What Can You Do?

Many UK office workers are lured away each year - who wouldn’t want to swap the daily commute for a job in the mountains, with free food and accommodation, and of course the chance to go boarding or skiing each day! There are many office based jobs available in resort ranging from customer service, to marketing or even operations. Your role could include answering the telephone, sorting out staff rotas or updating the website. You'll need good computer literacy skills, but if you don’t fancy working in a hospitality role, this could be the ideal job for you.

Find out more about working as an administrator, or working as a hotel receptionist.

Probably the most popular job in resort and also the one that attracts the most applications. The job will involve some late nights but does allow lots of time to get on the hill, while everyone else is working. Some bar roles will have a prerequisite for a fluency in French or German (depending on the resort) as you will be serving locals as well as tourists. However there are bar roles that are in English speaking hotels or tourist bars, where a second language isn't essential. Obviously previous expereince of working in a busy bar is usually essential, and a knowledge of cocktails may also come in handy.

In this role you can be expected to prepare anything from 10-30 covers a day which can involve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and a 3 course evening meal (sometimes a kids meal as well). You will also be in charge of running the kitchen from budgets, menu planning and managing kitchen staff. The role and level of cooking will vary from chalet to chalet so make sure you match your ability to their needs. The difference between working as a Chalet Chef rather than a chef in a hotel or restaurant is you will have direct contact with guests, you may even be expected to sit down and have dinner with them. So you will need to be a team player and a people person - no hiding away in the kitchen with this ski job. For information read our articles on Chalet Chef training in Ireland, a day in the life of a Chalet Chef, or find out what it's like working as a Chalet Chef.

This chalet job involves two people (partners or friends) living and working closely alongside each other dealing with the needs of the chalet guests. You will share the responsibilities, but will each have a different role to play. Traditionally a Chalet Couple is made up of a host and a chef (one of you cooking, the other cleaning), but there are other combinations available, such as maintenance and host or driver and chef. Bear in mind you will be living and working together 24 hours a day, so it's important that you can get on with each other, but on the upside you will be at least guaranteed a job in the same resort as them.

Find out more about a day in the life of a chalet couple, and working as a chalet couple.

Cooking and cleaning for guests you could work in a small chalet for 6 guests or a chalet hotel with hundreds of guests. You would be responsible for keeping the chalet clean and tidy, cooking breakfast, baking an afternoon tea cake and preparing and serving a three or four course evening meal. Any previous cooking experience or an honest passion for food would make this position easier.

Find out about training as a chalet host, working as a chalet host and a day in the life of a chalet host.

There are lots of different chef positions in resort from Commis Chef - responsible for basic food prep to Head Chef - responsible for the overall running of the kitchen, planning and costing the menu, ordering stock and managing the kitchen staff. Positions are available in many bars, hotels and restaurants, some will require previous catering experience or qualifications.

There are loads of ski jobs in resorts for qualified and unqualified childcare staff. Positions are available for nannies, au pairs, children’s reps and childcare assistants. You will be taking care of young children (few months – 12 years old) while their parents are out enjoying the snow, and in some cases taking the children skiing yourself. Roles are available with private chalet companies, tour operators, hotels and also specialist agencies. Remember for this role you will need to be CRB checked and may need a First Aid certificate.

Find out more about a day in the life of a Snow Angel nanny, working as a nanny and activity ideas for nannies.

There are a number of different driving jobs that you can apply for in resort airport transfer drivers, coach and mini bus drivers, PSV drivers, chauffeurs and delivery drivers. The basic skill set are the same for all roles ie 21+ of age, clean driving licence, certain roles require a special license, confidence in driving in resorts in winter conditions, great people and time management skills. One of the benefits of this role, is if you plan your day right, you will get plenty of time on the slopes. If on the other hand you are looking for a season of full on partying, this won't be the job for you.

Find out more about working as a transfer driver.

Again hotels can vary in size and style but the main responsibilities of this position will include: staff management, dealing with guest questions, requests and complaints, coordinating laundry, cleaning and deliveries and generally being responsible for the property, guests and staff. This is a very varied role with a good level of responsibility, it's also a great way to gain valuable hands on experience for a career in the travel and hospitality industries.

Find out more about working as a hotel manager.

This is one of the most popular entry level jobs as it does not need any formal qualifications or experience, just a can do attitude. As a housekeeper you may be working in a large chalet, but more likely in a hotel. Your primary responsibility is to keep everything in a clean presentable manner at all times for its guests, and will include lots of unglamorous tasks including cleaning toilets and making beds, but the work isn't taxing and you will get plenty of time on the slopes.

Working as a Kitchen Porter you will generally be based in a hotel or restaurant, although some large chalets and bars also recruit them. The role is also sometime advertised as a kitchen hand/assistant or plongeur, and involves washing up and basic kitchen prep. In general you are responsible for making sure that the kitchen and the equipment are clean and tidy. This is an ideal job for someone who does not have any experience and is at the start of their snow career. Although there are plenty of these jobs available, they tend to be in great demand, so make sure you apply early.

Find out more about working as a kitchen assistant.

If you’re a qualified beauty or massage therapist, you can make a good living in resort. Most roles will be on a self employed basis, and you will be expected to have your own transport and equipment, but on the upside, you will be able to set your own hours, so there is no limit to how much you can earn. Some companies will provide you with accommodation as part of the package, but it’s not uncommon for you to sort out your own housing for the season.

Find out more about a day in the life of a Massage Me therapist.

Sometimes advertised as Handyperson or Maintenance Person. The role generally includes maintaining and fixing things around the chalet or hotel. One day it could be a blocked toilet, the next a broken door handle. You could be a qualified plumber, electrician or simply a jack-of-all-trades, but you’ll also need the right attitude to get stuck in. The role may require you to have a clean driving licence as you could be expected to help out with driving duties when required.

Find out more about working as maintenance staff.

You will have overall responsibility for the resort as a whole, if any of the staff or guests has a major problem they will come to you. You will also be responsible for a weekly or monthly report regarding staff, budgets, customer feedback etc. This is an incredibly varied position- one minute you might be negotiating a deal with a wine supplier the next you could be meeting with a property owner to discuss a leaking roof. Previous management experience is pretty much essential, a knowledge of the local language is a real advantage and a confident can do attitude goes a long way!

Find out what it's like working as a resort manger, and how to become a resort manager.

If you're looking for a customer service role that will provide lots of face to face interaction, this is the position for you. You will be providing hands on customer service and sales to guests, being on hand to meet them at the airport, accompany them on the coach to resort and arrange their après ski activities from booking restaurant tables to coordinating the pub crawl. You will also sell lift passes, ski school and equipment hire. Some roles have a sales target with the opportunity to earn a bonus if you hit them. Previous sales experience is advantageous for this position.

Find out more about a day in the life of a resort rep, what it's like to work as a ski rep and how to succeed as a peak season ski rep.

One of the most competitive roles to get because of the amount of time you will have on the slopes. This position is also advertised as ski rep and ski guide. You do not need any professional ski or boarding qualification for this job. However you will need to be a good skier or boarder, have knowledge of the resorts and immediate area you will be working in and have excellent communication and leadership skills. The job involves acting as hosts to visitors, VIP guests showing them the best ski slopes, entertainment and restaurants while they are in resort.

Find out more about working as a ski host.

This is one of the most popular ski jobs to have in resort around the world, but one of the most competitive to get. Where you can work will depend on your qualification, but a lot of instructors prefer to work outside of Europe in Canada, USA, New Zealand and even Japan. In general working as a ski instructor involves teaching groups (adults/children) or individuals how to ski, or advising them on improving their technique. Whether you teach complete beginners or novices will depend on the level of your qualification.

Find out more about a day in the life of a ski instructor and what it's like working as a ski instructor. If you aren't an already qualified instructor, find out about ski instructor internships.

If you have retail experience or enjoy working with your hands, then maybe you would be interested in a working as ski and snowboard technician. As a technician you would be responsible for servicing and repairing skis and boards, as well advising customers on the right equipment for them and helping with fittings.

Find out more about training as a ski and snowbord technician.

This job involves coaching groups and individuals on how to snowboard. You will need to plan and deliver lessons according to needs of the guests you will be teaching. Depending on your level of qualification, you could be working with complete beginners or more experienced snowboarders. There are snowboarding jobs available throughout the globe and where you can work will depend on your boarding qualification.

Read Peter Ree's article to find out how to become a snowboard instructor, Tom Arnold's article on a day in the life of a snowboard instructor, and Leigh Mocock's article on working as a snowboard instructor, or Paul Beard's article on snowboard internships.