When you hear the phrase "ski job" you immediately think about the instructors who show the holiday makers how to enjoy themselves safely on the ski slope. You also think about the chalet and kitchen staff who welcome the guests, make their stay enjoyable, serve them up plenty of great food and generally treat them like royalty. But when you think about how many different jobs are required to enable any small town here in the UK to function, it is perhaps not surprising to learn that there a lot of less well known vacancies that need filling each year in order for a resort town to process wagon loads of happy tourists. In this article we are going to have a look at the more unusual side of winter season employment with our guide to the top five weird snow jobs.
Ask most instructors who are sat on the nursery slopes with a group of children who can barely stand up, and they will admit to a small amount of envy when you mention this job. A heli guide takes small groups of skiers and snowboarders to the tops of mountains using a helicopter, then accompanies them on extensive runs through virgin powder. I know, sounds horrible doesn't it.
Chance of getting this job: If you are a very good skier, have some back country guiding experience, first aid trained, and are on first name terms with the boss of a company that offers heli skiing, you may possibly someday get a chance to do this job!
Not a role you think about, but ski resorts are businesses too. They compete with each other, especially the more popular resorts, to bring in the maximum number of tourists each year. So how to you get more people to go where you want them to? Marketing. The resort marketing manager will spend most of their time talking to the holiday companies of various countries, convincing them to locate in resort x, or to increase their passenger numbers if they already are.
Chance of getting this job: Unless you live in resort, you are not going to be considered for this role. It isn't something you can do seasonally, especially as most of the hard work will be taking place out of season.
OK, this was the best name we could come up with to describe this occupation, though we have heard them described as snow bashers too. You know the ones we mean, they manipulate the snow with mini diggers to keep the piste looking its best. A ski slope that is always kept in a good condition will attract more skiers, which makes this job far more important than if at first sounds.
Chance of getting this job: This job is likely to be advertised by the resort itself. Required skills are more likely to involve being able to operate heavy machinery than being able to ski, though knowledge of how snow behaves may help you.
By equipment we mean boots, boards and skis. The role here is highly specialised, which means you have to be a real gear head, knowing your Powder skis from your Randoneé and your cuff from your flex adjustment. You will be repairing equipment that has been bashed on rocks, sharpening, waxing, finishing and generally making sure every bit of gear that comes your way is in top condition.
Chance of getting this job: This role is slightly more available than the ones we have already discussed above, and if you have the dedication to learn all the ins and outs, all the latest developments and learn the skills, this should be a very attainable role.
At first glance, the title suggests you just have to watch the chairs are running and people are able to get up the mountain, but the job is more involved, and if anything should go wrong, you'll be about the least popular person in resort! Most of what you do as a lift operator is help people. Help them get on and off the lift with all their equipment, making sure the snow is not making the entrance and exit dangerous, and making sure everybody is using the lifts in a safe manner.
Chance of getting this job: Another job you are likely to find offered by the resort itself. Pre-requisites are going to be based around customer service skills.
5 tips designed to guide you on how to maximise your salary this winter. The slightly easier to get jobs tend to offer fairly basic wages so if you want to earn a bit of money as well as enjoy your time in resort, you need to think smart.
Find out more about working with your significant other, or friend, as a chalet host couple. We analyse the job from the skills required to the perks on offer.
Ever wondered what a chalet host really does? Read our detailed guide, covering every aspect of the job, including an hour by hour over view of a typical day in the mountains.
