When I graduated there was never any debate that I was going to do a season.

In December 1988, I headed to Chatel to be a Ski Guide for Bladon Lines.  It was a terrible snow season, but I had a fantastic time.

After a few years living in Australia, I returned to the Alps with Bladon Lines in 1993, as a resort rep in Zermatt.

I tried, but I couldn’t quit.   Three seasons in Meribel-Mottaret (1993-96) followed, the first two taking life very easy with Ski Beach Villas, and the last working very hard for Crystal Holidays.

By this stage I’d decided I wanted to stay in this wonderful industry.  How could I live this life?

I tried and failed (fortunately) to set up a chalet company.  I ran a small clothing brand for a couple of years (Ski Philosophy – still a great name) around the time that Fat Face and White Stuff started in the same valley.

Eventually I decided that Crystal themselves were the best option.  After a summer in Chamonix (1996) and an exhausting stint as Resort Manager for the Courchevel valley (1996/97), I secured a job back in the UK as Product Manager for the Crystal Holidays Schools programme.

Working at Crystal at this time (prior to the acquisition by TUI) was an exciting experience.  The company was still growing very fast and I had the opportunity to learn on the job directly from people like Andy Perrin and Peter Dyer.