Chalet Host Q&A - Roscoe
This Q&A is with veteran chalet host Roscoe, who has worked with SkiWeekends for many years, mainly across our chalets in Avoriaz.
My Story: In 1996 whilst working as a landscaper in London, I felt it was time for a holiday and decided to check out the Daily Mail Ski Show looking for ideas for a week’s holiday in St Anton. Whilst I was there a representative asked me if I could cook, after a brief chat she offered me a job as a chalet host. That winter, I found myself at Victoria Coach Station boarding the coach for France. Little did I know this decision would be life changing. 18 seasons later it's still the BEST experience I have ever had in my life, and I can’t stop.
Before The Ski Season Begins
How many seasons have you worked?
I have done 18 winter seasons and worked 3 summer seasons both as a chalet host, tour guide and resort rep.
What did you do before you started seasonal work?
I worked as a landscape designer before I started working my winter seasons and continue to do this when I return home to Australia every year.
What prompted you to work a ski season?
It was actually a stroke of luck. In 1996 whilst working as a landscaper in London, I felt it was time for a holiday and decided to check out the Daily Mail Ski Show when it was on at Kensington Olympia looking for ideas for a weeks holiday in St Anton. While checking out the First Choice booth, a representative asked me if I could cook, after a brief chat and me telling her I was confident in the kitchen and had a UK passport she offered me a job in La Plagne as a chalet host. I worked In La Plagne for a week then was moved to Courchevel after a host became injured. I instantly jumped at the oppurtunity. On December 2nd I found myself at Victoria Coach Station boarding the coach for France. My lifelong adventure had begun. Little did i know this decision would be life changing.
Once you got offered the job did you need to put anything in order before you left to work abroad?
Only to quit my landscaping job and split up with my girlfriend. Now its more find a tenant to rent my house for the 6 months I am away. I have my sister to look after my cars, my mail and my mum.
How did you get a work permit to work in France?
1996 was pre-Brexit and I had a UK Passport so a work permit wasn't needed.
Now post Brexit SkiWeekends will sort out the work permit for you and help you acquire the Cartes Du Sejour (3 year French work visa)
During The Ski Season
How did you get to the ski resort?
Originally I used to get a coach from the UK, but nowadays I find it easier to fly from Sydney to Geneva and usually another staff member is available to pick me up.
What training did you do to learn how to be a chalet host at Ski Weekends?
I could already cook no problem, but SkiWeekends staff receive 2 weeks of pretty intense training at the start of the season. Everything we need to know from cooking the upcoming winter menu, to cleaning of the chalet, resort and mountain safety, correct food handling and making sure the guests are happy during their holiday etc is fully covered. If you are confident in the kitchen, half the battle is won.
What responsibilities did you have in your role?
Last season I ran Chalet Lauzes in Avoriaz on my own. It's an 8 person chalet. My responsibilities were cooking a hot breakfast 5 mornings a week and a 3 course meal 5 nights a week. Providing afternoon tea daily. I had to take into account any dietary requirements as stated on the arrival report provided by the office, and also sometimes provide children's meals.
I keep the chalet clean and tidy and I do 2 changeover days per week, unless I get week long guests, which does happen from time to time. Changeover consists of making of beds, cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming and mopping chalet and general tidying. I also had to stocktake food and linen, which I provided once a week to the resort manager and keep within the food/cooking budget. I was also the resort information "desk" meaning I did my best to answer all guest questions about resort, weather, ski runs, lift times, restaurants and bars, and so forth.
What support did you receive to continuously develop and to help with any challenging situations or illness?
Support is always forthcoming whether it be from other chalet staff, the resort manager, the country manager or even from Dan and Sarah and the UK office staff. Everyone is eager to help, whether you are in a chalet on your own or with the help of an assistant, the whole team always pulls together.
How did you feel being in a mixed age team? Were you able to make friends? Were there any team building activities? Did you feel part of the team?
For me personally I loved working with a team of mixed ages as I am used to it back in Australia. It's always good to have a different perspective on work issues from all ages. Was super easy to make friends, still have friends from 20 seasons ago. We used to go bowling sometimes, went to various bars a lot and skied together most days. I have never NOT felt part of a team at SkiWeekends. We had movie nights and game nights.
Where did you live? Who did you live with?
Last season I lived in the chalet I worked in. We (me and Jack who was a chalet assistant in the chalet next door) shared a large room downstairs complete with a bathroom. Some of the other staff had their own apartments.
What did do you do for food? Were any meals included? Did you have facilities to cook/ store food?
When cooking for the guests I usually cooked extra for myself. Sometimes I just felt like grabbing a pizza or burger in town. Lunch on the mountain some days or a baguette back in the chalet. All meals are included.
What did you do on your days off?
Days off were either boarding or sleeping (hungover after a big night!). Some days were spent chilling in a cafe or bar relaxing, especially if the weather was bad or it was a white out on the mountain. If I got bored, sometimes I would make treats for the guests for the next day.
Who did you ski/ board with?
Mainly boarded with a few other staff members.
Did you always ski/ board in the same area? Could you leave resort and explore other ski resorts? If yes, how?
Working in the Portes Du Soleil there were always ample areas to explore on the full area lift pass. Even after 5 seasons of working in Avoriaz I felt I hadn't explored everywhere. Rode into Switzerland most days. No need for a car.
Did you have any transport when you were over there? Did you feel like you needed transport?
No transport, no need for it. Other staff brought a car and was used a few times for day trips away from resort.
Who did you socialise with outside of skiing? What did you do?
Outside of skiing it was mainly other Ski Weekends staff, sometimes staff from other companies and yes mainly apres based.
Did you feel part of the resort community/ get to experience the local culture whilst you were there?
It's actually hard not to. After living there for 5 seasons you get to know people in the ski shops, resturants, bars etc
What did you get paid per week / per month? What else gets paid for you?
My pay as a returning host of many seasons was 1300 euros per month. Ski hire is provided for you for the season if needed. Accomodation and chalet food is provided. Lift pass, insurance and travel to and from Geneva is on you. Transport from Geneva airport to the resort is provided. If you managed to stay under budget, a bonus of 500 euro was paid to us towards our lift pass.
What other perks did you get?
Other perks were TIPS from guests which were often more than my wage. Job offers were always forthcoming from guests to work in the UK.
REFLECTING ON THE Season
Is there anything that surprised you about working a ski season?
The camaraderie was amazing. Living in the mountains in a world famous ski resort made me feel so so lucky.
Were any of your main concerns/ fears/ worries squashed?
To be honest I didn't have any.
What were the worst bits?
Worst bits for me were the dietary requirements of guests. Sometimes it meant cooking 3 to 4 different evening meals which meant a lot of planning and shuffling of pots and pans. But after a few weeks you become proficient at it.
What were the best bits?
Best bits were meeting friendly and amazing guests, fun staff and overcoming the challenges, but the biggest was boarding nearly every day in the French Alps, I mean its every boarders dream.
Would you work another season? Why?
Well I have done 18 winters soooooo........and yep I will be working winters until my knees cant take it anymore lol. For me it's the BEST experience I have ever had in my life and I cant stop.
Finally, Is there anything that you'd like to add, or any advice you’d like to give to anyone over 40 who might be thinking about doing a season?
Just do it. You wont regret it. Its fun, its rewarding, its healthy (unless you live at the bars) its a great way to network, but be warned its VERY VERY addictive as the Alps in winter are absolutely stunning, every day is different, you will never get bored. You will make lifelong friends while skiing the best ski resorts on the planet.
I find it a privilege to live and work in the Alps. 'Pinch me, I am dreaming' is a phrase that constantly comes to mind while having a coffee before serving breakfast every morning. What else could a passionate skier want?
I have worked for many other companies in the past and Ski Weekends is by far the best one to work for and I wouldn't ever work for anyone else. Being a small company they have always treated me as part of the family since I started working for them. They are extremely approachable if you need any support or guidance. The thing I love the most is that both Dan and Sarah are passionate skiiers and you can see the enthusiasm and excitement in them which is very contagious.