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How to get involved in the ski industry career wise

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bdowning
Posts: 1630 - Karma: 243
i graduated school last summer and am working down on wall street now. my heart and soul belong in the mountains though, every weekend i ride day in and day out and the more i'm here in the city the more i realize i don't belong there.

i would love the opportunity to work for a ski related company whether it be on the clothing/apparel side of things or whether it be on ski/design side of things. i know the industry inside and out, in high school i worked park crew through college at my local resort in the dirty dirty at mountain creek all the way through college for about 6 years. constructed all the red bull events and jams that went through nyc. i just miss all of that
 
i was just wondering if anyone had any advice on how i would involve myself in the ski industry and make a career out of it. i'm in sales now and am very good at it so i figure getting myself involved in that side of the industry would be beneficial to myself. travel is not an issue for me, being young and single is something i enjoy haha. so yeah whether it be working as a sales exec for rossi or marketing for spyder or whatever it might be.

anyone have any ideas where i should begin my search? all the responses greatly appreciated.
Feb 3 2010 12:34PM
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johanblaze
Posts: 4987 - Karma: 345
ALL about who ya know.
Feb 3 2010 12:40PM
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Gnarshred
Posts: 5670 - Karma: 18
Just make lots of money on wall street then start your own company.
Feb 3 2010 12:41PM
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Coalescent
Posts: 4871 - Karma: 2,063
A lot of it is who you know and your experience within the industry.  I am graduating with a bachelors of marketing from PSU in may and I am applying at a lot of different ski resorts.  I am working at one now as the park manager and have had experience the past 5-6 years there.  Just apply apply apply and eventually something will open up.
Feb 3 2010 12:44PM
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bdowning
Posts: 1630 - Karma: 243
no doubt thanks a lot.
Feb 3 2010 12:49PM
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japollner
Posts: 1699 - Karma: 459
First off. If you like the money you are making on Wall Street, stay there. There is no money in the ski industry.

Secondly, If you like skiing and logging days on the hill, don't get involved in the ski industry. There is only so much money that can be spent on people skiing. Most of the money is spent on standing around at the bottom of a chairlift, making contacts, marketing, and sitting at a desk, like I am today.

They way the ski industry works is pretty straight forward. it's all about who you know, putting in your dues, and just sticking it out until eventually you are in. Nothing happens quick, and everyone is looking for a way to stay with it.

Like someone else said. if you are making good money on Wall Street, there are a few ski related investments you can get involved in, but in the long term, getting into the ski industry, especially being based out of NJ/PA/NYC is going to be tough.
Feb 3 2010 12:57PM
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nickyp
Posts: 5673 - Karma: 215
Make dollah on Wall Street, then start your own company
Feb 3 2010 1:04PM
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freeskibum82
Posts: 6355 - Karma: 5,055
http://www.malakye.com/
Feb 3 2010 1:12PM
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Chicago_Steeze
Posts: 27 - Karma: 10

If you wanna just log days on the hill, quit your job, buy a tacoma, and build a bed in the back. If you want to just be part of the industry that you're passionate about move to CO, PNW or PC and get a job at the most reputable retailer in that area. Working retail sales sucks (in my opinion), but you make great contacts with sales reps and marketing reps in areas that have corporate offices and HQs. You have a legit sales background so thats a plus. For the hundreth time, it's all about who you know and you have to put yourself in the position to make contacts. Applying through the job boards really won't get you anywhere.

I don't work in the snow sports industry, but I work in event marketing in a sport industry where this plan landed me the job I dreamed of.

Good luck

Feb 3 2010 2:18PM
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Tyran
Posts: 314 - Karma: 15

About to graduate with an Econ degree and dream of the same thing. Im afraid the problem is you and I are 2 out of literally thousands of people who dream the same dream. who doesnt want to make a good living involved with skiing? I have friends on a career path via the resorts and they took a 30k/year pay cut for the privilege.

its a hard road homie, but possible

Feb 3 2010 2:47PM
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Wibby
Posts: 293 - Karma: 165

intern

Feb 3 2010 2:59PM
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Crack.
Posts: 6020 - Karma: 84
So you're a stock broker?
Feb 3 2010 3:11PM
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Brenone
Posts: 4944 - Karma: 296
I fell your pain. I am a little older (30y.o.) than you if you just graduated but im an accountant in NYC but my mind is always in the mountains. I drive to Vermont every Friday night just to get a day and a half of skiing in every weekend and come home Sunday night to get back to work Monday morning.
I would love a job in the ski (or even action sports in general) business. I don’t care how much work it is because I think its better to work hard at something you enjoy than bust your ass for a job you hate. My brain is constantly churning, thinking of ideas of starting my own business of some sort (other than the next t-shirt / sticker company). I don’t care how hard it would be. Im going to be working somewhere else anyway. Why continue putting money in my bosses pocket!
Feb 3 2010 3:17PM
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Mathieu.fr
Posts: 382 - Karma: 171
I'd say try to be be an intern : definitely a great way to meet up with ski industry people and have an idea about what's going on inside the industry. Then, I think attending to tradeshow such as SIA or ISPO is a really good opportunity to meet up with ski industry people too.
Finally, think about everything, I mean not only ski and clothing..thats not ski industry is all about, there are TONS of differents kind of jobs and firms involved in the ski industry, so talk with as much people as possible, figure out what you like and want to do, and then go for it !

Also, partying really hard and drinking out of your shoe totally helps to get involved in the industry I think..ski industry credibility..ahah
Feb 3 2010 3:27PM
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bdowning
Posts: 1630 - Karma: 243
Hey i appreciate the advice you gave me and I'm curious to know what your dream job actually is and where it may be located.  Honestly, my goal is to head west and settle but I was just wondering how you got yourself involved in the job you now love so much?

again, much appreciated.
Feb 3 2010 3:38PM
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t_rob
Posts: 6433 - Karma: 11,458
I get that you said that you've been in sales and want to continue but are you looking for an office job or traveling like being a rep. Do you want to be having any interactions with pros at all?
Feb 3 2010 3:46PM
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neonpink
Posts: 336 - Karma: 11
take a year off to enter comps whether they be park or big mountain, establish credibility as a skier, meet as many people as possible and stay in touch. definitely about who you know.
Feb 3 2010 5:27PM
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gfanuckaa
Posts: 538 - Karma: 292
well the reality of working on wall street is that most ppl that are stock brokers do not always do that for life....obviously u can make serious money and always get out. put your time in and make some money- u gotta grow the fuck up and stop playing at some point because if not one day your going to be at one of these comps at some shitty ass mtn with $100 for prize money and say fuck i coulda stacked dough and had a hot wife suckin my nuts in my aspen condo instead your hanging out with 14 year olds who are still on tom wallischs dick with nothing to show for except saying yeah well im "livin the dream"
Feb 3 2010 6:00PM
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timmi
Posts: 12874 - Karma: 3,460
my school here in ontario (georgian college) has a program called Ski Resort Operation. its inhibited by like 75 percent stoned parkrats who needed to go to school for something. but if your willing to put 2 years on the line that would definetly be a good foot in the door, combined with your past expirience. the school has co-op connections with resorts all around north america.

www.georgianc.on.ca
Feb 3 2010 6:26PM
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.peter
Posts: 1222 - Karma: 63
Or, you can move somewhere like Vancouver, have a regular job and ride seymour every day and whistler on the weekends.
Feb 3 2010 9:30PM
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bdowning
Posts: 1630 - Karma: 243
touche haha, i know where you're coming from i'm trying to move west either way though. the quality of living is better for a cheaper price out though so i figure it would be an even trade.
Feb 3 2010 9:35PM
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Nooschoolers
Posts: 577 - Karma: 32
g jon olssons girlfriend
Feb 3 2010 9:36PM
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