FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need to complete the course before applying for a job?
No, not usually. Many employers will offer jobs on the provision of attending a course, and therefore you may well receive a job offer prior to completing the course. Once you have enrolled on a course, be sure to mention it on your application covering letting, so that your potential new employers can see that you are committed. The earlier you apply for positions, the more opportunities will be open to you, therefore we recommend beginning your application as soon as you are able.
I can already cook, but have never experienced a catered ski chalet before, is the course beneficial to me?
Yes! The course is based out of one of The Alpine Generation’s catered chalets in Morzine, so you will get experience of catering in a real chalet kitchen. You will benefit from learning tips about cooking at altitude, along with covering allsorts of other aspects of chalet hosting including housekeeping and maintenance, and how to work to chalet budgets and cost saving tips. More detail can be found on the Course Content page of our website.
Do I need travel insurance to attend the course?
Yes we would always recommend having travel insurance in place. If you intend to partake in any activities on your afternoon off, please ensure that you are adequately covered.
What are the main attributes and skills that I will require to be a chalet host?
For many chalet host positions, one of the key components of the role is catering, and therefore a good underlying knowledge of cooking and catering ability is essential. For those lacking this experience, the TAG Host course provides the perfect opportunity to build on these skills and gain the catering experience required.
Chalet hosts have the power to make or break a guests’ holiday, making it a crucial role within every ski chalet business, and is one reason why personality is often as important as catering ability. Interpersonal skills give hosts the ability to communicate effectively with guests, and their peers. Attention to detail is critical as a chalet host in all aspects of the role – you may be surprised how much guests notice, it’s often the smallest of things! The majority of companies will also look for candidates with strong time management, and the ability to manage difficult situations.
What are the main responsibilities of a chalet host?
The chalet host job role will vary depending on the type of company to which you are applying. For many, the chalet hosts are responsible for all areas of chalet life, including providing guests with a great catering experience, a clean and comfortable chalet and a wealth of knowledge about the resort. You will likely find yourself immersed in all sorts of other jobs, from weekly shopping and chalet admin, to snow clearing and hot tub maintenance. Other companies will employ chefs (particularly in larger properties) and the chalet hosts will assist with more of the service and housekeeping.
What will the typical working hours be like in the chalet?
Typically changeover day, the first day of the week, is always the hardest. Quite a few of your changeover days will start with 5am departures. Once your guests have departed, you will be required to complete a full chalet clean, and get the chalet set up ready for the new incoming guests. The new arrivals will then be greeted and welcomed into the chalet, given all the information they need about the resort and the chalet, and then will sit down to a delicious dinner. The following day, you will then head into your weekly routine. Mornings consist of serving breakfast, making the afternoon tea cake, and preparing as much as you can ahead of the evening meal. Once you have completed a daily light clean of the chalet and bedrooms, the rest of the day is your own to enjoy the resort and everything the mountain has to offer. Work starts again late afternoon or early evening; the timing will depend on whether there are young children requiring an earlier dinner, and how much preparation is left for the evening meal.
During the first week or so, everything will undoubtedly take you longer than you expect. But as you get into a routine, you will become time efficient and you’ll really be able to maximise your time on the mountain. Most chalet hosting positions give you the flexibility to ski 6 days a week, which is a huge bonus not many other roles can offer.
Why is the course called TAG Host?
TAG Host is a trading name of The Alpine Generation Ltd. “The Alpine Generation Host Course” was getting a little long-winded and tedious to say, and so the abbreviated name TAG Host was born!