Tracking Mountain Animals... Or Seasonaires!!

It is about this time that some of us start to think about going back out to the mountains for another 6 months of late nights, early mornings, cleaning toilets, and too many jagerbombs. I, for one, will be making this journey in less than a month; and I can't wait!

For others though, this will be their first (and perhaps only) time of making the sacred pilgrimage to the snowy areas of this world. And this blog post is written for them.

I remember the build up to my first season in France. It was a mixture of excitement, nerves, and apprehension. To help with my need for having a calm before the storm, I looked to have my questions answered. And where else do you look, but the internet?!

Now, there were all sorts of blogs out there (there still are) and whilst some had original and useful content, the majority just repeated each other – yes, you'll need more socks than you thought possible to own. Yes, packing condoms is a good idea. Yes, taking a UK extension lead will be invaluable. But, come on, tell me something else that the last 10 blogs haven't already told me!! Namely, what are the other people like that I'm going to be spending this crazy experience with?!

And that, kids, is what I'll attempt to cover today.

Passport & socks.. anything else for the winter?!

The basic reaction will be that you are going to meet like minded individuals, but whilst that is true on the surface, it goes much deeper than that. The people that are in the mountains are there for a number of reasons – some are living off the 'Bank of Mum & Dad' and are just there for a 'gap yah' experience, some are there because they're running from something in the real world, others are there because they've ended up in the never-ending trap of seasonal work and a final few are there because it's something that they've always wanted to do – and now is their opportunity to do it.

Let us consider the first group – those that are living off the 'Bank of Mum & Dad'. These types can be initially recognised by the amount of bags that they will turn up at resort with. Seriously, they'll have more clothes than you ever deemed possible. One set of snow boots will not suffice – they need at least three. You will quickly understand the need for all of the bags once they start to ship out all of their beauty and hair products.

Ski attire or not?!

As you get into the nitty gritty of your training, these people will really come to the fore. And not in a good way. They tend to be the folks that you find outside the chalet complaining about everything. Complaining that they've run out of 'straights' and they don't know where the shop is or how to roll. Complaining that they actually had to get up at 8am this morning (a breeze compared to when the season properly kicks of). That their hands are ruined from all of the cleaning products and the work that they're having to do. Complaining that they might actually have to cook when they get home in the evening. The list goes on.

The second group on the list is those people that are running from something in the real world. This group is actually the largest group in the mountains. And the reasons are wildly varied. I've met people that are actually running – from the tax-man, a psychotic ex, all manner of things. Others are just running from the real world.

This bunch of misfits should be handled with care. By and large people who are running from things, once you scratch the surface, are fantastic. You just need to get that out of them. It is possible that you will make friends for life with some of them. Get to know them, find out what makes them tick, find out their vices and why they are doing what they are doing. And remember, if you look out for them, they will look out for you. And that is something that is invaluable on a ski season!

(Just don't get too close to the local nutter – that has the potential to alienate everybody).

Local nutters can be found anywhere...

The third bunch, you will have the pleasure of meeting, are those that have got sucked into doing seasons. This can range from a mid-twenties chef who has been doing this since he could first clean a pot, through a middling 40 year old, who has no idea how they ended up there, what their job actually entails or how they might ever get back to a 'normal society'.

When you meet this lot, feel blessed. They are fantastic. I'm not just saying that because I potentially fall into this group, but because they genuinely are. These guys and gals know why you are there, (possibly) remember their first season and will attempt to guide you so that you don't make the same mistakes that they did and will help you to make the most of your time in the mountains.

You are most likely to find this group doing one of three things (all things you should aspire to do). They'll either be:-

1. Nailing their work.
2. Nailing the mountain.
3. Nailing the bar.

Nailed it...

The key to a good season (and life), they will tell you, is to strike a balance between these three. It is a fine line, but it can be done.

The final group on the list is one that you, the reader, will feel you fall in to. Just doing it as a once in a lifetime thing. Getting it out of the system. Finding yourself. However you want to describe it, it's a big scary group and one that you should cherish and embrace.

Remember a few key points and you will be well on your way to having a fantastic time living it up in the mountains.

1. Remember why you are there – don't get bogged down in work.
2. Remember that work is necessary to maintain your season. Don't mess it up and get sent home.
3. Christmas is tough, but it's the same for everybody and you'll all have a blast anyway.
4. Treat everybody fairly. That includes your guests.
5. Unless they're a complete nutter, if somebody gives you advice, it's probably worth taking it on board.
6. Find/ make a good playlist to ride to.
7. Don't forget to phone home every now and again (more than once a season).
8. Cake is currency – you can trade it for absolutely anything.
9. Ride as much as you can. This might be your only opportunity to do this.
10. Remember that you could be stuck doing a 9-5 and the same boring commute, day in, day out. No matter how many toilets you clean, or beds you make, you have one hell of a lifestyle!
11. Don't eat yellow snow. Ever.

At the end of the day, the people you meet on your season will be a complete mix-match. Some you will like and some you will hate. You never know you might even love some. But at the bottom of it all is a love for the mountains and a love for winter. We all have that in common. And when the final guests leave, and shut down is complete… well… we might just see you next year!