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Working with a Chef who’s job it is to cook and ensure the smooth running of the chalet, you will be the “front of house” face ensuring that the guest’s are happy at all times and the chalet is spotlessly clean and tidy. Your job will be a combination of hostess, waitress, chambermaid and dishwasher! At least the stressful task of cooking impeccable 4 course meals 6 nights a week is up to the qualified chef who’ll be mostly based in the kitchen.
The hours will be long and physically demanding. But the chance to have a less stressful season compared to some of the other jobs in the resort is high and the need for qualifications is lower.
Salary
Because others are normally paid more for the qualifications their jobs require the Chalet Host’s wage is normally lower in the region of £60 to £100 per week.
Some guests will tip chalet hosts which if you’re lucky could be as much as £30 a week, (but don’t rely on it as many will offer to take you out for dinner on your night off which is kind of embarrassing as it’s your one chance to get away from them and enjoy partying with the staff)!
The normal winter workers package will be supplied with accommodation, meals and drinks, ski snowboard hire and ski pass. Medical insurance and transport to and from the UK to the resort.
Qualifications
Aged 18 plus.
Companies are looking for happy, chatty, fun team players with energy and staying power so there’s little need for formal qualifications to be a chalet host.
Language skills, ski or snowboard ability and drivers licence are useful but not required to be a host.
Chalet Host’s Duties
You’ll be up early at around 06.30am to get the bread, croissants and newspapers if they’re not delivered.
Some keen guests like to catch the first ski lift which means they insist on breakfast severed at 7am so you’ll be up laying the table and helping Chef serve the breakfast.
Some chalet operators expect you to serve tea to guests’ bedrooms!
Having an easy going and chatty disposition helps in the morning to speed the guest’s out the door and into the hands of the ski guide or instructor. This leaves you to clean the chalet top to bottom, strip and make the beds, scrub the bathrooms and fold the toilet roll into pretty patterns. What seems like a mountain of cleaning at the start of the season soon turns into a well practiced routine and you’ll be free at about 11am once the afternoon tea and cake are laid out on the table.
Return to the chalet at around 4pm to serve tea and help serve children’s dinners.
Help Chef serve a four course dinner to the guests, you’ll be busy till 10.30pm when the guests retire and you are free hit the town in style.
On change over days you’ll be working flat out to really turn the chalet round cleaning, making bed and helping deliver the chalet supplies from the supermarket. You’ll be expected to help the whole team and pull your weight. When the Rep rings up from the bus on the way back form the airport with the new guests you’ll be expected to meet and greet them and take them to the hire shop to get their skis etc as well as serving them dinner however late they arrive.
Any of the days you will be expected to help out in emergencies either covering for others because of illness or injury or if the resort is particularly busy as at Christmas/ New Year or school holidays.
It will be important that you’re a team player and can get on with your chalet’s Chef and the Resort Rep’s when they get stressed. Most companies have an experienced Chalet Manager if they have more than 2 chalets in a resort. Chalet Managers are normally experienced Chalet Hosts or Cooks themselves who have done a few seasons and know the ropes. They will be your immediate boss whose job is to keep you on your toes and help you with the day to day running of the chalet and liaising with the chalet’s owners and Resort Reps.
Hours
Approx. 8 hours per day more on change over day.
1 day off a week. Sometimes one morning and one evening, plus 1 day off.
Special Duties
At the start and the end of the season the chalet has to be spotless so you’ll be cleaning for days. Most operators pay your final bonus at the end of the season when the chalet has been checked by the owner. Companies take a very poor view of chalet hosts who think they can leave early and will not pay out even if your excuse for leaving the resort seams water tight to you. (if your Granny is ill they’ll expect you to prove it).
Pros
Be a team player and stay happy doing your job and you’ll have probably the least stressful season
Lots of time to ski or snowboard, sit in the sun or party.
No qualifications or languages needed.
Can be male or female
Guests can be fun and generous to chalet staff meaning tips and drinks and meals in mountain restaurants if you play your cards right.
Cons
Can seem like you’re a professional cleaning lady.
It can be exhausting constantly being friendly and chatty.
Demanding and rude guests do exists.
You’ll earn less than the other resort staff.
Being told what to do by Reps and Chalet Manager’s who have to keep up company standards
Frequent hangovers!?
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