The Best Resort For: Ski Reps

Zermatt, Switzerland

According to legend, ski reps like resorts where they can big it up and go large: anything less than a lot – of skiing and boarding plus partying – is not enough. So when they sign up for a season, most form a disorderly queue for Val d'Isère. Once a rep himself, and now the boss of Total and Esprit Holidays, Andy Perrin generally subscribes to the traditional view.

He regards St Anton, Chamonix and Les Deux Alpes as the natural environment of the ski rep, thanks to the skiing, nightlife "and the large expatriate community of like-minded people: on their fourth night new reps will already have a group of mates".

Mathew Prior, newly in charge of First Choice's ski programme, is less prescriptive; but that is because – unusually – he was a "very basic" skier when he became a rep, and therefore chose little Valloire as a good place to learn. He also points out that in small resorts it is much easier to become part of the local community. But he spent the following year in Zermatt, and agrees that good nightlife is "extremely important" to reps.

For a view from closer to the shop floor, I consulted Iain Martin, managing director of www.natives.co.uk, the winter-sport workers website. His advice to would-be reps was practical. Think about the location, he said: "Val d'Isère is great, but it can be a nightmare getting guests there from the airport." Remember that chalets will give you more work than hotels and apartments. And go somewhere with enough bars to let you get away from the guests when necessary.

Martin's own choice? "Zermatt, because it's a beautiful resort with a good range of both skiing and socialising. And because I was injured for half the season I was there, and didn't get the best out of it."