Season in the Alps

gavinwavin

Hey,

So I've just spent a season in Revelstoke, BC, had an amazing time. Looking like I won't get my second visa in time so I've decided to try and spend next season somewhere in France (as I've got a decent standard of French).

First off, where do you recommend going? Looking for somewhere big, decent snow, not overly expensive, with plenty of intermediate/advanced/off-piste stuff... and trees. Has to have decent tree-skiing, Revelstoke has spoilt me in that regard. I spent probably at least twice as much time riding forests and glades this season as I did on groomers. I've already ruled out Tignes for the lack of trees! (I'm probably overstating this a bit )

Has anyone done, or know anyone who has done, a season as a chalet host with one of the UK companies? Would you recommend it? Is it as hard work as it sounds, do you get enough time on the hills, etc? And is it difficult to get one of these jobs, especially not being from the UK?

I kind of prefer the idea of just rocking up in November and trawling around town looking for some kind of bar/restaurant work, etc. Worked for me in Revy, and looking back it was so much better than having a job that's tied to the mountain, despite the free passes those jobs get. Anyone done this, or know if I'd have a realistic chance of landing work? As I said, I've a decent standard of French, and plan on improving it between now and next winter.

And generally, what would the cost of living be in a big resort? My brother was in Morzine a few weeks ago and reckons prices are comparable to Ireland really. This right?

Sorry for the long-winded post and cheers in advance for any info

a148pro

The resorts I'm familiar with in France are Tignes / Val, Avoriaz / Morzine and Chamonix. Unfortunately none of them are great for trees so I can't really help you there - I have only recently copped on to the wonders of tree skiing myself .

Expense wise I suppose they are comparable to Ireland, which is expensive obviously. Rent is the main thing you'd need to know about though, not sure how much that would be.

Either way enjoy I'd love to have done a season (let alone two) and the way things are going in my life now I unfortunately never will .

Fattes

Everywhere will be **** & Expensive compared to Revelstoke! Well apart from the lift pass.

You are not going to get trees like Revie I have never experienced anything like the trees either side of Kill the Banker anywhere else.

Sorry to inform you of this sad fact but I suspect you all ready knew. Chamonix has some decent trees in Brevent but no Revelstoke

Fieberbrunn in Austira is not bad, quite cheap and great terrain host a stop on the FWT, like Revie to.


Now back to the Viallage Idiot with you!

gavinwavin

Cheers for the responses guys!

I suppose I kind of knew I wouldn't find anything like the Conifers of Gnarnia anywhere else! No doubt any of the bigger/better known resorts in the Alps will have something to offer. Would like to know where people would recommend doing a full season? Or even just some of your favourite resorts. So I suppose my original question but without the trees (knew I overstated it a bit!)

So the rest of it, would love if someone could answer a couple of my other questions, like how feasible would it be to just head over mid-November/early December and find a job? Has anyone else here done it? How about the chalet hosting?

Would also love if anyone had any info on finding accommodation in a resort.

Cheers again

Mountain_Surfer

Hi Gavin,

Just a quick reply. Please feel free to send me a PM if you want to talk about it a little further. I've just come back form doing a season in Val d'Isere and without a shadow of a doubt, it was the greatest thing I've ever done. 5 months of extremes; between working, skiing and on the beer it was unreal. I was working for an Irish chalet company (pretty sure its the only chalet specific one too so wont be too hard to find). Chalet work is not glamorous but thats not why you're there, as you know.

I've been lucky enough to ski a lot before I headed away so wasnt learning how to ski (as maybe a third of seasonairres seemed to be, that I knew anyway). The mountains were always amazing. We skied hard most days for 5 months and I never got tired of any of it. There is limitless off piste. I lived in Le Fornet and the trees from mid mountain home were exceptionally good. The trees into Val centre from Solaise were steep fast and difficult so were barely ever tracked and so rewarding. Off piste between the top of Val and down to Tignes was exceptional. Grand Vallon, Cugnai Vallee, Manchet Vallee, Grande Motte, Fornet Glacier, Sache Vallon and more are all just whole other worlds of off piste and you dont have to trek to any of them!! The off piste has to be some of the most accessible that I've ever come across. Not forgetting some of the most challenging piste skiing in Europe too!

The town itself is brilliant. There is a really good community of people living and working there and there is always stuff going on that just adds to the experience. The nightlife is the best in France and arguably the best in Europe. As a seasonairre, drinks etc are not as expensive as you would think. If you make the bar staff aware that you are working, you will never pay more than a fiver for a drink. Not too bad really. We used to just get loads of beer in the weekly shop down the mountain to last the week. 4.50e for 24 stubbies. Cant go wrong.

Im not so sure about working for the English companies. I didnt come across any Irish working for them so I cant say one way or the other about that route. These guys are the association for anyone working in Val http://www.vievaldis.com/ they are happy to help wherever and whenever you need it. Employers advertise with them. There is not much that they dont know really and they have some activity every night for seasonairres from soccer to bridge to dancing and singing to french lessons and everything in between.

I hope this helps a little. As you can tell, I love Val and couldnt recommend it enough to anyone. If things dont work out career wise between now and Nov, I'll definitely be heading back. As I said, PM me if you would like any further info.

Easy,

MS

P.S. Just re read your post. You said that you have a decent standard of french. Its handy to have but you dont really need it. Any French there have fine English. I was very good at French in school. Have only used it on ski trips since then and I didnt struggle once during the season. It might be handy for the Vie Val d'Is crowd though. I never needed to talk to them

Fattes

gavinwavin; The main TO (Crystal etc) Pay minimum wage, work you long hours but do cover your passes, ski rental etc. You wont make money but you will have friends a decent support structure and access to a network when you hit the ground.

Accommodation; You will always find something in the villages of Europe easy enough through the season and regular season bums will always put you up until you find your feet.

The days of rocking up and just getting a job in Mid Nov/December is getting harder as not as many people are hitting the mountains. So keep an eye on Natives.co.uk for jobs and check out the forums for the resorts you are interested. in.

Best of luck