Working at a Ski Resort in France on a Working Holiday

Working at a Ski Resort in France

During their Working Holiday in France, some participants choose to work at ski resorts, which provide many seasonal employment opportunities, particularly in the winter.

Indeed, in France, mountain areas at both high and mid-altitudes are major hubs for seasonal employment, particularly in the hospitality and food service industries.

If you have experience in the field and are prepared to work long hours, working at a ski resort can be a great opportunity. Plus, you can live at the resort and enjoy certain perks (such as skiing or snowboarding on your days off!).

Ski resorts in France

There are more than 200 ski resorts in France; here is a non-exhaustive list of them. The main sources of employment are the Alpine resorts, whether in high- or mid-mountain areas.

Ski areas are not just found in the Alps. You can also look in the Pyrenees and, to a lesser extent, the Massif Central, Jura and Vosges.

It is important to know that there can be huge differences in terms of hiring practices and wages depending on the resort. Some resorts are upscale and cater to a wealthy clientele, while others are more affordable and family-oriented. As a result, the types of accommodation and restaurants vary, as do their expectations (four-star hotel or holiday residence, Michelin-starred restaurant or brasserie, etc.).

Generally speaking, because of snowfall, mid-mountain resorts are open for a shorter period and therefore offer fewer jobs. Wages are also generally lower than in high-mountain resorts or on very large ski areas (with the possible exception of upscale mid-mountain resorts such as Megève or St Gervais).

What jobs are available?

Ski resorts hire people in a wide variety of occupations.

However, as a working holiday maker, some jobs will be very difficult for you to access. This includes:

• Ski instructors
• Mountain guides
• Ski patrollers
• Ski lift technicians

These are regulated professions requiring specific training and a French qualification. It is unlikely that you will have time to meet these requirements. You therefore will not be able to apply for these types of jobs.

Tourist information offices are also sources of employment, particularly in larger resorts. However, even if you are a tourism professional and speak several languages, local professionals are generally preferred (knowledge of the area is often essential), unless you have particular skills (speaking Russian, for example). That said, there is nothing stopping you from applying for these positions.

Popular jobs among working holiday makers

As a working holiday maker, you should focus on the three main employment sectors where you are most likely to find opportunities:

1. Hospitality and food service: there are countless hotels and restaurants offering a wide range of positions. Housekeeping, front desk, cooks, servers, dishwashers, etc. You’ll work plenty of hours, but the experience can be rewarding. Wages vary depending on the position. For entry-level positions, expect to earn minimum wage.
2. Childcare and recreation: childcare, recreation centres, etc.
3. Retail: resorts have many shops, ranging from traditional businesses (such as bakeries and grocery stores) to businesses specifically geared towards mountain activities (equipment rental shops, sporting goods stores, etc.). This is a major source of employment. Being multilingual is definitely an advantage. If you don’t have technical knowledge of the equipment, you’ll quickly learn on the job.