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With over 50 applications per job preparation is key

30th July 2013 Print
iCake

Staggering figures released this week by Skiweekends shows just how popular ski season work has become during the current economic climate. Applications last year rocketed to 1,586, all keen to work for Skiweekends but with only 30 jobs on offer this meant for fierce competition. The best way to ensure a ski season job is to undertake a chalet cookery course.

Chalet cookery courses run by Skiweekends in 2012 had a 100% success rate in attendees gaining employment for the 2012/13 ski season, all within three weeks of completing their course. This is through not just Skiweekends employing a number of attendees but also other tour operators who are invited to interview attendees. Chalet jobs involve of course cooking duties but also cleaning, resort knowledge, budgeting skills and also the ability to host amiably. With this in mind the benefits of the course can be evaluated:

Cooking: When you think of a chalet holiday it is the catered part that often appeals as it’s all inclusive. Chalet hosts need to be skilled in the kitchen both in terms of knife and cooking skills as well as being efficient and good timekeepers. On the course those participating are trained thoroughly in baking cakes and cooking extensive three course meals that require good planning and kitchen management.

Budgeting: This may be the first job for a school leaver or a first role in which money is provided to complete the work. Shopping is an essential weekly task for many chalet hosts and navigating a French alpine supermarket within budget is a skill to be harnessed. Sessions through the week on shopping and accounting are potentially as useful as the cooking sessions for potential hosts.

Cleaning: Barely anyone enjoys this part of the job but it is as essential as anything else with guests likely to pick up on this on first impressions. All aspects of this life skill are covered including hot tub maintenance for chalets with those extra facilities.

Ski resort knowledge: Ski resorts vary but knowing what the facilities are and gaining knowledge of a resort as soon as possible is key. Activities in the days and evenings will help attendees gain a feel for a ski resort and the locals, an environment very different to the UK and indeed much of France. Opportunities to take on an adventure sport such as paragliding are also possible to add to the fun aspects of the course.

The price of the course is from £545 per person and includes all course fees, 7 nights’ accommodation in the Chalet Gourmets in Morzine, continental breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, recipe book, wine and cheese tasting evening, Skiweekends apron and interviews organised.

The dates for this year’s course have been expanded with 3 courses in September: 7th – 14th, 14th – 21st and 21st – 28th

With unemployment at around 2.5 million application levels are set to be equally high this coming season and a head start such as this is sure to be in demand. As well as a job opportunity the SkiWeekends chalet course helps students learn the key skills needed to work a ski season and have the experience of a lifetime.

For more information, visit skiweekends.com.

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