I have just completed my 8th ski season! Although a different set-up now, I am repping university trips and go out per week rather, than the full five months.

Depending on what you would like to do during your season, you need to make sure you’ve got the right qualifications or experience. Companies are now giving preferential treatment to EU passport holders, as British passport holders are limited to 90 days in the EU for every 180 days. 

Look into:

• EU working visa
• Chalet hosts - cooking courses/certificates
• Repping - customer service/problem-solving roles
• Ski instructors courses - I never did mine, as I prefer to ski with friends during the day
• Bar work - at least 1 year of experience working in a bar/hospitality 

I would recommend chalet hosting – it’s great fun, and hard work but has great benefits. Most companies will require a minimum cooking course and the more expensive chalet companies like Scott Dunn, VIP, Oxford Ski, etc will require more, for example, Tante Marie or Cordon Bleu.

I have found that ski companies start recruiting/accepting applications in May-July and interviewing September-October with the view to get you on training in November for the start of the season in December.

There is a very high turnover of staff in the first six weeks of each season, so November and December is another good time to look for work, but you would start the season after the others.

Good luck and please be in touch if you have any further questions.

Tabitha Wale (OG 2006-2011)