CLASS OF 2011/2012: 5 SEASONAIRES, 5 YEARS LATER

Five years ago this November, I set off on my first ski season (because, yes, I'd just graduated from university and wanted to put off 'real life' for another six months). I'm not sure how exactly, but it pretty quickly turned into something more meaningful than purely being just about après, chalet cake and deep cleaning.

Over the last five years, I've completed four seasons, written for snow publications both in print and online, worked for an e-commerce company that specialised in surf, skate and snow, and launched my own online ski and snowboarding magazine. Today, I continue to work on Style Altitude while also working for a marketing agency that includes clients within the snow industry, and I'm pretty sure that it was all because some 1825 days ago I got on that huge coach that was bound for Tignes. My seasons allowed me to meet some of the best people, some of who I still work and collaborate with today.

My first season became more than just a break: it defined who I was as a person and what direction both my professional and personal life would take (shallow I know, but for a long time I struggled to connect with anyone who didn't understand the pains of transfer days or who showed off a 'twat gap' between their goggles and their helmet). I couldn't imagine my life having gone in any other direction, and doing 'one more season' is something that's constantly in the back of my mind.

Yet, 5 years on, am I the only one? What happens when seasonaires grow up? Was it really just six months of partying for some people - a not so significant 'chapter' in their lives - or did it shape what they went on to do next, and who they are now? I decided to find out and so tracked down five sesonaires, five years on from that 2011/ 2012 season in Tignes to see just how much of an impact that season had on their lives....

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Mickey Fitz

Then Vs. Now: From a 'spring chicken' in Tignes to a business entrepreneur in Morzine

How old were you and what made you decide to do that ski season 5 years ago in Tignes?

I believe 'spring chicken' is the term? I was a 19 year old clueless 'ex-punter' looking to make his way into the seasonaire lifestyle. I had heard of Tignes' reputation for being one of the sickest resorts to spend the season, so it was an easy decision after my secluded chalet-bitch role in Les Arcs. Hopeless would be an understatement – if my ski gear was any tighter, it would have been classed as Lycra.

What was your role during your season?

At the risk of sounding big-headed, I was Skiworld's top performing Chalet Host. I worked in the world's most unexciting chalet, which was often referred to as 'the basement', but I made it work. I was alone in my role but my guests often left as my friends.

How much did reality differ from expectation?

Well, considering my previous season's nightlife consisted of me taking a bag of wine down into my live-in bedroom and drinking myself to sleep while watching endless episodes of Friends, I'd say my expectations were pretty easily exceeded on the first night spent in Tignes. What was to come, however, no one could have predicted. I'm surprised I'm still alive... or allowed back into France for that matter.

Emotionally detach yourself from your savings and be prepared to become 50% human and 50% Jagermeister.

What did you do immediately after your season? What did you do the next winter?

I spent the summer after Tignes on the west coast of France where I ran two big campsites for a company called French Freedom Holidays. I certainly brought an essence of Tignes with me - I was often the reason for several of the staff's hangovers and I was always the first to hit on the new girls. I recruited two new 'Tignes-age Dirtbags' to follow me back there in winter: George and Alex who are still there today.

What's your best memory from your 2011/12 season and what do you miss the most about it?

Man, that's a tough question! It's a toss up between meeting the one and only Les Norris (you'll only understand if you've done a season in Tignes) or being the first person in my company to land a front flip on my snowboard. I'd like to tell you that is was the orgy I had in the main Tignes gondola, but I was completely hopeless when it came to women. I still am really...

It's 5 years on: what are you up to now? Is there anything that you learnt specifically during your season that you apply to what you currently do?

Wow, it's been quite a journey. Since 2011, I have travelled the world, helped launch a start-up in Morzine and founded two of my own companies: Shredits and Action Academy.

Shredits is a Morzine-based media company, which built a ski and snowboard video sharing App last year (with a new release this Christmas – keep your eyes peeled!). Action Academy is the business network for lifestyle and adventrepreneurs hosting startup classes around the globe. I can't say I learnt anything in Tignes that helped me start my businesses, although understanding how to have a SERIOUSLY good time has helped.

Would you recommend people to do a ski season today?

Absolutely. Ignore Brexit, ignore currency inflation, ignore weather reports. Just do it. I have never met a single person who didn't have the time of their life on a winter season. You meet amazing people, you become a pro in an extreme sport and you get to live in one of the most visually stunning environments on earth.

What one piece of advice would you give them?

Emotionally detach yourself from your savings and be prepared to become 50% human and 50% Jagermeister.

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Elliott Hayward

From memorable powder days in Tignes to becoming a maintenance supervisor in London

How old were you and what made you decide to do that ski season 5 years ago in Tignes?

I was 26 when I did my first season in Tignes, so a little older than some people there - not that it mattered! I was actually offered another resort to begin with, but I wasn't totally happy with where I had been placed. Luckily, I think they took a shine to me and gave me a choice. I'd heard great things about Tignes and had already spent a week in Val D'isere on holiday, so the choice was a no-brainer. Thankfully, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made!

What was your role?

My role was a chalet host. As I was in a big chalet, I didn't have to cook as we had a chef, so I was mainly serving food and cleaning. Although, I was involved with shovelling snow and working the bar, amongst other things.

How much did reality differ from expectation?

I didn't know what to expect at first as the job role is so varied, but I knew it was going to be hard work. On the social side of things, I'd heard that early starts with a possible hangover seemed to be the norm, combined with late nights, so this wasn't a massive shock when I got there.

I also wasn't too sure how much snowboarding I would be able to do, but as it turned out, I got to ride pretty much every day except transfer day! You really do need to work hard to play hard!

What did you do immediately after your season? What did you do the next winter?

Being back home after my first season had ended was a little depressing to be honest. I'd met so many cool people and did so much snowboarding, drinking and generally living the dream! But, I'd managed to find a job with a local builder pretty quickly after being back in the UK, so normal life resumed within a couple of weeks.

I had been selected to do my supervisor training in Tignes, so I was lined up to go back the following winter. However, a friend who worked in a different company had mentioned me to their boss. As it turned out, I was offered a different role that I just couldn't turn down. It was a driver/ handyman/ ski guide in St Anton in Austria and I just had to say yes.

As long as you're fed, have a roof over your head and, most importantly, have a lift pass, then that's all you need for a good life!

What's your best memory from your 2011/12 season and what do you miss the most about it?

I don't really have one specific memorable moment as on a day-to-day basis it was just such good fun! There are lots of days where I can say I had an awesome day on the hill and also a great apres and night out.

I did have a couple of memorable powder days that have been hard to beat and will be hard to forget! I guess that's what I miss the most: being able to snowboard most days, and as a result, becoming quite good and being able to ride all over the mountain, even attempting some tricks in the park.

It's 5 years on: what are you up to now?Is there anything that you learnt specifically during your season that you apply to what you currently do?

Wow, 5 years - I can't believe it! It's gone by so fast!

I'm currently working in London as maintenance supervisor for a management company, which is kind of what I did before my season in Tignes.

Not much that I learnt from my season applies to what I'm doing now, but think I'm more open to trying new stuff as a result of doing that season, and I'm generally more concerned about enjoying my life than making as much money as I can! I didn't earn much money when I was in Tignes (I was probably down some pennies by the time I got back), but you don't need to be earning loads. As long as you're fed, have a roof over your head and, most importantly, have a lift pass, then that's all you need for a good life!

Would you recommend people to do a ski season today?

I can't recommend doing a ski season enough and I'm always encouraging any of my friends to do the same, no matter their age or background. It's such a cool thing to do and it can teach you a lot about how to cope by yourself in the wide world!

What one piece of advice would you give them?

My advice would be to expect to work hard in order to play hard. It's been said a million times before, but it's so true – if you work hard, you will have a great season and be able to get the most out of it!

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Aimee Beaton

From a chalet girl in 2011 to working in internal recruitment in 2016

How old were you and what made you decide to do that ski season 5 years ago in Tignes?

I was 24. I had done a ski season and summer season and so Tignes was the next progression.

What was your role?

I was a chalet host.

How much did reality differ from expectation?

It differed a lot as I didn't enjoy my first ski season too much. However, I met brilliant people on my second season in Tignes and it actually turned out to be the best season.

I learnt all about relationship building and talking to different people during my season, which has really helped me with what I do now.

What did you do immediately after your season?

I went to do a summer season in Turkey.

What's your best memory from your 2011/12 season and what do you miss the most about it?

Seeing Fran hit her butt on the snow and fall in water at the end of season water-skimming competition. I also loved skiing in a toboggan with five people and dancing to Sunset Suns at apres, when they were still known as the Cheerleaders of course!

Overall, though, I miss the people the most and the fun!

It's 5 years on: What are you up to now? Is there anything that you learnt specifically during your season that you apply to what you currently do?

Internal recruitment. I learnt all about relationship building and talking to different people during my season, which has really helped me with what I do now. It also teaches you about being nice when you need to speak to awful people. You also become more able to recognise good people.

Would you recommend people to do a ski season today?

Definitely - it was the best choice I have ever made.

What one piece of advice would you give them?

Say yes to everything. Explore your surroundings, meet good people and enjoy!

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Martin Dunk

The 5 year progression: from a Rep in Tignes to Area Manager of Canada and USA

How old were you and what made you decide to do that ski season 5 years ago in Tignes?

I was 21, just finished uni and I had wanted to do a season for a while.

What was your role during your season?

I worked for a large UK ski company as a Rep.

How much did reality differ from expectation?

The social side of things was just as I had expected. It was almost a continuation of university life going out most nights and not sleeping much. The work, however, was a lot more challenging than I'd expected! Once a week, we would work at least a 24 hour day getting customers in and out of resort and have a few hours to sleep before starting the next day. Most weeks would involve dealing with challenging customers and talking with suppliers to come to a solution for the customer.

What did you do immediately after your season? What did you do the next winter?

The summer after my first winter, I went back to the UK and continued managing a marquee company I had previously worked with. The next winter could not come soon enough by the end! I was very happy to see the job offer to get back out to the mountains come through in September.

My best memory is hiking up Mickey's Ears with a group of guys loads better than me at skiing and then dropping off the top in knee-deep snow... it's still one of my best days skiing ever.

What's your best memory from your 2011/12 season and what do you miss the most about it?

My best memory is hiking up Mickey's Ears with a group of guys loads better than me at skiing and then dropping off the top in knee-deep snow before battling my way to the bottom. Although I was not the best skier at this point, it felt incredible when I put in a nice turn. The excitement from everyone else was amazing - it's still one of my best days skiing ever.

It's 5 years on: What are you up to now? Is there anything that you learnt specifically during your season that you apply to what you currently do?

I am currently working as an Area Manager of Canada and USA for the same company, so all the skills, experiences and challenges that I faced in that first season have definitely been useful in my current role.

Would you recommend people to do a ski season today?

Yes - no questions asked! The resilience you develop to just get on with it will be useful in any job, and of course, the awesome times you have outside of work make it so worth doing.

What one piece of advice would you give them?

Don't ever think that you have loads of time to ski this run or that run. Even on my 6th winter season now, the days disappear without you even realising it.

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Amy Willox

From snow in Tignes 5 years ago to living and working in Guatemala

How old were you and what made you decide to do that ski season 5 years ago in Tignes?

I was 22 and had just graduated. I knew I'd wanted to travel for a while. I had never been skiing growing up and wanted to learn how. I knew that in order for me to get pretty decent I would need more than a week's holiday!

What was your role during your season?

Chalet Host.

How much did reality differ from expectation?

I did have an idealistic view before I started off working in a classic log cabin and skiing every day. In reality, I worked in a pretty ugly apartment chalet! But, I learnt to love it and became very ''chalet-proud''.

I hadn't expected the working hours to be so long. I made the effort to ski every day, no matter how tired I was, even if it was just for an hour or so. The season goes by so quick, so you really have to make the most of it.

What did you do immediately after your season? What did you do the next winter?

The following winter, I was living in Queenstown, New Zealand and travelled for a year after. I had worked in an office after the season finished to save for the trip.

What's your best memory from your 2011/12 season and what do you miss the most about it?

I miss the skiing! I don't think I have one single memory that stands out, but I did love everyone coming back down into Tignes together post-La Folie Douce!

It's 5 years on: What are you up to now? Is there anything that you learnt specifically during your season that you apply to what you currently do?

I have been working for an NGO in Guatemala as a Program Manager. I can definitely see how the interaction with guests during my season has helped me to effectively communicate with donors and to fundraise. I am also super organised when cooking now from all that experience prepping and managing the chalet!

Would you recommend people to do a ski season today?

Absolutely! I want to do another one. Although I would say to look for other jobs that aren't always with the large companies, as there are loads of different opportunities going.

What one piece of advice would you give them?

Be willing to work hard, because the harder you work, the longer you get on the mountain!