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Tips/Advice for a season in Europe 2018/19.

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Bmillerz
Posts: 42 - Karma: 100
It has always been a dream of mine to ski all winter, Im coming up to the end of my degree and want to start planning something for next season; The plan is obviously to ski as much as possible. Its my first season so Im looking for any advice on how to get started, how to choose the resort, what jobs are best, finding accommodation, etc and any experiences you've had in the Alps.

I friend of mine took an instructors course in Meribel, is this something worth looking at?

Many Thanks!
Apr 20 2018 4:56PM
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benharrington_
Posts: 194 - Karma: 872
I just did 3 weeks in Europe, two sickest places I went to were Vogel in slovenia and Livingo in Italy. Slovenia didn't have the best park but it was hella beautiful. Livingo was crazy, town was super sick and park was epic, also freeride there was good. It was the place they used to do audi 9 nights at. Also seiseralm has a sick park.
Apr 20 2018 5:08PM
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gohometourists
Posts: 25 - Karma: 33
Meribel and the ski area of three valleys is the biggest ski area in the world so it definitely is a experience worth checking. A week isn't enough to discover all the amazing places Three valley's has so make sure you have a lot of time.
Apr 21 2018 4:10AM
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Bmillerz
Posts: 42 - Karma: 100
Thanks, Ill have a look into Slovenia I never thought of going that far east. Good freeride sounds perfect!

I have been to three valleys for a week before, your right it definitely isn't enough time. That was high up on my list of resorts to seasonaire in. Would you say Meribel is the best place to base yourself?
Apr 21 2018 5:45AM
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Crispy.
Posts: 6109 - Karma: 7,683
This is relevant to my interests.
Apr 21 2018 7:30AM
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gohometourists
Posts: 25 - Karma: 33
BmillerzThanks, Ill have a look into Slovenia I never thought of going that far east. Good freeride sounds perfect!

I have been to three valleys for a week before, your right it definitely isn't enough time. That was high up on my list of resorts to seasonaire in. Would you say Meribel is the best place to base yourself?


If I had the chance I'd definitely base myself in Meribel. Meribel is the best skiing are I've ever been in. So many slopes, above average parks, off-piste areas, astonishing landscape and of course great food. I was Les Menuires, which is in the next valley to the right from Meribel, 2 years ago and now am looking forward to travel there in the near future.

**This post was edited on Apr 21st 2018 at 9:14:40am

**This post was edited on Apr 21st 2018 at 9:16:28am
Apr 21 2018 9:12AM
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mattybaums
Posts: 300 - Karma: 1,244
If you are looking to do a season then try going for a job with a U.K. Ski vacation company (assuming you speak English) you can get a job as a chalet boy which means you have to cook for guests and clean the chalet on the changeover days. The company supplies you with a ski pass, insurance, food, accommodation, and they still pay you 400 pounds each month. You get to ski the moment your guests leave after breakfast and you can basically ski until you need to head back to make dinner for guests. Essentially you ski 6 days a week for 5-6 hours everyday. My brother graduated high school last year and then did a season in St. Anton, Austria this year and said it was by far the best way to maximize ski time while gaining all the perks of the company you work for!

**This post was edited on Apr 21st 2018 at 9:26:22am

**This post was edited on Apr 21st 2018 at 9:27:24am
Apr 21 2018 9:24AM
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Whiteout_
Posts: 65 - Karma: 824
Joining a Shape Crew is definetly a good idea in europe. You don't get that much money but you still can afford everything you need and get to shred a ton. Q Parks or Schneestern offer many Shape Crew jobs. Also Resort wise, going to Salzburg might be a good idea. With the Salzburger Super Ski Card or the Ski Amade Card you get many resorts and really good parks, like Absolut Park for under 600€.
Apr 21 2018 11:28AM
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Bmillerz
Posts: 42 - Karma: 100
gohometouristsIf I had the chance I'd definitely base myself in Meribel. Meribel is the best skiing are I've ever been in. So many slopes, above average parks, off-piste areas, astonishing landscape and of course great food. I was Les Menuires, which is in the next valley to the right from Meribel, 2 years ago and now am looking forward to travel there in the near future.


Cheers for the advice, ill take a further look into Meribel and see what options I have there.
Apr 21 2018 2:27PM
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Bmillerz
Posts: 42 - Karma: 100
mattybaumsIf you are looking to do a season then try going for a job with a U.K. Ski vacation company (assuming you speak English) you can get a job as a chalet boy which means you have to cook for guests and clean the chalet on the changeover days. The company supplies you with a ski pass, insurance, food, accommodation, and they still pay you 400 pounds each month. You get to ski the moment your guests leave after breakfast and you can basically ski until you need to head back to make dinner for guests. Essentially you ski 6 days a week for 5-6 hours everyday. My brother graduated high school last year and then did a season in St. Anton, Austria this year and said it was by far the best way to maximize ski time while gaining all the perks of the company you work for!

The perks of a chalet boy does sound good. Im surprised he managed 5-6 hours of skiing, I always thought chalet work was supposed to be really hard work. Ill take a look into it if you think its a good way to maximise ski time; do you know the company your brother worked for?

How did he find St. Anton? Ive always wanted to go.

Thanks for the advice!
Apr 21 2018 2:33PM
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Bmillerz
Posts: 42 - Karma: 100
Whiteout_Joining a Shape Crew is definetly a good idea in europe. You don't get that much money but you still can afford everything you need and get to shred a ton. Q Parks or Schneestern offer many Shape Crew jobs. Also Resort wise, going to Salzburg might be a good idea. With the Salzburger Super Ski Card or the Ski Amade Card you get many resorts and really good parks, like Absolut Park for under 600€.


I never even thought of that as a job. Low pay doesn't bother me as long as I get a ton of ski time.

Just had a look at Q Parks and Schneestern, might have a look at applying soon. Do you know what the working hours are, is it usually in the day or evening?

The Salzburger Card looks really good, never been to Austria but Ive heard the resorts are good.
Apr 21 2018 2:40PM
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mattybaums
Posts: 300 - Karma: 1,244
You have to work hard but you get to play the hardest and the guests often leave you all their alcohol and a hefty tip. He worked for SkiVal and he loved St. Anton...park isn't the best but not the worst either and the powder is next level!


BmillerzThe perks of a chalet boy does sound good. Im surprised he managed 5-6 hours of skiing, I always thought chalet work was supposed to be really hard work. Ill take a look into it if you think its a good way to maximise ski time; do you know the company your brother worked for?

How did he find St. Anton? Ive always wanted to go.

Thanks for the advice!
Apr 21 2018 4:44PM
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Whiteout_
Posts: 65 - Karma: 824
BmillerzI never even thought of that as a job. Low pay doesn't bother me as long as I get a ton of ski time.

Just had a look at Q Parks and Schneestern, might have a look at applying soon. Do you know what the working hours are, is it usually in the day or evening?

The Salzburger Card looks really good, never been to Austria but Ive heard the resorts are good.

Usually you have to either work in the morning to open the park or reshape it in the afternoon. During the building phase of the park it's more work.
Apr 21 2018 10:52PM
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Bmillerz
Posts: 42 - Karma: 100
mattybaumsYou have to work hard but you get to play the hardest and the guests often leave you all their alcohol and a hefty tip. He worked for SkiVal and he loved St. Anton...park isn't the best but not the worst either and the powder is next level!


Oh okay. SkiVal look good, did he need any catering qualifications etc? Im assuming you'll be missing the first chair in the morning doing chalet work?

Free alcohol and next level powder sound like a winner!
Apr 22 2018 2:49PM
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Bmillerz
Posts: 42 - Karma: 100
Whiteout_Usually you have to either work in the morning to open the park or reshape it in the afternoon. During the building phase of the park it's more work.


Afternoon sounds good, not sure how I feel about morning work though? I don't want to miss out on first tracks on a powder day! I always assumed the shape crew worked at night?
Apr 22 2018 2:53PM
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mattybaums
Posts: 300 - Karma: 1,244
I'm not sure if you need catering qualifications but he took a 2 week cooking course in London which really helped a lot... you miss first chair except on your day off, but it won't matter when you're a seasonaire you know all the places to find pow no matter the time of day :) I can put you in touch with my brother if you PM me?

BmillerzOh okay. SkiVal look good, did he need any catering qualifications etc? Im assuming you'll be missing the first chair in the morning doing chalet work?

Free alcohol and next level powder sound like a winner!
Apr 22 2018 3:19PM
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Bmillerz
Posts: 42 - Karma: 100
mattybaumsI'm not sure if you need catering qualifications but he took a 2 week cooking course in London which really helped a lot... you miss first chair except on your day off, but it won't matter when you're a seasonaire you know all the places to find pow no matter the time of day :) I can put you in touch with my brother if you PM me?


Oh okay cool. Thats true I guess you learn all the good pow stashes on the mountain. Thanks man that would be perfect!
Apr 22 2018 3:31PM
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gohometourists
Posts: 25 - Karma: 33
If you are going to Austria I'd recommend Saalbach-Hintelgremm ski area. As a park shaper you would have two different parks with a lot of work to do in a wonderful location jsut few hours away from the city of Salzburg. Hintelgremm has even a night park which gathers local skiers during the evenings.
Apr 24 2018 12:22PM
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