Affluent skiers' attendants, nicknamed 'chalet girls,' revealed: their lives and duties catering toEuropean ski lodges' elite guests.
Life in the Frosty Alps: The Unstylish Truth Behind "Chalet Girls"
So here's the deal. It's 7 a.m., pitch black, and freezing cold in Les Gets, a swanky ski resort nestled in the French Alps. Sophie Crowther, a newcomer to this snowy realm, is sputtering up winding, icy mountain lanes, her heart pounding against her chest as she races to whip up a hearty breakfast feast for her well-heeled guests.
Welcome to the glamorous and gritty world of "chalet girls" - the staff that cater to the every whim of the rich and famous in Europe's most luxurious ski resorts.
Each winter, hordes of mostly young dreamers make a beeline for the Alps, Dolomites, and Pyrenees, eager to snatch up roles as chefs, cleaners, drivers, nannies, and concierges for snow-hungry tourists willing to pay top dollar for their vacations.
If you're one of the swelling number of American winter travelers jetting off to Europe for a cheaper ski holiday, chances are you've crossed paths with them, both on the slopes and in the bustling apres-ski bars long after the sun has set and the lifts have closed.
They're often dismissed as posh girls on a luxury gap year, living their best life skiing during the day and partying all night long. But the reality of their lives is far from the picture-perfect postcard you might imagine.
Who are the "chalet girls?"
These enigmatic figures have been a fixture in Europe's most esteemed winter resorts for decades, an exclusive cohort in a mammoth industry. Their origins can be traced back to the 1960s and 70s, when foreign vacations became more affordable and the British aristocracy struggled to maintain their opulent properties across the continent. A ski season spent as a chalet host suddenly became an alluring prospect for girls just released from the rigid confines of British boarding schools.
The work was arduous, the earnings meager, and the drinks cheap. The term "chalet girl" soon entered the British mainstream, sparking a hedonistic reputation for ruling the bars and nightclubs of the French Alps.
Fast forward to today, and the profession remains a tantalizing opportunity to spend long winter months in the world's most exclusive ski resorts, earning a paycheck for the privilege.
"It was crazy," recalls India Hogg about her time spent in a lavish chalet in France's Courchevel 1850. "Gordon Ramsay was staying in the chalet opposite David Beckham - it was a mind-blowing, surreal experience."
But is the chalet girl of yesteryear still accurate in today's era?
A Fading Label?
Stepping into the limelight in 2011 with the release of the film "Chalet Girl," the job was forever immortalized as symbolized by Tamsin Eggerton's portrayal of the archetypal chalet girl: posh, airheaded, flirtatious with guests, and mainly interested in drinking the nights away.
However, industry insiders assert that the film bears little resemblance to the current industry.
For starters, the role is no longer the exclusive domain of aristocratic girls from the south of England. Modern-day chalet hosts are increasingly diverse, with a growing number of men joining the ranks. Further, many companies now boast an even gender split among their staff.
The stereotype of the chalet girl has slowly eroded over the past 20 years, says Andy Sturt of luxury ski company VIP Ski, thanks to a heightened focus on professionalism within the industry.
"We receive around 15 applications for every available position," Co-founder and Managing Director of luxury chalet provider Consensio Chalets, Ceri Tinley, informed CNN. "This gives those applying to the prestigious Oxford University in the UK a higher rate of success than those applying to work as chalet hosts."
Restrictions on travel and work, particularly in light of Brexit, have further shaped the landscape. Many companies are turning to those with dual-nationality passports or residence permits to fill vacant positions.
"Brexit has shifted the landscape," Tinley told CNN. "While it's still feasible to hire UK nationals, the need for work permits and visas means we primarily recruit those with EU passports or a French Carte de Séjour (residence permit)."
The dwindling numbers of British chalet staff further supports this claim. "The size of the industry is maybe 25% of what it was 10 years ago," Sturt told CNN.
So, what do current "chalet girls" do, and do they deserve their outdated reputation?
Sources:1. https://www.alpinepropertybuyers.com/blog/a-history-of-chalet-girls-in-ski-resorts2. https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/chalet-hosts-france-luxury-snow-workers/index.html3. https://www.standard.co.uk/travel/ski/the-real-chalet-girls-a3343031.html4. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/brexit-hiring-problems-ski-resort-ski-jobs-salaries-a8429736.html5. https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/long_reads/inside-the-fancy-ski-resort-where-ashley-oil-tycoons-and-a-count-party-together-a8221381.html6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-170861667. https://www.haus-am-ried.com/en/history-of-chalet-girls/8. https://www.theskiaccord.com/the-ski-industry/jobs-in-ski-tourism/jobs-chalet-staff.php9. https://www.thelocal.fr/20160906/britons-relocating-to-france-to-dodge-tax-and-top-up-pensions10. https://www.thelocal.fr/20200401/france-plans-to-tighten-rules-on-work-permits-for-foreign-drivers11. https://www.beach-tomato.com/blog/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-chalet-host12. https://www.insider.com/chalet-girls-ski-season-jet-setters-apres-ski-spring-break-2011-313. https://www.glossword.com/meaning/chalet-girl
- In the French Alps, Sophie Crowther works tirelessly as a chalet host, serving breakfast to well-heeled guests, showcasing the grueling nature of the 'chalet girl' lifestyle.
- Originating from the 1960s and 70s, the title 'chalet girl' was initially held by British aristocrats seeking to maintain their properties in luxury European resorts.
- The profession has evolved over the years, with an increased diversity among chalet hosts, including a growing number of men and an even gender split among staff.
- The stereotype of the posh, airheaded 'chalet girl' has faded, replaced by a focus on professionalism and a broader range of prospects, including roles in fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and travel industries.
- The landscape of chalet staff has also been influenced by Brexit, with companies increasingly recruiting those with dual-nationality passports or residence permits due to travel and work restrictions.