When people think about doing a winter season everyone always automatically thinks about being a Chalet Host or a ski instructor. What most people don’t realise is that there are a wide range of jobs available when doing a winter season. Not just a chalet host or instructor.
So if you’re not a great cook or a pro skier or snowboarder don’t worry there are plenty of other options for you, so you can still live out your dream of living and working in the mountains this winter season.
What is a winter season you may ask?
If you want to know all of the ins and outs about working a winter season or how to work a summer season or just what seasonal work is all together. Read our article here to get started. We give you all of the information and our tried and tested tips and tricks on how to secure your first seasonal work placement. Just like we did!
The top winter season vacancy websites:
The Top 5 winter season jobs - you didn't even know existed!
1. Bar staff and Waitressing
Okay this might seem obvious but also not so obvious. That crappy Saturday job you’ve worked waiting tables, well what about if I told you, you can do that … in THE MOUNTAINS!
Ski resorts are always looking for bar and restaurant staff. From mixologists to chefs to waitresses and KP’s and even glass collectors. If you didn’t already know majority of winter seasonal work comes with accommodation provided, even for bar/restaurant staff. Working in a bar or restaurant normally means shift work. So, you have plenty of time to ski or snowboard in the day then work in the evenings. Working in a bar or restaurant in a ski resort is so fun, getting to meet so many great people and be in the bustling nightlife all the time. All whilst earning money! It’s a win win! Tips are also normally really great in ski resorts too.
2. Housekeeping
This is one of my favourite jobs to do whilst working a season.
Housekeeping to some people may not sound too appealing. Sometimes being a cleaner can be looked down upon – which is really not cool. I love being a housekeeper and have worked seasons solemnly just doing cleaning/housekeeping.
What I love about it is; once you know the job it becomes like clockwork. You go in, stick your headphones on get the job done and then you’re free to go up the mountain. Normally by 11am! Except for changeover days, they can be quite full on and long but only tend to happen once or twice a week. This role normally means that you have evenings off too, which is great for socialising. The pay is also normally great depending on the resort and that often includes accommodation too. The work is hard and labouring so may not be for everyone. It’s not the best role to earn tips if you’re looking for extra cash on top of your basic pay.
3. Company Resort Rep
There are loads of brands and companies that have shops and stores in ski resorts.
Working as a rep for a company you will be selling products, advertising events, tickets or add ons to guest’s holidays. It’s more of a holiday care representative role and is a really hands on customer facing job.
Being a company rep would be great for a confident outgoing individual. Someone loves to chat with people and is motivated to manage their own workload and meet targets and KPIs. This job is good because each day can be different, and you’ll be working with likeminded people. You can also get sales bonuses or end of season bonuses too. I loved being a holiday rep and would do it again.
4. Nanny
If you’re great with kids, then this job is honestly a no brainer.
Nannying is one of the best jobs whilst doing a winter season. If you have experience with kids why not transfer those skills and do it in the mountains!
Being a nanny usually means working for a nanny agency. Guests normally hire a nanny to look after little ones during the day when they go off skiing. They will hire a nanny to help with the looking after, feeding, changing and childminding of the children. Often you get to stay over or spend a lot of time in amazing chalets, go out for paid meals with families and play in the snow or ski in the day with the children. It’s such a rewarding role with potential of lots of added benefits and bonuses. It is hard work with early days and potential late nights but if you love kids then it’s worth it.
The pay is normally really good and it’s known that nannies get the best tips in resort.
5. Driver and Maintenance
This is a highly in demand job. A lot of companies put maintenance and driver positions in the same role.
Being a driver normally means doing everything related to driving (no sh*t), from airport transfers to slope drop offs/pick-ups, delivering and collecting linen, food, wine etc. for the chalets.
It also goes hand in hand with maintenance. So, if you’re a good handyman (or woman) this jobs for you. Maintenance normally means fixing things that get broken and maintaining hot tubs to name a few things. The job is different every day and involves a lot of organisation but often you’re left to plan your own workload and work solo.
There are other job roles available working a winter season. Like ski and snowboard boot hire/fitter, retail shop assistants, lifties, DJs, the list goes on. Anything that you can think of you can probably do in a ski resort. I even knew a guy who did winter season looking after a goat farm! If you’re thinking of doing a season just do it. It will be the best experience you’ve ever had just trust me on this, just go or it.
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