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Seasonaires

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Sofford
Posts: 114 - Karma: 120
This year I am doing a season in the french alps. I live in the UK so don't have close proximity to the mountain and can't afford to spend a full season in the alps without working so I am working for a holiday company. This week I had a staff 'meet and greet'. I found a lot of the people who were there hadn't skied much or hadn't skied at all, and a lot of them seemed to either be bitchy snow bunnies or cocky preppy guys. I am always open to meeting different types of people but I was disappointed to see that for the majority of people in the room, the reasons behind doing their season was to get laid and party. I'm not saying this is bad as don't get me wrong I love to party but I really thought a few more peoples priorities would be to ski. Has anyone else found this also to be true where you are or am I talking complete bullshit?
Oct 26 2010 11:21AM
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Oreos
Posts: 1207 - Karma: 38
have you seen the program The Season? it's on iplayer at the moment. pretty much sums up what you're on about.

but i'm sure it depends on where you go, if you head anywhere near the Vals or St Anton you'll get what you described, L2Alps should be different.
Oct 26 2010 11:34AM
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Sofford
Posts: 114 - Karma: 120
Yea I have thats exactly what I am talking about.. the hills but on the slopes! Not my idea of a season! Fingers crossed I don't get dumped in a shitty resort!
Oct 26 2010 11:40AM
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Nicko1981
Posts: 527 - Karma: 180
"The Season" was the worst thing to happen to the ski industry in the history of time.

You'll find that just like anywhere, you'll meet a lot of different people with different personalities and different reasons for doing what they do.

It's true that a lot of people who work season jobs in chalets etc are public schoolboys/girls "slumming it" before university and haven't done a days work in their lives before. There's a pretty high turnover rate in the first couple of months as those that have previously lived on daddy's credit card can't hack actually working for a living, so give up and go home.

When you get out to resrot, make it your mission to go out and meet as many people as possible, go skiing with different people; meet other skiers in the park and pretty soon you'll find yourself some amazing like minded people who will probably end up being the best friends you'll ever have.

Don't give up hope already; you'll have an amazing time wherever you go.

What company are you workign for?
Oct 26 2010 11:50AM
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sagaRIP
Posts: 287 - Karma: 12
I'm currently trying to get a job for a season in the french alps. I agree that wherever you go, you will find the preppy public school types but dont stereotype them all. I admit i attended a public school but, i'm doing it to get some awesome skiing in. In fact i have applied to resorts which are notorious for being quiet, but their skiing is renowned as being quality.

If i do end up doing a season it would be good to meet some other NSers. What company are you working for? I just hope there are still some places left! :(
Oct 26 2010 11:59AM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333

Basically, this is what you will get at alot of french resorts. Personally i started out as the cocky smartass guy, that had never really skied, but thought i was the shit. My first two seasons i pretty much partied, fornicated, worked and skiied, in that order! But as i became a little better at skiing i caught the freestyle bug, and never looked back! My last two seasons have been all about the skiing, however i do like a party or two! Now im stuck at uni, wishing i hadn't wasted my first seasons being a douche. My point is, yeah, there's tons of those people, but there's lots of people that are all about the skiing as well, you just have to find them. Hang around the park and see if any seasonaires are chillin there, and meet people out, freestylers are surprisingly easy to identify! I have also had some success in converting preppy guys to full fledged freestylers, so maybe try that as well, the lure of freestyle is strong!

Do you know where you're going yet?

Oct 26 2010 12:23PM
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Squidles
Posts: 225 - Karma: 98
Fuck the alps, come to whistler. Everyone loves to party and ski!
Oct 26 2010 12:40PM
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
People like that are part of the reason why I have never done a full European season, there's way too much of a party all the time, cruise the groomed runs whilst hungover vibe in a lot of the resorts that are Brit dominated.

That said the resorts tend to be pretty massive so I'd imagine that you'll always be able to find a good crew to ski with, and then get to hang with the boozing crowd as and when you feel the need.
Oct 26 2010 12:52PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
what company are you working for? An my ex worked as a rep for crystal and it was full of d-bags and pricks. Dont work as a rep, you wont ski and you wont have fun. Work at a shitty job; a resturant, hotel, shop. You will have more fun I promise.
Oct 26 2010 12:56PM
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
I would actually lol if she was already locked in to work as a Crystal rep.
Oct 26 2010 1:07PM
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casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,746
Hey, you can't ski if you're working a ski tourism job.....quit!

Work all summer and fall and ski and party all winter like the rest of us perpetual children losers.
Oct 26 2010 1:11PM
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BlackcountryBill
Posts: 955 - Karma: 576
I'm working for SkiFrance for the third year running this year. They are the best company to work for. I ski 9:30 - 5 six days a week and still get paid better than Crystal, Esprit etc... Is anyone in Val Thorens per chance? just go to the park, you'll find plenty of Brits willing to be your friend.
Oct 26 2010 1:24PM
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dubaiski
Posts: 961 - Karma: 37
What job is it that you do?

And dont knock all private school kids, i used to go to private school and some of them are twats but there are some who love to shred and are really chill. Basically you have to see past the accent and see what the guy or girl is actually like.
Oct 26 2010 3:40PM
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BlackcountryBill
Posts: 955 - Karma: 576
Chalet Host, I do 7:15-9:30 and 5:30-9:30 ish. If I'm in a hurry i can get to work at half six in the evening if I want. I've made some of my best friends on my seasons, people's backgrounds don't matter one bit, everyone's in the same boat out there.
Oct 26 2010 4:02PM
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sagaRIP
Posts: 287 - Karma: 12
i had this recently when i went to reading festival. We were next to some state school kids and they at first thought we were typical posh twats, but by the end of the weekend we were all sitting round the fire drinking and smoking together.
Oct 26 2010 4:46PM
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nickyp
Posts: 5673 - Karma: 215
This.

It is a shame that most Seasonnaires are the sort of kids who are out there because their parents are rich enough to send them, and they go to shit unis, that don't set them any work over Christmas. But c'est la vie.

Go out, and have as much fun as possible, but don't prejudge. Get to know the other kids, and they might be okay. I'm possibly the most painfully middle class person south of Watford, but I'm not a pretentious dick, maybe the others will be the same?
Oct 26 2010 4:58PM
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miketheskier88
Posts: 749 - Karma: 66
What? I'm working as a rep. I've been allocated three days to ski by the company, have one day off and have been told by other reps that as long as I am organised and efficient I can easily ski 6 days a week.

Working for a restaurant or shop is a pretty poor idea. You will get mostly daytime hours so how will you find time to ski???


To the OP; which TO you working for? Cause the one I'm working for recently had a greet and meet a few days ago.. couldn't go cause I was working.

At the end of the day, season will be what you make of it. If the staff are dicks just make friends with the locals
Oct 26 2010 7:33PM
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Most-D
Posts: 729 - Karma: 1,088
Have no fear. I did a season in Val d'Isere like 'The Season' Crew a year after the show was filmed, and also know one of the girls from the show. Most of it was contrived. I was also a little nervous about it for the same reasons. It really isn't like how it is on that stupid show. If you're there for the right reasons, you'll find people who have those reasons in common and you'll have a sick time. Do not worry, get saving and have the best few montsh of your life! Very jealous.
Oct 26 2010 7:51PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
where? Good luck living off your 20 dollars a day. Sure you get free rent and pass but it seems like a garbage organization. I worked at a shop and skied  5-6 days a week easy.Work the 3-10 shift. Its called night jobs, easy work and ski all day. 
Come back to this thread after christmas and tell me you like that job. You have to pick the customers from the airport and deal with their shit. The customers are relentless. My shop was their provider I worked with the reps all the time they were always stressed and trying to fix stuff. Have fun :)
Oct 26 2010 7:54PM
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Sofford
Posts: 114 - Karma: 120
Ah no I have nothing against private school kids at all... in fact a lot of my good mates go to private school... and lets be honest it's an expensive sport (especially if your in the alps!) What I was saying was when it comes to being a 'seasonaire' its a shame it has come to define a type of person who cares little about the skiing.. and I have found over the years, this is kind of true!
I am so up for meeting new/ different people etc which is another reason I am going and I am sure a lot are pretty chill.. was just wandering what other people's take on this was! :)
I am working for esprit, not sure which resort yet, working as a chalet assistant to ensure maximum time on the slopes!
Its sweet that there will be other NSer's out there.. i'll be sure to keep an eye out. Where is everyone going? which company etc?


Oct 26 2010 8:02PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
actually 20 dollars a day would be easy. I think it might have been less...
Oct 26 2010 8:15PM
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miketheskier88
Posts: 749 - Karma: 66
Very few new seasonaires get night jobs that include good benefits though, and you can forget about getting a job with a French employer with no season experience.

Not sure why you're talking about dollars, its euros baby. Maybe things are a little different on the other side of the pond.

Either way, I'm super stoked to have the job I have. I get to ski and be in the Alps for a season. How many people get to say that? I shall bump this thread in the new year though, who knows how I'll feel then.

Sophie: Me too! You part of the facebook page? May see you in Fleet on the 26th, not sure how it's working with the buses though as I'm off to Austria.

Oct 26 2010 8:33PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
Good on you, like you said its what you make of it and  you have a good attitude so regardless you'll have a good time. My experience with Crystal was in Canada, and not trying to talk shit about your choice, but I'd be lying if I said they seemed to care about the employee, they want to maximize their dollar potential. Its an easy and safe route to do a season, but personally I wouldn't say its the best.

Take advantage of your season, enjoy it.
Oct 26 2010 8:40PM
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Sofford
Posts: 114 - Karma: 120
yea sure am!! haha awesome you have proved me wrong then! yea i'm going out on the 26th so i'll see you then.. you training in les arcs?
Oct 26 2010 8:43PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
also, its not that hard to get a night job, people ski in the day, and eat, party and shop at night. You just need to be creative and be comfortable with idea that you arrive and you don't have a job and hit the concrete.
Oct 26 2010 8:45PM
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miketheskier88
Posts: 749 - Karma: 66
Fair points Garnia but don't worry I'm not working with Crystal. They get a loooot of bad press from their staff.. Madness. You out for a season again this year?

Not really sure Sophie.. info says our bus goes to Les Arcs for training so I imagine so.. but I've heard whispers that Austrian/Italian staff get trained in Austria. I'll call them up tomorrow and ask to see what's actually going on.

Definitely not looking forward to carrying all my stuff on the underground... :( Where in France you going?
Oct 26 2010 8:56PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
Well kinda ish. I live and go to university in Vancouver, so the current plan iss school Sept- December. Live, ski and find any shitty as job January-May in whistler and then finish that degree May-December. Trying to find the best of both worlds. But I can see how it would be a good option to rep coming from the UK, its a big risk moving to another country without a job. I've been lucky enough to have mountains near me.
Oct 26 2010 9:54PM
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Oreos
Posts: 1207 - Karma: 38
risk some of us have to take. everyone i've spoken to says yea come in when you land for an interview but understandably people aren't too willing to give jobs to people they've never seen or met.
Oct 27 2010 4:32AM
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dubaiski
Posts: 961 - Karma: 37
I looked on the skifrance website and it said that the duties of a chelet host are to prepare meals and clean rooms. From what time do you clean rooms? Also what is the pay like? Where were you located? Sorry for all of these personal questions its just that the website didnt say much and the job sounds exactly what i am looking for!
Oct 27 2010 4:39AM
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BlackcountryBill
Posts: 955 - Karma: 576
Those times vary, but include making meals, and occasionly cleaning after breakfast when there might be a chalet inspection. Pay is £300pm with a £700ish bonus at the end, I work in Val Thorens. Honestly, working for SkiFrance is the easiest job in the Alps for pretty good pay!
Oct 27 2010 4:54AM
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dubaiski
Posts: 961 - Karma: 37
Thanks for the help! Val thorenes is one of the resorts that i wanted to go to! Is there only one Skifrance challet in Val Thornes and is it hard to get the job.
BTW if you are ever passing through Dubai hit me up for some free ski Dubai passes and shit.
Oct 27 2010 5:01AM
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Oreos
Posts: 1207 - Karma: 38
Our chalet girl was a star! Made the holiday so good. But I think your duties will vary with who you have in your chalet. Because we were up and out early she could obviously leave earlier than if we had been lazy. You can make a real difference though.

She would have cakes and tea ready for us when we got back from skiing, mulled wine, made anything you wanted for breakfast, 3 course meals in the eve, would turn on our sauna so it would be hot when we came home. She was awesome. So yea if you're out their Molly from Les Gets you're a legend!
Oct 27 2010 5:09AM
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al_britskiier
Posts: 419 - Karma: 23
3rd season in 2Alpes bitchezzzz!! Bagged myself a french work contract = me on the french dole after the season.
Oct 27 2010 5:42AM
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MagSeven
Posts: 1000 - Karma: 412

Dude you're back for more 2 Alpes? Who you working for this time?

I'm in Hokkaido!

Oct 27 2010 6:43AM
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EMK
Posts: 1632 - Karma: 669
I've done two seasons with skiplan(bad choice) the first in LDA there were tons of rad dudes and girls that loved to shred but a few of the people you described, the second in Vars where they obviously send most of the people who haven't a clue and they were all so unlike me that i felt isolated and ended up getting deression and having to come home.

happy ending; this season i am a park shaper at mayrhofen. XD
Oct 27 2010 6:51AM
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MagSeven
Posts: 1000 - Karma: 412

Oh, more on topic... I worked for Crystal about 7 or 8 years back. And it was really pretty good. I was only a chalet host, but I got a hell of alot of time on the hill - 6 days per week, from 10am ish to lifts closing. Because they're such a big company, unless you're in one of their flagship resorts, (3 Valleys, Espace Killy) then they don't really care too much about what you do. We served breakfast, made cakes, cleaned rooms, then hit the mountain. Then back in the evening to cook dinner. Then to the pub.

I also worked a season nightportering, which gave me the most time on the hill. Exhausting way of living, but when you're 18 you can do anything!

Repping you tend to get less ski time as you have to spend more time sorting stuff when it invariably goes wrong or you have high maintenance guests. I've also done a season repping, and that gave me the least free time.

To the OP, enjoy your season. You'll find people to ride with, you'll ride and hang with other people in your resort. Just find people you get on with! If you only mix with the people in the company you work for, you'll be limiting yourself!

Oct 27 2010 6:53AM
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al_britskiier
Posts: 419 - Karma: 23

Yeah mate! Working at smokey joes in the kitchen. Got a sweet apartment lined up too so should be a good one, hopefully staying in summer too

Yeah?! thats awesome, working?

Oct 27 2010 6:54AM
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MagSeven
Posts: 1000 - Karma: 412

Nice man, sounds good. French contract and perks is the way to go! Enjoy the winter, keep going huge!

I've moved here for a few years to teach English. Living in a town with 2 ski hills, and within easy driving distance of Niseko and a load of other bigger mountains. Already had snow down to sea level here!

Oct 27 2010 7:00AM
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sagaRIP
Posts: 287 - Karma: 12
This is slightly off topic, but on the whole how does French snow compare to East/West coast?

Just so i can make a better decision about what skis to get - ive been to france for 25+ weeks but still havent got the faintest idea how much it snows there.... if it chucks down the pow then i might get some more pow orientated skis like fujas than bridges.

oh and on topic, maybe this should get stickied so all us seasonaires can keep chatting away. I dont have a job yet but hopefully it will all work out. When i do ill be sure to announce it here!
Oct 27 2010 7:09AM
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dubaiski
Posts: 961 - Karma: 37
Depends on the season and what resort but most season you will be getting quite a few good pow days. I recomend you get the fujas.
Oct 27 2010 7:21AM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333

So you've been to France for over 6 months all together, and you still haven't got a clue as to how the snow conditions might be? That sounds weird.

Well in you'r average resort, if you are willing to hike for it, pow can pretty much be found all season. Off the top of my haed i'd say the average snowfall is about 6-7 meters, and with so much accessible terrain it offers some of the best off piste skiing in the world.

I still cant believe that you spend so much time there, yet have no clue as to what it's like. Did you not go to the mountains or what?

Oct 27 2010 8:24AM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333

Oh yeah, repping work sucks major ass! I've never met a rep that was happy about their job and serious about their skiing, the two things seem to exclude each other. Your job just takes up to much skitime, and skiing with your guests gets old really fast! Solution: Be a chalet host, bartender, cook, anything that involves not working in the day (much).

Oct 27 2010 8:26AM
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al_britskiier
Posts: 419 - Karma: 23
Probably been on 25 ski holidays?
Oct 27 2010 8:28AM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333
I would argue that that would equip you to form a fair picture of what the french alps have to offer.
Oct 27 2010 8:30AM
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Most-D
Posts: 729 - Karma: 1,088
I also worked SkiFrance and it was easily the best company in resort (Val d'Isere) to work chalets for.
Oct 27 2010 8:55AM
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al_britskiier
Posts: 419 - Karma: 23
Hmm possibly, but i never really looked at snow patterns or anything like that when i went on holidays. just skied and slept. But i do see your point!
Oct 27 2010 8:56AM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333
Fair enough, but if you have been on 25 of them, a pattern of its own would emerge, providing you left the flat of course. But it's all good, he knows now!
Oct 27 2010 9:09AM
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sagaRIP
Posts: 287 - Karma: 12
It was 25 ski holidays, and of those i was very young for the first 5 or so.

It was exactly as someone mentioned - i just went out and skiied. they were family holidays so i didnt have much say in what we did ski-wise.

I know it snows quite alot and yes depends on the resort and year, but how does it compare to west coast? Its just because most ski reviews suggest skis as perfect for west coast, but what does that compare to in france?

Sorry if i came across as absolutely clueless - i do know how much it snows but just need some clarification.
Oct 27 2010 9:29AM
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sagaRIP
Posts: 287 - Karma: 12
and to reply to the other question - ive never hiked for powder due to it being a family holiday (Mum/sisters are really boring and dont enjoy pow). One of the best weeks ive had was just me and my dad blasting it around the mountain. We did loads of off piste which was great and i didnt have to wait for 10 minutes at the chairlift every run.
Oct 27 2010 9:31AM
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Oreos
Posts: 1207 - Karma: 38
what should have done is find a bowl with some easy slopes some fun for you, family do the easier slopes and you do the harder ones twice in their one run. that's what i ended up doing.
Oct 27 2010 9:34AM
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sagaRIP
Posts: 287 - Karma: 12
Yeah i did that a couple times. We were in the three valleys one year and were going from the top of Saulire to St Martin de Belleville. The snow on Coombe de saulire was epic - perfectly groomed and it wasnt too busy, so my friend and i decided to run it again. We absolutely charged it twice and then headed over to St Martin and met them about 50m after the top lift. Was great fun.
Oct 27 2010 9:48AM
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