Do you recommend working in Chamonix for the 2012/2013 ski season?
Replies: 6 - Last Post: Oct 3, 2012 11:53 PM Last Post By: richiavo
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Do you recommend working in Chamonix for the 2012/2013 ski season?
I am a young South African/Irish traveller looking to go on a working ski holiday. I have heard great things about Chamonix but I have never been there and I don't know anyone who has. I would like to know what the general feeling is towards the area and if you would recommend going there? If so where would you start looking for a casual job?My other questions are:
Is it a popular place to visit with tourists and locals?
Is it a big town?
Is it predominantly french speaking? (I speak English, French and Spanish)
My other options are to go work in Verbier, Switzerland and Beaver Creek, USA - just in case someone could recommend one choice over the other! : )
1
Why Switzerland or USA?It's going to be much easier (assuming you have an Irish passport) to find work in the EU than these countries. France, Austria and Italy all have a huge number of ski resorts to pick from. Also check Andorra, Spain, Slovenia and Bulgaria.
Re Chamonix though (and I haven't been so it's heresay) - it's known as an experts place , lots of steep blacks, fewer beginner and intermediate runs. I think Verbier is more Sloaney and better for beginners and intermediates. Both are popular with locals and tourists.
3
Chamonix is a very important ski resort at the highest mountain in the Alps. As usual, in France they speak french and not much any other language. Your language skills will help you to find a job and there are always some jobs in the resorts. Andorra is usually overun by southamericans as they can easily work there.4
What do you want from a winter season? That might help with advice Chamonix is pretty much a place for hardcore skiers, no easy access to the slopes with a lot of off piste sking. If this is what you want then fine, you are just as likely to hear English as French so a lot of jobs will require English. If you have not really skied much before then I suggest you head elsewhere, as mentioned above you need to look for somewhere in the EU Austria and Italy could also be good. But what are looking to do?5
Wow, thanks for all the helpful replies! I really appreciate it!I have only been skiing three times in my lifetime so I am definitely not a hardcore skier! I just really enjoy it : )
The reason for maybe choosing the USA or Verbier over France and other EU countries is because I have friends and family who have either been there or are there at the moment. So they can help me sort out a job and accommodation. I have done my research with regards to visas and that won't be a problem if I make the decision soon enough. I would like to give Chamonix or another skiing spot in France a try as I would ideally like to practice speaking French. I am just unsure as to who I can speak to, to find a viable job offer before going over there!
6
Chamonix is not for you there are loads of resorts in France to choose from. If you could get a british bank account and Ni number you could check out www.natives.co.uk they have lots of winter jobs all over Europe with british tour operators.To get the best skiing experience though I would head to Beaver Creek, top place to ski, nice and friendly much quieter slopes than Europe and more snow sure. If you work in French resorts it doesn't mean you will get to practice your French you will find any of big resorts will be full of lots of nationalities.
