Katie Waddington: Director of Zenith Holidays

We had a quick chat with Katie Waddington from Zenith Holidays just before the bedlum of the new winter season hits, to find out a bit more about what they do and what she gets up to when she's not at work..

Tell us a little bit about your business, how it started out and where you're based etc...

We started Zenith Holidays 5 years ago and our office is in the UK although I spend a lot of time out in the Alps in the winter - it's perfect for me as I lived in France for over 16 years and moved back to the UK in 2007 - I now get to spend time in both places!

How long have you been in your current role and how long have you been with the company?

Since we started it 5 years ago as I am one of the the 2 founding directors.

What makes Alpe d'Huez a special place to be for someone in your profession?

It's our most successful resort - Our 3 chalets in Alpe D'huez are popular in both winter and summer - there's so much to do. Obviously it's a fantastic ski resort for the winter season with a great snow record, but there's lots of other things to do - swimming, iceskating, dog sledding, ski joering, paragliding... and then in summer there's cycling, mountain biking, horseriding, golf, via ferrata....

What are the best bits about your job?

Getting to visit all the great places we feature and try out all the activities and the food and wine.

And the worst bits?

I suffer from altitude sickness so have to be careful not to go up the mountains too quickly (I forgot once and passed out at the top of the Pic Blanc!) It means I can't really go glacier skiing in the summer.

What is in store for the future with your business, any exciting projects in the pipelines that you can share with us?

Zenith Holidays is growing every year - our walking and cycling tours are popular so we are adding to these. We've also added Finland for Summer 2014 - I went there last year and loved it so I'm quite excited about that.

What are you personal and professional goals for the future?

To keep doing it as long as I still enjoy it. We have built up a loyal guest base since we started and need to continue offering the personal service they now expect from us. Since I started out as a holiday rep in Austria in 1990 I have always wanted my guests to enjoy their holiday and that hasn't changed.

What's your favourite piste or off-piste area & top tip to go skiing?

I love the Sarenne, but have to set off from the top quite quickly and start dropping down to a lower level due to my altitude sickness. I can't spend too long above 3000m.

Where would you send someone who was after that something 'something special' in resort, to stay, eat or drink?

I'm obviously biased where our lovely chalets are concerned (especially the Chalet Hermione which I adore), but I think the Cristal de L'Alpe apartments are excellent and would also recommend the Alpenrose.

Where will we find the best coffee or hot chocolate?

I'm a fan of the really thick Italian hot chocolates and am still looking for the best one in Alpe d'huez - do you know if any of the hotels/bars serve Eraclea Hot chocolates? It comes in different flavours too - not just dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate - but also amaretto, coconut, hazelnut - If I can find somewhere in resort that sells this that's where you'll find me.

Do you remember your first trip to this resort?

Yes - it was for a training course when I was an area manager for Skibound - we did morning aerobics outside the Hotel Castillan

What's your favourite thing to do in resort when not skiing or snowboarding?

Swimming in the outdoor pool - I love being able to swim and see the snow on the mountains.

What do you do in the summer?

This year we brought the whole family (kids/parents and Sponge the dog) to Alpe D'huez to see the Tour de France and then we travelled down to the Ardeche to go camping/kayaking/climbing and abseiling.

Where are we most likely to find you for après-ski?!

Smithy's although I'm looking forward to La Folie Douce this winter!

Thanks to Katie for sparing us some of her time in this busy pre-season period. If you're heading this way and want to search out either a catered or a self-catered holiday in Alpe d'Huez, then take a look at Zenith Holidays selection of accommodation. Deals are available for groups travelling in January or March.

Oh and if you're in Alpe d'Huez this winter & happen to find that mystical Eraclea hot chocolate, then please pass it on as it just might make Katie's day!