Spending the winter in the Alps, waking up to the fresh air of the snow-covered mountains every morning, living and working in the mountains and feeling at home… That’s what comes to mind when you think about working a season in the ski industry.
Every year, hundreds of seasonal workers head to ski resorts around the world: from Europe, in countries such as Austria and Switzerland, to Canada, Japan and New Zealand. Some do it just for fun during their gap year, others see it as a way to enjoy the snow as much as possible. Honestly, it’s mostly a chance to take some time to reflect and consider new career opportunities and, of course, meet new people with similar interests!
Even if you’re fulfilling your dream and there are many positives to working in a ski resort, you may still have doubts or concerns. The ski season is known for being exhilarating because you move somewhere new, meet loads of new people from all over the world and ski every day! Despite the fact that working in a ski resort can be the most incredible experience of your life, there is always the harsh reality of big change that you need to keep in mind.
What is the reality of working in a ski resort?
First and foremost, you have to survive the seasonal drinking culture! Every night is a weeknight, and yet every night is also a party night! Even though winter and alcohol go hand in hand, no matter how bad your hangover is, you still have to work.
The reality is that even though alcohol and partying are a big part of seasonal jobs, it’s still your choice what you do with it. It’s not human to drink EVERY night for a few months and go to work every morning, it’s not worth it! Take a break every now and then and have a chill night to prepare yourself for your next big night out. The advantage is that the nightlife is always there, but be careful to manage your social life without it interfering with your work or your ability to ski!
Many ski lovers quickly discover the fear of injury. Honestly, skiing is a very dangerous sport and getting hurt is somewhat inevitable, but don’t make a big deal out of it! Not everyone gets hurt, it just happens to the unlucky ones. The only advice we can give you is to take it slowly. It doesn’t matter if you last skied yesterday or 10 years ago, you need to be careful of yourself and those around you. Of course, accidents happen on the slopes, but being afraid won’t change anything! Listen to your body and take a break when you’re tired after a full day of skiing. Make the most of your days off to do something other than skiing sometimes. After all, you’re only there for a few months, so enjoy everything the resort has to offer! Stay calm, be careful, grab your skis and let’s go!
What if I’m terrible at skiing?
Well, if you think you’re going to be bad, you will be! It’s as simple as that, you have to be positive! Working in a ski resort, you’ll have plenty of time to improve your technique on the slopes, and all the ski instructors will be there to help you. Ski lessons are highly recommended for seasonal workers as they help you progress faster and learn the basics before you feel confident enough to go out on your own. Even if you’re a good skier, if you haven’t skied for a few years, take a lesson to refresh your memory, you’ll feel much more confident!
To sum up, the harsh reality of working in a ski resort is that you have to work hard, no matter what your job is. It’s not a big mental challenge as most of the tasks are manual, but it’s loooong hours on your feet. You start early in the morning and usually finish late at night. So tell yourself you’re going there to work… with skiing as a bonus, that way you won’t be disappointed!
The advantages of a ski season far outweigh the disadvantages: you may not get to ski every day, but you can ski whenever you have free time, which is something you can’t do at home! The hard work is worth it just for the view from your room.
Leave your fears behind, go for it, make new friends from all over the world, work hard to party hard, and you’ll have the best winter of your life!
