So you want this Job?

You best get applying, now is the time, get on a website like www.natives.co.uk, sign up and apply like crazy.

Thats the second piece of advice. The first is to ask yourself if you can handle late nights, early mornings, obtuse policies, constant cleaning, cooking and the french.

In the mean time get yourself some experience, get cooking. Know how to make white sauce, gravy, cakes, pastry. Know how to chop fast and chop safe. Know how to sharpen knives. Know how much pasta, rice or potato makes an average adult serving. Know how to fry, hard and soft boil, poach and scramble eggs.

Learn how to do this. This is important too.

Extra tips, if you work for a uk based tour operator, chances are your guests will all be from the uk. Do a bit of homework on geography and places. Keep co workers and managers on side with extra food or leftover cake. Especially if you have a stores coordinator, make sure you keep those guys on side, after all a favour in the right direction can make all the difference. Get known to cafe owners and ski shop owners, send them custom and let them know that when you do. These things can depend on the size and the style of the resort but give it a go you never know.


When it comes to the party, go as far and as hard as you want, but its called a ski season for a reason. Drinks aren't cheap, but good guests can be very generous both on nights out and through what they can't take with them. Cue nights fuelled by brandy and cointreau And remember resorts are small places where news travels fast and reputations are built even faster.

Even prisoners get more privacy

When it comes to the skiing, go as far and as hard as you feel safe doing, there are some incredible experiences out there, some are once in a life time for the right reasons, some for the wrong reasons. Make sure you know the difference. If you want off piste fresh crisp powder, then invest in the kit and do it in small groups. If you love doing twists and such frivolities remember that you will get hurt, make sure you dont end your season early.

This can also happen

Filed under general advice, socks, adapters, multiplugs and toiletries.
-Take socks, ski socks as many as you can.
-Take at least two adapters, take at least one multiplug, find one with as many sockets on it as possible. Accommodation can be severely lacking in electrical outlets.
-Toiletries, there are two routes to this;
1. Take what you need in bulk, alpine prices are about as steep as the mountains.
2. Clean up what your guests leave behind. This can be risky but is the cheapest option and who knows what you might be left!

Think this but for your body.

And most importantly, reconcile yourself to the fact that you will be working for less than most illegal immigrants make in a month. And while you will receive free hire, it is free for a reason - don't go expecting up to date stuff. It is a job first and incredible fun second. And if none of this has put you off then you might have just found the job for you