Working a winter ski season is about as much fun as you can have in life. The mountains as an office, fresh snow and blue sky, endless fun and laughter, wild après-ski and unbreakable friendships. You won’t want to swap it for the world. This really is one of the best gap year jobs.
Featured Ski Resort Jobs
Ski Instructor Course in Austria + Job
• 4-6 weeks
• Price from £4,355
Ski Instructor Course + Job in Japan
• 3 months
• Price from £4,145
Winter Hospitality Work in Canada
• 23-28 weeks
• Price from £1,695
Ski / Snowboard Instructor Course + Job in Canada
• 4-11 weeks
• Price from £3945
Work a Winter Season
If you’re coming up to the end of your college or university career, or simply fancy the idea of having a year’s sabbatical away from the workplace, why not consider working on the ski slopes?
Many keen winter sports fans in their late teens and twenties decide to become season reps or instructors in order to pursue their passion for skiing and snowboarding, and lots tend to return year after year because they have so much fun. You can even turn this into a long term career!
So what will you need to do in order to escape to the mountains for a gap year? View our jobs and apply today.
Best Places to Work a Ski Season
There are so many positions available in spectacular locations all around the world.
Popular destinations to apply include Europe and North America and you can even find positions in places like Japan and Australia – the chances are you didn’t even know these destinations had ski slopes!
Countries which offer most seasonal winter roles and are the best places to get hired include Canada, the USA, France, Austria, Italy and Switzerland.
Positions
Representative/Ski Host
Applicants will be responsible for the day to day running of three chalets, dealing with guests and staff. Ideally the applicant would be able to speak a foreign language. You will need to be able to ski to a good level, as you will spend up to 4 days per week acting as a ski host. Applicants should be very organized and outgoing. You will be required to spend large parts of the day with guests. You will be expected to carry a mobile phone and to be available 24/7.
Chalet Host
Applicants must be able to cook for up to 10 covers, including cooked breakfast, afternoon tea, and a 3 course evening meal. Experience and cooking skills are essential as all food is prepared to a very high standard and you will be required to shop and budget on a weekly basis. This position also includes cleaning the chalet daily. Applicants should be outgoing and enjoy meeting people as you will be required to eat with/entertain guests.
Chef
Applicants must be qualified to a minimum level. Duties include cooking single handed, (including all veg. prep), for up to 40 covers including, full cooked breakfast, afternoon tea and cakes and three course evening meal. Applicants must be able to shop and budget on a weekly basis. You will also have full responsibility for kitchen hygiene and menu planning. Applicants should be confident, professional and relaxed in the kitchen and able to mix with guests.
Nanny
You need to have qualifications to NNEB or equivalent and to have had at least one year’s experience working with children. You will be looking after children aged from 3 months – 16 years. You need to be prepared to work long hours and enjoy meeting people. Applicants will also be required to work as a waitress/chambermaid on weeks where no nanny is required.
Waitress/Chambermaid (boys & girls)
Applicants will work within a team of 4 staff members. Duties will include; cleaning the chalet and chambemaiding every day, waitressing at breakfast and dinner, helping the chef with food preparation, and doing a small amount of laundry (uniforms, tea towels etc.) Applicants should be outgoing and enjoy meeting new people as you will be required to act as host to our guests.
Driver/Handyman
Applicants must have at least 3 years full CLEAN driving license. Duties include driving guests around the resort and doing airport transfers. Other duties include any maintenance jobs that arise in the chalets, moving furniture and occasionally filling in for other staff members. You will need to be very motivated and punctual, as well as good at route finding. You will spend a large part of your day with guests.
Ski & Snowboard Instructor Jobs
Working as a ski or snowboard instructor is a dream right? Getting paid to lead lessons and help people learn how to ski, whilst living in some of the most spectacular areas of the world. This really is an amazing experience are certainly beats a normal boring 9-5 office job.
To be eligible to find work you will need to get qualified, and the easiest way to do this is by taking a ski or snowboard instructor course. These courses provide you with the skills and training to become a successful instructor.
Winter Ski Resort & Chalet Jobs
If teaching small children and petrified adults how to snowplough doesn’t appeal, consider becoming a chalet host for a season. Hotels, resorts and chalets hire staff for a number of positions including cooks, cleaners, drivers and nannies.
A ski host has one of the best jobs in the world…or so say many of guests. It’s not all a bed of roses, but the work and play balancing act is great for this role. For some positions you won’t need any previous experience, although an amiable disposition will help ensure you get on well with your guests. The ability to whip up tasty meals is another sought-after quality.
Some companies also offer other roles including working as nannies, au pairs and childcare supervisors. These positions come down to your individual experience and qualifications. If you feel you have the necessary skills in the kitchen and within all the other aspects of chalet life, recruiters would love to hear from you.
Requirements
First of all, consider what kind of position you would like at a ski resort. If you want to be an instructor at a snow school, you will need to obtain the appropriate qualifications first – unfortunately most schools will not just offer you a job on the strength of your carving technique!
Look out for British Association of Snowsport Instructors (BASI) ski and snowboard instructor courses, which – once you’ve passed – will allow you to seek work in Europe, the US and Canada. Some tips for getting hired, apply to the smaller resorts for a higher chance of getting work: many youngsters go straight to the better known places and end up competing for very few jobs.
If you feel you have the right skills, attitude, all round personality and are keen to work a winter season in a spectacular location, start your application today.
