I decided to apply to work at Our Chalet because despite being involved in guiding since age 5 I'd previously had very little international experience. I had always planned to take a gap year after university and the idea of spending 3 months at a world centre fit right into the year of travelling and international adventures I was planning. I'm a keen skier and the Adelboden area is world-renowned for its skiing which is why I chose to apply for the winter season, when there was sure to be plenty of snow around. The application process involved an application form followed by an interview via skype which took place during the summer and in August I was delighted to hear I'd been accepted.
Days at the chalet are always varied but can be split into two main categories. Either I'll be working as part of the programme team or the guest services team. On programme days we can be leading hikes, sledging days, snow BBQs or onsite days depending on what our guests have booked. On guest services days we can start the day on reception or making guests breakfast before moving on to cleaning, laundry and general tidying tasks around the chalet. We also cook staff lunch as well as dinner for the guests which means I've had plenty of opportunity to improve my previously non-existent cooking skills. After dinner is served the two teams switch over so that those who were on guest services switch and run evening programme and the others clean up the kitchen after dinner. Evening programme can involve an evening of authentic swiss activities, hiking to the nearby magic tree to make a wish or a campfire out in the snow which is always particularly special for our guests. Campfires here are always great with the international mix of songs and chants that we do.
We have a staff challenge that we are all hoping to complete during our time here. During our training week the new vollies and interns were given a selection of challenges which are all worth a different amount of points towards our end target of 80 points. This has been a great encouragement to do things I wouldn't otherwise have done for example I slept outside in a tent in the snow, got knee deep in a freezing river and tried airboarding (going face first down a slope on an inflatable mattress). I've also cooked dinner on my own for everyone, had a party in a tent, cleaned the staff house and run an afternoon class on video editing. I've still got 30 points to achieve in my final month so I'll be hosting a tea party, getting the rest of my fellow vollies to eat haggis and tackling some black ski runs on the mountain! This challenge is a great example of how far guides will go to get a badge!
I feel now that I have a greater understanding of how guiding works on a global scale and this has been a fantastic opportunity to meet guiding sisters from around the world. -Rachael Graham