The European alps is one of the most idyllic places on the earth. Its breath taking views, crisp evening air, unbelievable skiing and of course we cant forget the apres ski. For 6 months of a year and having the opportunity to live and work here is a must do on any travellers wish list. Whether you’re a novice or an expert on the slopes it doesn’t matter. You will make friends for life in any of the ski resorts you wish to work in and the memories will stay with you forever. I think maybe the phrase ‘work hard, play hard’ may stem from the alps because there is a lot graft involved but also a lot of socialising too!! So be warned!!

Working in the Alpes

I had the opportunity to do several seasons in the alps working as a chef. It was the perfect time to learn a new language, throw myself in at the deep end into a new culture and have a bloody good time doing it. Oh at the same time too launching myself down the mountain as well on 2 planks of wood!! It can be very hard work and a demanding time doing a ski season. You are expected to work 6 days a week for 5-6 months of the year depending on which resort you are in. My advice would be to anyone who is contemplating doing a ski season is to prepare yourself for absolutely anything!!

You’ll have the time of your life for sure, make new and great friends and live in a beautiful part of the world for half a year. The English tour companies offer great packages for first time seasonaires or you can do it the hard way like me and just turn up and wing it!!

So arriving in the French alps i was lucky enough to have a friend there who helped me out for a few days with accommodation and so on. That was a big help because turning up with only a few quid in your pocket can be a tad daunting and some what risky!! Just the way i like it really! So after a boozy 4 days catching up i was asked to leave the accommodation because it was for only seasonaires working for that particular company. Still with no work and no roof over my head and not knowing anyone in the resort i proceeded to the bar to mingle with my rucksack and skis in tact! During the evening as the beer was flowing and nothing sorted out, i realised that i couldn’t traipse around with my ruck sack. So i had the great idea of burying my ruck sack, taking out some essential belongings and continuing on with my search for work with just a day pack. So i went over to the river, dug a hole and buried my ruck sack there for 3 days along with my skis!!! It actually worked out quite well as it was one less thing to worry about. Eventually after going from place to place with my crumpled CV but armed with grit and determination i met a couple who took pity on me and let me crash on their floor!! By this time i was so skint, i was having to look on the back of a packet of crisps to see which had the higher fat content and would fill me up the most!! No joke! Hahahaha!!

 

Anyway after a few days of scouting about talking to people, i finally managed to get a job in the neighbouring resort. So that was one tick off my list. The second was accommodation as the job did not supply a room. So the lovely couple took pity on me again, i went back and knocked on to ask if i could lay my hat on their heated floor! Oui pas probleme Richard! So i cooked a couple of dishes for them which sorted out my rent. Anyway as the job started in the neighbouring resort, in order for me to get there i was having to hitch hike every morning. After 3 days of starting the new job hitch hiking there and back morning and evening, the next morning my boss was driving up the road. As normal i had my thumb out watching many cars pass and standing there like a freezing statue! But low and behold the next car that was passing and actually stopped was my boss, as he recognised my distinguishable jacket. He didn’t realise i was having to hitch hike everyday to get to work and was basically homeless! But all was sorted that day and i managed to even get my own room on me todd, subsidised out of my wages! Winner winner chicken dinner!!

Just above are some photos of a dish i had never even heard of until i arrived in the alps. Its called Tartiflette and basically is heart attack material!! Its a very simple dish with potatoes, cream, lardons (bacon bits to Brits) garlic, onion and reblechon cheese. Its a very traditional Savoie (region of the french alps) dish which is a real winter warmer!! Wash that down with a Vin chaud and you’ll soon be warm and fat i tell ya!!

 

So basically what i’m trying to say is, to work in the alps and get a season under your belt, the British tour companies offer great packages. As the path i took it was a little different and not so normal!, but a blessing in disguise at the same time. I didn’t know it at the time but i was being employed by a French company and that was my first step of entering the French system. The restaurant manager brought over my contract, which at the time i couldn’t read a word of it, and said sign here. That was the beginning of my journey in France becoming a base for my travels and opening the next chapter of my life!

Et a tous mes amis anglais que j’ai recontres depuis longtemps, j’espere que vous appreciez tous la vie!

Oh, je dois mentionner aussi tous les francais avec lesquels, j’ai croise les chemins dans les passe! Viens les trois lions!! Merci