Park Crew?

SkierFromOhio

SkierFromOhio

Member
This winter I am thinking about joining the park crew at my hill. I was just wondering what it is like and what skills are required. Also I was wondering if you get a lot of time to ski while on the job?
 
You need to be able to work really hard during builds and during rake runs but otherwise you get to shred a lot. Overall: Best job in the entire world
 
13456061:ndye said:
You need to be able to work really hard during builds and during rake runs but otherwise you get to shred a lot. Overall: Best job in the entire world
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Thanks for the reply. What does the average day of a park crew member consist of?
 
13456096:SkierFromOhio said:
Thanks for the reply. What does the average day of a park crew member consist of?
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We go up before lifts open, rake the park, paint lines, and then fill out the safety log. Then we shred until maintenance is required
 
13456103:ndye said:
We go up before lifts open, rake the park, paint lines, and then fill out the safety log. Then we shred until maintenance is required
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This could all depend on what mountain you work at and the coditions that day.
 
super fun job.

just don't be a stereotypical park crew bum. I hate when you go to a park and the fucking park crew just sits around smoking and filming each other when there are lips falling apart.

having connections is good too. a lot of park crews are run completely by snowboarders and are far more likely to hire people they know. but if it's your home mountain and you ride park a lot they should recognize you at least
 
Some park crews get it worse than others it all depends on resort and location I know at tline on storm days your digging out rails all day, In spring and summer they implement the set 4 pull 4 feature days you can ride in between but then your tasks can range from rail repair painting, flag checking, take laps, watching lips get firm after salting, working on other closed parks. All in all you bust ass. More digging than a lifty on most days but then you get to bust ass get it done and shred the rest of the time.
 
topic:SkierFromOhio said:
This winter I am thinking about joining the park crew at my hill. I was just wondering what it is like and what skills are required. Also I was wondering if you get a lot of time to ski while on the job?
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Awesome to hear bro! It's a great job IMO.

There really are no required skills other than at least some minor ability to ride park so that you understand what's going on, and a good work ethic. Everything else is on the job training. If you have construction, landscaping, welding, or heavy equipment skills those can all be applied in some way and help you in the future, but aren't necessary.

The job really depends on the mountain, they're program, the climate, and the people you work with. For instance in some places that get a lot of rain or ice, you're beating that stuff off boxes, chainsawing/auger holes to put in features sometimes. Another place where it's warmer and bluebird all the time, you're fixing features from leaning and doing a lot more repair work to feature take offs etc.

Also every resort has different policies. Some things are the same across the board like putting up signage for the day, inspecting/testing features, fixing anything that needs it, opening the parks, mid day rake, closing park, tear down of signage, end of day rake.

Some places you work park crew and do whatever you want whether the park looks like shit or not. Other places you're out there early and late trying to maintain a high standard of park.

Most places are moving away from the days when you could casually smoke weed and drink beer on the job as long as the work got done. Some places are more laid back than others. Really depends on the mountain you're looking at. Usually can get a good feel for that before you even apply.

As far as skiing time that depends. I've worked places where everyone killed it, we got things done, and we rode ALL the time. Then I've worked places where we built things that IMO were wrong, and spent all day everyday maintaining them and barely rode.

Again ski time can also come down to the climate and the whether at a particular time. IF you're getting dumped with powder, you're going to be moving a lot of snow. If your park is solid ice, it's going to be a bitch putting in features. It really can very a lot just on the day even at one particular mountain.

If you do it just give it your best shot. Hopefully you'll be with a good crew of hard working people. Nothing brings the vibes down faster than lazy people. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE try to work hard. Everyone has days where they're just burnt out etc, but give it a solid effort to pull your weight. If you work hard, the park will be dialed, people will be smiling, and it'll be a good time.

Some days are awesome. The parks perfect, the sun is shining and you're lapping with the bros maybe getting some shots. Other times, you're on the mountain at night getting rain/ice/snowed on, freezing cold, your hands hurt, the snow is garbage to work with, nothing seems to be working right, everyones pissed at each other, you need to get that park build ASAP to open up or have a contest and nothing is going right.

There will be days where you think "Why the fuck am I doing this job?" That said I hope there will be far more days where it all makes sense, and you love what you do.

Many people think park crew is an easy job. From the beginning you should know that that's not at all true. It'll save you a rude awakening at the start of the season.

People see everyone sitting down, chilling for a bit, taking some laps and assume that's all they do. What they don't see is all the time at night building the parks, the long mornings moving snow/ maintaining things to get them open, the end of day maintenance and all the projects in the day that might not be in the park that's open. For example you could have a park where nothing is being done other than mid day rake, and a few laps through, meanwhile the whole crew is up in another park setting features, or doing work on the rails/ building new rails.

There's an idea that we drink beer, smoke weed and the park builds itself. While I love the job, and many other park crew with tell you the same, there's a lot of work that sometimes goes unnoticed.

I'm sorry for the length. I always struggle to keep things short but I just wanted to reply as best I could. If you do park crew I really hope you enjoy it. Would recommend working really hard the first season if you want to ever do it again. IT can be a tough job to get and a good reference goes a very long way. IF you have a couple years experience and good references, your chances of getting another job are high. If the only place that you worked let you go or didn't hire you back because you were lazy, not so much.

There's something amazing about working in the park everyday. Slaving over a feature to get that angle, take off height, spacing perfect, and then getting to shred it/ seeing everyone else throw down on something you worked so hard for. It's a feeling I can't describe. Those are the times that make it all worth it. All the shitty days getting rained at, yelling at each other, things going wrong, then you get that sunny day lapping with the crew, and seeing all the smiling faces in the park and it makes every second you spend shoveling, raking, dragging, pushing, pulling, building, features 100% worth it.

I don't think I'll ever work another job again. At least not in the foreseeable future.

If you do it I hope you love it. Best of luck man!!!

PS: If you don't have a definite in, and have the ability to travel a bit I'd recommend trying to apply to a couple different mountains. It can be a tough job to get. Some years full crews will return. IF you apply to a few places you have a far better shot. Once again good luck man!
 
13456535:ndye said:
What could possibly be different?
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Big Boulder PA you can't lap the park while on the clock. They actually ride up the lift and walk down with rakes like snowmakers do some places.(This policy might have changed in the last year or two though. Not sure)

That's a pretty major thing.

I've heard of places having testing only policies too like you test the features to open them but can't just lap all day and shred.

Other things too but those are some big things that would really change the job.
 
13456891:theabortionator said:
Big Boulder PA you can't lap the park while on the clock. They actually ride up the lift and walk down with rakes like snowmakers do some places.(This policy might have changed in the last year or two though. Not sure)

That's a pretty major thing.

I've heard of places having testing only policies too like you test the features to open them but can't just lap all day and shred.

Other things too but those are some big things that would really change the job.
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Sweet Jesus that would suck. Eliminates the true advantage of park crew
 
13456883:theabortionator said:
Awesome to hear bro! It's a great job IMO.

There really are no required skills other than at least some minor ability to ride park so that you understand what's going on, and a good work ethic. Everything else is on the job training. If you have construction, landscaping, welding, or heavy equipment skills those can all be applied in some way and help you in the future, but aren't necessary.

The job really depends on the mountain, they're program, the climate, and the people you work with. For instance in some places that get a lot of rain or ice, you're beating that stuff off boxes, chainsawing/auger holes to put in features sometimes. Another place where it's warmer and bluebird all the time, you're fixing features from leaning and doing a lot more repair work to feature take offs etc.

Also every resort has different policies. Some things are the same across the board like putting up signage for the day, inspecting/testing features, fixing anything that needs it, opening the parks, mid day rake, closing park, tear down of signage, end of day rake.

Some places you work park crew and do whatever you want whether the park looks like shit or not. Other places you're out there early and late trying to maintain a high standard of park.

Most places are moving away from the days when you could casually smoke weed and drink beer on the job as long as the work got done. Some places are more laid back than others. Really depends on the mountain you're looking at. Usually can get a good feel for that before you even apply.

As far as skiing time that depends. I've worked places where everyone killed it, we got things done, and we rode ALL the time. Then I've worked places where we built things that IMO were wrong, and spent all day everyday maintaining them and barely rode.

Again ski time can also come down to the climate and the whether at a particular time. IF you're getting dumped with powder, you're going to be moving a lot of snow. If your park is solid ice, it's going to be a bitch putting in features. It really can very a lot just on the day even at one particular mountain.

If you do it just give it your best shot. Hopefully you'll be with a good crew of hard working people. Nothing brings the vibes down faster than lazy people. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE try to work hard. Everyone has days where they're just burnt out etc, but give it a solid effort to pull your weight. If you work hard, the park will be dialed, people will be smiling, and it'll be a good time.

Some days are awesome. The parks perfect, the sun is shining and you're lapping with the bros maybe getting some shots. Other times, you're on the mountain at night getting rain/ice/snowed on, freezing cold, your hands hurt, the snow is garbage to work with, nothing seems to be working right, everyones pissed at each other, you need to get that park build ASAP to open up or have a contest and nothing is going right.

There will be days where you think "Why the fuck am I doing this job?" That said I hope there will be far more days where it all makes sense, and you love what you do.

Many people think park crew is an easy job. From the beginning you should know that that's not at all true. It'll save you a rude awakening at the start of the season.

People see everyone sitting down, chilling for a bit, taking some laps and assume that's all they do. What they don't see is all the time at night building the parks, the long mornings moving snow/ maintaining things to get them open, the end of day maintenance and all the projects in the day that might not be in the park that's open. For example you could have a park where nothing is being done other than mid day rake, and a few laps through, meanwhile the whole crew is up in another park setting features, or doing work on the rails/ building new rails.

There's an idea that we drink beer, smoke weed and the park builds itself. While I love the job, and many other park crew with tell you the same, there's a lot of work that sometimes goes unnoticed.

I'm sorry for the length. I always struggle to keep things short but I just wanted to reply as best I could. If you do park crew I really hope you enjoy it. Would recommend working really hard the first season if you want to ever do it again. IT can be a tough job to get and a good reference goes a very long way. IF you have a couple years experience and good references, your chances of getting another job are high. If the only place that you worked let you go or didn't hire you back because you were lazy, not so much.

There's something amazing about working in the park everyday. Slaving over a feature to get that angle, take off height, spacing perfect, and then getting to shred it/ seeing everyone else throw down on something you worked so hard for. It's a feeling I can't describe. Those are the times that make it all worth it. All the shitty days getting rained at, yelling at each other, things going wrong, then you get that sunny day lapping with the crew, and seeing all the smiling faces in the park and it makes every second you spend shoveling, raking, dragging, pushing, pulling, building, features 100% worth it.

I don't think I'll ever work another job again. At least not in the foreseeable future.

If you do it I hope you love it. Best of luck man!!!

PS: If you don't have a definite in, and have the ability to travel a bit I'd recommend trying to apply to a couple different mountains. It can be a tough job to get. Some years full crews will return. IF you apply to a few places you have a far better shot. Once again good luck man!
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Thanks for the info!
 
13456891:theabortionator said:
Big Boulder PA you can't lap the park while on the clock. They actually ride up the lift and walk down with rakes like snowmakers do some places.(This policy might have changed in the last year or two though. Not sure)
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I think they changed that this year.

My least favorite thing about park crew was having to work on warm sunny spring days which are my favorite to ski and they also require the most work.
 
I heard that at some mountains the park crew cant even do big tricks, plus you have to wake up at absurd times to do park builds.
 
13457489:Titus69 said:
I heard that at some mountains the park crew cant even do big tricks, plus you have to wake up at absurd times to do park builds.
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By cant I mean youre actually not allowed to do tricks past 360's
 
13457479:TOAST. said:
I think they changed that this year.

My least favorite thing about park crew was having to work on warm sunny spring days which are my favorite to ski and they also require the most work.
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Yeah I think it might have. One of the guys on the crew at beaver creek was from there but I forgot what he said about it.

And agreed. I LOVE going down and laying out some chest drag 360 carves, spraying slush , buttering, and doing weird shit in the park. Getting baked in the sun trying to keep features stable, rake it all only to have it all fucked 5 min later is a rough one. Plus depending on the work load for the season, and how management was, you're burnt out at that point sometimes.

13457489:Titus69 said:
I heard that at some mountains the park crew cant even do big tricks, plus you have to wake up at absurd times to do park builds.
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It depends. Some places you can only test features but that's rare. It's a fairly common rule these days not throw down super hard on the clock. That means different things sometimes. Some places it's only do tricks well in your comfort zone, other places it's more like don't throw double corks on the clock.

13457490:Titus69 said:
By cant I mean youre actually not allowed to do tricks past 360's
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We had a no over 5 rule at BC this year but since my head broke I had already imposed the same rule on myself before there so it didn't bother me. It's not really that bad. IT sucks if everyone get's hurt mid season and you're short staffed while trying to do some of the major park builds peak season. You can still have a lot of fun without trying ridiculous tricks.
 
It depends. Some places you can only test features but that's rare. It's a fairly common rule these days not throw down super hard on the clock. That means different things sometimes. Some places it's only do tricks well in your comfort zone, other places it's more like don't throw double corks on the clock.

We had a no over 5 rule at BC this year but since my head broke I had already imposed the same rule on myself before there so it didn't bother me. It's not really that bad. IT sucks if everyone get's hurt mid season and you're short staffed while trying to do some of the major park builds peak season. You can still have a lot of fun without trying ridiculous tricks.[/QUOTE]

I didnt think of the "on the clock" part but yeah I guess it makes sense to not risk a big injury and have one less builder.
 
Yeah. If somebody throws something dumb and get's hurt, you're not only out a digger but that's a workers comp claim.

Sometimes the worst falls are on the dumbest stuff, but if you limit the amount of craziness generally people are at least a little bit less likely to break themselves.

No invert rules for staff are fairly common as well. That said nothing feels better than the old YOLO inversion on a nice big booter on a sunny day.

Oh yeah and no hitting features with tools. This I completely support. It's stupid and dangerous. Nothings better than being out a guy and having a workers comp claim because they decided to send it off a 6 foot tall pole jam with a rake and bit it. It's one thing to slide across a small box or something, it happens sometimes but I've seen some people do some stupid shit with tools.

IT's all about trying to limit the liability.

I'm just happy we're still able to build sick shit in the parks. I honestly thought we might be moving toward crazy restrictions. I mean a lot of places are building less jumps, but that's more for $ and the jumps are better built anyway. Some of the most technical stuff ever built has come out in the last couple years. I mean kids are on that pace so it's not THAT crazy but if you think about it, it kind of is. Features are lower to the ground, but rails are longer and much more tech yet a lot of times smoother and more trickable. I love it.

My pizza is done and I should shut the fuck up for once. /sorry
 
Best job out there, not always the easiest work. you will get a lot better at skiing working park crew, plenty of time to ski while working, go for it man.
 
13457587:theabortionator said:
Yeah. If somebody throws something dumb and get's hurt, you're not only out a digger but that's a workers comp claim.

Sometimes the worst falls are on the dumbest stuff, but if you limit the amount of craziness generally people are at least a little bit less likely to break themselves.

No invert rules for staff are fairly common as well. That said nothing feels better than the old YOLO inversion on a nice big booter on a sunny day.

Oh yeah and no hitting features with tools. This I completely support. It's stupid and dangerous. Nothings better than being out a guy and having a workers comp claim because they decided to send it off a 6 foot tall pole jam with a rake and bit it. It's one thing to slide across a small box or something, it happens sometimes but I've seen some people do some stupid shit with tools.

IT's all about trying to limit the liability.

I'm just happy we're still able to build sick shit in the parks. I honestly thought we might be moving toward crazy restrictions. I mean a lot of places are building less jumps, but that's more for $ and the jumps are better built anyway. Some of the most technical stuff ever built has come out in the last couple years. I mean kids are on that pace so it's not THAT crazy but if you think about it, it kind of is. Features are lower to the ground, but rails are longer and much more tech yet a lot of times smoother and more trickable. I love it.

My pizza is done and I should shut the fuck up for once. /sorry
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Park Crew at Whiteface here and it is pretty chill, alot of the stuff I had to say has been hashed out (thanks Rusty)I quoted this whole thing to say that the Mtn. is trying to limit the liability!!! and as park crew it is to push these without getting anyone hurt, that was the most important part of job training you can do what you want just dont get hurt it will ruin the fun for everyone.
 
If you're talking about BMBW, please join the park crew, we need more skier influence badly. I wish I could but I'm too busy with school these days.

Also, you're going to work for the biggest dickbag in the lands: Josh Boyd. He runs bmbw because his father owns the chain, peak resorts, which owns bmbw. Ask anybody who works at bmbw, he is definitely somebody to avoid. Last year at employee training, he did a "sting operation" in which he laid an empty can in the entrance of the building, and filmed all these new employees walking by it. He chewed out all these people who walked by it and didn't pick it up, and he even threatened to fire the guy who kicked the can as he walked by, all at the beginning of the orientation just to look like big tough guy. Trying way too hard imo.
 
13457489:Titus69 said:
I heard that at some mountains the park crew cant even do big tricks, plus ytou have to wake up at absurd times to do park builds.
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Yeah I think over at Bear Creek, PA the park crew can't hit features. Though it may have been changed this season or management just doesn't care (they shouldn't if all the work is done).
 
13459871:Adam.Guare said:
Yeah I think over at Bear Creek, PA the park crew can't hit features. Though it may have been changed this season or management just doesn't care (they shouldn't if all the work is done).
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I dont know why but I think I recall my friend in PC saying they cant do much there which sucks if everyone is always throwing down.
 
13459892:Titus69 said:
I dont know why but I think I recall my friend in PC saying they cant do much there which sucks if everyone is always throwing down.
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Yepp, but I've seen them mob around so I'm sure it's pretty relaxed and stuff.
 
13459825:Uncle_Remus said:
Park Crew at Whiteface here and it is pretty chill, alot of the stuff I had to say has been hashed out (thanks Rusty)I quoted this whole thing to say that the Mtn. is trying to limit the liability!!! and as park crew it is to push these without getting anyone hurt, that was the most important part of job training you can do what you want just dont get hurt it will ruin the fun for everyone.
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You guys have been killing it the last few years. Meant to get up there and check everything out but just didn't happen.

Maybe Tyler Watson will learn how hit rails this season so you guys won't look like such goons.

Worked with James out in CO this winter. Know a few people who frequent the face as well.

I used to go up a decent amount but it's been years.

Keep up the good work. Nice to see you guys making moves while jore sit's there like a museum.

Icefaceeeeeeeeee
 
13456883:theabortionator said:
Awesome to hear bro! It's a great job IMO.
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I'm actually thinking about doing the same thing this year. I love designing features and building stuff and I think id be pretty good at it. I'm from Toga but I know you and Kevtron used to work for the west park crew. this is where I was thinking of applying. What was your experience there like?
 
It's a good time. I'm 34 and hoping to get back on my local hills crew this winter. Very fun winter second job. Bring your digging muscles.
 
13459892:Titus69 said:
I dont know why but I think I recall my friend in PC saying they cant do much there which sucks if everyone is always throwing down.
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Yeah my friend is on park crew and he isn't allowed to spin past 540, or do inverts. He can do whatever he wants on rails though.
 
13471394:G-raff. said:
I'm actually thinking about doing the same thing this year. I love designing features and building stuff and I think id be pretty good at it. I'm from Toga but I know you and Kevtron used to work for the west park crew. this is where I was thinking of applying. What was your experience there like?
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lol not so hot.

West is under new management which is cool, and Im happy to see them doing the lifts finally as well as some other stuff, but they're a long way off in the realm of parks.

They honestly need somebody to come in and build their park program from the ground up. They have the kids there who ride west everyday, they just need to get it together.

Unfortunately they're not even nearly there yet. I would apply there if you're local and can't go anywhere else. A park jobs a park job and it's worth the pass plus getting your foot in the door for future park crew jobs if you like it.

Honestly the park is in a bad spot at west though. No budget or man hours, materials, new features, or anything honestly.

I've got a soft spot in my heart for that place. The kids there really want something nice and there's a ton of people who would be there to ride it. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like the new owners are willing to invest at this time. In a couple years I might try and talk to them again. With the price of their season passes and having night skiing right off the interstate for when other people come back from gore or vt they could easily sell a couple k with of passes to justify chucking at least a couple hundred int the park each year.

I can understand the place racked up debt and they're trying to make sure it's successful/ understand racing but not freestyle. I talked to paige before i moved to co just to find out the deetz but wasn't anything there to work with really. I might try and talk to the owner while I'm back east.

At least he's doing some positive things for the place though. I just wish they'd invest in the park. Make 4 or 5 new tube rails out some of the tubing there and old lift towers they just tore down. Build a few more beginner features. Get a legit beginner park that's separate with small low rails/ boxes, small jumps, to build confidence, get younger kids into the park. Have an addition separate area with a box and rail nice and low for ski school to work with kids.

Dedicate some cat hours to that park to maintain it as well as $$ to keep it properly staffed. Build some solid setups, and meticulously maintain them. That place could be a major park spot out of the smaller mountains category in 3 years.

The 518 needs a good park. Gore is fucking useless and will always be for park. Whiteface is stepping up big time but that's a hike.

I worked at west for 3 years though. 08-11. IT was alright. A lot of bullshit, too much drama for my liking but we made the park pretty solid/ things were really looking up at that places before it all went to hell again.

Go ahead and apply, but def look for other options if you're able to move for the season.
 
13457277:cobra_commander said:
Based on personal observations the key qualities are laziness, ineptitud, and a general distaste for an communication.
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bahahahaha shit talking on Park Crew????? I've neeeeeeeeever heard that before in my five years digging on the hill.
 
Park crew cant ride at all while working at my mountain, that sounds pretty awesome to work at a mountain where you can take laps in between rake runs and stuff.
 
13508184:urbanjib said:
Any advice for someone who is trying to abandon everything and move out west next season? Specifically utah?

Would love to go this season, but would like to save 5k before I abandon my current job in atlanta as an electrician apprentice.
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Honestly I would say if you want to go, just take a stab and go, but that's me. If you feel you need to save $, maybe make a budget for your next year and try and put that into savings, and make the move next year.

Depending on where you work, you can find some fairly cheap employee housing sometimes(as low as $300 a month) or find something you can split with other peoples in the area.

If you aren't tied down to the specific location, apply for other jobs as well. CO, etc. If you are, apply for other non park jobs in the area.

Also, maybe there is somewhere you can work PT and still do something electrician related as a main income. You won't make that much on park crew, so def factor that in.

And don't fuck yourself as far as the electrician gig, unless you really hate it. If you have the skills to make it happen, that's one thing, but if it's still a work in progress, might not be bad to hang around a bit and pick up what you can, so you always have that as a back up.

13508186:.squirrely. said:
Park crew cant ride at all while working at my mountain, that sounds pretty awesome to work at a mountain where you can take laps in between rake runs and stuff.
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I think at BB they weren't even a;lowed to put on their skis. They rode the lift up and walked down with rakes. I would go crazy.
 
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