Fact Files: Claire
Over the years we receive superb feedback on the knowledge, passion and experience of team here at Ski Independence. So we thought it would be an idea to give you a bit of an insight into who’s who..
Claire, European Product Manager
For the benefit of our readers could you explain your role at Ski Independence and what you’re responsible for?
I recently took on the role of European Product Manager, after being Assistant Product Manager here for over 4 years. The role involves contracting all the elements of a skiing holiday, brochure production, dealing with operational issues during the season and anything else to ensure that things run smoothly!
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Claire (left) enjoying a bluebird day in Les Arcs.[/caption]
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to work for Ski Independence?
After finishing a Joint Honours French & German degree at Leeds University, I decided to take some time out and learn to ski. What better way than to do a ski season?! Rather than the bright lights of Val d’Isère or Méribel (which were popular with friends) I chose the lesser known resort of Vaujany to cut my ski teeth! And it was a brilliant choice – I worked as the Resort Rep, which meant liaising with suppliers in resort, making sure the guests were ok and frequently driving them to the local doctor, if not. Keen to discover the Alps in the Summer, I stayed for another season and learnt to rock climb with the more relaxed pace of working life there. Then I headed to Scotland in search of more skiing and climbing, came to Ski Independence and the rest is history!
What is the most interesting part of your job as Product Manager?
I love discovering new resorts and revisiting current ones – there’s nothing like tearing around the Alps in glorious sunshine on a Monday morning and knowing you’re “at work” (although unfortunately these days are not as frequent as I’d like!)
What are some of your favourite Ski Independence destinations and do you have any top tips to share?
Traditional resorts appeal most to me – Megève is stunning and a great place to go for a special occasion, Saas Fee is another gorgeous chocolate-box resort that I’d like to go back to. But I think the Espace Killy ski area is hard to beat and staying in the heart of Val d’Isère would probably get my vote!
And finally, what would be your ultimate ski holiday?
Business class flights to Geneva, being met off the flight by my own personal chauffeur (glass of champagne in hand) then whisked off to Zermatt for a few nights at the Hotel Cervo, followed by the Glacier Express to St Moritz and a few more nights at the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, then a private transfer to Zurich and back to blighty. And reality!
Claire (left) enjoying a bluebird day in Les Arcs.[/caption]
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to work for Ski Independence?
After finishing a Joint Honours French & German degree at Leeds University, I decided to take some time out and learn to ski. What better way than to do a ski season?! Rather than the bright lights of Val d’Isère or Méribel (which were popular with friends) I chose the lesser known resort of Vaujany to cut my ski teeth! And it was a brilliant choice – I worked as the Resort Rep, which meant liaising with suppliers in resort, making sure the guests were ok and frequently driving them to the local doctor, if not. Keen to discover the Alps in the Summer, I stayed for another season and learnt to rock climb with the more relaxed pace of working life there. Then I headed to Scotland in search of more skiing and climbing, came to Ski Independence and the rest is history!
What is the most interesting part of your job as Product Manager?
I love discovering new resorts and revisiting current ones – there’s nothing like tearing around the Alps in glorious sunshine on a Monday morning and knowing you’re “at work” (although unfortunately these days are not as frequent as I’d like!)
What are some of your favourite Ski Independence destinations and do you have any top tips to share?
Traditional resorts appeal most to me – Megève is stunning and a great place to go for a special occasion, Saas Fee is another gorgeous chocolate-box resort that I’d like to go back to. But I think the Espace Killy ski area is hard to beat and staying in the heart of Val d’Isère would probably get my vote!
And finally, what would be your ultimate ski holiday?
Business class flights to Geneva, being met off the flight by my own personal chauffeur (glass of champagne in hand) then whisked off to Zermatt for a few nights at the Hotel Cervo, followed by the Glacier Express to St Moritz and a few more nights at the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, then a private transfer to Zurich and back to blighty. And reality!