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15 tips on how to survive a ski season in France’s top resorts

Resident experts share their top tips for settling into doing a ski season - This content is subject to copyright.
Resident experts share their top tips for settling into doing a ski season - This content is subject to copyright.

As skiers and snowboarders in the UK prepare for their first trip of the winter, many seasonaires are already heading out to resorts around the world to practise their bed making, toilet cleaning and customer service skills.

This season, the popular seasonaire outfitters Planks – which originated in the snow sports mecca of Val d’Isère – is expanding its clothing empire to cover four other resorts, La Plagne, Tignes, Méribel and Morzine. All these destinations are popular with holidaymakers and with the British youth who head to the mountains to work for the winter.  

Doing a ski season can be a daunting experience, especially if it’s your first. So to mark the company's expansion and help newbie seasonaires fit straight into life in the mountains, Planks has chosen a local legend from each town to share their secrets on how to best survive the season there.

Tignes top tips

1. Improve your technique

“Making the most of a season means upping your level of riding,” says Joe Harkess, a ski instructor who runs The Development Centre ski school. “You'll meet loads of experienced riders doing a season, so don't be intimidated and ask them their thoughts. Good riders want to pass on knowledge, as that's how they got better themselves.”

2. Know the coolest hangouts

“For food there's really only one place you need to know about, Tignes Cuisine. A great hangout for a late lunch after an epic shred and where some of the raddest riders in town hangout.”

3. Find the hidden secret

“The bar that you will not have heard of, but absolutely need to try, is the Boulele on the rue de Rosset. Don't go in a big crowd, just creep in, head to the back and soak up the French mountain town vibes. This is where you'll find the pisteurs letting off steam and those guys are the real legends in any resort.”

Morzine - Credit: Matthieu Vitre
Morzine is one of five resorts where Planks has opened a shop Credit: Matthieu Vitre

Morzine top tips

4. Beat the crowds

“In the busy season, head to Ardent gondola to beat the queues at Super Morzine or Prodains,” says Bobby T, a seasoned pro at living in the mountains after spending much of his life there, competing for the British team in his youth and now as a coach.

5. Save ££

“If you’re feeling the pinch, learn how to cook. It’s the best way to impress those chalet girls, saves the pennies and they're already in your gaff ready for 'dessert’.”

6. Don’t be fooled

“On a pow day some of the best secret stashes aren’t that secret. ‘Mario Land’, an area of the Mount Vallon gondola, is a great day out and really easy to get to.”

The 10 best après-ski bars and clubs
The 10 best après-ski bars and clubs

La Plagne top tips

7. Get the balance right

“Don’t get into that typical seasonaire habit of drinking every night,” warns Charlie Bulbrook, owner of award-winning chalet company Alpoholics, which he opened six years ago after travelling the world and living in ski resorts around the globe. “There are three things involved in a season – skiing, working and partying – and you can only do two of them well.”

8. Avoid drinking game disasters

“Don’t play legendary bar game 'Shut The Box' in Bar La Mine, in the centre of Plagne 1800. Whether you like it or not, it will turn into a shotfest and it will be your last memory of the night.”

9. Learn something

“Do get yourself a lesson or two from a local instructor at the start of the season, even if you are an experienced rider. At the very least you'll be shown some rad new spots to ride.”

The seven unsung heroes you'll find in every French ski resort
The seven unsung heroes you'll find in every French ski resort

Méribel top tips

10. Eat right

“Head to Mountain Burger in Mottaret for loads of beef and bread,” says Omar Baldaccioni, an expert in the Trois Vallées after living in Méribel for 14 years, now manager of the popular après haunt the Ronnie. “It serves arguably the best burger you’ll eat on a budget, and afterwards you can stop in at The Cows for a beer.”

11. Listen up

“There's no shortage of live music on our doorstep in Meribel. La Taverne, Jacks, Evolution, The Den, O'Sullivans, Le Pub, Scotts, LDV and La Tsaretta all host nights that showcase the musical talents on offer in resort.”

12. Party with the best

“For the best après spot, head to The Rond Point, known more affectionately as the Ronnie. I know I’m biased, but we all love the place and Méribel is lucky to have it.”

Beers - Credit: ©Valérie Poret
Don't over do it on the après Credit: ©Valérie Poret

Val d’Isère top tips

13. Put your best foot forward

“A good set of boots is essential on a season to keep you out on the mountain all day long,” says Biggie the dog, the friendly in-store dog who resides at Planks' flagship ship in Val d’Isère, and his owner Jim. “If you’re having issues, head to Surefoot – those guys know how to keep your paws comfy.”

14. Find romance

“The best way to impress the ladies is to take them for a late-night ski tour up the mountain. But always be prepared and make sure you shred safely.”

15. Meet people

“Don’t be afraid to make lots of new friends. The mountains are always more fun with the wolf pack.”