Working as a ski guide

Requirements of the job:

• Full, clean driving licence
• Knowledge of the local language (French, German or Italian)
• Experience of cross country skiing
• First Aid certificate (qualification will be arranged and paid for by the company on appointment)

Desired qualities:

• Guiding experience
• Experience of leading groups & group dynamics

Job details:

Salary: From £120 per week + one off payment for ski clothing/equipment

Accommodation: In hotel or private apartment

Duration of Job: December to April

Working hours: As necessary according to client requirements

Arrival/Departure day is usually Saturday. Guides transport our guests finishing their holiday, back to the airport or station, and collect guests starting their holiday. Average amount of guests per week 8 maximum.

On arrival at the hotel, the guides make sure everyone are happy with their rooms, show them where to get a drink! and gives advice on meal times, hotel facilities etc.

No one wants too much information the first night, travelling out to the regions can be exhausting, whether our clients drive themselves, fly, or arrive by train.

The following morning, the guides go through the information in much greater detail, including a guide of what will be happening that week.

The ski programme is never fixed to allow variations in experience, fitness, guests’ own preferences and of course weather, conditions.

You will be expected to fit everyone out with skis, whether the hotel or ski shop provides them.

The first day you can normally expect to take everyone to the beginners’ trails, & access the groups’ abilities. The guides give ‘basic tuition’ and get everyone on their feet, (literally!) running a full guided programme throughout the week, providing suggestions for experienced skiers who would like to ski independently.

For most of our ski holidays, we have one day a week when our guests set of independently or go snowshoeing with a local instructor (when snowshoeing off-piste) This gives our guides a day off, though will be on call if needed.

Mobile phones are provided for emergency use.

Our guides are responsible for looking after the welfare of the guests during their stay with us, often liaising with the guest and hotel and our office and the hotel.

If weather conditions do not permit skiing, then a full alternative programme will be laid on by the guides, guided walks, museum visits etc.