Oakley Fives Brown Smoke/Dark Bronze Sunglasses

Oakley - Brown Smoke/Dark Bronze Sunglasses

1. Expect to get injured, its going to happen, everyone who is doing an extreme sport every day is going to hurt something. You get good, you can ski any slope you start to do things that are even more crazy to get that buzz. So inevitably you hurt something. Thus make sure you have insurance, an E1 11, and more, a Carte Neige is also sensible, if you get injured off piste you aren't covered, and so this stops the need to have to crawl back to the piste. They are available from lift pass offices for about E40. Also contents insurance is sensible, ski resorts are not always the safest places. I had all my Cds stolen, I reckon about 600quids worth - so do it.

2. Expect to work very hard. A ski season is very intense as when you have time off your doing a physical sport, or your out drinking. Ski seasons are not like summer seasons, they are expensive, a pint will cost about 4 euros, and can go up to 8! So get to know the bar staffs names. Everyone scratches each others backs so you should be able t get a few free drinks. But if you do work hard you'll get enough tips not to have to touch your credit card, what you put in you get out. Thus with every order don't forget the magic words 'seasonaire'!

3. Buy some equipment. Don't go for the cheap rental stuff. Get good equipment and get it early, holiday makers spend a fortune for the week, your going to be using it for 4months. Get a decent pair of skis, boots (more important than skis) and clothing. You want to look cool....course you do, but ski wear also has a good function. Oakley goggles are not the most expensive because they look good, they actually have the best lenses too. Also a brilliant thing to invest in is a laptop, you can put all your music on one, and if there is somewhere you can plug in to do internet which is often expensive you can save money this way. Also if you have a digital camera it means instant photos.

4. Take some things to dress your room. Its cool to have photos with you, music, little things from home, they're interesting for people who don't know you and help to define you as a person. Oh and they cover the bare walls that your likely to be staring at for a while. So dress things up a bit - student style.

5. You don't have to have a job to pitch up at a ski resort. People are friendly and always wanting to help. The amount of people I met scouting for job that who went about it properly got some great jobs. Don't be nervous about doing it, there are always cheap places to crash, and if you take enough money to last a couple of weeks you should be ok. Just don't buy a lift pass until you have a job. Cause you'll use it and won't get a job.

6. Know it will be expensive but if your in a hospitality role expect to earn tips. People who don't tip those such as Chalet hosts are rude. If you do a good job, you should be rewarded, and won't have to get the old switch card out. Which if you do a lot say take a lot out in each go, but try not to if you can help it, if you have the cash you will spend it.

7. Expect to realize how naff England is. The way English people moan about everything, and life back in blighty is so tough. You get to meet people at their best, they are happy, having a good time, and things are relaxed. The party atmosphere is infectious and you'll soon get pulled in to it, and before you know whats happening you'll become a celebrity in the town due to your offpiste talents as well as those on piste.

8. Become a scruffy alcoholic. Some things are more important than fresh smelling clothes, and a clean shave. Getting down the pub, hanging out with your mates and telling some stories takes priority. So have some pub clothes, wear them there and as soon as you enter the pub you'll just smell like the place. Then when your out skiing just wear your pub clothes, the natural fresh alpine air will have them smelling rosy after a few runs.

More hints and tips are available at buythemap.com where you can learn a couple more tips!

Frenchie is the author of http://www.buythemap.com and provides a lot of useful information on a number of issues.