Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Question about job in the ski industry

profile picture
k-fred
Posts: 5363 - Karma: 1,598

Hi newschoolers,I almost finished my 1rst session of college. when I was in highschool, I choosed a random program ( economic gestion). I didn't really knew what I wanted to do so I choosed something that I might like. But I really don't like that and I still don't know what I wanna do in the future.

 All I know right now is that I wanna work in something I will love to do all my life.. I don't care if I don't make a lot of money( I better like to do a good job with a low salary than a job I hate with high salary). Right now, all i know is that I like everything about ski. My parents want me to find something to do with my life ASAP because they don't want me to loose my time in college doing something I don't like.

1-What are the jobs related to the ski industry? (ex:ski patrol,ski designer,chairlift mechanic...)

thanks, +k for legit answer.

Oct 25 2011 7:51PM
0 0
profile picture
momentz
Posts: 875 - Karma: 285
you could stand at the front of the ski lifts and demand this ride costs 5 dollers and boom your set!
Oct 25 2011 7:58PM
0 0
profile picture
GorillaSteez03
Posts: 344 - Karma: 65
Hey man, I feel the same way...I too would love to find a job in the ski industry that I really enjoyed doing!   You could always email a bunch of companies and see what job openings they have, or see if you could get an internship.  A lot of comapanies need people for accounting, marketing, design, etc.  so there is bound to be something that you would like doing!
Oct 25 2011 8:02PM
0 0
profile picture
PJS.
Posts: 11943 - Karma: 895
pro patrol. Bomb shit, ski all day, collect free drinks. (disclaimer: thats not true)
Oct 25 2011 8:04PM
0 0
profile picture
k-fred
Posts: 5363 - Karma: 1,598
i'm gonna try this, Problem is I live in canada and I can't go work in US. I need a visa and I guess its knida hard to get. I'll need to get more info on this. but if a company need someone I will definitly do all the step needed to work in US. But still, If a company need a people for marketing(exemple), that will take me over 2 years of college before I get my diploma in that program...
Oct 25 2011 8:08PM
0 0
profile picture
momentz
Posts: 875 - Karma: 285
yes my real answer would be to email all the companies and see what they have to offer when i get a bit older i will hopefully be doing the same good luck man! :)
Oct 25 2011 8:09PM
0 0
profile picture
Static
Posts: 8553 - Karma: 4,089
forget the degree, networking plays a bigger role in small communities like a ski town, so pack up your shit, move to your choice destination and start making friends with people in high places
Oct 25 2011 8:12PM
0 0
profile picture
howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
go to school in an in demand field....accounting, IT, shit like that. almost every decent sized ski area has these departments and they're paid signifigantly more than patrollers/lifties/food and beverage/instructors.

patrolling/instructing barely pays enough to survive, let alone what a college graduate is worth.
Oct 25 2011 8:27PM
0 0
profile picture
BskiP
Posts: 1369 - Karma: 223
Thats the dumbest thing i have ever heard. Have you looked at job postings for any ski related careers? they need experience in skiing, plus a degree. You are so far ahead of everyone looking for a job in skiing if you can pull off both.
Oct 25 2011 8:32PM
0 0
profile picture
Alex_G
Posts: 11902 - Karma: 1,019
no you're retarded...it's not what you know it's who you know. people will want you to work for them if you have the right vibe. working in the ski industry is not rocket chemistry therefore a degree won't really matter.

plus there is no fucking money in the ski industry, look at the stupid shit they have to post on newschoolers in order to generate consumer (16-20 year olds w/ their parents money) demand. Since there is barely a market to work with there is little money making opportunity. just saying.
Oct 25 2011 8:40PM
0 0
profile picture
andstuff
Posts: 1118 - Karma: 61
Unless you're going into resort management or real estate (where most of the money is), a degree doesn't mean shit. The ski industry is micro-sized. Knowing people gets you further here than in most industries.

Having said that, I strongly encourage you to get a degree.
Oct 25 2011 8:43PM
0 0
profile picture
Where-am-I
Posts: 1635 - Karma: 281
what is the path one takes to become a pro patroler?  im trying to get into more bc skiing and learn more about bc safely. im taking a NOLS skiing course this jan, but have really been thinking it would be awesome to try and become a ski patroller after college
Oct 25 2011 8:49PM
0 0
profile picture
k-fred
Posts: 5363 - Karma: 1,598

well, thanks to everyone who answered.

I will send a email to every ski related company to see what kind of jobs they are offering and wich one they will need in the future.

I can see that I will need some contact to be able to work in the ski industry. I think you were mostly talking about resort(not ski company and store/online shop). So i'm going to wait the answer from the company to see the opening.

Oct 25 2011 8:55PM
0 0
profile picture
pghjibber
Posts: 1298 - Karma: 329
true story

enough people want to work in the industry that they can easily find people with at least a bachelor's degree, knowledge of skiing and who can "bro down" with the best of them...
Oct 25 2011 9:04PM
0 0
profile picture
hot.pocket
Posts: 4225 - Karma: 10,625
Internship Internship Internship
Oct 25 2011 9:06PM
0 0
profile picture
k-fred
Posts: 5363 - Karma: 1,598

when you say a ''business degree'' you mean university? or college?

because here, in Quebec, we have highschool(finished), then college for 2 years and then university.

just for an example, what degree of school do you think I will need to have if I want to do accounting in a ski company( ie Rossignol, North face, backcountry, etc...) ?

Oct 25 2011 9:10PM
0 0
profile picture
b-ladd
Posts: 2300 - Karma: 48

You should probably learn to speak english first. Also, why do you feel the need to move to the US? There's plenty of great skiing and ski companies based out of Canada.

To whoever it was asking about ski patrol, you need to get OEC certification. If you live near a decent sized ski area chances are they can help you out with that. Like lots of jobs at ski areas though, knowing the right people is important, and getting lucky by applying when the area has an open slot.

Oct 25 2011 9:13PM
0 0
profile picture
PJS.
Posts: 11943 - Karma: 895
i wish i could help you but all i know is about volunteer patrol
Oct 25 2011 9:32PM
0 0
profile picture
zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
cejap won't get you much, you'd have to do a bachelors in commerce (accounting)
Oct 25 2011 9:37PM
0 0
profile picture
Coalescent
Posts: 4871 - Karma: 2,063
Haha this. If you can't determine which degree will help you land an accounting job, please help us all.

Anyways, I went for business at Penn State and worked at a ski resort my entire schooling. My situation is experience+degree. My marketing degree was broad but can be applied in the ski industry easily. The money isn't there, but the love for the industry is. Can't beat it.
Oct 25 2011 9:39PM
0 0
profile picture
j_hamborg
Posts: 560 - Karma: 745
Dear OP:

I am currently in my 4th year of University. Like you, I felt like giving up in my first few semesters of school. I figured I could just go be a ski bum for life. Now I am working on my Human Resources Management Degree, every major resort has an HR department. Also, some of the larger ski companies as well, Rossignol, Nordica, Oakley... I am fairly confident when I graduate next year I will be able to get a job as an HR generalist in the ski industry. When it comes down to it, its all about who you know. But when you don't have a degree, the people you know also know people with degrees and they choose the people with degrees before they choose you. Stay at it. It will all pay off in the end man!
Oct 25 2011 9:39PM
0 0
profile picture
k-fred
Posts: 5363 - Karma: 1,598

if you can understand what im saying in english, then ill be okay and ill learn english with time.

I'm talking about moving to us because most ski company are based outside canada(us and europe). I just don`t have any problem with leaving canada for work.

Oct 25 2011 9:44PM
0 0
profile picture
bdarb207
Posts: 3057 - Karma: 438
I got a ski area management degree and it definitely will help you get in at any resort. But you still have to work your way up you won't just get an Ill manager job just because you have a degree. If you want to work in the business end of it you should get a business or marketing degree or at least minor. Its all who you know so just start working at resorts or shops and make all the connections you can.
Oct 25 2011 9:49PM
0 0
profile picture
pghjibber
Posts: 1298 - Karma: 329
a bachelor's of science in business administration or accounting...
Oct 25 2011 10:29PM
0 0
profile picture
Where-am-I
Posts: 1635 - Karma: 281
alright, how do you go about that then?
Oct 26 2011 12:16AM
0 0
profile picture
SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
dont patrol way overated ime
ski tech or concierge
bartend or serve
You will either work for the man and be at his mercy
or figure out how to work for you helpin the man
or a collab aint bad
best o luck I'm still dialin er in
1st aid, oec or emt or the ability to keeps and know the abc= good thing and troller requisit
Oct 26 2011 7:52AM
0 0
profile picture
mer-man
Posts: 1079 - Karma: 10
This! If you want something in skiing, phone calls don't really do shit. Go somewhere where ski related stuff is actually happening on a big scale (Whis). Show up with a bunch of cash in pocket and a really good attitude (Just be stoked as fuck on skiing). Before you know it, you will be doing something in the industry.
Oct 26 2011 8:06AM
0 0
profile picture
Sickboi
Posts: 79 - Karma: 39
ANYTHING... DO ANYTHING but put some dedication on it. I'm from Argentina, and i work for my family business, it's a huge Corporation, but still unhappy. I found a way (or think so) to do both, what I love, and what I got to do for the family company. I'm starting a small company with my girlfriend, making T-Shirts, hoodies, tall tees and stuff like that. i keep working for my family so i got the salary I like, and investing only a few dollars I do what I love... try something like this.

cook many options and wait... when you feel like you've got to move, choose one. but put fckin DEDICATION on it.


THINK BIG !
Oct 26 2011 9:02AM
0 0
profile picture
.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 235
if you dont mind, where do you work at?



just curious as to how a ski area management degree works for people


also what school
Oct 26 2011 9:43AM
0 0
profile picture
SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
There are two kinds of ski jobs those that allow you to ski all fuckin day where, with who, as much as and how you want. and well
good luck with the other ones.
BLESSED ARE THE SKIBUMS FOR THEY KNOW LIFE AINT ABOUT THE $$$$$$$
Oct 26 2011 9:49AM
0 0
profile picture
Boggs
Posts: 1039 - Karma: 208
Just a word of caution if you were thinking about becoming a rep or anything. A wise man once said:

"I got into the ski industry to ski more, and I got out of the ski industry to ski more."
Oct 26 2011 9:56AM
0 0
profile picture
B.Lyfe
Posts: 624 - Karma: 116
I started off working a local ski shop as sales/part time tech. I now am a manager of the Tech shop at shop in CT. I am currently learning more to manage the whole store so I can take it over. I love everything I do about the job. and its not bad pay for someone just out of HS. Techs in CT make between 12-15$ an hour which isnt too bad when you consider minimal wage is like 8. I've been doing it for 7 years and I still love it as much as I did when I started. Every time i walk into the shop i love seeing skis and boards everywhere. If you have any questions about shop related things feel free to drop me a PM


Oct 26 2011 10:00AM
0 0
profile picture
Dibs
Posts: 496 - Karma: 86
i hope to do the same some day, good luck!
Oct 26 2011 10:11AM
0 0
profile picture
ChuckTesta
Posts: 960 - Karma: 258
you have to be a regular patroller for a certain amount of years.....thats what my dad did....but he didnt have enough time to be pro so he just does regular patrol now
Oct 26 2011 10:12AM
0 0
profile picture
Funkadelic
Posts: 1967 - Karma: 391
I could be wrong, but I can't imagine any ski-related company hiring you without a university degree (unless you want to work in their warehouse or something). If you want to do accounting you obviously need an accounting degree, that's not something you can just do. If you want to promote/sell products get a marketing degree. I guarantee even the guy running their facebook page is either an intern (who is currently in school for marketing), or has a marketing degree.

If it was 30 years ago I'd say go for it, you'll get a job without a degree, but it's different today. You can't (with some exceptions) just pull that off. I personally think you getting a degree would be wise if anything just to improve your english. I know you said you'll pick it up as you go, but you have basic grammatical issues. No American company is going to hire you when you sound that unprofessional when you try to write something for them. And every job has writing associated with it, don't be naive.
Oct 26 2011 10:33AM
0 0
profile picture
B.Lyfe
Posts: 624 - Karma: 116
I agree BUT, the 1 powder day i stay late to mount 5 extra skis is me losing 1 day of skiing, but it will allow 5 people to slay the next day. Sacrificing 1 for 5 shows the true love for the sport. I cant count how many days I've stayed late or gone back in so 1 kid could have his skis mounted for a compition or because there is a Nor easter hitting the next day. I know every time i hand them back their stuff and they say thanks that they will enjoy them even more

Oct 26 2011 10:37AM
0 0
profile picture
greenman
Posts: 945 - Karma: 27
marketing ftw??

Oct 26 2011 10:42AM
0 0
profile picture
BenjaminBanklin
Posts: 145 - Karma: 10
Hey I am going to go out on a limb and say think about other industrys that are related to skiing but both pay well and leave your days free for skiing. 

I work in luxury hotels (4 Star plus).  I would never stay in one of these places, when i travel i stay in motel 8s or crappier.  I make a great living on the entry level and there are TONS of opportunities for advancement.  Once you are up to a salary position depending on which chain you are working for you can move around the country and globe working inside positions.   I work hard when I am at work and yes there are alot of rules to follow (must have short hair, always be shaved etc.)   Unlike all the one season wonders who come out west for one winter then slink back home when the party stops I have a sustainable job at a livable wage, I can move easily from one area to another and I get to meet awesome cool people.  Plus I have all day free to ski everyday since I work in the evenings.  If you love skiing and you love to ski everyday don't give that up to run a rental shop or something.  In the summer you can move to tons of other locations to work the high summer season places. I am thinking either las vegas or santa fe or alaska for me next summer.    You can't move to every ski town and do this job.  If i had my 100% choice I would be in a small town like whitefish montana but there arent large hotels with high volume of tourists there. 


Get a degree in tourism and hospitality management and then get out west and start networking. 

Anyone whose looking to get a start in this industry shoot me a pm and ill send you over a list of all the hotels I looked at and applied for this year after deciding to leave park city. 
Oct 26 2011 11:14AM
0 0
profile picture
ThaLetterM.
Posts: 8609 - Karma: 1,613
rocket chemistry
Oct 26 2011 11:34AM
0 0
profile picture
TheWakes.
Posts: 685 - Karma: 235
i work at a ski shop and i love it so far. i've learned a ton about ski construction and technology from tuning, and i've met a ton of cool reps from various companies. my biggest advice tho is finish school. true its "who you know," but there is a difference between knowing someone, and being good enough for them to hire you. they need to know you aren't some fuck-off, and having a degree is probably the best way to convince them of that at first.
Oct 26 2011 11:50AM
0 0
profile picture
SkiersRealm
Posts: 111 - Karma: 105

We've done a couple of articles on this subject. One just on some tips to getting a job in the industry period (which really you can apply to every industry) and then one on some of the different jobs that are out there in the ski industry that you might not think of right away. Both were done with hopes of bettering the industry all around.

There's nothing worse than a grumpy troll who doesn't even ski working in an insdustry job when somebody who loves the sport could be doing it!

http://connect.skiersrealm.com/general/jobs-in-the-ski-industry

http://connect.skiersrealm.com/general/get-a-ski-industry-job

http://www.skiersrealm.com/

Cheers y'all!

Oct 26 2011 11:53AM
0 0
profile picture
sierraskier.
Posts: 71 - Karma: 42
Any engineers out there? I am currently going to school as a mechanical engineer, and I have been wondering how many companies in the ski/outdoor industry employ mechanical engineers. So far I really enjoy engineering and I think I will be happy even if I'm not in the ski industry, but it would just make it that much better if I could work on designing skis or other equipment for a sport that I have such a passion for.

On another note about ski patrol, my dad used to be a pro patrol. He already had his EMT from working in an ambulance, so I'm sure it wasn't too hard for him to get a job. He did pro patrol in the winter and was a contractor in the summer, but he eventually decided that he wasn't making enough money doing that. He now has a much higher paying job not related to the ski industry at all, but still volunteer patrols and has plenty of money to support a family and still skis a bunch.
Oct 26 2011 12:25PM
0 0
profile picture
k-fred
Posts: 5363 - Karma: 1,598

I know my english is not perfect at all, what i'm trying to say is that Ì'll learn english when I will move out from quebec(ex:BC,ON...)

My father didn't knew a word of english when he moved to alaska for work( he was about 18). he still managed to learn english and now he's bilingual (he worked 1 year there). What i mean is, when everyone arround you is talking in english, you learn 10x faster than at school.

I want to thank everyone for answering.

PS: My home mountain is actually hiring(they need over 40 person). I could easely find a job there with a really low salary(ex:12-13$/h) but I want to get a degree and get a real job that i'll be able to live with(I'll probably need more than 30k a year). I already have a summer job at 15$/h but I'm looking for a lifetime job, not just a shitty job that I won't be able to travel or even have kids because my income are not high enough.

Oct 26 2011 12:27PM
0 0
profile picture
Shifties4Dayz
Posts: 1657 - Karma: 553
ive only read the OP, but im in the same situation as you except im graduating in may.

what im doing is sending resumes and personalized letters to just about every ski company and resort explaining why i want to work for them and why they should hire me. you dont have to take a job that fits exactly with your program, as most companies wont hire somebody with no experience. getting in at a low level position is what i plan on doing just so i can get into the industry and get a good start
Oct 26 2011 12:34PM
0 0
profile picture
SkiersRealm
Posts: 111 - Karma: 105

That's a great start. Persistance is key too. Not to the point where you become annoying to them, but enough that they know who you are and think of you when the time comes. Definitely be ready to take a low level position too, but the good thing is there can be a decent amount of turn over in the ski industry so the ability to move up quickly isn't unheard of if you're good at what you do.

I went through all this same stuff when I was looking to get a job in the industry. It's not impossible, you just gotta stay on it. These might give you some help. I wrote them for the exact reason this thread started...http://connect.skiersrealm.com/general/jobs-in-the-ski-industry and http://connect.skiersrealm.com/general/get-a-ski-industry-job 

Oct 26 2011 1:27PM
0 0
profile picture
ko.
Posts: 453 - Karma: 17

While there are some really good responses in this thread, there are some incredibly ignorant ones as well.  I am currently a senior studying economics and I work both the retail and resort side of the industry.  A bunch of what I'm about to say has been put into this thread already but this should emphasize some important points.  If you think you want to pursue a career in the ski industry start with a small position; arguably, the majority of resort or retail companies hire within (obviously there are exceptions to this, but most high level employees started with a basic position).  Above all, get your degree in something you're actually interested in.  Chances are you will be able to apply it to a career in the ski industry.  Get an internship with a ski company or resort near you; if they don't have internships, try a part time job.  Essentially find some way to start your path in the industry, because networking is a big deal here.  Don't be afraid to email companies about what they're looking for in an employee.  Decide what it is you want out of the industry: ski as much as possible, help with production, marketing, event coordinating, etc. 

Sparknotes?  Start SOMEWHERE.  Get your degree.  You aren't going to be locked in to doing one task for the rest of your life, that's the beauty of the always changing industry.  Start with one company, get to know people, branch out.  Don't like it there?  Go somewhere else, try again. 

It isn't for everyone, and we certainly do it for the love NOT the money.  Hope this helps, good luck!

Oct 26 2011 1:30PM
0 0
profile picture
ko.
Posts: 453 - Karma: 17
Sorry for the double post, but THIS exactly.  Get the degree, get the experience, get INVOLVED and you shouldn't have any problems :)
Oct 26 2011 1:34PM
0 0
profile picture
BROSEIDON
Posts: 3702 - Karma: 1,495
I was too lazy to read the thread but I'm in a program called outdoor recreation business administration, used to be called ski industries, I'm interested to see where it takes me haha
Oct 26 2011 2:32PM
0 0
profile picture
afterbang_me
Posts: 385 - Karma: 152
Seriously tho.  Become a firefighter/EMT and do something exciting and get a chance to be on the hill.  Its hard work, early mornings, and cold weather but once you get tired of skiing you have a skill that translates back into a normal EMT/Firefighter role.

Once you get a real job you will start wanting to make money.  dont kid yourself and think that you dont care about how much you  make.  Firefighters and EMT's can do fairly well for themselves if they work hard.  and you get great benefits.

Or go to college and get a real job.  Keep in mind there is life after being young.  you dont want to sell yourself short.
Oct 26 2011 2:45PM
0 0
profile picture
ski-nodak
Posts: 71 - Karma: 18
check out the ski companies website.. most of them have their job posting listed on there..

I'm going to school for marketing and with that i plan on getting a job in the ski industry...
Oct 26 2011 3:13PM
0 0
profile picture
B.Lyfe
Posts: 624 - Karma: 116
I forgot to mention. Everyone is going to give their own advice. Do whats BEST for you in your life situation. If you cant afford full time school then do part time and work and get an associates. Do what you feel you can handle. If you overload yourself you can turn yourself off of the very thing you want the most

Oct 26 2011 3:44PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)