Kitchen Porter / Chef Assistant – Winter 2026/27

Chardons is recruiting Kitchen Porters and Chef Assistants for its chalet kitchens in Tignes for the 2026/27 winter season.

They are looking for applicants with previous kitchen porter or kitchen assistant experience and a can-do attitude — in their words, people who are not satisfied until the job is done.

Alongside Chalet Host, this is one of the more accessible ways into a first ski season.

About Chalet Chardons

Chardons is a privately owned company running catered ski chalets in Tignes, in the Tignes–Val d'Isère ski area. The owners work both in the UK and in resort alongside the team, and the company has a strong reputation for looking after staff as well as guests.

They sift several hundred applications each season to fill roughly 35–40 positions, so this is a competitive but genuinely well-regarded seasonaire employer.

The season

Five months in Tignes with the chance to ski or snowboard nearly every day.

What's included for all staff

• Competitive salary
• Good accommodation — own accommodation guaranteed for couples and head chefs
• Meals included, covering lunch and meals on your day off
• Ski and snowboard hire package
• Full Tignes and Val d'Isère season lift pass
• Mountain rescue and emergency medical insurance
• Extensive training before the season, and support throughout
• Staff incentives including ski lessons, days out and meals out
• Transport to and from Geneva airport
• Discounts for friends and family
• The ability to ski or snowboard six days a week, with at least a full day off each week

How the recruitment cycle works

Chardons recruits through spring, summer and autumn for the following winter. Interviews run from spring onwards, so applying early matters.

Two things worth knowing that are unusual among ski operators:

• They hold a reserve list during the season for late applicants
• They will consider applications up to two years in advance

How to apply

There is no online application form. Email your CV, a cover letter, and a photo of yourself, confirming which position you are applying for, to Clare at the address on this listing.

Chardons asks that you do not call their bookings line about recruitment — it is a separate department and cannot help.

Eligibility

Chardons employs its overseas chalet staff as a UK Limited company, formally seconding them to France for the season. This means the eligibility bar is stricter than most French Alps operators: applicants must hold an EU passport and be an EU national, and separately must have the right to work and live in the UK with a valid UK National Insurance number. You must also be available for pre-season training in the Bristol area immediately before your secondment date. If you do not hold both an EU nationality and existing UK right to work, you will not meet Chardons' criteria regardless of your seasonal work experience.