SZN Spotlight
Melanie Lowe
A pillar of the seasonaire community
The Story of Snowcooks
Nestled amidst the stunning peaks of the French Alps, Snowcooks is more than just a cookery school in Peisey Nancroix—it’s a gateway to a transformative experience. Designed to prepare students for a winter ski season, Snowcooks equips them with essential chef and hosting skills, setting them on a path toward a rewarding career in the Alps.
At the helm of this unique institution is Melanie Lowe, a seasoned industry expert with over 30 years of experience. Her deep love for the mountains and passion for cooking inspired her to create a platform where others can embrace the joys of ski season living. Melanie’s vision extends beyond culinary training; Snowcooks embodies her commitment to sharing the enriching lifestyle that comes with working in one of the world’s most breathtaking regions.
Let’s explore Melanie Lowe’s journey and the story behind Snowcooks.
Melanie’s Story
Melanie’s love affair with skiing began at 19 during a magical holiday while she was a student in the UK. Initially viewing skiing as a luxury for the privileged, her budget-friendly trip to Tignes—after enduring a 30-hour coach ride and staying in modest accommodations—revealed just how accessible the world of snowsports could be. Whether it was the thrill of racing down her first freshly groomed piste, savoring the rich flavors of Alpine cuisine, or unwinding with an Aperol at an après-ski hotspot, that week was all it took to get her hooked. From then on, Melanie made it a priority to save up for an annual ski holiday.
However, one week a year soon became insufficient to satisfy her growing passion. As her love for the mountains intensified, Melanie began talking to chalet staff and realized that spending an entire season in the Alps wasn’t just a dream—it was an achievable goal. This revelation marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
As Melanie fondly recalls, “You never forget your first season!” She spent hers in Grand Bornard, near La Clusaz, working as a waitress and chambermaid in a club chalet. It was, as she describes, “the time of her life.” The freedom to ski every day is a thrill that never fades, and over the course of a five-month season, the improvements in skiing ability are remarkable. Consistently setting and achieving new skiing targets brings a deep sense of accomplishment by season’s end. Yet, for Melanie, the true highlight was the people she met—the winter family she formed. The camaraderie among seasonaires is unmatched, with the shared shifts forging strong bonds and the legendary parties off the pistes further cementing these friendships. For Melanie, the most cherished outcome was meeting her partner in the Alps.
After spending years cooking for various companies and running a chalet with her partner, they took the leap and established their own successful chalet business. After 25 rewarding years, they decided it was time for a new challenge—one that still allowed them to remain in an industry they loved as much as the day they first clipped into their skis.
The Birth of Snowcooks
The chalet industry thrived for years, largely unchanged, until 2016 when the UK voted to leave the European Union. Melanie foresaw that this decision would bring unexpected changes to the industry. Unwilling to navigate potential uncertainties, she and her partner decided to sell their successful chalet business after more than two decades. However, Melanie’s passion for cooking and connecting with people remained as strong as ever. This led her to establish Snowcooks, a cookery school designed to train the next generation of seasonaires. The prospect of sharing the joys of a ski season—a lifestyle Melanie still cherishes—filled her with excitement, and thus, Snowcooks was born.
Melanie’s deep-rooted connections within the mountain community, forged over decades, were instrumental in founding the school. The sense of community in the Alps is palpable from the moment you step into the resort that becomes your home for a season. This was the same community that embraced Melanie during her first season, and it played a vital role as she laid the foundations for Snowcooks. Though the school’s growth was slow initially, it quickly gained momentum. For Melanie, this venture felt like a natural progression from training staff in her previous business, a transition made evident by the success stories among Snowcooks alumni. Some students are now on their third or fourth season, having caught the same ski bug that once gripped Melanie. Others have gone on to become professional chefs or work summer seasons across the Mediterranean—achievements that fill Melanie with pride.
It’s important to note that not everyone who joins a Snowcooks course is a natural in the kitchen. For Melanie, the most rewarding aspect of running the school is witnessing her students’ transformation—from someone who can barely manage a simple pasta dish or scrambled eggs on burnt toast, to a creative and passionate cook who can reinvent traditional dishes with bold flavors. Beyond culinary skills, her students also grow socially, gaining the confidence to thrive in a lively and challenging environment.
Why attend a cookery school?
In the winter season industry, it’s widely recognized that attending and completing a reputable chalet cookery school can significantly enhance your chances of securing a job for the ski season. Having Snowcooks on your resume, for instance, will give you a competitive edge.
Attending a cookery school doesn’t just improve your culinary skills; it broadens them in ways you might not have imagined. At Snowcooks, Melanie infuses her menus with flavors from around the world, inspired by her experiences as a private chef during summer seasons abroad. This expanded food education is invaluable when catering to the diverse groups you’ll encounter in chalets over the winter. Not only will it refine your palate, but it will also deepen your appreciation for food as you learn the nuances of gourmet cuisine.
Enrolling in a cookery school like Snowcooks offers more than just culinary expertise—it equips you with the confidence and knowledge needed to excel in a chalet setting. Melanie’s course covers every aspect of working a ski season, from the exhilarating to the challenging, helping students determine if this unique lifestyle is truly for them. While ski seasons are beloved worldwide, they often involve intense work patterns combined with a nonstop social life. Committing to five months in another country is a significant decision, and attending Snowcooks can help you ensure that it’s the right one.
A ski season offers the chance to work hard, forge lifelong friendships, and relish the thrill of the slopes every day. For many, it’s a transformative experience that shapes their future and outlook on life. As Melanie puts it, “A ski season develops the future you in the best possible way!”