Two seasons, two completely different lives
The seasonal work world splits broadly into winter and summer. Winter means mountains, snow, chalets, and ski resorts. Summer means coastlines, yachts, watersports, and beach clubs. Both are incredible experiences, but they attract different people and suit different skills.
If you're trying to decide which to do first, or whether to try the other side, here's an honest comparison.
The work
Winter
Winter season roles are dominated by the chalet industry. Chalet hosts, chefs, drivers, nannies, and hotel staff make up the bulk of the workforce. Ski and snowboard instructors are another major category, though these require qualifications. The work is physically demanding: cleaning chalets at altitude, cooking multiple courses, and handling changeover days that can run from early morning to late evening.
Summer
Summer roles are more varied. Yacht crew (deckhands, stewardesses, chefs), watersports instructors (sailing, surfing, diving, paddleboarding), beach bar staff, kids' club leaders, and activity centre coordinators. The work is often outdoors, which is a draw for many people, but heat and long hours on the water bring their own challenges.
The lifestyle
Winter
You live in a mountain village, usually in shared staff accommodation. Your days off are spent skiing or snowboarding. The social scene centres around après-ski bars and house parties. The community is tight because everyone lives and works in the same small valley. Seasons typically run December to April.
Summer
Summer seasons can be based anywhere from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean to Southeast Asia. Yacht crew travel constantly, while land-based roles give you a fixed base in a coastal town. Days off might be spent on the beach, diving, or exploring. The vibe is generally more relaxed than winter, though yacht work can be intense. Seasons vary: May to October in Europe, or year-round in tropical locations.
The money
Winter chalet roles typically include accommodation, food, and a lift pass on top of a modest wage. You can potentially save money if you're disciplined, because your living costs are largely covered.
Summer varies more. Yacht crew earn well, especially with tips, and your expenses are minimal since you live on board. Land-based summer roles may or may not include accommodation, and if you're paying rent in a Mediterranean resort town, costs can eat into your wages quickly.
The skills you need
Winter
Cooking ability matters for chef roles. Cleaning speed and guest-facing skills matter for hosting. Ski instructing requires BASI, CSIA, or equivalent qualifications. Many roles are entry-level and require no prior experience beyond a good attitude and a willingness to work hard.
Summer
Yachting requires specific certifications: an ENG1 medical, STCW basic safety training, and ideally a Yachtmaster or Day Skipper qualification. Watersports roles need instructor qualifications from bodies like the RYA, PADI, or ISA. Beach and bar roles are more accessible to beginners.
Which should you do?
Do a winter season if:
- You love skiing or snowboarding (or want to learn)
- You want a tight-knit community in one place
- You're drawn to chalet life and mountain living
- You want accommodation and food included as standard
Do a summer season if:
- You love the water, warmth, and coastal life
- You want to travel to different places (especially on yachts)
- You have or want to get watersports qualifications
- You're comfortable with more varied accommodation arrangements
Why not both?
Many experienced seasonaires do back-to-back: a winter in the Alps followed by a summer on the coast or on the water. This "double season" lifestyle is demanding but lets you work year-round doing what you love, building skills and connections across both worlds.
If you're considering your first season of any kind, create your profile on PeakWave and set your availability. Whether it's snow or sun, the best time to start looking is a few months before the season begins.