Do you like skiing, snowboarding or just spending time in a snowy environment? Then consider getting a job in a Scottish Ski Resort. If you didn’t know that Scotland had ski resorts, well you will be surprised to learn they have five. And each snow season, the Scottish Ski Resorts require staff to ensure everything runs smoothly. So here’s your chance while on a UK working holiday to extend your stay in Scotland by getting a job in a Scottish Ski Resort or one of the local nearby towns. In this post I will run through where the Scottish Ski resorts are, what job you could get and how to get one. Let’s get into it.

Note: I first wrote this post in December 2019 and have updated it September 2022 for the upcoming Scottish ski season. The post may contain affiliate links, Ready my full disclosure here.

Types of Work in a Scottish Ski Resort

There are different types of work available in the Scottish ski resorts. It can range from working inside or outside. If working inside you could find yourself in a chalet or lodge doing housekeeping. Or maybe front of house greeting and checking in new visitors and checking those out who are leaving. There are also hospitality jobs like waiting, bar work, cooking, etc. in the cafes, bars and restaurants at the resorts and the local towns. Opportunities also exist in ski hire, selling ski lift tickets, snow grooming and being a lift operator. If qualified, you could also get a job as a ski or snowboard instructor.

The Five Scottish Ski Resorts

There are five main ski centres in the Scottish Highlands. The Lecht, Nevis Range Mountain Resort, Cairngorm, Glenshee and Glencoe. Have a look at the map to see where the Scottish ski resorts are.

The 5 Scottish ski resorts are spread across the Scottish Highlands

When is the Scottish Ski Season

The Scottish ski season generally runs from November/December to April, but it does depend on the white stuff. It is unpredictable and depends on Mother Nature. They say some of the best snow happens from late January to March. This coincides with the rest of Europe and their ski season.

Where Will You Live if You Get a Job in a Scottish Ski Resort

There isn’t much accommodation available on the mountains, sometimes there is none because the resorts are quite small. In that case you will have to find your own accommodation. A good thing is that most of the resorts provide transport for its workers to get up and down the mountains from the local towns. If you don’t have a job and/or accommodation sorted I suggest your stay in a hostel or small hotel while you find a position. For a bed in a hostel check out HostelWorld. If you are wanting a room in a hotel or B&B check out Booking.com. You could get a job in the hostel or hotel you are staying in.

How to Find a Job in a Scottish Ski Resort

You can find a job in a Scottish Ski Resort in a number of ways. Many contact the resorts directly and I have provided their contact details following. Some people might see an ad in the local UK press. Others just turn up, walk around the village or nearby town and hope they find something.

If you don’t find a job in a resort, because they are quite small, you could find something in a local town. Aviemore, near the Cairngorm Ski Centre is known as ‘Aussiemore’ due to the amount of Aussies who find a position there. Positions in the small towns can be in hospitality as a barista, cook, chef, waiting, etc. in the restaurants and cafes. There are also jobs in the local accommodation as chamber maids, serving breakfasts, etc. Then in your free time, you can catch the bus up the mountain for some skiing, snowboarding and just general snow enjoyment.

Contact a Scottish Ski Resort Directly for a Job

Catch the Funicular to Work each day!

The best way to find a job in a Scottish Ski Resort is to contact the resort directly. Following are the contact details for the five Scottish Ski Resorts. Each of the websites have a career section with current jobs available. There is also lots of other information and links to local accommodation and services available. You could also contact the accommodation and services for positions that might be available.

Cairngorm Ski Centre www.cairngormmountain.org Tel: (01479) 810 261.

Cairngorm is in the centre of the Scottish Highlands. It is probably the best known of the Scottish Ski resorts and has the UK’s highest Funicular Railway and Restaurant. The nearest town is Aviemore, sometimes referred to as ‘Aussiemore’ due to the number of Aussies who find work in the town. This is quite a party town and has a great vibe to enjoy your time working in the Scottish Highlands.

Glencoe Ski Centre www.glencoemountain.co.uk Tel: (01855) 851 226.

Glencoe is on the western side of the Scottish Highlands and is quite remote even though it is only half an hour away from Glasgow. It boasts some of the steepest on-piste skiing in the country.

Glenshee Ski Centre www.ski-glenshee.co.uk Tel: (013397) 412320.

Glenshee is the largest of the Scottish Ski resorts. The nearest town to this remote ski centre is Braemar. Here you could find work in one of the hotels, pubs or cafes. Braemar is home to the Scottish Highland Games with members of the royal family attending each year. It is also close to Balmoral Castle and so many people visit this area.

Lecht Ski Centre www.lecht.co.uk Tel: (01975) 651440.

This place looks very close to the Cairngorm ski centre on the map but alas, there is no direct road there. The nearest town is Tomintoul. Most ski runs are for beginners to intermediate.

Nevis Range Mountain Resort www.nevisrange.co.uk Tel: (01397) 705 855.

This resort is on the western side of the Scottish Highlands with Ben Nevis being the highest mountain in the UK. The Nevis Range is near Fort William, so if you don’t find a position at the ski resort you may find work in this town.

What Do You Get for Working in a Scottish Ski resort?

If you secure a job in a Scottish ski resort you will receive a wage. Possibly free or cheap shared accommodation. Transport subsidy to get up and down the mountain if no accommodation available on the mountain. Meals while on duty, maybe a ski lift pass and hopefully a great experience. I say hopefully because some people get there, get a job and find that working in a ski resort isn’t what they expected so they leave. This is good news for people who have turned up in the Scottish Highlands after the snow season has started looking for a job. But all that is on offer is usually negotiable, particularly if the resort is in a hurry (or desperate) to fill a position.

TIP: Ensure you have appropriate travel insurance that covers you for extreme sports. The two insurance companies I recommend you get a quote from are World Nomads and Safety Wing.

What Work Clothes to Pack to Work in a Scottish Ski resort?

Are You ready to get a Job in a Scottish Ski resort?

There you go, if you like the snow getting a job in a Scottish Ski Resort while on your UK working holiday may be ideal. It will be a great way to immerse yourself in the local Scottish culture plus, enjoy the snow and be paid for it.

Other Countries You Could Work and Ski

Work and Ski Europe
How to Find Work at a Canadian Ski resort
Work and Ski Australia