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How and When to Look for a Job at a Ski Resort

Check out our Guide to finding a job and working in France.

It’s worth knowing that tourism is the main driver of economic activity in most mountain areas. For local residents, there are few other professional opportunities. As a result, municipalities tend to prioritize local workers when filling many positions. This is the main obstacle faced by Working Holiday participants during their job search.

A few tips

When looking for a job, start by identifying which resorts best match your experience and what you’re looking for. Large or small resort? Budget-friendly or more upscale?

Once you’ve narrowed it down, visit each resort’s website: they will generally have a Jobs or Employment section. You can check the job postings already online or contact the municipality or tourist information office for more information, including whether Working Holiday Visa holders have been hired there in the past. Make sure to mention that you have valid work authorization and that you do not require employer sponsorship. For more information, read France Working Holiday Visa: arrival and employment procedures.
Highlight your knowledge of international tourism and, especially, your language abilities. This can give you an advantage over local candidates.
Drop off your résumé in person if possible or send it by email. Your résumé and cover letter should be tailored to the position you’re applying for to give yourself the best possible chance.

When should you look for a job at a ski resort?

Generally speaking, the vast majority of job postings for the winter season are online in September and October (for contracts of up to five months, from December to April).

If you are already in France, you should also attend job fairs and recruitment events for seasonal workers. These are generally held at the end of summer in larger cities near the Alps and Pyrenees. For example, Bureaux and Points Information Jeunesse (youth information centres) organize such events, and you can visit their offices for more information.

There is also a second hiring period for the summer season, generally in May. Summer contracts last no more than two months (July–August). The number of positions available is much lower than during the winter season.

Websites where you can find jobs

Resources for the Auvergne Rhônes-Alpes region
Recruitment in the Pyrénées: n-py.com and ppmm64.org
Facebook group: Saisonniers des Pyrénées
France Travail: Seasonal jobs in ski stations
Saisonnier.fr
monjobalamontagne.com
emploimontagne.com
job-tourisme.fr

Facebook Groups

According to Laurie’s experience, it was fairly easy for her to find a job at a ski resort. She found two job postings through the Chamonix Job Offers Facebook group. She found a job as a head waiter. Search Facebook for groups associated with other ski resorts.

LinkedIn can be a very useful platform in your job search, even for seasonal work. Consider changing your location and indicating on your profile that you’re looking for seasonal work at a ski resort.

Seasonal employment contracts

When working in certain positions at a ski resort (for example, in hospitality and food service, but not in retail), you will not have a standard employment contract. Instead, you will have a seasonal employment contract.

Seasonal employment contracts are governed by specific rules under French labour law. Technically, they are a sort of fixed-term contract, but unlike standard non-seasonal CDDs, they do not entitle you to a 10% end-of-contract bonus (prime de précarité) based on your gross salary, paid at the end of your contract.

You’ll work a lot of hours and there may be plenty of overtime and few days off. This is why working at a ski resort can be financially worthwhile.

To find out what benefits come with your position, read your contract carefully (benefits are also listed on your pay slips). Make sure to ask relevant questions when applying or if you are selected for the position.

Before Accepting a Job Offer

Before you accept a job offer, make sure you have answers to the following questions:

Is accommodation provided? If not, how much will it cost you? Accommodation can be prohibitively expensive. Small studios can cost more than €500 per month. You should also check whether utilities (water and electricity) are included. If they aren’t, check how well insulated the accommodation is (otherwise, your energy bills can quickly become very expensive).
What is the cost of living? In some ski resorts, a simple pizza can cost €30! Groceries and everyday expenses can therefore become very expensive, potentially making the “investment” of working at a resort not worthwhile. The idea is also to be able to save some money for the rest of your Working Holiday. Note that in some resorts, seasonal workers may be eligible for discount cards, allowing you to get small discounts from local businesses.
Do you need a vehicle to get to work? You’ll always find a way to get to your resort at the beginning of your contract and leave when it ends, but will you need a car on a daily basis? Will not having one make you feel too isolated? Are there bus connections to and from the resort so you can explore the area on your days off or go down the mountain to do your shopping?
What benefits are included in your contract? Accommodation, a ski pass, tips, bonuses, meals…
Do you have a pet? If so, you won’t be able to bring it with you to seasonal-worker accommodation that is provided for by your employer.