Chalet Host Q&A - Claire
My Story: My cousin and her husband own a Chalet in Chapelle d'Abondance and I have holidayed with them for the previous three winters. I have always loved skiing and last year I returned home from that holiday feeling very envious that they spent all season in the mountains, skiing every day if desired. I am in a position that my two sons are grown up and married, I am now single, and therefore said to myself: 'Just do it! But how? I have bills to pay! I need to get a job!' I didn't know if it was possible at my age, but here I am!
Before The Ski Season Begins
How many seasons have you worked?
This season (2024/25) has been my first.
What did you do before you started seasonal work?
At home, I am a chiropodist, and have been in private practice for 28 years. My patients were luckily all very understanding and encouraging when I announced that I was taking a 5 month sabbatical. Not sure how they will feel if/when I do another one!
Once you got offered the job did you need to put anything in order before you left to work abroad?
There were a few things to sort out with the business. I decided not to rent my house out and my brother agreed to keep an eye on things there for me. I just had to pluck up the courage to tell my children - I thought they would think I'd gone completely mad! However, they thought it was great, were very supportive and said they were proud of me for doing it!
How did you get a work permit to work in France?
Once I had accepted the job, SkiWeekends applied for and obtained a work permit for me. I then had to apply for a visa online, followed by an interview in London accompanied by various paperwork. They also take your photo, fingerprints, everything but your inside leg measurement! However, the reward is worth the effort and that gave me permission to work in France for 3 months. I have now had to fill in more online forms, provide more paperwork and jump through more hoops in order to extend this visa and have now been approved to work six months a year for the next three years. We had help and advice from SkiWeekends.
During The Ski Season
How did you get to the ski resort?
I flew into Geneva. SkiWeekends contributed towards my flights and they arranged a transfer from the airport to resort. Same on the way back.
What training did you do to learn how to be a chalet host/assistant at Ski Weekends?
I had done a Chalet Cook course with Orchards Cookery School which also included great advice on CV's and application/recruitment process as well as visa requirements.
Once in France, we had two weeks in Avoriaz with SkiWeekends training, including cooking, housekeeping, record keeping, customer service and general advice on running a chalet. I then moved to Chalet Mouria in Courchevel.
What responsibilities did you have in your role?
I worked in SkiWeekends Chalet Mouria, Courchevel 1650 as Chalet Manager. It is a large, 21 bed chalet and there are three of us - myself, a chef and a host. My role includes cleaning, record keeping, ordering, assisting the chef when required, laying tables, serving and clearing meals, ensuring general tidiness and cleanliness of the chalet, customer service and guest relations, liaising with ski hire shop, lift pass office and the chalet owner for maintenance issues. We receive reports from the office advising us of arrivals and timings, dietary requirements and any other specific guest information and I oversee making up of rooms accordingly and ensure that all of us are aware of any individual needs. I very much enjoy the customer facing part of the role and believe that as a more mature person, it makes it easier to mix with all ages and all backgrounds.
What support did you receive to continuously develop and to help with any challenging situations or illness?
I think that life experience is a great start and also having run a household and raised a family. As with many jobs, the real learning starts on the job but I had good support from fellow staff members with previous experience and management were always at the end of the phone.
When the chalet was hit with a sickness bug and two of us were affected, another person was brought in from another resort to help out for a couple of days and keep the ship afloat.
The office staff were also very helpful and efficient.
How did you feel being in a mixed age team? Were you able to make friends? Were there any team building activities? Did you feel part of the team?
We are a small team in Courchevel, being the only chalet. All three of us are over 45. At first, I felt a bit isolated but made a conscious effort to go out and meet other people and now have a really lovely group of friends in the village. I was surprised at how many more mature people work in the industry.
Where did you live? Who did you live with?
I have an ensuite room to myself in the chalet. My two male colleagues share a twin room. I know I would have struggled not having my own room/space/privacy.
What did do you do for food? Were any meals included? Did you have facilities to cook/ store food?
I generally ate the same food as the guests. Sometimes I ate lunch on the mountain or had evening meals out on days off. I bought a few bits of my own to have in the chalet and had use of the kitchen.
What did you do on your days off?
I spent the majority of my free time skiing, my main reason for doing a season! Otherwise I went for some lovely walks or just chilled in the chalet, often chatting with guests if they were around.
Did you always ski/ board in the same area? Could you leave resort and explore other ski resorts?
The Three Valleys is a massive ski area. On work days I tended to stay in the Courchevel valley and ventured further afield on days off. There is so much to cover and I know, even nearing the end of the season, I have nowhere near covered every run or lift!
Did you have any transport when you were over there? Did you feel like you needed transport?
My colleague had driven out here so had a car. We have occasionally made trips down the mountain but mainly to buy things required for the chalet. I would maybe bring a car another time, mainly so I could bring more luggage but also occasionally to visit places on days off.
Who did you socialise with outside of skiing? What did you do?
I mainly socialised with other people I had met in the village, going for drinks, après, meals and walks.
Did you feel part of the resort community / get to experience the local culture whilst you were there?
I have come to feel part of the community, yes. Courchevel 1650 is a relatively small resort with a lovely village vibe. I think that being able to speak passable French has helped too.
What did you get paid per week / per month? What else gets paid for you?
The pay is minimum. You do it for the experience and because you love the lifestyle and the skiing, not for the money. It's hard work!
You get 2 full days off a week and plenty of time to ski on the non transfer days. A contribution is made towards your travel which probably covers half of it. Food is provided. I had to pay towards accommodation. My lift pass and ski hire were paid for.
What other perks did you get?
Tips are not guaranteed but are very welcome. Uniform is provided.
REFLECTING ON THE Season
Was there anything that surprised you about working a ski season?
I have been pleasantly surprised at how much time I have had to ski! 5 days out of 7 usually!
I'm also surprised at how many more mature people there are working in the industry now. When my son did ski seasons, the average age was much younger.
What were the worst bits?
I have missed my family and friends, but thank goodness for modern technology and Facetime! Living in the chalet means that you are always at work, although it does mean that you keep your finger on the pulse and can quickly nip any problems in the bud. As with any service industry, there will always be guests that you don't take to, but you just have to paint on the smile and get on with it!
What were the best bits?
Without a doubt, living in the mountains and being able to get out and ski most days has been amazing and the main reason for coming. I have also lost weight, despite eating so much cake!
The majority of guests have been really lovely and very interesting and meeting them has been a highlight. I have also gained a lot of job satisfaction, feeling like I've contributed to the enjoyment of their holiday. There's nothing like receiving 5 star reviews!
Would you work another season? Why?
Yes. I'd love to do another one. I love the simple lifestyle. It's hard work but with a lot of reward just by being here in the mountains, the fabulous scenery, fresh air and having one of the best ski areas in the world as your playground!
Finally, Is there anything that you'd like to add, or any advice you’d like to give to anyone over 40 who might be thinking about doing a season?
Just do it! Life is too short! What's the worst that can happen? If you don't enjoy it, then at least you tried rather than always thinking 'what if?' I would say that you really have to love skiing to get the most out of it.