Your First Ski Season in Morzine: What to Expect

For anyone who’s ever befriended a chalet host (they are a friendly bunch) and heard tales of long seasons on the snow and late nights out with co-workers, chalet work sounds like a great option. But what does it really involve? What price do you pay for all that fresh powder and great après scene?

Well, the truth is, if you’re prepared for some hard work, then it really is as good as it sounds. Working in skiing accommodation, like the chalets in Morzine, gives you the chance to pay your way through a ski season in return for a few hours a day of very hard graft.

What the Role Involves

There are two main roles in the chalets in Morzine: chalet hosting and chalet assistant. Both roles will require plenty of interaction with guests, for whom this week of skiing will be a highlight of their year. You’ll need to be friendly and engaging, while remembering that you’re role is to make their holiday run smoothly; chalet work is all about juggling hospitality and organisation.

Chalet Host – The chalet host is responsible for cooking (breakfast, afternoon tea, three-course dinner and any children’s meals or special dietary requirements), daily cleaning, some admin, and playing host to the guests.

Chalet Assistant – In the larger chalets in Morzine (12 beds or more) there is also a role for a chalet assistant. The assistant helps with the cooking and serving of meals. You will also be responsible for the majority of the cleaning roles, making beds etc. You will still be expected to interact with guests and ensure they have a great holiday experience.

Daily Routine

So you think you’ve got what it takes to work in one of the busy chalets in Morzine? Check out this break down of a Host’s daily work to check if it’s for you.

• 6.00am – wake up ready to start work at 7am.
• 7.00am – start preparations for breakfast, bake a cake for afternoon tea
• 9.00am – clear away breakfast.
• 9.00am - 11.30am – cleaning chalet (including guest rooms, bathrooms and making beds).
• 11.30am – 4.00pm – hit the slopes! This is your time and you’ve earned it, so enjoy your day’s skiing or boarding!
• 4.00pm – set up afternoon tea and begin preparations for dinner.
• 5.30pm – serve any children’s meals required.
• 7.00pm – host pre-dinner drinks with canapés. 
• 8.00pm – serve dinner.
• 9.30pm – 10.30pm – clear away dinner.

There are two days a week when the routine changes: transfer day (when it’s all about cleaning, cleaning, cleaning) and your day off (when it’s all about you!).

How to Get to Morzine

If you’ve decided working a ski season is for you and you’ve managed to secure a job, the next thing to think about is how to get there. Some companies will take care of transporting their staff (usually by coach), but if you need to make your own way then the best option is to fly to Geneva.

There are plenty of low cost airlines flying into Geneva and you can get a great deal with Shuttle Direct on a group transfer from the airport straight to the resort. Just let us know in advance if you’ll be travelling with your own ski equipment and we’ll take it up there for you free of charge!