I used to get asked this question twice a week.
“How do I start a chalet business in the Alps?”
I think 2005/6 was the peak. Everyone wanted to move to the Alps, sometimes it was 1 in 3 of the enquiries we received . I have learnt over time that the question should really be phased a bit better. Perhaps:
“how can I make a living in the Alps?”
would be more appropriate. The thing is that most people that have gone skiing have witnessed at first hand a chalet business. The holiday cost them €600 so the embryonic business plan started over the dinner table.
€600 x 10 people staying in the chalet = €6,000
€6,000 x 16 weeks for the season = €96,000
Obviously you need a chalet, there are the usual bills, food and linen to pay for too but surely there is a fair living to be made? And that’s not including the summer business. Right, sign me up, where do I start?
Alpine Property Team Meal 2011
Well I’ve been there. Although I now make my living from my full time job with Alpine Property I’ve also worked a couple of winter seasons, I’ve run a chalet business (mostly summer based) for 10 years and now I live in the Alps with my wife and 3 children. Surely living proof that it’s a good idea? Well “Yes” and “No”. I’m now going to give my advice. Feel free to take it with a pinch of salt!
My first bit of advice is “don’t do it”. Well don’t start the chalet business that is. Living in the Alps is a great idea! Have a look at your skills, can you carry them over to the Alps and keep working? That’s a possibility? And it might be better in the long term. There are plenty of people that live in the Alps and make a living here or based from here. These are the trades I know of:
Accountants, #pilots, #lawyers, journalists, IT experts, various consultants and #project managers, guides (walking / biking / climbing), ski instructors, electricians, carpenters, plasterers, plumbers, builders, bankers (in Geneva), doctors, nurses, #engineers, estate agents, interior designers, graphic designers, photographers, artists, writers, teachers, taxi drivers, hotels owners and hospitality workers….
The professions marked as # generally work away from home and use the Alps as a base. There are bound to be more, these are just the ones I know personally.
So if you don’t feel that you can carry over your current skills and you still think running a chalet is the way forward then hang on! You’ll have to wait until next week for the “how to” section.
Posted by Gareth 
