My Top 5 things about running a ski company

I was recently talking to a group of business people from a multitude of professions and the conversation came round to “What would you do if you weren’t a xxxxx”. The general gist was that most would rather be doing something else. I was able to say that hand on heart I really didn’t want to do anything else (at least not since choosing exactly the wrong A-levels to enable me to be an architect). Here’s my top 5 reasons why.

I get to work with great people.

This is a generalisation but the ski industry seems to attract energetic, enthusiastic yet laid back people. I have rarely had to work with people who are lazy, overly opportunistic and corporate or downright odd (although I am conscious of a previous blog observation along the lines of “If you don’t know who the odd one is it’s probably you”).

Our clients are happy people

We sell people something they find it very easy to enthuse about. We’re not taking money off them for servicing a car, laying a carpet or dealing with baffling paperwork (apologies to the lawyers and accountants out there…), we’re selling them a week of unadulterated fun and relaxation with their children up a mountain. Fantastic!

A visit to the coalface is a joy

Every MD should spend time with their clients and whoever is delivering their product or service on the ground. For me this means spending time in some of the most stunning scenery in Europe with the great people and the happy people mentioned above. There will clearly be times of stress and/or strain but then the sun comes out and sometimes they even let me have a little potter on my skis …

Nobody expects me to wear a suit

When did you last see someone in a suit in a ski resort? Turn up in one to deal with even the town Mayor or a heavy duty property owner and you will look a little odd. This carries through to our UK office, we’re simply not suit wearing types. My one suit has lasted 8 years so far and I expect it to do at least another 8 (most weddings are out of the way and fingers crossed funerals are a long way off).

I never have to mumble apologetically when someone asks me what I do

I’m not the greatest at networking or en-masse social situations (I think it’s because I’m 6’ 4” so it’s tricky to hide). However, when I get collared, conversation runs a bit thin and someone asks me what I do it’s really easy to be enthusiastic. 99% of the time the other person instantly feels at ease and gets all excited and wants to talk mountains. An awkward silence avoided.

There are more (see the “Why France is great” and “Ski in / ski out Michelin star” blog posts to understand how important access to good food and wine may be as factors) but these are definitely my top 5.

Anyone not in a fixed career or starting out may ask “How do you get into this, it sounds great?”. Well, for me it was working ski seasons and then staying in the ski industry rather than “getting a proper job”. If you want to work in the mountain we are still recruiting for this winter. Who know where it might lead …

Chris