What is a seasonaire?
A seasonaire is someone who works a season abroad. That might mean spending a winter in the French Alps working as a chalet host, a summer crewing yachts in the Mediterranean, or a few weeks working backstage at a music festival. The word comes from the French "saisonnier" (seasonal worker), and it has become the catch-all term for anyone living and working somewhere temporarily, usually in a beautiful location, usually having the time of their life.
Seasonaires aren't just gap year students. You'll find people in their twenties, thirties, and beyond. Career changers, couples, solo travellers. The common thread is simple: the desire to combine work with adventure.
Types of seasonal work
Winter (ski season)
The classic. Most winter seasonaires head to the Alps (France, Austria, Switzerland) or North America (Whistler, Colorado, Lake Tahoe). Common roles include chalet host, chalet chef, ski/snowboard instructor, bar staff, hotel receptionist, nanny, driver, and resort rep.
Winter seasons typically run from December to April, though some resorts open as early as November and close as late as May.
Summer (yachting, watersports, hospitality)
Summer seasons centre around the Mediterranean, with yacht crew, watersports instructors, hotel and villa staff, and beach club workers in high demand. Greece, Croatia, Spain, the South of France, and Turkey are popular destinations.
Summer seasons usually run from April or May through to September or October.
Festivals
A growing part of the seasonal world. Festival work covers everything from bar staff and security to stage management and catering. The UK festival circuit (Glastonbury, Reading, Bestival, Boomtown) runs from May to September, with similar circuits across Europe.
Festival roles tend to be shorter contracts: a few days to a few weeks at a time.
Year-round and niche seasons
Some seasonaires work back-to-back: a winter in the Alps followed by a summer in the Med. Others find year-round work in destinations like Chamonix (which has both a winter and summer season) or move between hemispheres, chasing snow from the Alps to New Zealand or Japan.
There's also farm work (fruit picking, harvest seasons), camp counselling (US summer camps), and adventure tourism (safari lodges, trekking guides).
How to find seasonal work
The old way
Traditionally, finding a season meant scrolling through resort-specific Facebook groups, emailing chalet companies one by one, and hoping someone replied. It worked, but it was slow and hit-or-miss.
The PeakWave way
PeakWave lets you create one profile with your experience, qualifications, languages, and availability. You set which seasons and regions you're interested in, and employers come to you. No applications, no cover letters, no chasing. It's free for both sides.
You can create your profile here in under two minutes.
Other channels
Recruitment agencies (Natives, Season Workers, Jobs in the Alps) are still active but typically charge employers, and the process can be slower. Direct approaches to companies via their websites or Instagram can work too, especially for smaller independent chalets.
What it costs to get started
The good news is that getting started as a seasonaire is relatively cheap compared to other travel experiences. Most employers provide accommodation and often food as well.
Your main upfront costs will be:
- Travel to resort: flights or driving, typically £50 to £200
- Insurance: travel and ski/activity insurance, around £100 to £200 for a season
- Visa fees: varies by country, £50 to £300 if required
- Gear: ski/snowboard equipment if you don't already own it (many people rent or buy second-hand in resort)
- Spending money: for the first few weeks before your first pay cheque arrives. Budget around £300 to £500
Many seasonaires arrive with less than £1,000 saved and manage fine, because accommodation and food are covered.
Visas and right to work
EU/EEA nationals
If you hold an EU or EEA passport, you can work freely in any EU country. No visa needed. Switzerland has bilateral agreements that also allow EU nationals to work there with minimal paperwork.
UK nationals (post-Brexit)
Since Brexit, UK citizens need a visa or work permit to work in most EU countries. France offers a "working holiday" style visa for under-35s, and many chalet companies handle the paperwork. Austria and Switzerland have their own permit systems.
Check the specific requirements for your destination well in advance. PeakWave has a detailed guide on post-Brexit visas.
Other nationalities
Visa requirements vary widely. Australia and New Zealand nationals often have working holiday agreements with various countries. For everyone else, check the immigration rules of your destination country.
What to expect from your first season
The highs
The lifestyle is genuinely special. You'll ski or surf on your days off, make friends from all over the world, and experience a place deeply rather than as a tourist. Many people describe their first season as one of the best periods of their life.
The realities
It's also hard work. Early mornings, long days, and physically demanding roles are common. You'll be living in shared accommodation with limited personal space. The pay is modest (typically €1,000 to €2,500/month depending on role, location, and experience). And you'll be far from home.
The social side
The seasonaire community is one of the best parts. You'll be surrounded by people who made the same choice to prioritise experience over routine. Staff nights out, après-ski, beach days, mountain hikes: the social calendar fills itself.
Tips from experienced seasonaires
1. Start early. The best roles fill up months in advance. For a winter season starting in December, start looking in August or September. Create your PeakWave profile as early as possible.
2. Be flexible on location. If you're set on one specific resort, you're limiting your options. Consider a few different places and let the right opportunity come to you.
3. Get your documents sorted. Passport, visa, insurance, qualifications (food hygiene, first aid, BASI, etc.). Having everything ready makes you a more attractive candidate.
4. Pack light. You'll be living in a small room. Bring essentials and buy the rest in resort. Check out our packing list guide.
5. Save a buffer. Have enough money to cover your first few weeks before you get paid.
6. Say yes to everything. The people who have the best seasons are the ones who are open to new experiences, new friendships, and new challenges.
Ready to get started?
The seasonal world is open to anyone willing to work hard and embrace the adventure. Whether you're straight out of university, taking a career break, or just looking for something different, there's a season out there with your name on it.
Create your free profile on PeakWave and start getting discovered by employers today.