. Drawback? When you first start out you will more than likely spend the majority of your working hours on the bunny slope, getting super acquainted with the magic carpet. Reality hit: It’s not always fresh pow and clean lines. We are also on the snow teaching EVERY SINGLE DAY come blizzard or bluebird we will be there waiting for our students.
Great for: Those who can never say goodbye to the mountains.
Ski guide (certain resorts only).
Just like instructors, in order to become a ski guide, there are different qualifications required. The exact courses vary around the world. It is not a job you can simply train for in a season. It take years of training. You will also need to be able to ski or board to a very high level.
As a guide, you will climb, tour, and deal with glacial terrain gaining vast mountaineering skills and safety expertise.
This role is not an option in most French resorts but elsewhere it is easily one of the best careers for skiers and snowboarders, once you’re qualified that is.
Great for: Excellent skiers and those who have many years of experience skiing in the same resort.
The true pro
Of course the ultimate way to have a life on the slopes is to find someone to pay you to do it. Thousands of hours of training, an impressive media campaign and a few competitions later, you might just be able to get sponsored. You can also make money by placing well in competitions.
It is the job that most skiers and snowboarders dream of, but it is a reality for some lucky/ talented people. Whether you’re on the competition circuit or a brand ambassador, just imagine waking up everyday knowing that hitting the slopes is your day job.
The downside to turning pro? The longevity. It is not a life-long career. Funding and sponsors can come and go and injuries end many careers before they get to the top.
It’s still the top dream job in a ski resort but perhaps as a lifelong solution to a life on the slopes, you’ll need a plan b/ retirement plan.
Lift operator
“Lifties'' are the face of the field operations team by dealing with thousands of customers riding the lifts every day. The lefties who enjoy their time the most on the mountain have a great sense of humor and are not afraid to have a bit of “banter” with the customers. Many consider the role relaxed, simple and incredibly advantageous. Lifties get many opportunities to take laps during their shift and they work very closely with the ski instructors of the mountain (especially in New Zealand and in the smaller ski fields around the world). This means it is a great job if you’re looking to learn how to ski or snowboard or to improve your technique.
In New Zealand, the ski fields are managed by the ski school meaning discounted lessons and social groups form among lifities and snow sport instructors. Some ski fields require you to be a competent skier or snowboarder in order to move from lift to lift, whereas others will employ beginner riders to work on the bottom lifts. As your riding improves you will have more opportunities to lift operate elsewhere.
Great for: social banterous types who can keep their cool when the sh*** hits the fan. As they are very much the faces of the mountain, lefties have to be strong communicators who enjoy putting a smile on other peoples faces! It can be an entry level position great for those who want to take their skiing or snowboarding to the next level.
Snowmakers
Are you thinking what I’m thinking? You can get paid to make snow? How do they make snow? What do snowmakers actually do? Well, it’s a tough yet rewarding job. They look after all of the snow-guns working closely with the groomers. Being physically fit and having the ability to work in a cold and harsh environment is essential, especially as some shifts are during the night. Snowmaking is a good ‘in’ for those wanting to move into more skilled field operation roles.
Groomers
You know that gorgeous corduroy that you love so much? Well it’s our mates, the groomers who turn the lumpy bumpy heavily skied pistes into gorgeous sparkly smooth groomers.
Never seen a groomer at work? That’s because they work their magic once everyone has left the slopes. It is an independent position that involves operating large machinery. This job isn’t the easiest to get, it requires significant training and experience operating similar machinery.
Great for: Night owls. Independent souls. People who are happy to operate large machinery.
Ski patrol
Not many people realise that ski patrol and mountain rescue are highly trained workers with vast amounts of experience. It requires excellent ski skills as well as resort knowledge and safety training at a similar level to the ski guides.
There are different levels of ski patrol roles. Avalanche control, performing rescues, and checking safety are not task of those new to the role. Yes the role does mean that you'll be on the snow, however this does not mean that you’ll be doing what you wish. You'll get to have fun fresh tracks on powder days but you’ll also help fit barriers and take injured people down the mountain.
Pay is good but the work is demanding and it can be stressful.
Overall, working as ski patrol is easily one of the best jobs on the mountain and there are lots of opportunities to up-skill, do more and earn more as you gain experience in the role.
Great for: People with previous medical and/or health and safety careers. The role also requires you to be able to keep your cool in stressful situations and be good at problem solving. Ski patrol members must also be great communicators as it is their job to work with other departments on the mountain to keep everyone safe.
Road Crew
In New Zealand you could work as part of the ski field road crew.
In New Zealand, these are the guys who drive the busses from the town center up to the base building. They are the team who make sure that the mountain access roads are safe for everyone to drive on. Road crew also have the all important parking attendants to make sure that everyone can fit in the carpark. Unless you’re a bus driver, you’ll need to be willing to spend many hours outside in all weather conditions. The hours are varied depending on the role but some roles definitely allow you to have a few hours of slope time and most mountains in NZ will also give you a warm uniform and lift pass as part of their company perks.
Great for: Those who are happy to spend many hours outside in the cold. This role also suits people who are flexible and willing to get stuck in with any job that needs to be done.
Park crew
If you’re a dedicated park rat and find yourself creating your own features on your snow holidays, perhaps you’ll enjoy being part of the all important park crew. The role is all about how to shape and maintain the park for the guests to enjoy safely.
It is not the best paid job on the mountain but you are out on the snow most of the time. Plus you’ll need to test the features before you can open them to the public of course! As far as ski and board careers go, this one is fun and gives you plenty of slope time.
Great for: Park rats and snow shaping enthusiasts.
Of course there is always the option of not working on your ski season...
Ski Bum
Ski bum must be a great way to spend your ski season if you're a money savvy socialite who is willing to slum it a little when it comes to accommodation or you're super lucky to have family or friends to stay with. Since you won't be filling your days with work, you'll be able to ski until your legs just can't take it anymore and you'll have all the time to make new friends at après ski and in the cocktails bars. To me it sounds like a season of luxury but be careful because done wrong and without the right preparation you could end up broke, on an early flight home or worse, with an injury in bed for the next 6 months. For more ski season money tips, food hacks, and general ski season life advice, subscribe to say tuned!
Will I have the same job all year round?
Not all jobs in ski resorts are limited to the winter months. It is totally possible to work for a company or freelance all year round. Many of the skills you acquire from your winter job will transfer nicely to a summer job too and as more ski resorts become popular summer destinations, more job roles are becoming available. For example, I have a few friends who work in Chalets in French ski resorts all year round catering to the skiers in winter and the hikers, climbers, paragliders, and downhill bikers in the summer!
How to get yourself a career in a ski resort
I order o put your best foot forward in getting one of the best jobs in a ski resort, i’s all about arming yourself with skills. These skills could come from academic education, gaining relevant experience, or learning a new language.
The thing most people get wrong is they don’t realize what skills they’ve gained from the education and experience they have. The best way to figure this out is to read the job description on a job search page for the roles you’ve done. Think about the specific tasks that you carried out and the crucial elements in the training for the role, these are the things your new employer will want to hear about.
If you’re stuck trying to decide which job would be best for you, write down your previous roles and write down the things that you loved about your time working in that role and go from there. It is also a great idea to consider your priorities when choosing a ski resort job. Think about the following questions.
Do I want to ski everyday?
Do I need an entry level position?
Do I want private/ my own accommodation or would I like to work as part of a team.
Is the salary an important factor?
Am I a social person?
Would I be happy to work evenings/late nights?
How skilled of a skier/ snowboarder am I?
So there you have it. These are just a few of the possible jobs you can find in a ski resort. Of course just like any town or village you will also find other non-ski related jobs that you may need qualifications or experience for such as electricians, plumbers, painters, decorators, photographers etc.
I would like to stress that if you would like to work in a ski resort, whatever your professional background, there is a job for you. That is the joy of working in a tourist resort as well as somewhere that people also live all year round.
Have you decided what job you’d like to do? Fancy working a ski season in New Zealand? There are about 24 ski fields in New Zealand hiring staff each year. See where the best ski fields are and what it is like to work on a New Zealand ski field. Check out these articles below!
I hope you found this guide to the different jobs in a ski resort useful. Are there any other careers for skiers and snowboarders I have missed? Let me know in the comments. If you’d like some personal guidance in finding a job in a ski resort, feel free to contact me via email or WhatsApp. I’m more than happy to schedule a zoom for us to chat about your options!
TheSkiNomad
Brilliant ! This should open doors.
Fantastic article eden. So much opportunity.