Dark Snow

by **Matt77** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:44 pm

Hi,

Some friend of mine are going to be chalet bitches in courchevel this year.

I intend to go out to the same place but obviously have a lot more to organise.

Firstly, accommodation, I've had a look around and having trouble finding places that do room lets. I've found a few apartments but they are far too expensive for me alone.

Secondly, I have a dog which I was hoping to take. Is this likely to be ok in the the accommodations?

Next, work, I have CASI level 1, is this accepted in France. It's a full international qualification but I've heard France can be funny about what is accepted. I won't necessarily have to work but would be nice to have the option.

Would you try to contact the snowboard schools before going out? Or just when I get there? If beforehand how do you go about getting their contact details?

Those are just the first couple of things, I'm sure there'll be loads of things I've not thought of yet but I'm all ears for any advice.

Thanks in advance

by **Darksnow** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 9:59 am

Hey Matt and welcome to the forum.

If I were you I would have a look on chalets direct and natives to find accommodation, though I suspect it's going to be hard to find something if you have a dog.

As for the instructor stuff, I'm sure there are plenty of people here more informed that I am about such things, but you are right in thinking that French instructors are funny about such things. If it's going to be an option for you, you might want to contact BASS out there and see if they can advise you about your options.

Good luck and welcome to the family.

by **AKI** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 10:13 am

Dude, I did two seasons in Courch not so long ago. When I have time I'll make a full post for ya.

Couple of quick points: CASI 1 will NOT be enough in France to get work as an instructor; the FRench have very protective rules about instructing to make it a closed shop virtually. You'd need at least CASI 2 and really something either French (good luck with that!) or Canadian/US. Major British instructors for snowboarding out there are RTM and Magicsnow (IIRC on the latter); I'll be honest, you'll have no chance of working for em, unless you've done ten+ years instructing already!

You better bet is working as a 'guide' for a chalet company; this usually means a Chalet bitch who rides with the guests; but If you are lucky it can rise to the levels of sole duty (as it more or less was for me). A driving liscence is essential as airport transfers are the other key part of the job.

Bar work is probably your other good bet, though Courchevel can be pretty exclusive. I'd recommend you aim for La Praz (1300) or Courch 1650 for that work...

Accomodation and dogs. Propably not if your accomodation is on-site with a major operator (Crystal, Thomson, Pliesure even...) But many dish pigs and bar staff lived off site and having dogs was commonplace; you pay the rent it's probably not an issue. 1550 and La Praz are the best for accom on the cheap. 1650 is ok, 1850 is for millionaires and posh kids on a yeah out - you can't afford it!

More later...

by **Matt77** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 10:54 am

Thanks for the info so far guys

by **Matt77** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:23 am

Oh, do the numbers refer to the altitude?

by **Darksnow** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:31 am

Matt77 wrote:Oh, do the numbers refer to the altitude?

Generally yeah, across the alps you have the big resorts that everyone has heard off, and they are made up of smaller villages.

If those villages have a number after the name it is the altitude and the higher up you go, the better snow, but the more money.

Where are you thinking?

by **Matt77** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:43 am

Somewhere in Courchevel. My friends are in La Praz I thnk. I had found a little studio flat but it seems to have gone now

by **Mr Splodge** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 10:56 pm

I looked into taking my dog wih me to Tignes for the season and realised it was way more effort than asking a mate to look after him for 4 months. It worked out pretty well in the end. Greyhounds don't "do" high alpine environments.

by **Matt77** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:14 pm

I'm already giving her up for 3 months to go to Asia and she's a collie cross which loves the snow so would be a shame to leave her in both regards

by **AKI** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 12:43 pm

La Praz is 1300, yeah they apply to altitudes - except that they lie. All courch resort hubs are about 100m lower than they claim!

http://www.ski-le-praz.com/ Run by a chap called Pete & his missus, mate of mine (mention Dean from Pliesure & they should recall me) They know La Praz well and might be able to tip you off to accomodation for seasonaires...

La Praz is a good centre for season staff, but not many bars and only two gondola's outta town, limited runs home except when the snow is good; but not bad.

Oh and as a rule; you'll need half the stuff you think you do, but underwear, socks and grooming products should not be scrimped on!

by **BurtonGirl** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 4:51 pm

hi Matt,

think long and hard about taking your dog... i have collie crosses too and left mine at home with my dad.. i dont think it would be kind leaving them for hours at a time while your snowboarding/ working/ on a trip somewhere. and the long journey there and back, and passports etc.
My one piece of advice which i learnt from my season last year is to take loads of good hand cream, moisturizer, sudacrem and earplugs :-)