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How many people on NS work at a mountain/hill?

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MRoden
Posts: 753 - Karma: 211
 I've been wanting to work during the winter at a ski area ever since I was young. I'm trying to get into working at my hill by helping out with the park crew. Due to me being 16 when the required age to work at my hill is 18 helping some good friends that run the park crew is all I can do. I'm wanting to get to where I could do snow operations ie. run the cats, snow making, management and the list goes on. So my question is how many people work at a ski area? advice on how to get a job like I've mentioned gets +K

GO.
Nov 30 2010 10:13PM
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jeremy.g
Posts: 4931 - Karma: 459
im working on the park crew this season. get buddy with the park manager. if he likes you its pretty easy to get a job. and don't be fooled, its a commitment. lots of hard, cold work, long days, and you dont get to ski all the time. but im glad im doing it this year. i never really realized the time and effort that goes into getting a park up and running
Nov 30 2010 10:34PM
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Jpurd
Posts: 3196 - Karma: 3,554
i work at loon mountain as a ski instructor! its an awesome job i get some days off here and there and get to ski while i work. nothing is better than that
Nov 30 2010 10:35PM
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J.DUKE
Posts: 1233 - Karma: 38
don't count on hooping in a cat with NO expirience, and no drivers licenses( assuming you dont have one yet). thats a $350,000 machine, and no random is driving it. your best bet is either rental or bumping chairs. park crews have usually been there a few years of tenure at the hill. but dont be afraid to try
Nov 30 2010 10:38PM
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jacksonski
Posts: 7 - Karma: 10
I work at Jackson and all I can say is if you show up in person that is the best thing you could do. We get 1000's of applications from abroad every year.
Nov 30 2010 10:51PM
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pomme-de-terre
Posts: 3915 - Karma: 703
this year i start work in retail at the shop in the lodge.


free pass to the hill. discount on goods. the only problem is its gonna be hard when people storm in to ask for my autograph when i work right after shredding.
Nov 30 2010 10:51PM
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ChillTeenDad420
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 5,512
yep, instructor

work so few days, ski so many, i feel kinda bad...

Nov 30 2010 10:54PM
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soulskier
Posts: 17806 - Karma: 3,841
i love ski instructing, passing on my love of skiing to future generations, you dig?
Nov 30 2010 10:58PM
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Lioncourt
Posts: 204 - Karma: 16
I work at Mcdonalds.
Nov 30 2010 11:14PM
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Coalescent
Posts: 4871 - Karma: 2,063
i manage the parks at my hill. i put in my time in other departments and started out as park crew in hs. during college i was the event coordinator and marketing assistant and now i have a bachelors from psu and im managing parks at my resort. you dont enter the ski industry for the money. with due time, good things will happen my friend. put in hard work, be responsible and good luck! im on my phone, sorry for amy errors.
Nov 30 2010 11:17PM
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Jenser
Posts: 375 - Karma: 16
Im working in the restaurant on my local mountain. Free pass, super close, why not was pretty much what i was thinking.
Nov 30 2010 11:24PM
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B_Sellegren
Posts: 126 - Karma: 21
if you wanna work there try to avoid being a lifty..soooo boring. if thats the only position take it i guess like free pass and such but lifty sucks so hard.
Nov 30 2010 11:26PM
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LoLo913
Posts: 600 - Karma: 29
this is my second season at keystone. my advice is network, get to know people in all departments it will you help you out so much. a lot of liftes i knew last year are now in snow making. it's all about putting your time in, making a good impression and you will move up
Nov 30 2010 11:31PM
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lanny94
Posts: 1374 - Karma: 165
im taking my ski instructor coarse this weekend its the csia one has anybody had any experience with it?
Nov 30 2010 11:34PM
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windhamskibum
Posts: 1193 - Karma: 16
Im on the patrol at windham, i used to be instructor, than moved up to a supervisory role before i made the switch to patrol.
Nov 30 2010 11:57PM
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fLyInG-liNeS
Posts: 1562 - Karma: 223
im a photographer at my mountain.
Dec 1 2010 12:00AM
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soulskier
Posts: 17806 - Karma: 3,841
haha, cool
Dec 1 2010 12:01AM
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warrilow86
Posts: 509 - Karma: 37
yeh i done mine last year, pretty basic stuff just get ure technique right
Dec 1 2010 12:07AM
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
That's gotta be the sickest job on the mountain
Dec 1 2010 12:32AM
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simon44
Posts: 1183 - Karma: 1,185
gonna be one of the bloogers for my mountain's park blog
Dec 1 2010 12:36AM
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MRoden
Posts: 753 - Karma: 211
+k to all
it's all been very helpful so far.

I've operated countless things of machinery and I'll be going onto my second season of making snow in my backyard. Will any of this matter seeing as it is not on a resume? I worked for a landscape company over the summer but it was more of call when we need you and you get paid situation.
Dec 1 2010 12:40AM
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
I instruct too, been doing it about 8 seasons now and love it. Not hard to get into at all.
Dec 1 2010 4:41AM
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Abc567def
Posts: 8756 - Karma: 801
Ive worked as a lifty, ski instructor, patroller and photographer during the summer. I'm kinda a mountain slut but right now i'm working just as an instructor up the mountain, a server at a local restaurant and going to university full time. I'm a busy mofo
Dec 1 2010 5:29AM
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.frenchy
Posts: 18221 - Karma: 12,321
My dad does, so I get a free season pass ;)
Dec 1 2010 6:38AM
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NL_twoplank
Posts: 118 - Karma: 40
i'd try to get a job in a restaurant at night. so you can ski all day till the lifts close and than go working till 12
Dec 1 2010 8:44AM
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WikiWiki
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 426
I did park and pipe for a few seasons

cold- hard- physical work- but the reward is you ski for free- hit features whenever you feel like, and about 80% was skiing with about 20% actual work


pays horrendous and the mountain is too far from my school now to make it worth the ride
Dec 1 2010 8:57AM
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The_Future
Posts: 1418 - Karma: 607
I started out as a ski patroller when i was 16 or 17.  Through that I gained a ton of credibility and the next season I was able to get a job on park crew.  The next season our park supervisor left and about 1/3 of the way through the season I was bumped up to supervisor and was also given the position of assistant risk manager.  I got really lucky to move up so quickly.  Basically, you just need to get to know the people who work all over the mountain.  Our park crew has a really good working relationship with all of the departments at my hill.  Everyone knows us and everyone loves us.  Just don't be annoying and bother people when they are trying to get their shit done, but if they're out on the mountain taking laps, get on the chairlift with them.  Good luck. 
Dec 1 2010 8:57AM
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Chronic_
Posts: 1730 - Karma: 1,602

I am working as a ski instructor at my home mountain. its an awesome job; I work part time(3 days a week) and when i don't have a lesson I can just freeski untill they need me. It may be little pay but it gives me an excuse to ski more, help people get into the sport we love, and get a free pass :)

I suggest going to the mountains job fair if they have one.

Become friends with other people in the park crew and show them you would be a good asset

Fill out an app even if youre under 18 that way they will have you on record.

Dec 1 2010 9:30AM
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skibum81290
Posts: 44 - Karma: 8
I am a PSIA instructor at Bolton
Dec 1 2010 10:14AM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
Have a Swiss license (comparable to CSIA Level 2) and work for different ski and freeski schools.
Dec 1 2010 10:58AM
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miemiec
Posts: 400 - Karma: 55
I'm a Ski Instructor.  Tons of fun, staff is very chill, pay sucks, but the job itself is fun enough that it's worth it. Also get to ski a ton and get a free pass.  No complaints.
Dec 1 2010 11:17AM
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hanksy
Posts: 659 - Karma: 265
I've always thought the best entry level job for a ski bum would be pizza delivery. Ski all day, drive all night, repeat.
Dec 1 2010 11:20AM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
If you want to earn more money with your ski instructor license, come to Europe. Payment ranges from 15€ ($20) to 40€ ($55) per hour depending on your qualification and the type of school. Good way to finance your stay, too. And they need instructors here like a burger needs a pickle. :D
Dec 1 2010 11:22AM
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TH3D0P3B0Y
Posts: 65 - Karma: 10
good idea heading to europe i may do that after i graduate from college
Dec 1 2010 11:27AM
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DroppinTheDub
Posts: 131 - Karma: 9
I work at my mountain as the park crew manager. Im gonna be blunt for my advice, show up in person, dont be a dick, and always try. Dont slack or try to do less work than others. Its lots of work and commitment, but if your down for it, then its really some of the best work you can find. Good luck!
Dec 1 2010 11:28AM
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Wilsooon
Posts: 321 - Karma: 62
I'm working at my local hill this year. It'll be my first year and I haven't actually worked yet because today is the first time it's snowed here in MI. But yea get aquatinted with the park manager or members of the park crew, you said you already knew some of them so it shouldn't be hard.
Dec 1 2010 11:33AM
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MRoden
Posts: 753 - Karma: 211
tha burggg. They've made some sick new jibs and rails.
Dec 1 2010 3:47PM
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TotallyTrevor
Posts: 4379 - Karma: 26,364
I'm IN a Mcdonalds!

I just got a job as a liftie at keystone, i haven't started yet so I can't really help you...but i get my FREE vail resorts pass tomorrow so that will probably make it all worth while!!
Dec 1 2010 4:04PM
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10...nuffsaid
Posts: 308 - Karma: 54
You need to realize that nothing is as perfect as it appears when you are skiing. Park crew (which i'm on) isn't at all a bunch of roses and making snow can really suck at times. You need to also realize that getting to the point of driving cats and designing the park is at least a two to three year commitment and at least at year of fore-manning. LAZY PEOPLE DO NOT LAST as my boss says and you need to be committed to it.
Dec 1 2010 4:17PM
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TreePatroller
Posts: 612 - Karma: 23
worked in retail my first year living near my home mountain, then moved on to park crew for 2 years before getting on-hill manager. Just put in hard work wherever you start and network. People recognize hard workers, and usually reward them at some point. Also, alot of resorts would rather hire a person with no grooming experience, so they can teach you exactly how they want it done.
Dec 1 2010 6:00PM
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leahey
Posts: 2548 - Karma: 32
Being that close to the slope and not shredding seems depressing. I'm sure you still get time but just not the way I can imagine myself working. Oh well.
Dec 1 2010 6:24PM
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Coalescent
Posts: 4871 - Karma: 2,063
Lazy people do not last is a true statement. I've been involved for the past five years and am finally driving cats, just doing the basics.

I can tell you when I implemented a 50/50 crew this year. Half walking and half riding, unlike last season which everyone could ride all the time, I lost a few people because they weren't happy with the thought of walking. That's completely fine, but you get paid to work.
Dec 2 2010 7:36AM
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jwag
Posts: 14 - Karma: 11
I worked in rentals for 2 seasons.  It was an alright job except it paid terribly and i always had to help people who had never skied before put their boots on and hear them complain about how uncomfortable they were.  I got to ski everyday i worked though and that was pretty sweet
Dec 2 2010 9:50AM
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