Karen joined Purple Ski full time in 2001 from the Dell Computer Corporation, where she was the Director of Audit for Dell Europe. Before that, she worked at Heinz and Mars in various general management, manufacturing/people management and engineering roles. She has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bristol University and is a Certified Management Accountant.

Her first association with Purple Ski was in March 1997, when she was a guest in Chalet Le Crêtet, Purple Ski’s first ever chalet. It was there that she met her husband Michael, who had been running the chalet since 1991. They married soon afterwards and Karen supported Michael in the running of the business while continuing her UK-based job with Dell, but then came out to join him and has worked full time in the business since July 2001. Michael has very recently stepped back from the business (and is pursuing other interests – not least spending more time with their 12 year-old son, Max, but also returning to the passion that brought him here in the first place – skiing!) and so Karen has taken over as Managing Director, but retaining her focus on operations and service delivery (about which she is as passionate as ever!) – including everything to do with recruiting, training and working with the superb team of staff and also on obtaining and looking after the lovely chalets. (Hannah Crane-Buck has taken over Michael’s sales responsibilities, augmenting her previous role as Customer Services Manager.)

We are delighted that Hannah is back with us for her fifth season, now in a UK-based role as Sales & Customer Services Manager after getting married earlier this year - to Toby, our former Supplies Manager. She has extensive experience in customer service and takes pride in a job well done. She likes problem solving, has great attention to detail and strives to make a difference. She is also very organised, hardworking, thorough, but also friendly and simply charming.

She also has a passion for languages having graduated from the University of Warwick with First Class honours in French Studies with Italian, and an MA in Translation. Hannah is fluent in both French and Italian and has basic Portuguese skills; she loves having the chance to use her languages which goes hand in hand with her desire to travel. She has used her knowledge and experience in various countries (including teaching in France, interning for a travel company in Spain, and as office manager for a summer camp in the US). She also loves people and socialising and her hobbies are very diverse, including skiing, hiking, cheerleading, Via Ferrata, playing the cello, and diving. It's a pleasure to have her back.

Toby is now our longest-serving member of staff, returning for a sixth winter this season. Originally from Stratford-upon-Avon, Toby graduated from Bristol University with a MSci in Maths and Physics in 2012. Post-degree, he decided he needed a bit more adventure in his life and spent a year travelling in Southern Africa and working in America at a summer camp, where he returned for four summers between his seasons with Purple Ski.

As well as his 5 seasons with us, Toby has a great deal of experience in the customer service industry having worked for a large hotel group and a security company, supervising a large team of security officers at major international events. Toby polished his snowboarding skills in his early seasons but has now been permanently converted to skiing (thanks to his now wife Hannah!).

Toby has been our Supplies and Maintenance manager for the last 5 seasons and now we are excited to have him back in this new role assisting Karen with the day to day operations of the company.

New to both Purple Ski and the world of skiing Clare is delighted to be taking on the role of Karen's PA. Originally from Derbyshire UK, Clare graduated from University of Leeds in 2017 with a 1st class Honours in French and Spanish. Her love for travel and languages has led her to live in Granada, Madrid, Southwest France and most recently Lille as an English teacher at Lille III University.

She has a wide range of interests including amongst others, running, swimming, playing the piano, drama, hiking and tap dance. Clare has volunteered in a variety of roles in both the UK and South Africa. She enjoys meeting new people and experiencing different cultures, especially French! Always up for a challenge Clare is keen to try her hand at skiing and hopes to have mastered the basics by the end of the season.

Widely travelled with a diverse skill-set, Mike is originally from Bristol and has worked in a number of roles throughout the world and will certainly be an asset to Purple Ski. Whilst 2018 will mark his first season in the Alps he has completed three camps in the US as a lifeguard, swimming teacher and waterfront director, and worked as a leisure attendant and an event representative in Dublin. His role as Project Manager for the family business MHL Connect Ltd over a period of two years has also given him vast experience in all aspects of running a successful company, especially concerning administration, liaising with suppliers and clients, and driving, often in poor conditions. Undoubtedly a people person, Purple Ski clients can rest assured they will be in safe hands with Mike.

Mark has been with Purple Ski since 2005, with a few years break from being staff, but doing a lot of our renovations in the mean time. This is his 18th winter season overall, having also worked in the USA and Courchevel; he is such a huge asset to the team and we are delighted he is back.

Originally from Brighton, Mark has been self-employed in property renovation and construction ever since graduating from The University of Oxford with an MA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics.

Adventure, travel and work are his life: he freelances as a Climbing, Mountain and Ski Instructor. He works as a professional Expedition Leader for World Challenge most summers and has worked as a ski instructor in Austria in previous seasons. He is currently working towards his BASI level 3 qualification. Through the summer Mark also runs his own renovation and repair business http://www.markdancey.co.uk/ and plans to settle in the valley permanently.

Mark is responsible for making sure that all the chalets have whatever food, drinks and other provisions that we need. Though mainly working "behind the scenes" you may meet/see him during the season - probably most likely on changeover day as he helps with luggage and transfers.

Alice joined us in 2016 with a view to taking a break from the fast paced London life. Prior this she spent the previous 6 years managing "Coda", the fine dining restaurant at the Royal Albert Hall and brings with her a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the servicing and catering industry.

She has a Bachelor Honors degree in Media Studies from Chichester University and has worked as a sales assistant at the Riverside Art Gallery and a head waitress for Leiths at Glyndebourne Opera House. Out of the ‘office’, Alice is a Pilates enthusiast and is currently studying to teach level three Mat Pilates.

Alice clearly enjoys life in the mountains as this will be her fourth ski season, 9 years after her first working for SkiBound. She and our Lead Driver Pete were married on Lake Annecy earlier this year, and have since been travelling in Asia together. Alice is laid-back, hard working, organised, bubbly and fun loving and we are delighted to have her back with us in the coordinating role of staff supervisor.

Originally from London, Pete is no stranger to the French Alps having worked 7 winter seasons as a resort representative and ski technician, then in a senior "head ski technician" position which he held for 2 seasons, managing 8 ski rental facilities and a team of ski technicians, representatives and shop managers. In 2016/17 he worked for us in Chalet Zybeline as Chalet Assistant/Driver, before taking on his current role as Lead Driver & Maintenance Manager.

He also has much hospitality experience having managed a busy licenced pool bar venue in the heart of London for 5 seasons (during the inter-season) and summer hotel management work in France. His early work experience also includes working as teaching assistant with adults and children with learning difficulties and as crew and safety assistant at the Royal Albert Hall, helping with the technical side of shows.

Pete spent a few years away from the mountains, working in media most recently as Television Media Manager at the BBC, responsible for managing collections of footage for various areas of the BBC's vast content, assets constantly in high demand by internal and external clients.

Pete met his now-wife Alice in the Alps back in 2006-2007; they had always wanted to do a season again, and now they are on their third in a row! Pete is hard working, dedicated, has excellent people skills - both as a leader and team member. He has a positive, "can do" attitude, is laid back / calm and always smiley - as one of his his referees said, we are "lucky to have him".

Becky, originally from Macclesfield, joins us for her first season. In addition to a foundation degree in Art and Design from Manchester Metropolitan University and a degree in Fine Arts from University of Edinburgh she has significant hospitality and catering experience. Since 2013 she has worked in various successful cafés, most recently Zebra Coffee Company, a specialist establishment in the heart of Edinburgh as a supervisor, barista, cook and baker.

She is an enthusiastic skier with a love of the outdoors including horse riding, sailing, surfing and especially mountaineering. At university she was a committed member of the Hill Walking Club, frequently organising trips to the Scottish Highlands and more recently undertook the 250 mile John Muir Trail in California through the Sierra Nevada wilderness. Becky has good conversation level French and previously volunteered in a primary school and Fine Art Gallery in Angers and completed an artist residency in Tuscany. She enjoys cooking, baking, attending cultural events, exhibitions and visiting galleries. We are sure she will be a great asset to Purple Ski.

Currently based in greater Manchester, Max is an avid skier and has recently graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a 2.1 degree in International Hospitality Business Management with Culinary Arts. A keen interest in cooking has led him to pursue an already extensive career within the hospitality industry. To date he has worked at, amongst other establishments, Worsley Park, a Marriott Hotel and Country Club for two years as a host, a role involving managing the AA rosette award winning The Dining Rooms Restaurant and training in housekeeping, bars, conferences and banqueting. He also has four years experience working for Eclectic Hotels Collections at their 4* Didsbury House Hotel in a front of house capacity, and for the past year as Reservation Coordinator for four different hotels in Manchester.

Outside of work Max is a talented classically trained singer who has performed in locations as far afield as the USA and Canada. He also plays the trombone and is an accomplished tennis player. We look forward to him joining us at Purple Ski.

Originally from Bath, Freya has just graduated from University of Aberystwyth with a B.A (Hons) degree in English Literature and will be joining us as a Relief Chalet Assistant. She has already acquired significant customer service experience having worked as the assistant manager of Ring o Bells an award winning gastropub, a shop assistant at a high street chain and as bar staff at functions for HAP Recruitment throughout the country. Extremely organised and good at adapting to situations, Freya loves working as part of a team and is a self-admitted perfectionist who enjoys engaging with clients and always strives to go the extra mile to make their day. We are very pleased to have her on the team.

Myles, originally from Somerset UK, may be new to the slopes but he is certainly well acquainted with both the hospitality industry and travel bringing to Purple Ski eight years' invaluable experience. He has worked in a variety of different roles and locations, namely South-East Asia where he helped to build a school and Melbourne working at multiple cocktail bars, music venues, as a barista and a jet ski tour guide. More recently he has worked in Bristol as a duty manager at Riverstation, a fine dining establishment and a bartender at Redlight, an independent company specialising in gin and whisky tastings.

Myles is an extremely competent driver on and off road having regularly driven 4X4 vehicles with trailers on rural Australian dirt roads, as well as vans for both a personal removals company and an events company. Outside of work Myles enjoys surfing, DJing and getting to know new people. We are sure he will be a great asset to the team.

Originally from Preston, Matthew, a highly experienced and passionate chef will be joining the team at Chalet Les Bartavelles. Starting his career at a local carvery he progressed to the role of Senior Chef de Partie at Heathcote’s Brasserie & Olive where he worked from November 2013 to August 2015. The past three years at Raymond Blanc’s prestigious 2 Michelin Star hotel and restaurant, Belmond le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons has seen him continue to move up the ranks to Demi Chef de Partie. During this time he has also worked alongside other esteemed figures of the culinary world including Eric Chavot and Gary Jones. Matthew brings to Les Bartavelles a wealth of experience especially involving large-scale private dining functions which he enjoys immensely.

Although new to skiing, Matthew is a competent ice skater and has tried his hand at numerous outdoor sports through a long association with Scouts. We are delighted that his desire to travel has led him to join us in Méribel.

We are thrilled to welcome Lucy, who comes from Brighton, back to her former role as Chalet Manager after a ten year hiatus. During this period she was a Responibletravel.com PR Assistant intern for a year, a nanny of five children for three years, qualified as a ITEC Level 3 Holistic Massage Therapist, gained 1st in Midwifery Studies from King’s College London and has since worked at St Mary’s Hospital Imperial College Health Care Trust and Brighton Sussex University Hospital Trust as a Band 6 Rotational Midwife.

Prior to her time at Purple Ski Lucy, a Sheffield Hallam graduate in Communication Studies & PR, worked as a waitress at the prestigious Glyndebourne Opera House, Front of House/Hotel Staff for equity Ski in Montgenevre and Camp America Lifeguard and Swimming Instructor. She has travelled extensively, volunteering in Tanzania and completing a 350km bike ride in Brazil for Mind. Lucy is a fun and energetic individual who has a love for snowboarding, skiing, running, cycling, swimming and surfing and has basic Spanish skills and is learning French.

Cameron, a primary school teacher and member of the Army Reserve with a love for travel is joining us from Edinburgh. Through his military training which began in 2013 in the Aberdeen Universities Officer Training Corps he has gained military qualifications in driving both cars and minibuses and is also at ease driving vans, not to mention pick-up trucks and even tanks. If teaching 32 9 year olds on a day-to-day basis wasn’t proof enough of his management and organisational skills, he has also worked for three years at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo as a supervisor working closely with the public, police and armed forces.

He is also no stranger to the world of hospitality having worked as a bar assistant at Le Monde bar, a 4 star establishment on George Street, Edinburgh. An extremely motivated individual, Cameron has already completed two military ski qualifications but is keen to further develop his ability and to also improve his French level. A former talented hockey player he still exercises regularly training for relay marathons. We are delighted to welcome him to the team.

Isobel (Izzy) is also back for her fourth season with us. She spent two seasons (2014/15 and 2015/16) in the role of Karen's Personal Assistant and so has a thorough knowledge of many aspects of Purple Ski - but she also has a great deal of experience in hospitality including events hosting, restaurant and bar work, and working as housekeeper and waitress in a hotel in La Rosière for a winter season. She returned to us last season in the diverse role of Relief Chalet Assistant, providing relief cover for staff in most of the chalets.

Izzy started skiing when she was 9 and since then has been on family ski holidays and school trips and more recently, took a course in Val d'Isère to become a qualified BASI Level 1 Ski instructor. She enjoys off piste and park skiing including jumps.

She is caring, friendly and positive, cares a great deal about doing a good job, and likes to be organised. We are sure she will do a fantastic job in her new role, as the Bartavelles Chalet Assistant and providing some relief cover for our Chalet Assistant/Drivers.

We are so pleased that Tommy is returning for his fifth winter with us, after a year away.

Immediately prior to his first season with us (2012-2013) Tommy worked for 6 years at the 4 AA rosette, Michelin star-awarded Boath House Hotel in the Scottish Highlands (Nairn, Near Inverness), latterly (2 years) as sous chef. His other experience includes other high end restaurants in Scotland - such as the Tor Na Coille luxury country house hotel where he was running the kitchens, working for private clients on the Cote d'Azur and, for much of the past 3 years (in between his Purple Ski seasons), on super yachts in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and South East Asia.

His cooking ability and flair was always superb (he was the runner up [2nd] in the Young Highland Chef of the Year Award, 2012) - and it has evolved and improved still further as a result of his recent experiences, but he is also a lovely young man - personable, hardworking, gentle and caring, and very organised. Guests of Chalet Foinsbois are in for a real treat and he has a strong following with many repeat clients.

Paige, originally from South Wales joins us for her first season. She joins us from a very nice 5* boutique hotel (Lanelay Hall) in Cardiff where she is Restaurant and Events Supervisor, but has held many other high-end hospitality roles including at a 4* Spa & Leisure Resort, a 4* hotel and supervisor for a Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill. She is delightful - very warm, kind, quietly confident and dedicated individual who always strives to go the extra mile.

Paige enjoys travelling, going to the gym and is looking forward to trying out snowboarding and further developing her ski ability. She also has a keen interest in fashion and holds an NVQ Level 3 qualification in Production Arts Make-Up. She's going to be a huge asset to the team!

From Middlesex UK, Hannah has just graduated from the University of Exeter with a 1st Class Honours in English. Working as a catering assistant for True Deli since 2015 has given her a wealth of silver service experience, and has exposed her to a huge range of events, from weddings and corporate events to private Rolex donners at St James’ Square. For the past three summers she has also been an activity leader for Discovery Summer, an intensive residential English programme for foreign children. She has also worked as an Editorial Assistant for Apollo Research over a period of two years and completed a placement at the PR Company Firefly.

Hannah is relatively new to skiing but no stranger to sport, having played hockey at regional level and more recently at university. Not surprisingly she has a strong work ethic and enjoys working as part of a team. She also likes travelling, playing the piano and taking on new challenges. We look forward to welcoming her to Purple Ski.

Bobby is returning to us for his third season, but his fourth in the Three Valleys; for the 2015/16 season he worked at a hotel in La Tania, before joining us as Chalet Manager in La Petite Pia, and finally Chalet Assistant/Driver in the same chalet last season. He liked his role so much he decided to do it again this year, this time in Chalet Foinsbois!

He has spent some of his summers working at a 170 cover beachside restaurant in Sennen Cove, Cornwall, where he was assistant manager, working under chef/owner Ben Tunnicliffe, who has held a Michelin star for 8 years and who has given him a wealth of knowledge in fine food. His other hospitality experience includes a year as front of house manager of a gastropub, also several months at a brasserie in Glasgow, a bus bar and Jockey Club Catering, providing silver service and private box waitering to high profile clients at some of the top racing events.

Bobby enjoys snowboarding, surfing and travelling; learning about different cultures and lifestyles. He is passionate about what he does, but also very laid back, friendly, caring and confident and we are very pleased to have him back this year - our Foinsbois guests will love him!

Originally from Isleworth, West London, Billy has been cheffing for 16 years (he got interested when at school when he won a cooking competition aged 13 and started working through school with celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson) and mostly in fine dining. His experience includes 2 years at the Michelin starred “Glasshouse” and “Hibiscus” restaurants where was senior chef de partie (these were his favourite jobs in terms of the quality of food he was able to produce), 5 years as Head Chef at Chelsea Football Club (his favourite in terms of job variability – he headed up the team of c.70 chefs and was responsible for volume and Directors' dining, special events, competitions and more), 2 years as Executive Head Chef at Reading Football Club & Royal Berkshire Conference Centre and more.

He has a real passion and flair for food, is artistic but with a great palette, “everything tastes amazing as well” is what one of his referees said. He is organised and very particular – with a high degree of attention to detail. Also a real people person, kind, thoughtful, sociable and very likeable.

He's now looking for new experiences, he has never skied or snowboarded before but enjoys sport and is keen to travel.

Chloe, originally from Weymouth, UK brings to Purple Ski a wealth of experience. She holds a degree from Falmouth University in Creative Events Management and has worked in a number of different locations notably the Atlantic Piano Bar in Vilamoura Portugal, Les Gets France as a Chalet Host for Consensio, and Bangkok as an intern for Spark PR Communications. She has also waitressed at amongst other establishments The Cove, an award-winning Cornish restaurant and has worked for Green Eye Events as Bar Supervisor at Mutiny festival and as Bar Staff at Glastonbury and the Isle of Wight Festival. Chloe is very outgoing, hardworking and loves travelling. We are sure she will fit in perfectly.

Thomas, a Falmouth University graduate in Creative Events Management, joins us for his second season in the Alps.

Originally from Portsmouth he is no stranger to travel. 2017 saw him working as both a Kitchen Assistant in a high-end alpine restaurant in Les Gets and a Cocktail Bartender in Vilamoura, Portugal. Prior to this he worked for Milkround as Brand Manager and for Green Eye Events as a bartender and supervisor at festivals including Glastonbury, The Isle of Wight and Mutiny festival. Whilst at university he undertook the role of Artist Liaison at Wasabi Hub and Events Manager, and PR and Marketing Officer for Falmouth Live Lounge. Thomas is extremely personable and as our guests will witness, has a real flair for customer service. We look forward to him joining the team.

We are pleased to welcome Steve, a trained carpenter and joiner from Glasgow to Purple Ski. Since 1990 he has worked for B&Q, most recently in the capacity of Trading Manager at Arbroath Superstore managing a team of 42 and was awarded out of 36,000 employees the accolade of National B&Q Hero. He is an avid snowboarder committed to improving his level of French. Steve is a very likeable and conscientious individual; it is a pleasure to have him with us in Méribel.

Joe is a talented and committed chef who started his career as kitchen porter at the 2 AA rosette awarded Fairlawns Hotel and Spa in Aldridge, but worked his way up to sous chef in a kitchen of 14. His 7.5 years there also included 3 months as acting head chef, taking responsibility for keeping within budgets and managing the team of chefs, as well as overseeing food production, buffets, banqueting functions including weddings, menus, and the quality control of preparation. His passion for food and fine dining inspired him to apply for and obtain a short stage in the world-renowned Alinea in Chicago (3 Michelin stars) which so far has been the highlight of his professional work, where he was preparing elements and courses for 110 covers per night. He joined us last season from the 2 AA rosette Star Inn, Sparsholt, where he was sous chef.

Joe’s dedication to helping other chefs develop has also lead him to running cooking masterclasses at Walsall College (where he completed his own professional cookery qualifications), and taking various courses on leadership and staff management. His stage in Chicago has inspired him to expand his culinary skills and experience to other countries and cultures, and he is now looking to gain an understanding of taste experiences from across the globe – a journey which we are very glad has brought him to joining the Purple Ski team last winter. He was a beginner snowboarder but with the determination he has shown in his chef career, it will come as no suprise that he was an expert in no time!

He's a gentleman, calm, organised, funny; we are delighted to have him back, this time in Chalet Lapin Blanc.

Jodie is back with us for a third season, having worked as Chalet Assistant in Lapin Blanc during the 2015-2016 season, and Chalet Manager in La Petite Pia for the 2017-2018 season.

She has spent most of her working life in hospitality; when just 14 she worked at a local gallery/creative arts centre as waitress and general assistant during weekends then during school and for 2 years afterwards, at a high quality catering company initially as silver service waitress at weddings, conferences, dinner partes and other formal events and then as a full time events manager. After completing her first season with us she went to the USA to work a season there, afterwards spending the summer travelling 28 states.

On returning from America Jodie decided to take on something a little different so worked as a private nanny for a small family in Cambridgeshire, looking after a 2 year old boy - while also working as silver service waitress and bar staff during the weekends for an exclusive wedding venue in Suffolk.

Jodie came to Meribel for her first season as a beginner skier, having only been on dry slopes before. However since then has been skiing in Bulgaria and the French Alps and can't wait to explore more of the Three Valleys this winter. She is bubbly, hard working and extremely competent - she enjoys staying active both at work and in her free time. We are so pleased to have her back on the Purple Ski team.

Hannah, originally from Birmingham, joins us from the University of Reading where she obtained a 1st Class Honours in Food Marketing and Business Economics. In addition to her bubbly personality she brings to Purple Ski a huge amount of experience in high-end hospitality events. She spent one year with Morgans Catering which specialises in functions ranging from small VIP dinner parties to large weddings, then Compass Events where she was trained at Twickenham Stadium and led a team of waiting staff for the Rugby World Cup. Since 2014 she has been a waitress for At your Service, working at venues including Highclere Manor and the Royal Berkshire Shooting Range and at events such as the Henley Regatta and Salon Privé. At Royal Ascot and Newbury Racecourse she worked in a managerial capacity for which she received training at the acclaimed Le Manoir and had the opportunity to work alongside culinary legends Raymond Blanc and Phil Howard within the Royal enclosure. She has also completed four seasons at Chiltern Valley Winery, volunteered at a domestic abuse refuge and has interned at a law and marketing firms. Hannah is equally active outside of work; she loves skiing, yoga, running, performing, hiking and camping. We are delighted to have her join the team.

Angus, from the Borders, UK graduated in 2017 from Edinburgh Napier University in Marketing Management, after which he worked in a range of different positions in New Zealand as a Brand Ambassador for the IN Group, an Analyst for the Ministry of Education, an Applicator for Concrete Solutions and a Food and Beverage attendant for Skyline. Since returning to Scotland he has been employed as a Driver and Guide for Radical Travel Ltd (Haggis Adventures/Highland Explorer Tours) leading groups of up to 41 passengers on day and multi day tours. He also has previous experience as a waiter at the exclusive wedding venue Wedderburn Castle.

Angus is a keen traveller and rugby player who enjoys engaging with his clients. It’s a pleasure to have him on the team.

Back for his third season with us (he loves it!), Dane’s career in cooking started when he was 15 years old and at secondary school, when he opted to work in the kitchen of a busy pub near his home in Sunderland for a 2 week “work experience” stint, basically expecting to have a holiday. He hated his first, exhaustingly busy day but then fascination set in and, 13 years later, he hasn’t looked back since! He worked at that pub whenever he could until he finished school, was offered a full time job and completed his NVQ there, finishing up – 4 years later - as chef de partie.

He then moved to The Seaham Hall Hotel in Durham, where he worked for 2.5 years, in the kitchens of their fine dining restaurant with 2 AA rosettes; this is where he says he probably learned the most, honing his technique but also his discipline and precision before moving to his favourite job (until now!), as chef de partie at the very busy and demanding kitchen at The Samling Hotel in Cumbria (which won its Michelin star and the title “Best Boutique Dining Hotel in the World” while he was there). Young, ambitious and passionate about his food he is always looking for new challenges and so for the past 2 years has done a lot of agency work at many other high end restaurants, though often returning to The Samling when needed. He has spent the past 3 summers working as a private chef for a very high end client at his villa in St Tropez (cooking for celebrities ...and royals too!).

As well as being an excellent chef, Dane is a real people person, intelligent, chatty, funny and caring. Work is very much his primary focus but he loves skiing and so he is really pleased to be able to continue his career and professional development while also being able to improve his skiing skills. We are so pleased and proud to have him back on the team.

Althea, originally from Cardiff, Wales has a degree in English Literature from the University of Cardiff and also knowledge of French, Spanish, German and Welsh. Keen to travel and to learn how to ski, we are sure she will fit in perfectly at Purple Ski. Althea has excellent customer service skills after spending two years working at Principality Stadium as a Hospitality Box waitress serving high profile customers, providing silver service and butler service. She also worked as a Customer Service Assistant at Waitrose and at the George and Pilgrim’s Inn.

She spent a year at Wales Council for Voluntary Action as an intern and later a Project Assistant/Campaign Manager, and volunteered with Game on Wales, an initiative to encourage children from disadvantaged backgrounds to take up sport. In July 2017 she took on the role of Volunteer Coordinator at the National Museum of Wales overseeing four hundred volunteers in twenty roles over seven sites and often managing large scale events. Her most recent post was that of Grants Officer for British Council. Althea is both competent and personable, she enjoys socialising, baking and doing yoga.

Emma will be joining us for her first winter season as a masseuse, driver and chalet assistant.

She brings a decade of body work experience, which began with the Japanese therapy shiatsu. Shiatsu works in the same system as acupuncture but uses still pressure, stretches and manipulations instead of needles, to create a very deep and peaceful practice. She ran a private practice in Bristol for 4 years following qualifying. Emma then progressed to clinical sports massage in order to more profoundly treat injuries. She has worked with her local rugby team, volunteered on many charity sports events such as the London Marathon and the Deloitte Ride Across Britain, plus has also volunteered with Grenfell tower survivors.

Prior to her career in body work, Emma was front of house manager of a successful gastro pub in Bristol, The Eldon House, from its outset in 2006. Here she catered for many of Bristol's more discerning dinner guests, hand-picking real ales and niche wines, and sculpting an indulgent yet wholesome menu of locally sourced, organic products. She also has some professional driving experience, having driven a tour van for a band, and done some fleet delivery driving, taking resprayed lease vehicles to their new drivers.

Amongst other things, Emma loves travelling, yoga, surfing, running, music and painting. She loves being out in the elements and is very much looking forward to spending a whole season in these beautiful mountains.

Olly’s passion for cooking stems from his upbringing in a successful Somerset hotel and restaurant run by his parents and where he worked for a period of six years. Over the past year he has since honed his skills at the Michelin star Bath Priory where he was promoted from Senior Chef de Partie to Junior Sous Chef.

Extremely personable and charismatic with a love for travel Olly is also an accomplished sportsman in not only skiing, football and cricket but also motorcross. He has participated in two motorcross endurance championships to date. We are really pleased to welcome him to the team at La Varappe.

Emily, originally from Hampshire, is joining us from London where she has been working as a PA to Property Director Trophaeum Asset Management for the past year. In addition to her work with Purple Ski she will continue to study for a Legal Secretary Diploma. Previous jobs include working as an office administrator for Godwins Solicitors and as a Claims Advisor for Animal Friends Pet Insurance.

Emily is certainly no stranger to the hospitality industry having witnessed her mother, a chef, run her own business. From the age of 14 Emily regularly helped out at weddings and other large functions and has since received silver service training with Perks Catering Company. She has also worked at The Crabtree, a successful family run pub, and as Front of House at one of John Lewis’ farm shop cafés.

Emily is very sociable and enjoys being part of a team. She recently won the girls double sculling skiff at regatta near Henley. She has skied in the past but is keen to improve further. She also loves travelling, spinning classes and going on long dog walks.

Toby, an adept skier from Lincolnshire, UK has just completed an M.A in Classics and Ancient History at the University of Exeter. A keen sportsman, he held various tennis coaching jobs over a period of four years notably at David Lloyd, and is also a committed hockey player having played for the University Men’s hockey club for four years, captained the 3rd X for a year and volunteered as a coach for the Ladies hockey club. He also volunteered with Africa Asia Venture in Kenya teaching and renovating buildings at a primary school.

Since 2015 he has been a paid Athletic Union driver so is very familiar with long journeys and the need to be punctual. Toby is very hardworking, driven and personable; when not coaching, playing or watching sport he enjoys traveling, playing the clarinet and piano or socialising. Undeniably an all-rounder we are sure that he will fit perfectly into the team.

Dan, an enthusastic skier originally from Yeovil, is back for his third season with Purple Ski. He started cooking at 16 years old and his career has seen him progress through five fine dining restaurants, starting at Woolley Grange, a 4 star, 2 rosette awarded “Luxury Family Hotel” on the edge of the Cotswolds – where, after 18 months, he finished as chef de partie, and then 4 more high end country house hotels (Summer Lodge in Dorset (3 rosettes) - demi chef de partie, Cliveden House (3 rosettes) working under Michelin starred chef Andre Garrett – demi-chef de partie, Ston Easton Park Hotel in Somerset – where he started as chef de partie but was quickly promoted to sous chef and finally Gravetye Manor in Sussex (3 rosettes, 1 Michelin star) – chef de partie. Since finishing his second season Dan has worked at various acclaimed establishments including; The Fish Hotel (2 rosettes), Lower Slaughter Manor (3 Rosettes) and Lords of the Manor (3 Rosettes).

Not usually very sporty (he says he’s always too busy working), Dan nevertheless likes being active and is very sociable. Confident (outwardly at least), hardworking, reasonably laid back, Dan is honest, straightforward and very likeable. We are very pleased to have him back.

Rebecca, a confident skier and former competitive swimmer from Reading, UK will be joining us for her first season. She recently graduated from the University of Sussex with a 1st Class Honours in Business and Management for which she spent a year with Proud Robinson, an award-winning marketing and communications agency, as Junior Account Executive. She has significant experience in the hospitality industry having worked for three years at a traditional hotel and pub, as Head Waitress at Mosimann’s, a fine dining restaurant at Henley Royal Regatta and as a waitress at Royal Ascot. Her commitment to providing excellent customer service was recognised with the Ascot Award.

Rebecca is a very motivated, dynamic individual with a wide range of interests. Whilst at university she organised a vintage charity clothes sale and was a member of the cheerleading squad. And she has has just become a qualified yoga teacher!

Originally from Cheshire and a seasoned skier since the age of ten, Simon will be returning to the Alps for the third time. Previously based in Courchevel and La Feclaz he is well accustomed to driving in Alpine conditions, is a fully qualified HGV driver and has twenty five years' experience driving transit vans in addition to tractors, quadbikes, diggers and dumpers. He has worked in landscape gardening for over twenty years running his own company Outdoor Living Landscapes for eight years, and for the past two years he has been a team leader at Bliss Landscapes managing projects and liaising with customers and clients.

Outside of work he enjoys spending time with family and friends, off-roading, camping, foraging and walking his whippet. Simon is a very sociable, hardworking person who always does his utmost to please his clients. It will be a pleasure to see him join Purple Ski.

From Northumberland, UK, Sara is a Chartered Physiotherapist and joins us from her role in the UK as Senior Physiotherapist both in the NHS and in private practice. Sara has a keen interest in snowsports injury prevention and recovery and completed a season with us in 2016/17 so some of you may recognise her. In addition to her time at Purple Ski Sara has completed a season in Val d'Isère in 2017/18 and worked in Australia.

Having qualified in 2014 Sara has had an abundance of Physiotherapy and massage experience, as well as three years as a student volunteering at BUPA sport events and at various sporting organisations such as Manchester City Academy football club, the Amechi basketball centre and various University sporting teams - in addition to being a member of the skiing and netball teams.

Prior to qualifying as a Physiotherapist Sara worked multiple part time customer service jobs as a student, including 18 months as part of the VIP service at Manchester United Football Club.

Aside from skiing, Sara loves to travel and has most recently spent part of the summer in Indonesia gaining her PADI dive qualification. Enthusiastic, someone who can rarely sit still and do just one thing, hardworking, chatty, generous, Sara loves experiencing new places and meeting new people. She started skiing 7 years ago and loves it - and is so excited to be back in Meribel which she considers to be one of the best ski resorts in the world. It's a pleasure to have her back.

Natasha (Tasha), who is originally from Cornwall, UK, has an FdA Dance degree from Plymouth University but has been practising massage since 2012, having qualified with level 3 diploma in Swedish Massage and a BTEC level 5 in Sport and Remedial massage. Well-being is an area that she is very passionate about and she has linked this training with both yoga and pilates teacher training which she has also been doing since 2012.

She has a wealth of experience dealing with back pain/sciatica, neck issues, joint mobilisation, core strength and pelvic stability, muscle imbalances and poor posture, but also on relaxation techniques and improving strength and flexibility throughout the muscles bringing balance within the whole body.

For the past 15 years she has also worked in hospitality in positions from waitress to housekeeping in a hotel and bar-tending.

After snowboarding for the first time in 2014 she fell in love with the mountains and joined us as a masseuse for the 2015-16 season. Since then, she has worked in London from a treatment room at The Light Centre Moorgate, treating city workers for sports injuries and posture related pain. She was also teaching Pilates classes in West Hampstead, and providing private one-to-ones. She then moved to Ibiza April 2017 and has been working at retreats and villas all over the island. She is is a calm, friendly and easy-going person with excellent communication skills and enthusiastic about everything she does. Also, fun and driven, she very personable and a great team player - it’s a pleasure to have her back!

Emma will be joining us for her first winter season as a masseuse, driver and chalet assistant.

She brings a decade of body work experience, which began with the Japanese therapy shiatsu. Shiatsu works in the same system as acupuncture but uses still pressure, stretches and manipulations instead of needles, to create a very deep and peaceful practice. She ran a private practice in Bristol for 4 years following qualifying. Emma then progressed to clinical sports massage in order to more profoundly treat injuries. She has worked with her local rugby team, volunteered on many charity sports events such as the London Marathon and the Deloitte Ride Across Britain, plus has also volunteered with Grenfell tower survivors. Emma is a passionate advocate of the far-reaching implications for overall wellbeing through body work and that sports massage is for everyone, not just the athletes. In her practice in Cornwall, Emma aims to promote massage as a preventative measure against injury as well as a reactive one to chronic and acute issues.

Amongst other things, Emma loves travelling, yoga, surfing, running, music and painting. She loves being out in the elements and is very much looking forward to spending a whole season in these beautiful mountains.