During the winter months the population of Chamonix swells for the skiing season. Such an influx of people demands a huge amount of organisation and expertise, plus an army of seasonal workers. Many of these workers are very young, and conditions are harsh. Accommodation is so expensive that some resort to living in campervans, in spite of the freezing weather conditions. Meanwhile, over in Megève, super rich internationals enjoy a very different lifestyle, in state of the art chalets costing up to 15 million euros each.
As well as taking care of the visitors’ food and accommodation, rescue teams and specialists must work round the clock to ensure their safety of the holiday makers, especially those adrenaline junkies who ignore the warnings and try to go off piste…. Fascinating insight into life behind the scenes of one the world’s most famous winter resorts.
We profile two of the best known winter resorts in the world: Gastaad and Isghgl.
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The resort island of Saint Barth has an international reputation for luxury and grandeur. Before the 1960s, its 2000 inhabitants lived off of fishing and artisanal crafts. Today, Saint Barth holds a different story altogether… We meet the workers who toil behind the scenes to keep this deluxe island afloat.
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1850 metres above sea level, Val d’Isère is a sports resort traditionally favoured by Europe’s elite. Boutiques, luxurious apartments, chalets valued at over 20 million euros; this ski town in Savoie, France caters for the rich and the chic.
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