Replying to Business Project, Questions for those in ski industry

For one of my business classes I have to do a networking assignment, and for part of that I have to contact a 'professional' (not a pro skier, just someone with a job really) and get some information about their industry and experience. I figured it would be most interesting for me to contact someone in the ski industry. I was going to just email a bunch of companies and hope to get in contact with someone, but I figured posting it on NS would get some interesting responses from someone that I wouldn't have contacted at first. Also, I am sure that tons of people on here would be interested in what people who are actually in the industry would have for advice. Here are some questions:

1) How important is location for your company and your specific job? What about when looking to get into the industry?

2) What were some of the important ways that you networked to get a job? The obvious answer is 'knowing people,' but how did you generally get into contact with these people?

3) What was your major in college? Do you think this was important in helping you get to where you are?

4) Did you work anywhere else that you think helped give you experience professionally? What was that? If not, what was your initial position in the ski industry?

I know these are pretty broad questions, but I'm not looking for an essay of a response, really any advice or information would be extremely helpful. I don't care if you are an orange or green name, if you think you work in the ski/snowboard/action sports industry, I'd love to hear your responses and any general advice you'd have. If you'd rather not post in this thread, feel free to email me at hstove@gmail.com. Thanks a ton in advance to anyone who can help out, and if anyone has any other questions that you think would be beneficial for me or you about this, feel free to post it.