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This site aims to bring to life the day to day experience of working a season with Collett’s. It is essential you study this site in detail before making an application. Working in some of the world’s most spectacular alpine environments might turn out to be one of the most cherished experiences of your life, but only if you fully understand what we expect of you on a day to day basis.
Collett’s is a small, independent holiday specialist, offering half-board, bed & breakfast and self-catering accommodation in some of Europe’s most stunning mountain ranges and areas of outstanding beauty: In Italy, The Dolomites and Tuscany; the Austrian & Swiss Alps; and in Spain, the Pyrenees, Picos de Europa and the Sierra Tejeda (Andalucia). Our guests come with a range of outdoor interests, aspirations and abilities, from wildflower enthusiasts to those seeking challenging high level adventures on rugged terrain. They are a very sociable crowd, who enjoy the atmosphere we manage to facilitate, getting to know fellow outdoor enthusiasts in their chosen accommodation or on our organised walks. For more information about our holidays go to colletts.co.uk
Each year we recruit people to join our resort teams on a seasonal basis. We need teams in the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to mid-November) and winter (from start of December until mid-April), but many more during the summer months of June to the end of September.
You must, above all else, have a love of the outdoors and plenty of experience of walking in the hills and mountains with good navigational skills using an outdoor map. You need to have a genuine interest in (and enthusiasm for) new areas and the ability to contribute positively to a team environment. These jobs require you to genuinely enjoy looking after people, helping them to get the best out of their holiday.
A polite, sociable and obliging character is essential. Collett’s is justly proud of the outstanding quality of its past resort teams and we owe much of our success to their hard work, attention to detail and, most of all, their friendly and engaging characters. If you are the type of person who naturally enjoys the company of others and enjoys looking after people, then read on. See what we offer our guests here.
To get the most out of this experience, we cannot over exaggerate the importance of having a keen interest in the alpine environment and mountain activities, especially walking or climbing. There is very little to do in the villages in which we are based unless you are an outdoor enthusiast. If you are looking for a lively nightlife, forget it! We tend to socialise in the chalets or in a local bar with our guests or other members of the staff team.
Minimum Outdoor Experience Required:
- Plenty of experience of walking/hiking in the hills and mountains with excellent navigational skills using an outdoor map, in the UK or abroad.
- You don’t need to have experience of having lead groups before, but that would of course be a huge advantage.
- You need to be relatively fit and confident in high level mountain terrain and happy to accompany groups of guests on any grade of walk (easy, moderate or hard), whilst enjoying the day yourself.
Also Essential:
- Thorough understanding of the dangers posed to walkers in a mountainous environment.
- Focus on and interest in the well-being and safety of others.
- Polite, responsible and helpful –engaging and generous personality.
- Respect for and interest in people, places and local culture.
- Positive energy, hard work ethic and a willingness to get stuck into a range of day-to-day menial resort chores.
- Team skills /compatibility – a tolerant, flexible and supportive attitude.
- The willingness to do jobs over and above a timetabled schedule.
A bonus but not essential:
- Full Driving Licence with at least One Year’s driving experience (accompanied by safe and sound driving skills).
- Any Outdoor Qualification, Mountain Leader Course etc.
Most of the walking we do is very well way-marked and straightforward to navigate without previous knowledge of the area. We tend to stick to routes we know are tried-and-tested winners. During our orientation period at the start of the season we give you time to get used to the map and how well it relates to the terrain.
For the first few weeks of the season you would be required to use as much of your free time as possible to ‘recce’ walking routes you haven’t done before so you have first-hand experience when you tell guests about them at Office Hour and accompany them on organised walks.
We are currently accepting applications for these positions in the following locations.
N.B. For jobs in Italy (Summer & Winter ) we can only consider people who have an EU passport, or UK nationals who have the right to work in Italy through residency or work permit etc.
In Switzerland we are looking for UK Nationals only
Summer 2022
Walk Advisors Italian Dolomites 9 June to late-September
Walk Advisors Swiss Alps 24 June – 20 September
Autumn 2022 – Tuscany
Walk Advisors from 17 September to 30 October
Winter 2022/23 – Italain Dolomites
From early Dec 2022 to early April 2023
Ski Holiday Hosts
Chalet Driver, Barperson, Dinner Host
Spring, Summer and Autumn
Italian Dolomites, Austrian Alps, Swiss Alps, Picos De Europa, Pyrenees, Andalucia and Tuscany
It is hard to think of anywhere in the world that offers walkers such great access to spectacular variety and exhilaration than our main walk destinations. Study our organised walking pages of each resort on our main website to get an idea of the awe-inspiring terrain that characterises the area’s walking trails, whether at low, medium or high level. We offer our guests ‘Organised’ Walks five/six days a week (not Wednesdays). These are not to be confused with ‘Guided’ Walks. We therefore call ourselves ‘Walk Organisers’, not Leaders or Guides. We go to great lengths to clarify to our clients the difference between a Collett’s Walk Organiser and a Qualified Mountain Guide.
As a Walk Organiser you would spend half of your time out on the hill accompanying guests on our ‘Organised Walks’. The other half of your time is spent in resort. Effectively, our staff work in two teams. These two teams alternate between a resort based ‘Resort Day’, followed by a day in the mountains – an ‘Outdoor Day’.
Outdoor Days involve accompanying guests on our Organised Walks and helping in the evening at the daily ‘Office Hour’. These are the days on which you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery that surrounds us in the Dolomites in the company of our guests, who, like you, are likely to have a passion for walking in the great outdoors.
A typical day would involve the following:
- Eat a good breakfast in the staff apartment and prepare your kit and packed lunch for the day before meeting up with the guests, who have subscribed to ‘your’ walk the evening before. We would generally meet around 9am, though some longer walks leave earlier. You would need to be at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before the set time, to deal with any last-minute issues. This is normally outside the main accommodation in which your guests are staying in the village.
- Once all of your guests have arrived, we read through a pre-departure checklist to remind everyone of what they should have with them for the day, clothing, kit, food, water money etc. This gives everyone a chance to collect from their rooms anything they have forgotten.
- The walk will either be starting from the village or a bus or car ride away. If you have to travel to the start of the walk this will normally be done on public transport, so you would then make your way as a group over to the bus stop. If using guest cars for transport you would be suggesting guests car share to reduce the number of vehicles having to travel. After sorting everyone out you would normally ride in a guest’s car to the start of the walk.
- Before setting out on the walk we give a talk about how we intend to organise the day and to make sure everyone is aware of their own responsibility, reminding people gently that you are not a qualified guide etc.
- During the walk you need to be able to navigate confidently whilst keeping a discreet eye on the condition of the guests and progress of the party.
- Whilst keeping a steady eye on the time, you stop regularly for water and snack stops, and decide on a good time and location to sit down for your packed lunch. The ability of the group and weather conditions on the day will determine many of these decisions. If you have a bus to catch home at the end of the walk, then setting an appropriate pace for the party, without pusing anyone out of their comfort zone, is also a consideration.
- Without intruding on your walking companions, try and talk to as many people as possible, getting to know them a little along the way. If you have walked or climbed with friends before in the mountains, you will know it is a great way to get to know people – barriers come down and people are happy to share a bit of life history or put the world to rights.
- At all times during the walk you would behave in a responsible and mature manner, putting safety first.
- At the end of the walk (or on the way home) a stop at a bar for a beer/coffee/ice cream goes down well and continues the camaraderie that has built up durin the day amongst the group.
- Back in resort you would shower and change and head to ‘Office Hour’ from which runs from 6.00 until 7.30pm, helping people plan their next day’s itineraries and generally playing your role as a host.
- Without intruding on your walking companions, try and talk to as many people as possible, getting to know them a little along the way. If you have walked or climbed with friends before in the mountains, you will know it is a great way to get to know people – barriers come down and people are happy to share a bit of life history or put the world to rights.
- After Office Hour you would head back to the staff apartment where you would prepare your evening meal with one of your teammates who has also been on an Outdoor Day. This is with food bought in on a budget provided by us. The rest of the evening would be your own.
Important: the ‘Resort Day / Outdoor Day’ rota (with the various jobs they entail) is only the beginning of your responsibility to the job – not the end. Jobs can crop up unexpectedly and usually they need to be carried out immediately. We aim to recruit people who are prepared to ‘go the extra mile’ people who will drop what they are doing (work or leisure) to help out when necessary.
Resort Days involve the other day to day duties that are required to keep our holidays running efficiently.
A typical day would involve the following:
- Making sandwiches first thing for your guests who have ordered a packed lunch the evening before. You would deliver these to the hotel in which they are staying then hang around to pass on ideas and information to guests who may still be deciding what to do that day.
- Hosting breakfast, passing on ideas and information to guests who may still be deciding what to do that day.
- The rest of the morning may be taken up with other jobs around the village: washing a resort vehicle; preparing Welcome Packs for any self-catering guests arriving later that day; doing a run to the recycling centre etc., etc.
- Once a week you might be looking after departing and arriving guests on a coach transfer as a Rep to and from the airport. This might entail an early start and a mid to later afternoon return to the village.
- Afternoons are generally free, although a couple of times each week you will be on Welcome Duty, from 3pm onwards waiting to meet, greet and settle in new guests arriving that day, dealing with the brief paperwork and any questions they may have etc. This may be a guest’s first contact with a Collett’s employee and how you handle the process will set the tone for the rest of their stay; it is therefore one of the most important jobs we do.
- Every evening, from 6 until 7:30pm all of our team will host Office Hour in the main Hotel or Chalet Hotel in which your guests are staying. For most guests this is not only an opportunity to socialise and relax over a drink before dinner, but also a time when they make their plans for the next day with the help of your extensive knowledge of the local walks which we have documented. You can find yourself answering all kinds of questions during office hour, from what time the chemist opens in the village, to information about other Alpine Activities which might be available in the area.
- After office hour you would accompany your guests to dinner in the Chalet or Hotel, acting as their host to create an informal dinner party atmosphere and make an occasion of the evening. You would sit and eat with the guests, chatting away, making sure they have everything they need, whilst hopefully enjoying a lovely three course meal and a couple of glasses of wine yourself.
- Dinner takes as long as it takes and as the Host, you would only leave when it was more or less over, normally between 9:30 and 10.30pm. If they are enjoying everyone’s company too much to leave, then it is not unusual to find members of our team still chatting away until later into the evening, enjoying one of the golden moments of this type of job, relaxing in like-minded company, well fed and watered, anticipating another amazing walk out in the mountains the next day.
- Early on in the season, with the considerable free time these Resort Days offer, they are also an opportunity to get out and recce our documented walks which you have not done before. This is essential for you to have first-hand knowledge to pass on to your guests during office hour, and to accompany a group if the route is offered as an Organised Walk.
- As the season progresses, the free time they represent becomes an opportunity to do other alpine activities locally; road cycling, mountain biking, via ferrata, climbing etc. And often a time to catch up with some personal admin, put a wash on, or just sit and relax in a meadow enjoying the alpine splendour all around.
A Resort Day is a three-times-per-week opportunity to have a few hours to yourself. We expect a lot of you when you are with our guests, so we particularly appreciate the value and importance of your ‘guest-free’ time.
An occasional alternative to the normal Resort Day for all of our Walk Organisers is Airport Transfer duty. This involves driving to Venice and/or Treviso via mountain roads and motorway to drop off departing guests and pick up new guests. Depending on numbers, drive a 9 seater minibus or act as a rep on a Coach. It is a three hour journey to Venice – a six hour round trip. The worst case scenario (in terms of time) would be an early start from the Dolomites (6am) to drop people off for a mid morning flight, and a late return after picking people up on a late afternoon flight. This is also a good scenario if you fancy spending a little time in Venice or Treviso – a bit of urban life (especially in one of these two beautiful cities) can be occasionally refreshing after the comparatively tranquil and isolated mountain environment.
- New arrivals can either be chatty and excited and will ask you lots of questions, or tired and irritable, especially if their day has been subject to a delay or a suitcase gone missing.
- It is an important job, as you are the first person from the company that guests will meet. You will therefore determine their first impression of Collett’s ‘in the flesh’. It is essential that you are well presented, welcoming, informative and, most important all, a good, safe driver, who puts their passengers at ease by driving with total and utter competence.
- Airport Transfers provide a break to the routine, but they can be tiring.
- Airport Transfer drivers are expected to have an early-ish and abstemious night prior to their transfer.
- Typically you will be on an airport transfer once a week.
Ready to apply?
Fill in our application form or call 01799 513331 to speak to one of our team.
A Truly Unique Winter Role
Italian Dolomites
This really is a ‘ski job’ with a difference, and it would be fair to say it might be one of the few of its kind on offer in the industry. The basis of our holidays is similar to the traditional idea of a ski holiday, with our guests staying in catered, hosted alpine chalets and self catering apartments. The main difference being the type of guests we get and the way we interact with them.
From all walks of life and of varying ages, our guests are more often than not ‘outdoor enthusiasts’ who love the mountains in winter and summer for the variety of activities they offer, not just the skiing. More than half of them will have been on a Collett’s holiday before, winter or summer.
As a ‘Ski and snowshoe host’ you would spend half of your time out on the hill, accompanying guests skiing, snowshoeing, and even a bit of cross country skiing. The other half of your time is spent in the chalet doing a range of tasks from domestic help (room cleans, helping at breakfast and dinner) to manning the bar, airport transfer driving, and lots and lots of guest interaction.
Outdoor Days involve accompanying guests on our Downhill Ski Itineraries, Snow Shoe or Winter Walks or accompanying them to a Cross Country Ski area. In the evening you would once again help at the ‘Office Hour’ and perhaps with washing up at dinner in one of the chalets. These are the days on which you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery that surrounds us in the Dolomites in the company of our guests, who, like you, are likely to have a passion for chosen activity.
- Eat a good breakfast in the staff kitchen before meeting up with the guests, who have subscribed to ‘your’ activity.
- Meet your guests around 8.30 to 9.00 am outside the chalet ready to depart.
- Before we leave we always pass on safety information about what kit and equipment to carry etc.
- If you are skiing you would walk up to or be dropped off at a nearby chairlift or cable car.
- If you are walking or cross-country skiing you might leave from the village, take public transport or drive the group yourself in a minibus to the start of the route or the centre.
- Before setting out on a Snow Shoe route, Winter Walk or Ski Day we give a talk about how we intend to organise the day and to make sure everyone is aware of their own responsibility, reminding people gently that you are not a qualified guide etc.
- During the day you need to be able to navigate confidently whilst keeping a discreet eye on the condition of the guests and progress of the party.
- We would expect you to talk to as many of the group as possible, as you are as much a ‘host’ for the day as you are the Organiser.
- If you have walked, skied or climbed with friends before in the mountains you will know what a great way to get to know people – barriers come down and people are happy to share a bit of life history or put the world to rights!
- Whilst we always expect you to behave in a responsible and mature manner, putting safety first, the reality of these days is often that you enjoy them as part of the party as much as the guests do.
- During the Skiing days we always take our guests to one of our favourite Rifugios for a hearty lunch, a great and very affordable feature of skiing in the Dolomites.
- If you are walking or snow shoeing we often take packed lunches and flasks of hot drinks, and make a lunch stop en route.
- On your return to Resort you would go to help again at the ‘Office Hour’ from 6.00 pm till 7.30pm, helping people organise their next day’s itineraries, and being a host around the chalet again.
- During dinner you would often have some ‘down time’ with one or two other members of the team, eating away from the guests, but you might still get involved with the washing up etc.
Important: This Outdoor Day / resort Day system is tried and tested and has been honed after many years of practice. It is designed to get the day to day resort chores done efficiently and as smoothly as possible and make sure nobody is left working whilst other people have finished: to enable us to enjoy the area doing the various activities with our guests: to maximise our opportunities for some free time to enjoy as we choose to.
Your rota is only the beginning of your responsibility to the job – not the end. Jobs can crop up unexpectedly and usually they need to be carried out immediately. We aim to recruit people who are prepared to ‘go the extra mile, take responsibility to see a job through to the end, and to drop what they are doing (work or leisure) to help out when necessary.
Resort days involve the day to day chores that are required to keep our resort and properties running efficiently; hosting breakfast, morning and evening ski shuttles, accompanying guests to ski hire, hosting dinner etc.
- Hosting breakfast in a chalet, providing local knowledge and expertise and helping any guests finalise their plans for the day.
- Ski shuttles, dropping guests at the nearby lifts both in the morning and the afternoon.
- Other odd jobs around the resort – washing resort vehicles, doing the recycling, unpacking food deliveries etc.
- Afternoons are generally free to get out skiing or perhaps ‘recce’ a new Snowshoe walk.
- From 6.00 until 7.30 each evening, there is ‘Office Hour’, when we meet our guests in one of our chalets to pass on local information, offer advice and provide information on different activities, and also to discuss our own activities for the next day.
- After Office Hour you would help host dinner in one of the chalets, eating with our guests, enjoying great food, a glass of wine or two, and the banter and spontaneous enjoyment that comes from such occasions. People are normally on a high after a great day out in the mountains together and ready for a good meal.
- You would expect to finish between 10 and 10.30pm, unless you are staying to enjoy the company of the guests, or even joining them for a drink in one of the local bars.
- Whilst a resort day will generally be perceived as the less attractive option, they can be great fun, especially if each member of the team supports one another and there is a good atmosphere within your team. This experience will not work for you if you are not a supportive, giving and tolerant ‘team player’.
- Also, as these resort chores are usually finished by lunch time, it also provides you with a bit of free time. Whether that is skiing, snowshoeing, washing clothes or just catching up with a bit of sleep, it is a few hours to yourself of guest – free time which we know is vitally important to keeping your batteries charged through the five month season.
The journey is around three hours each way, so quite tiring if you are driving, but actually quite a nice change to the routine once a week. This is perhaps the most important job of the week. Meeting people for the first time, giving them a warm welcome, sorting out any problems they might have with lost luggage etc., is essential. You might be the first person from Collett’s that our guests have met and it is an opportunity to get off to a great start. During the journey back up to resort we chat to every individual and double check any ski pass or ski hire needs etc.. Informing them of what will happen when they arrive and any other information they need to know.
- New arrivals can either be chatty and excited and will ask you lots of questions, or tired and irritable, especially if their day has been subject to a delay or a suitcase gone missing.
- It is an important job, as you are the first person from the company that guests will meet. You will therefore determine their first impression of Collett’s ‘in the flesh’. It is essential that you are well presented, welcoming, informative and, most important all, a good, safe driver, who puts their passengers at ease by driving with total and utter competence.
- Airport Transfers provide a break to the routine, but they can be tiring.
- Airport Transfer drivers are expected to have an early-ish and abstemious night prior to their transfer.
- If you are driving, it is essential that you do so safely and with all of your passengers comfort in mind.
- Whichever of these you are involved in it normally involves an early start, from 4am onwards, so we tend to get an early night the night before!
Ready to apply?
Fill in our application form or call 01799 513331 to speak to one of our team.
How to apply for seasonal work with Collett’s
Many thanks for your interest in working with us!
Before applying we invite you to read this site and the jobs that interest you thoroughly. Also please have a look through our main website colletts.co.uk – It is very important that you understand why customer care is a priority for Collett’s Mountain Holidays.
Once you feel you have read and understood what Collett’s has to offer and what is involved please fill in our Application Form below. We would be grateful if you could answer all of the questions, uploading your details, CV/Resume and a photo (which helps us to remember you better). If you would like to expand on any of the questions asked, please do. There is a maximum upload limit of 5MB.
If we feel you have the right experience and outlook, we will email you to arrange an intial chat over the phone. If that goes well, we would arrange an interview via skype.
Before you Apply – PLEASE NOTE
- We can only employee UK Nationals in Switzerland.
- For all other destinations we need EU Nationals, or UK Nationals who have the right to work in the destination country through residency, or work permit etc.
Collett’s Mountain Holidays – on behalf of Garni Bracun in the South Tyrol – is looking for a hospitable, organised, and enthusiastic host for the winter of 2021/2022.
If you are an EU passport holder (with a love of skiing?), there is a once-in-a-lifetime working opportunity in the popular resort of Corvara, located on the celebrated Sella Ronda in the vast Dolomiti Superski area, one of the largest in the world.
The Chalet Hotel requires a Breakfast & Dinner Host – to contribute on a daily basis to a warm and welcoming winter atmosphere.
N.B. Please do not apply if you do not have an EU passport. Garni Bracun is not prepared to apply for Work Visas for people at this late stage.
Breakfast Service: Along with another member of the Bracun team you would help to prepare and serve a breakfast buffet, hosting within the dining room making sure guests had everything they needed, clearing, washing up and cleaning the kitchen down ready for dinner service
Dinner Service: the main responsibility is the provision of a successful dinner service 6 evenings a week for anything between 25 – 30 people. Basically, a fabulous dinner will be cooked in a neighbouring hotel. Your job is to collect it, keep it hot and serve it from the kitchen of Chalet Bracun. Plating up, portion control and presentation are key elements of the job, so an interest in food, cookery and dining is therefore important, whether you have professional experience or you simply love cooking for friends and family. Help and guidance on each dinner (presentation, portions etc.) will be offered to you by the chef when you go to collect the dinner.
Working alongside another other members of the Chalet Hotel team you will also be responsible for clearing away and leaving the kitchen and dining area clean and ready for breakfast service the following morning. We estimate that this dinner shift would start at about 18.30 (an hour before dinner is served at 19.30) and it would end at about 22.00. Dinner is a focal part of the day on a Collett’s Mountain Holiday and the Bracun Team intend for our guests to really enjoy a happy, gastronomic experience.
Early in the day you would go over to see the chef to find out what is on the menu that evening, then return to the chalet hotel to lay the tables for dinner that evening.
Cleaning duties: There will be room and communal area cleaning to do around the Chalet Hotel too, after breakfast each day. On the Changeover Day (Sunday) there will be a lot more cleaning to do as we prepare for a whole new group of guests.
As for skiing, if time permits, and you fancy joining guests for a ski locally once or twice a week, that would be a lovely way to get to know them and enhance their stay.
After the work is done for the evening, it would be a great opportunity to spend some time with the guests in the dining-room, which is also the chalet bar, enjoying a drink whilst putting the world to rights.
Skiing in the Dolomites
If you haven’t skied in the Dolomites, then you are in for a treat. The Dolomiti Superski pass covers one of the biggest ski areas in the world. Our village base of Corvara could not be better placed for skiers, with instant access to the world-famous Sella Ronda circuit, which connects five separate valleys in which you can ski, including glacier skiing on the Dolomites highest peak, the Marmolada.
Skiing here is characterised by travelling from village to village, valley to valley, with affordable places to drink and eat on the piste around every corner. Whilst there are one or two hot spots to avoid at certain times of day, the ski system is big enough to mean you don’t end up queuing much at all. And the scenery is just out of this world.
For more information about what we offer our guests in the winter please read our Ski Holiday pages at https://colletts.co.uk/tours/winter-skiing-holidays/ You will also find information about Chalet Bracun and the village of Corvara.
Your Guests
Mainly from the UK, and all English speaking, the guests are generally a middle-aged crowd of ‘outdoor enthusiasts’ who love the mountains in all seasons. More than half of them will have been on a Collett’s holiday before, winter or summer. Their expectation of you, the team on the ground, will be that you are warm and engaging hosts, focused on their comfort and enjoyment, with a genuine interest in helping them get the best from their precious six-day ski holiday with us. For many guests, regardless of the fantastic area in which they are in, it will be you and your teammates who make the holiday for them.
The Chalet Team
You would be employed and managed by Marcus as part of his team at Bracun, working alongside the Collett’s Mountain Holidays team too. We know you would find the whole Chalet Hotel team a very friendly and welcoming group, keen to welcome you and show you around the ski area they know and love. Although the Collett’s Team are not involved in the domestic side of running Bracun day to day, along with yourselves and the rest of the Bracun team, you are all part of a Hosting team looking after the Collett’s guests during their holiday, all working towards the same goal of making the experience as good as it can be for them.
As for enjoying your free time, you will have free time most days, allowing you to get out and enjoy the amazing ski area all around you. Most days one or two members of the Colletts team from at Bracun or Haus Valentin (our other base in the village of Badia, 10 km up the valley, connected by piste) would probably be looking for someone to ski with too.
- Season Dates: You would be required from 8 December 2021 to 9 March 2022
- Ideally, you would be available to attend two days of Training in the UK immediately prior to driving over with us to start the season in Italy.
The Package
- A competitive local wage on an Italian Contract – Contact us for more details
- One Full day off per week
- Accommodation provided in a single room in the chalet
- Travel to and back from the Dolomites if you are resident in the UK.
Skills, Experience & Personality
- Excellent level of spoken English
- Great cooking skills and experience of serving
- Previous experience of Hosting, waitering, etc. would be ideal, particularly if this was Chalet Hosting
- Friendly & warm personality.
- Hard-working, focused and resourceful.
- Excellent, supportive and empathetic Team player
Paperwork and Qualifications
- EU Passport Holders – you would be employed by the owners of Chalet Bracun, on an Italian contract.
- Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2
- First Aid Certificate (basic is fine)
How to Apply
If it all sounds of interest, then email Phil on work@colletts.co.uk with your CV, a cover letter and a photo so we can put a face to the voice when we talk to you over the phone.
If you would like to call to find out more about it, you can catch Phil from 9am until 5pm weekdays on:
0044 (0)1799 513331
If he is not available, then leave a message and he will get back to you.
SKI CHALET DRIVER/ GENERAL ASSISTANT
Driver, Bartender, Dinner Service, General Helper
FANCY A WINTER IN THE AMAZING ITALIAN DOLOMITES?
Collett’s Mountain Holidays – on behalf of Haus Valentin in the South Tyrol – is looking for a hospitable, organised and enthusiastic person for the winter of 2021/2022.
If you have EU Nationality (with a love of skiing?), this is a once-in-a-lifetime working opportunity in the popular resort of Badia, located near to the celebrated Sella Ronda in the vast Dolomiti Superski area, one of the largest in the world.
The chalet requires someone to be part of a hospitality team of six, covering four different roles (driving, bar tending, dinner service and cleaning help) and to contribute daily to the warm and welcoming atmosphere we provide to our guests.
IMPORTANT! Please do not apply if you do not have EU Nationality with an EU passport. The owners of Haus Valentin are not prepared to apply for Work Visas for people at this late stage.
These would be the main areas of the job.
- Driving: Shuttling guests to and from the ski pistes in a 9-seat minibus (right hand drive UK vehicle), for about an and a half each morning and late afternoon.
- Bar Tending: To tend the Chalet Bar each evening before and after dinner, looking after and socialising with the guests whilst they enjoy a drink before and after dinner, and make plans for the next day with the Collett’s team of Ski Hosts. You would also need to restock the bar each morning before shuttling guests to the pistes.
- Dinner Service: To be front of house during dinner service each evening, hosting, serving, clearing, helping with the dishwashing, and generally making sure the guests have everything they need throughout the evening meal.
- Changeover Day Help: Sunday is the changeover day. You would be involved with seeing guests off in the morning, and welcoming and helping to settle them in on their arrival in the afternoon. During the morning you would help with the bedroom and communal area cleaning in the chalet. During the afternoon you would shuttle our guests to and from the ski hire shop, giving them help and advice to make the experience easier for them. Looking after the bar and dinner service would take place in the evening as normal.
- Other Jobs? We would, of course, need you to be flexible to cover other jobs which need doing due to illness or injury amongst the staff team.
Skiing in the Dolomites
If you haven’t skied in the Dolomites, then you are in for a treat. The Dolomiti Superki pass covers one of the biggest ski areas in the world. Our village base of Badia gives you excellent access to the world-famous Sella Ronda circuit, which connects five separate valleys in which you can ski, including glacier skiing on the Dolomites highest mountain, the Marmolada.
Skiing here is characterised by travelling from village to village, valley to valley, with affordable places to drink and eat on the piste around every corner. Whilst there are one or two hot spots to avoid at certain times of day, the ski system is big enough to mean you don’t end up queuing much at all. And the scenery is just out of this world.
For more information about what Collett’s offer their guests in the winter please read their Ski Holiday pages at https://colletts.co.uk/tours/winter-skiing-holidays/ You will also find information about Haus Valentin and the village of Badia.
Your Guests
Mainly from the UK, and all English speaking, the guests are generally a middle-aged crowd of ‘outdoor enthusiasts’ who love the mountains in all seasons. More than half of them will have been on a Collett’s holiday before, winter or summer. Their expectation of you, the team on the ground, will be that you are warm and engaging hosts, focused on their comfort and enjoyment, with a genuine interest in helping them get the best from their precious six-day ski holiday with us. For many guests, regardless of the fantastic area in which they are in, it will be you and your teammates who make the holiday for them.
The Chalet Team
You would be employed and managed by Cristina & Rainer as part of their team at Haus Valentin, but you would share an apartment with the Collett’s Mountain Holidays team. We know you would find them a very friendly and welcoming group, keen to welcome you and show you around the ski area they know and love. Although they are not involved in the domestic side of running Haus Valentin day to day, along with yourself and the rest of the Haus Valentin team, you are all part of a Hosting team looking after the Collett’s guests during their holiday, all working towards the same goal of making the experience as good as it can be for them.
As for enjoying your free time, you would be free from around 11am until 3pm (between ski Shuttle runs) to get out to enjoy the amazing ski area all around you. Most days one or two other members of the Collett’s team from Haus Valentin or Garni Bracun (our other base in the village of Corvara. 10 km up the valley, connected by piste) would probably be looking for someone to ski with too.
- Season Dates: You would be required from 8 December 2021 to 9 March 2022
- Ideally, you would be available to attend two days of Training in the UK immediately prior to driving over with us to start the season in Italy. If you are already based in the EU, then we can make arrangements for the training to take place in resort.
Pay & Package
- A competitive local wage on an Italian contract @ €1100 Euros/month.
- 40-hour week
- Accommodation provided in a shared room, in a shared staff apartment in the chalet.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided. No lunch or dinner provided on the day off.
- One full day off each week.
- If you are a resident in the UK, then we can provide travel to and back from the Dolomites.
- Training & Orientation at the start of the season.
Skills, Experience & Personality
- Excellent level of spoken English required.
- Good Driving experience. Experience of driving a minibus or other bigger vehicles would be a bonus.
- Previous experience of Hosting, Waitering etc., would also be a bonus.
- Friendly & warm personality.
- Hard-working, focused and resourceful.
- Excellent, supportive and empathetic Team player.
Paperwork and Qualifications
- EU Nationality & Passport – you would be employed by the owners of Haus Valentin, on an Italian contract, as part of their chalet team.
- Proof of Double Covid Vaccinations with European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved Vaccines – & EU COVID Travel Pass
- A Full EU or UK Driving Licence, held for at least one year.
- First Aid Certificate (basic is fine)
If it all sounds of interest, then email Phil on work@colletts.co.uk with your CV, a cover letter and a photo so we can put a face to the voice when we talk to you over the phone.
If you would like to call to find out more about it you can catch Phil from 9am until 5pm weekdays on: 0044 (0)1799 513331
If he is not available, then leave a message and he will get back to you.
Carole Murray
A wonderful week In Tuscany
February 24, 2021
A wonderful week In Tuscany
We had a tremendous walking week in Tuscany. The team, the accommodation the food, all were exquisite.
We will be back.
Martin and Sue Banfield
November 24, 2019
Andalucia 2019
This was our belated summer holiday. We enjoyed a lovely week with Mick, Helen and Millie, and our group of 26 clients. The walks were excellent, though shorter than at some other venues - that gave us plenty of down time for some to enjoy the pool and hot tub at the villa, before making our way to gorge ourselves on delicious dinners(Read more...)
Jennifer Bower (with H&G walking group)
November 15, 2019
Canillas de Albaida 19 to 26 October
I came with the H&G walking group but want to add my personal thanks to your leaders. I love walking but am a bit slow on hills of which there are plenty in Andalusia. I found the going quite challenging but if I showed any sign of lagging one of your leaders was always there to walk with me and I was absolutely delighted to complet(Read more...)
Patricia Sinclair
November 13, 2019
Delightful adventures in Spain
What a stunning location for walking & relaxing in the sun in October. Mick has the local knowledge and coordinates the week with precision. We stayed in the Villa with the beautiful views down the valley and made good use of the swimming pool & terrace. Gustavo the hotel proprietor of the hotel where we ate had character and serve(Read more...)
Alan Ford
November 12, 2019
Yet again... wonderful
Wonderful week walking in Tuscany. First the accommodation. Having been to Andalucia last May, this was heaven! Unbelievably thoughtful hosts in a delightful simple, quiet house, with exceptional food, not flashy or haute cuisine, but local and always interesting.
Walking was gentle but always interesting, and the other walkers we(Read more...)
Linda Taylor
November 12, 2019
Andalusia 2019
We had a great week, superbly organised by Mick, Helen, Millie and Gustavo at the hotel. We loved staying in the villa and used the pool most days. The terrain made the walks challenging at times but they were always accurately described for us and the group allowed time for the slower members.
Graham & Liz
November 11, 2019
Wonderful Tuscany
We have returned from a week in Tuscany staying at Il Rigo, what a fantastic place for walking, eating and drinking! The food was fantastic and with special dietary requirements nothing was too much trouble. Collett's staff, Charlie, Ben, Claire and Caroline were fantastic guilds and full of fun. All that you need for another fantas(Read more...)
Ian Francis
November 8, 2019
September in the French Pyrenees
First time I’d used this type of holiday and was not disappointed. Everything ran on rails from start to finish. The walking was spectacular and the views amazing, even in the snow! Accommodation was spot on with great food and comfortable sleeping arrangements.
The maps and route guides made things very easy and still gave you en(Read more...)
Bruce Forsyth
November 5, 2019
Tuscany 12 to 19 October - Tuscany
Another brilliant holiday with Collett's - our 5th. It’s a great formula, please don’t change. Our thanks to Ben, Caroline, Claire and Charlie - nothing was too much trouble for them and thanks as well to all at Il Rigo. Can’t decide which location is best. We might have to do them all again!!
Indira Phukan
October 25, 2019
Wine, tapas and walking along the coast
My dad and I recently finished the Camino tour with Collett's. This is my second tour with Collett's (previously did a wonderful Dolomites tour).
The tour was excellent, from start to finish. The logistics, from arrival transport, luggage transport, and taxi pick-up, was efficient and well-organized. Javier, the on-the-ground guid(Read more...)
Nigel Slater
October 9, 2019
Familiarity. Used Collett's for many years.
Great formula, keep it going and don't sell out! Bavarian Alps and Lakes would interest me, although we have been to Ehrwald.
I think we've been to all of Collett's Walking Holiday locations except Andalucia and Tuscany although we have been to both of these locations independently.
Tom Low
October 9, 2019
Excellent
I think your formula is ideal for the older, more experienced walker. Part of the trick is that your guys take the pace from the participants, rather than Alpine guides who lead from the front!
Keep it up!
I have probably had enough of end-to-end trekking at the age of 71. Your formula allows for the odd day off as well as a mix of (Read more...)
Graham Bushell
October 9, 2019
Outstanding Pyrenees
My third walking holiday, been ski ing with the family with colletts out of Arraba many times, the formula is just right, going to Corvara for christmas, we know what to expect and as important don’t have to organise athing
John Micklem
October 7, 2019
A Happy Return to Haus Valentin
The fact that I keep coming back to Haus Valentin shows how much I enjoy my holidays there.
Because it is a relatively small family run guesthouse there is a feeling of intimacy and friendliness that would not be possible in a hotel. The food is excellent and necessarily plentiful for hungry walkers.
Above all it is the enthusi(Read more...)
Nicky
October 6, 2019
Colletts Austria
Hi
We had a great 6 days with some interesting walks and weather. Beautiful scenery and memorable moments.
Tom Decker
October 1, 2019
Excellent
Combination of guided and self-guided walks. Self-contained stay in central location. Great staff members for our trip. Knew the routes, suggested good alternatives based on weather, our skills and the like, plus they made all activities fun.
David Gilbert and Diane Newman
September 30, 2019
September in Ehrwald
Once again you delivered a superb mountain holiday for us in Austria, Location in Zugspitz Arena was delightful, hotel Sonnenspitze was well up to standard and your efficient and dedicated staff once again excelled in helping to make this a memorable week in the Tyrol. Thanks again Collett's!
Peter Lunn
September 30, 2019
Excellent
The staff were great and all worked hard to ensure the customers had a great time. Max, John and Becky all stood out as people I’d happily recommend.
Jonathan Heierman
September 30, 2019
Excellent Walking Holiday
Excellent - we had a great time and so appreciated the care and attention of the staff and the great information for our hiking. Collett's have a variety of options for hiking daily and knowledge of the area!
We stayed in both a hosted chalet in Badia before our hut to hut and in a hotel following in Corvara - the above rating apply (Read more...)
Marion Chambers
September 30, 2019
Outstanding
Booked with you before and always had a good time previously. I don't know where you manage to get your staff from but they are the friendliest, funniest, most helpful and relaxed group of people we've ever walked with. Thank you Ollie, Jo, Sandy and Flee for an amazing holiday.
Livia MacDonald
September 30, 2019
An excellent holiday!
We had a wonderful week of Moderate Walks in the Picos de Europa. Our fellow walkers were all very friendly and the Collett’s staff of George, Rachel and Ross took excellent care of us and they had boundless good humour, energy and enthusiasm. The walks were very scenic, taken at a steady pace with time to admire views and stop whe(Read more...)
Elke Schoen
September 29, 2019
Excellent
The laminates for my solo trek were well-done. The descriptions were easy to follow. I was concerned only 1 day, when the clouds hung in the mountains, and I doubted that I would be able to find the trail. Fortunately, a local couple took me with them to the next hut. I might have otherwise hiked back down to the valley and hoped to r(Read more...)
Edward Gildea
September 29, 2019
Haus Valentin
Thank you for a great holiday. The transfer from the airport was friendly and efficient, enabling four strangers to bond immediately and form a friendship grouping that lasted the whole week. A great welcome at the bar - such friendly staff and a much appreciated complimentary beer. The walks were all very well organised and led, wit(Read more...)
Grace McDonald
September 28, 2019
One of the best holidays I've ever had!
I was very impressed with how any queries I had were answered. Also, I had to change my departure date and was shocked to be given a refund - thank you! It was a lovely touch to have someone there to say hello and get me settled in! The sandwiches made by the team for lunch were a nice touch - and delicious. It was good to be offered (Read more...)
Peter Hoult
September 28, 2019
Good walking at a decent price
A week with Collett's in the Dolomites staying at Haus Valentin. Well organised, friendly and well priced. What’s not to like. 3rd time with Collett's and absolutely no reason we won’t use them again.
Peter lunn
September 28, 2019
2nd visit
This is my second visit to Collett’s in Italy. First time with the missis, second with my mate, both times I’ve had a great time. The staff are always helpful, there is a joint interest with all the customers so there’s very much a family type atmosphere, the food and accommodation has been great and the office hour is great for hints(Read more...)
Alison Johnson
September 27, 2019
Excellent
I had heard of Collett's Mountain Holidays and wanted to try it out... I enjoyed the holiday and found staff very helpful. I liked the personal approach of the office hours! I did two walks on my own and staff were very helpful in providing information and details for local travel. The hotel is very good and the staff very helpful... (Read more...)
Andy Taylor
September 27, 2019
Hike the GR11 - outstanding
Many things make this trip outstanding. The tricky but enjoyable central sections of the GR11, the mountains, the lakes, the marmots, the accommodation, food & wine. The group size of eight clients and four Collett's staff (I understand this is normally three) was also perfect. However the biggest single factor that made this trip out(Read more...)
Ian CROSS
September 26, 2019
Outstanding
I thought the team, Anna, Andy, Ben and Kate, seemed to work very well together - all very professional.
I did an Inntravel holiday in the Appennines, near Porretta Terme - thought it might be a good Colletts destination, though not mid-July-August. Have you thought of North-west Italy - Val d-Aosta or similar? Or Ireland
Andrew Pritchard
September 26, 2019
Another wonderful stay
This was our second year at Pension Angelo and once again we throughly enjoyed ourselves. It is stunning area with plenty of varied routes. This year we didn't do Colletts-arranged scheduled walks but organised the days ourselves. Nevertheless the team were very helpful in advising us and helping us sort out our days. We can't praise (Read more...)