Thinking of doing a ski season?

WHY

The main reason people do a ski season is to spend 5 months in the beautiful mountains where they can ski most days. When a season lasts for up to 20 weeks, that is 20 years worth of skiing done in 1 winter instead of 20 consecutive 1-week ski holidays. You can get pretty good on the slopes with that amount of time on the hill! It is also a fantastic excuse to get away from the grey London and meet some like-minded people who will most likely stay friends forever.

For most though, on top of all of this, it is an alternative (and much better!) way to work in hospitality. A lot of the roles available each winter are hospitality-based positions working in catered chalets, hotels or bars. Why work in a grotty bar in Slough when you can work in a cool bar in Val d’Isere where the dancers and live musicians dance on the tables!

Silver Swan Recruitment tends to work mainly with the higher end companies and for positions within these 5* and often private chalets it is also a great opportunity for hospitality professionals – service staff and chefs alike – to meet some high profile guests who often have their own villas, yachts and private households. So doors tend to be opened and new adventures created once the season has ended.

HOW

You firstly need to do your research, both online and by talking to others. Then have a think about where you would like to spend your winter, which country and which resort and why? You then need to assess your level of experience with the level of company and decide which role you would be best suited to. Some vacancies available include:

• Chalet Host; requiring you to have a certain level of service experience and ideally some housekeeping experience.
• Chalet Chef; if you are catering experience then this may be for you
• Chalet Manager; perhaps if you are returning for a 2nd season you may think about stepping up in a management position
• Resort Manager; for this you would definitely need to have done a season before, have a strong management experience, have resort knowledge and ideally speak French
• Bar Staff; previous bar experience is essential and French skills would be an added bonus

Plus many more…..bear in mind that the more experience you have, the higher the level of company you can look at applying to. If you have worked as a waitress for a year during university, don’t waste your time applying to a role which requires 5 years minimum in a similar hospitality management position at a 5* establishment.

By using an agency such as Silver Swan Recruitment, we will be able to spend time with you to help you determine what is best for you and where. If you don’t have enough experience for our roles then we will point you in the right direction of more suitable companies.

WHEN

Now….! It is never too early. Granted not all the companies will have started their recruitment but they will certainly be accepting CV’s. By starting early you have the time to make each application tailored and thorough and you won’t feel rushed into accepting the first thing that comes along.

BEAR IN MIND…..What most people fail to realise is how hard a season can be – yes it is a lot of fun but it is also extremely hard and tiring. The hours are long, the guests can be demanding and the salary packages are often not great. Is it worth it though, YES of course!

WHAT NOW?

To see our current vacancies please visit Silver Swan Recruitment's website. We have vacancies across Europe & even Japan!

If there is nothing here that is suitable but you have a strong background in hospitality and/or catering then please send your CV anyway.

We hope you hear from you soon and wish you all a great season!