[rufus_da_bear]

unfortunately, there is only a month long period in which i could go with my friends, and i really want to do both.

Do companys take money from you at the beggining of the season? i was thinking of ringing up a few places and asking if they would take someone who would work less time but could definately do it and wouldnt drop out r something

[C_B_C]

Great thread!

Well, a mate and I are planing on going to France for the winter to work as chalet hosts if possible... how necesary is it to know the language? I can speak a little... like defend myself, but I'll never be able to hold a conversation.

Also, I can cook, but not like cook-level... I can cook myself or mates simple meals (pasta, chips, hamburgers, sausages, etc...)... saying that my speciality is toast sums it all up... would I be obliged to cook what the guests ask me to cook?

Cheers

[uno]

(Original post by rufus_da_bear)
is it possible to just do a ski season from december - febuary/early march? some of my friends have suddenly decided to change there plans and i cant go intterrailing with them unless i leave the season early...

Or shall i just leave? say iv had a family disaster?

This is exactly what i want to do too!! really wanna do a ski season but finnishing in april or whenever is too long if I wanna travel aswell....
Apparently my friend read somewhere that it is possible but I havnt seen anything about it on any of the company websites. Could try ringing or emailing some of them to ask..!?
Let me no if u find out anything!

[rufus_da_bear]

(Original post by Gracie89)
This is exactly what i want to do too!! really wanna do a ski season but finnishing in april or whenever is too long if I wanna travel aswell....
Apparently my friend read somewhere that it is possible but I havnt seen anything about it on any of the company websites. Could try ringing or emailing some of them to ask..!?
Let me no if u find out anything!

ill post here if i find anything, but i was gonna ring up alsorts of places this april and ask them, because i want a firm place aswell i dont want to risk anything by hoping someone will drop out or whatever... im not gonna ring now because this seasons still happening...

im going skiing with my family as a holiday next week aswell, i cant wait!

[Rian1988]

(Original post by C_B_C)
Great thread!

Well, a mate and I are planing on going to France for the winter to work as chalet hosts if possible... how necesary is it to know the language? I can speak a little... like defend myself, but I'll never be able to hold a conversation.

Also, I can cook, but not like cook-level... I can cook myself or mates simple meals (pasta, chips, hamburgers, sausages, etc...)... saying that my speciality is toast sums it all up... would I be obliged to cook what the guests ask me to cook?

Cheers

Yeh I want to be a chalet host too, I don't know if 18 will be old enough though for that job? And yes you need to cook, you are given a budget and everything must be fresh, NO BEANS ON TOAST!!

[C_B_C]

(Original post by Rian1988)
Yeh I want to be a chalet host too, I don't know if 18 will be old enough though for that job? And yes you need to cook, you are given a budget and everything must be fresh, NO BEANS ON TOAST!!

Well, we've got to give it a go!!

It's actually all the selection process I have no idea about... Interviews, and stuff... never mind, I'll do some more research when I get time.

[Shooting_Star]

woo, lots of people wanting to do a season!! i do also. I'm thinking of doing bar work, although it is harder to get these kind of jobs. But I can't actually cook so no chance I could be a chalet host/cook!

Where is everyone thinking of doing their season?

[C_B_C]

(Original post by Shooting_Star)
woo, lots of people wanting to do a season!! i do also. I'm thinking of doing bar work, although it is harder to get these kind of jobs. But I can't actually cook so no chance I could be a chalet host/cook!

Where is everyone thinking of doing their season?

France, no doubt... The Alps!

Ummm, get your mother or a friend or somthing to teach you to cook the basic meals... it's not hard at all. No need to know how to do posh food, just need to know how to make normal meals (and I'm praying that all my guests will want beans on toast).

[GlitteryFairy]

To be a chalet host that does the cooking for guests for almost everywhere, you need to be able to cook to dinner party standard whether you can do that already or take a course to get you up to that standard. I'm looking to be a chalet assistant because i can't cook but like the whole hosting side of it. Also chalet host job varies, some places with that job title require to work alongside a chef with doing the 'hosting' duties and them doing most of the cooking but some other places put one chalet host who pretty much has to do everything.

[Shooting_Star]

(Original post by C_B_C)
France, no doubt... The Alps!

Me too Thinking Val D'Isere as I have friends doing a season there just now, or possible Val Thorens, Alpes D'Huez or Les deux Alpes, Just because I have been to those resorts before and loved them! To be honest though I will go wherever they will have me! haha!

Hmmm Chalet Assistant sounds interesting... I might actually learn how to cook, those jobs do sound better, and cooking is a useful skill to have!

[BiscuitFuelled]

There won't be many places that are prepared to take you on from December to February/March, as it's a pain in the arse to find someone for that last little stint - if you tell them you can stay the length, and then leave early, they will not be happy, so I wouldn't recommend that course of action.

You can usually either do the full season, or peak times, such as Christmas and Easter - anything else is just a hassle for employers.

[C_B_C]

(Original post by GlitteryFairy)
Also chalet host job varies, some places with that job title require to work alongside a chef

This would be the ideal one for me... The guy I'm going on the gap year with is a great chef; he's done a few courses, and he now works in a hotel restaurant.

The problem we have is that what should we do if we have to wait till november to get a ski resort job?

I guess we could get a job here... and we'll still have time after the season to do some volunteering...

[GlitteryFairy]

Yeah you can apply like as a couple... I know for sure that Scott Dunn has chalet hosts like this, there are quite a few places but I can't think of them... ummm Skiworld you can apply as a chalet couple. I dunno but there are loads... look on natives

[Couldxbe]

Hey

I'm thinking of doing a ski season. When is the best time to start looking for positions? It's just I want something for definite before I ask my firm and insurance to defer.

I'd have to work as a glass collector or something because I'll be 18 and I cannot cook! Any companies specialise in Italy? I've been to Tonale twice and I absolutely adore it, much more than Austria/ France. But then again, I'm not too fussy where i go!

[BiscuitFuelled]

Virtually all the big tour operators will have hotels in Italy - only some will use their staff in the bars, but you can only try. Be aware it's not always possible to get to go where you want, as the TOs are running a business, not a holiday company - you usually get to put a preference that they will try to meet, but just be aware it's not a certainty.

Start looking in the late Summer, when jobs start to appear - everything good will be gone by mid-Autumn, so don't leave it too late!

[kittyh8su]

im at uni at the moment at falmouth i wanna go away in 2008 summer time..too scared to go on my own tho

[rufus_da_bear]

(Original post by Shooting_Star)
Me too Thinking Val D'Isere as I have friends doing a season there just now, or possible Val Thorens, Alpes D'Huez or Les deux Alpes, Just because I have been to those resorts before and loved them! To be honest though I will go wherever they will have me! haha!

Hmmm Chalet Assistant sounds interesting... I might actually learn how to cook, those jobs do sound better, and cooking is a useful skill to have!

I was just in les deux alps! some great off piesting (sp?)

[BiscuitFuelled]

(Original post by kittyh8su)
im at uni at the moment at falmouth i wanna go away in 2008 summer time..too scared to go on my own tho

For a ski season? That means you'll be looking at Southern Hemisphere resorts, such as those in New Zealand or Australia - both of which will require a visa to work there.

[Shooting_Star]

(Original post by rufus_da_bear)
I was just in les deux alps! some great off piesting (sp?)

Aw wow, I was there last year. It was awesome! I don't usually go off piste but some of my mates do and they loved it! Also has great nightlife... did you go to the Yeti? I loved that place!

[Default Human]

Does anyone know the best place to go around this time of year? Ideally I would be leaving fairly soon (2 weeks) and I would want somewhere with a good nightlife. I'd like to spend around 1-2 months, but other than that I would go pretty much anywhere in the world where I could meet other English-speaking people.