How do you become involved in ski industry without being pro?

[Chinchi]

I want to live in mountains. I've known this practically as long as I've been alive. Like many of you, skiing is one of my greatest passions, and although I may not be the best or most devout skier on the hill, I know that every moment I spend on the slopes I am at my happiest state. I don't have any disillusions of being a pro and traveling the world on sponsors dimes, but I do dream of at least having some sort of job in the ski industry. The problem I'm facing is that I don't know what jobs could bring me to the mountain and allow me to spend as many days as possible on the hill.

I'm currently working towards an environmental economics degree, and I'm starting to feel lost in terms of direction. What kind of jobs can I find in the industry, and how do I go about getting them? Is my degree going to be useful, or should I be focusing on something else? In a nutshell I was just wondering if people who currently have jobs in the industry could explain a little bit about how they got there, and how someone else could improve their chances of getting their too. Thanks guys.

 

[BEARS.]

Resorts have a shit ton of jobs that have ski passes along with them. Hotels, rental shops, lifts etc. all give them out in my town. You'll be barely scraping by and eating Ramen lots of nights but what ever works.

 

[Chinchi]

Resorts have a shit ton of jobs that have ski passes along with them. Hotels, rental shops, lifts etc. all give them out in my town. You'll be barely scraping by and eating Ramen lots of nights but what ever works.

That's the thing though, if that's the only type of job that I can get it is even worth it to work my ass off to get my degree and/or go to grad school? If I spend the money for 4 years of school I want to be doing better than scraping by at least in the long run.

 

[SpookyCat]

So you want a job that allows you to ski as much as possible but you also want to make a good living off it... something tells me you have yet to learn how the real world works.

 

[Chinchi]

So you want a job that allows you to ski as much as possible but you also want to make a good living off it... something tells me you have yet to learn how the real world works.

I'm not sure if it's that I don't know how the world works more as I don't know how the ski industry works. I figured somewhere out there there's a job that will allow me to ski as much as possible (which I'm not necessarily saying would be every day, just as much as possible) while still doing alright for myself. If that's just not the case once again is it even worth getting a degree?

 

[-Dan]

I'm not sure if it's that I don't know how the world works more as I don't know how the ski industry works. I figured somewhere out there there's a job that will allow me to ski as much as possible (which I'm not necessarily saying would be every day, just as much as possible) while still doing alright for myself. If that's just not the case once again is it even worth getting a degree?

working in the industry does not mean skiing it seems. How many days a year do you want to ski? if its more than 50 then you probably dont want an industry job. if its more than 80 then you probably dont want a degree. If its more than 100 for a while but you realize that you'll want to settle down eventually then do what I did. graduate then just be a ski bum for a few years until you're ready to get a real job/settle down somewhere or with someone.

I pulled the numbers out of my ass

 

[Titus69]

Maybe work in the industry, my dad works in the industry and hes traveled a lot for meetings in Europe and out west and skied at all the popular mountains. Even start out working in the local shop waxing skis. I'm just saying what I might do in the future

 

[heavywinter]

With your degree, you should start looking at working in Mountain Operations for ski resorts in an environmental capacity (versus being a lift op, ski patrol, etc).

A lot of resorts are making a big push in minimizing their environmental impact, and my suggestion would be to identify some of the leaders in that area (Aspen Skiing Company comes to mind) and then approach those departments directly looking for an internship or some other way to break into the industry.

You may also find that what resorts like Mt. Abrams is doing interesting.

here's a link to Aspen's sustainability programs which will be a good place to start:
http://www.aspensnowmass.com/we-are-different/our-environmental-commitment/finding-a-green-job

Good luck.

 

[Chinchi]

With your degree, you should start looking at working in Mountain Operations for ski resorts in an environmental capacity (versus being a lift op, ski patrol, etc).

A lot of resorts are making a big push in minimizing their environmental impact, and my suggestion would be to identify some of the leaders in that area (Aspen Skiing Company comes to mind) and then approach those departments directly looking for an internship or some other way to break into the industry.

You may also find that what resorts like Mt. Abrams is doing interesting.

here's a link to Aspen's sustainability programs which will be a good place to start:
http://www.aspensnowmass.com/we-are-different/our-environmental-commitment/finding-a-green-job

Good luck.

Awesome this is exactly the kind of response I was looking for, thanks man.

 

[jsweeze]

Become an EMT/Paramedic do ski patrol

 

[50Kal]

I've been working mountain ops for 4 years and now going on 5. I do enjoy getting up in the mornings, helping getting the mountain ready, and all the extras that come with(first tracks, jump spotters at comps).

But I really wish now that I continued my education too a 4 year degree(have a 2 year in Park and Rec).

I can't tell you what jobs are gonna available when you get out of school. But I can tell you every company in the world right now is starting to look for ways to be "environmentally friendly ". This resulting in new positions and consulting firms in the environment sector.

With your degree choice I feel your gonna find a solid job in ski resorts or near mountains that will allow you to ski a lot. Maybe not every day of the season but 60-70 day seasons.

 

[Substitute]

My two cents.

I wanted to be in the cycling industry just like you want to be in the ski industry. Heres what I suggest. Go get a job at a local shop. I did this at my local bike shop and it is the best thing ever. Working on something you love and selling stuff that works. No better way to earn a few bucks. Try to get into sales, reps from companies like people in sales. Do it you won't regret it.

 

[skier58284]

Ski manufacturer. They all ski on pow days so they won't object to you taking the day off too. You probably couldn't work on a pow day even if you wanted to. They probably do a lot of evening work too so they can ski during the day.

 

[grifrowl]

If I spend the money for 4 years of school I want to be doing better than scraping by at least in the long run.

1. Spend those four years finding a cute girl on the pre-med track and get in tight.

2. Work your ass off in a blue collar job while she's in med school.

3. Househusband the fuck out for the rest of your life (while skiing every day).

 

[Chinchi]

Become an EMT/Paramedic do ski patrol

Currently taking my OEC course to do ski patrol

I've been working mountain ops for 4 years and now going on 5. I do enjoy getting up in the mornings, helping getting the mountain ready, and all the extras that come with(first tracks, jump spotters at comps).

But I really wish now that I continued my education too a 4 year degree(have a 2 year in Park and Rec).

I can't tell you what jobs are gonna available when you get out of school. But I can tell you every company in the world right now is starting to look for ways to be "environmentally friendly ". This resulting in new positions and consulting firms in the environment sector.

With your degree choice I feel your gonna find a solid job in ski resorts or near mountains that will allow you to ski a lot. Maybe not every day of the season but 60-70 day seasons.

Will definitely look into this type of job

My two cents.

I wanted to be in the cycling industry just like you want to be in the ski industry. Heres what I suggest. Go get a job at a local shop. I did this at my local bike shop and it is the best thing ever. Working on something you love and selling stuff that works. No better way to earn a few bucks. Try to get into sales, reps from companies like people in sales. Do it you won't regret it.

This is a good idea, maybe during the summer I'll try to get a job in a shop, I also love mountain biking so I was considering trying to get a job as a guide over the summer since I'll have my OEC certificate.

 

[phazan]

if you want to be in the industry, try being a lifty or ticket scanner or something like that. They get to be outside everyday in the mountains, usually they get tons of ride breaks throughout the day. You don't really have to live off of ramen if you're smart with your money. If you go with a head start and you don't have bills, or a car, it should be really really easy to eat well and hit up the bar a few times a week if you're into that.

being a lifty, even for just a season or two, will help you meet people that can help you find what you're looking for. it's really fun too. it's not good forever, but you'll learn about how things work if you talk to a lot of people. I really recommend just suck it up, enjoy the irresponsibility of that kind of lifestyle, get your 100 ski days in. talk to everyone, even your boss, try to figure out what the deal is, how you can find that cool job. if it's a job with the company, you can prove your work ethic and it will probably be easier to get in. a lot of jobs in the ski industry are about who you know, and you'll know a lot of people if you work and live in a ski town already