Seasonal work calendar.
Every major ski, yacht and festival season on a single rolling view of the next twelve months. Plan a contract, chain two seasons back-to-back, or follow summer around the planet.
How a seasonal year works.
Most seasonal workers chain two or three seasons a year. The classic rhythm is Alps Winter from late November through April, then straight into the Med for summer yacht work, then back to the Alps. Five months on, a week off, five months on.
Others follow the sun around the planet. Northern summer in Greece or Scandinavia runs May to September, then south to Australia or the Caribbean for December through February. Year-round summer if you plan the flights right.
This calendar maps the whole rhythm on one view. Look across to see when one season ends and another starts. Overlap means options: mid-summer in the UK is festivals, yacht charters in the Med and adventure guiding in Scandinavia all hiring at the same time.
Working a seasonal year.
Four common ways people stitch seasons together. Pick one, mix your own.
The classic: Alps Winter to Med Summer
Chalet host November to April, yacht crew May to October. The most common route into full-time seasonal work. Both sides include live-in accommodation and food.
Explore →Year-round snow: Alps Winter to South America Ski
Instructors and committed skiers chase two winters a year. April and May in the UK or home country, then fly to Chile or Argentina for June through October.
Explore →Chase the summer: Scandinavia to Australia
Northern summer May to September, flip hemispheres for Australian summer December to February. Warm-weather work year-round, working holiday visa does the heavy lifting.
Explore →Festival focus: UK Festivals to Caribbean Winter
Summer stewarding, catering and bar roles across the UK festival circuit June to September, then fly out for a Caribbean yacht or watersports winter.
Explore →Frequently asked.
When should I start applying for a ski season?
Most Alps resorts run their main hiring window May through September for the following winter. Smaller operators and last-minute gaps come up as late as November, but by then most of the decent roles are gone.
Can I work two seasons back-to-back?
Yes, most seasonal workers do. The typical pattern is Alps Winter ending late April, one or two weeks off, then Med Summer starting early May. Contracts are usually structured with this in mind.
Which seasons need the most staff?
By sheer volume, Alps Winter is the biggest. French operators alone hire tens of thousands of chalet and lift staff each year. Med Summer yacht season is the next biggest, followed by UK Festival Season.
Do I need experience to work a season?
No. Most entry-level roles (chalet host, yacht deckhand, bar staff, festival steward) train you on the job. A cheerful attitude and a clean right to work are the main requirements.
What about pay?
Pay varies by role and region. Alps chalet staff typically earn a modest wage plus full room, board and a lift pass, which is the main attraction. Yacht crew and festival production start higher. PeakWave is free to use on both sides, for candidates and employers alike.
Are the dates on this calendar exact?
They are approximate industry norms. Exact resort opening days, festival weekends and yacht charter windows vary year to year. Click a season to see the most up-to-date information we have for that destination.