[Noodlzzz]

I'm going to do a season in Australia. That way I can still go to uni the same year as I leave as their season is our summer. Ooooh yeah

[noisla]

Could anyone give me any advice on trying to do a ski season as a career break? I've read this is common. I was thinking of applying for work either admin/accountant (I'm qualified CA) or bar work (I've been doing extra part-time bar work for years). I speak conversational German - Austria would be my goal.

Could anyone offer advice on:
- how likely I'd be to get a job as an older person (I'm 29)
- whether I'd be surrounded by only 18-21 year olds and fit in less
- whether accountancy or bar work would be my best bet (for liklihood of getting a job in the first place, and time on the slopes once there)

Thanks a lot

[wilko1991]

(Original post by noisla)
Could anyone give me any advice on trying to do a ski season as a career break? I've read this is common. I was thinking of applying for work either admin/accountant (I'm qualified CA) or bar work (I've been doing extra part-time bar work for years). I speak conversational German - Austria would be my goal.

Could anyone offer advice on:
- how likely I'd be to get a job as an older person (I'm 29)
- whether I'd be surrounded by only 18-21 year olds and fit in less
- whether accountancy or bar work would be my best bet (for liklihood of getting a job in the first place, and time on the slopes once there)

Thanks a lot

Natives is your best bet for info etc.

Anyway just returned from a ski season with mark warner. There were 20 folk and there were only about a third of us who were 21 or under. The rest were all around mid 20s. Anyway everyone was like one big group and we all went out together. Didn't matter how old or young you were.

No idea how likely you would to be to get a job in those fields but if you are a quilfied accountant I think there is a fairly good chance. Our accountant wasn't chartered so you should be able to become a accountant. She also, I think, could often work whatever hours she wanted to as long as she got everything done(this may be because we had a really relaxed manager though). You don't have to worry about time on the slopes, you will be there all season and will get plenty anyway.

Anyway do it cause I had the time of my life while I was in Italy.

[Clearvision]

Accounts assistant here? http://www.mrooms.co.uk/docs/staff.htm#accas

Try contacting the big companies directly Skiworld/Inghams/Neilson/Ski Beat/TUI etc

And natives.co.uk i the place for all this sort of info.

[joeyss]

I'm sorry if this has already been discussed, but do you have to go out for the full 6 months or can you go out for say a month or two and still get a job from these English companies?

[BiscuitFuelled]

It's harder, but they do tend to take on temp staff at peak times of the season around school holidays.

[Laus77]

Hi there,
I've just been offered a chalet host place with Scott Dunn for this winter, yay! Has anyone had an experience with this company? How did you find them?
Initially I only applied for a ski season as a back-up gap year incase my plans to go travelling (SE Asia, Australasia, S. America) with friends from uni in February fell through, but now I'm in a really difficult position! I can't decide whether to forego the travelling to do the season or vice versa. I guess my question is, if anyone has done both, which did you prefer? I'm worried that a ski season will be extremely hard work in comparison to travelling, which I would save for before I went. Do many people who meet doing a season decide to go travelling together afterwards?
Any opinions would be much appreciated!

[wooooah]

Scott Dunn are probably one of the better companies to work for Not worked for them myself but I've heard good things about them. Plenty of people start their gap yahs with a season so you might meet some travel buddies. I wouldn't bet on having the same travel plans though.
It depends on your definition of hard work however.

[BUNAC]

Hi all,

Natives is definitely a great place to start looking for ski season jobs. Just to clear up the issue of visas - BUNAC currently run a Work Australia, Work New Zealand and Work Canada programme.

For Work Australia or Work New Zealand, you must be aged between 18 and 30 and have a UK or Irish passport (BUNAC have an additional one-year visa for 18-35 year olds for New Zealand). The programme includes help with banking and tax, as well as airport transfers, arrival accommodation and socials. But most importantly our Auckland, Sydney and Melbourne offices provide you with unlimited job hunting resources and support for the whole time you’re there.

BUNAC's Work Canada programme works on a similar basis. Our non-student programme is currently full so we only have limited spaces available on our student programme which is open to anyone within 12 months of graduation. Again, this prorgamme gives you a flexible one year visa with support with finding work and accommodation in Canada.
One final tip- if you are interested in spending a ski season in Canada, the best time to head out there is in October as this is when most of the recruitment fairs are held for ski season jobs.

For more info on BUNAC's programmes, give us a call to discuss your travel options at 020-7251-0662 or visit www.bunac.org.uk
Thanks

[thisisme2008]

Does anyone know anything about EA (Educating Adventures) Ski and Snowboard courses/internships?? Thanks.

[Heroesorghosts]

Does anyone know of a company/experience similar to Ski le Gap for Australia or New Zealand? I'd planned to do the Ski le Gap ultimate experience in the upcoming winter, however a few things have come up which mean I'm no longer free to do it Would still love to do something similar during the summer though i.e. their winter, and was wondering if there are similar courses? Thanks!

[Bluemoon17]

Just started applying for jobs on what would be my first ski season. Wish me luck

[SoRich92]

I'm 18 and in my gap year, I've been offered a job with Neilson as a Chalet Host, has anyone had any expereince with them? The wage is £355/month, what's this like compared to other companies?

[BiscuitFuelled]

Wages are usually much of a muchness really - what does your employment package include other than the wage?

[chocobloc]

to be a chalet host, is having a food hygiene certificate a must? I have one from 2006 but i know they last for 3 years i think! should I resit for another?

[SoRich92]

I already have a hygiene certificate, but anyone who doesn't have one has to do one during the training in November, that's with Neilson, I don't know the other companies policies on it

[BUNAC]

Good news, we have received some extra places for the 2010 Work Canada Programme for both students and non-students. www.bunac.org.uk/workcanada

You need to apply and then return your Open Work Authorisation form by 30th September 2010 (don't worry, if you book by Monday, you still have time!).
You will need to enter Canada before 31st January 2011
Places are very limited and will be filled on a first come basis.

If you have any questions, please give us a call on 020-7251-0662

[hardy_4_paws]

(Original post by Heroesorghosts)
Does anyone know of a company/experience similar to Ski le Gap for Australia or New Zealand? I'd planned to do the Ski le Gap ultimate experience in the upcoming winter, however a few things have come up which mean I'm no longer free to do it Would still love to do something similar during the summer though i.e. their winter, and was wondering if there are similar courses? Thanks!

One of my friends went on a Peak Leaders course in New Zealand and had an amazing time! I think a company called nonstopski do it as well - good luck! I'm going to go to Canada with SnowSkool so excited!

[Scouting for Girls]

Probably been asked before but some good ski resorts for gap yah/students where they'll be quite alot of us?

[TommyB1]

Has anyone been to Val d'Isere. Im looking just to have a good time, me and my friends have never been skiing before so we heard this was the party capital and think its the best bet if we dont take to skiing easily

Were looking to go in the next year or the one after and been planning this for a while. Can anyone recommend a good palce to stay at Val d'Isere, how long we should stay for and how much it will roughly cost. I wont need to work the season so I need to know what to get before hand such as ski pass ect...

Thanks In Advance.