Ski season work is renowned for being a lot of fun, and most people have their own preconceptions about what happens while working a ski season. However, we caught up with one of our incredible chefs, Annabel Little, to get the insider’s view of what it is really like to be a seasonaire working for Consensio, and what experiences she had which she didn’t expect to do in a ski season. These are her ‘top 12 things I didn’t expect to do in a ski season’:
1. Night skiing in Tignes
A group of us went to the amazing restaurant in Tignes called Le Panoramic and had a 5-course dinner. Afterwards, we all skied down with just a headtorch and the stars to guide us.
2. Parapenting
A group of Consensio hosts went parapenting for our friend Grace’s birthday. It was an experience I will never forget!
3. Opening bottles of €6,000 wine and magnums of 1975 Dom Pérignon
It isn’t all house wines on a Consensio holiday!
4. Eating at a 2-star Michelin restaurant in the mountains
I got to go to the famous L’Atelier d’Edmond on Valentine’s Day! Being a chef, I often get to taste incredible ingredients and dishes, but this was the best food I’ve ever eaten – ever!
5. Creating memories of a lifetime for others
Each week our chalet had a special budget to create a ‘wow’ moment for our guests, we’d set off fireworks, and take great joy in creating huge ice bars just for our guests. They loved it.
6. Being serenaded by superstars
I never expected our guests to leave us with such powerful memories. Having superstars sitting around the fire playing their guitar and singing for us will stay with me and my team forever.
7. Hosting a wedding!
We had a wedding in Chalet Le Rocher in Val d’Isère, and used the Caravelle for a wedding car to transport the guests to the church! This was something I NEVER expected to happen while doing a ski season.
8. Serving the heads of multinational companies
Working for one of the best companies in the Alps in some of the most luxurious chalets, I expected to have influential guests, but had never thought that we’d be hosting the CEOs of major recognisable brands.
9. Attending one of the biggest, silliest ski competitions in the world
I had the pleasure of being able to attend the Monoski World Championships while out in the mountains. It is a novelty event that takes place in the Val d’Isere Oakley snow park that everyone should take the time to see, mostly because it is hilarious!
10. Hosting a world-famous World Cup team
We hosted the Rossignol World Cup team for a private party in the chalet. That was pretty special!
11. Being complimented by one of the most important figures in my resort
On my trial dinner, where I tested out some of my dishes for the season, the man who ran all of the ski lifts in Val d’Isère came and said my food was delicious. Being complimented by someone who knew the industry so well was an absolute honour.
12. Cooking in France’s best ski chalets
During my ski season I’ve had the absolute privilege of cheffing in Chalet Grande Corniche in Les Gets, Chalet Marco Polo in Val d’Isère (France’s Best Ski Chalet 2013, 2014 & 2018), and Chalet Lhotse in Val d’Isère (nominated to win France’s Best Ski Chalet). To be able to cook in such amazing chalets has been such a perk and I feel so lucky to have said I have worked for Consensio.
Interested in working for Consensio for next winter’s ski season? We’re always on the lookout for staff who are over 21, enthusiastic and have good hospitality experience. We recruit chefs, chalet managers, chalet hosts, chauffeurs, resort managers, housekeepers and spa managers.
Please send your CV to jobs@consensiochalets.co.uk