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Ski Industry Folks **READ ME**

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kvan
Posts: 3085 - Karma: 1,225
I am currently a business major with an aspiration, after graduating, to work in the ski industry in some way. Whether it be a niche in marketing or starting out as a company rep, I am particularly interested in terms of what steps I can take to put myself out there in order to have an opportunity to intern/work for a company.

Ultimately what advice would you give a college student who has a desire to work in the industry?

Describe briefly the roles/responsibilities of positions in the business realm?

What specific skills do you look for in potential candidates?

These are just a few questions I thought of off the top of my head so additional advice/feedback is greatly appreciated, thanks!
Aug 21 2012 10:15PM
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TOAST.
Posts: 7481 - Karma: 36,054
be able to S a D.

But seriously its all about who you know.
Aug 21 2012 10:32PM
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jerm
Posts: 947 - Karma: 1,061
be willing to work for free or next to nothing. be able adapt to different work environments and tasks.
Aug 21 2012 10:40PM
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bigwhite.steeze
Posts: 8227 - Karma: 1,030
just jump in man, best way to start is to get a job at a resort in an area you think you'd enjoy. start building contacts and go from there, probly the hardest part about being involved in the ski industry is meeting people and networking, which really isnt that hard. take what you learned in your business courses and apply them creatively to the ski industry.

or join the SROAM program at selkirk college.
Aug 21 2012 10:46PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 3,909
Not true at all. Sue, it could help, but that goes for any profession.



As far as the original post goes. If you are looking for something like marketing or sale or something like you said, go get a degree in that, and then try to find a ski area position. Getting a degree in a ski area something is pretty specialized.
Aug 21 2012 11:02PM
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jensen
Posts: 2576 - Karma: 1,267
INITIATIVE: Go out and find something, anything. Join the ski club and campus and work your way into an officer role, approach ski resorts and companies looking for internships, create your own ski related business, etc. Showing that you have the drive to make it happen for yourself says so much about your character and ambition to make it.
Aug 21 2012 11:08PM
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jensen
Posts: 2576 - Karma: 1,267
ski club *on* campus
Aug 21 2012 11:09PM
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Gmart
Posts: 1634 - Karma: 273
Get a job at a shop, get friendly with your bosses, they introduce you to reps. Kid who I used to work with just got a job with nordica. I know a Solomon, nordica, volkl, k2' line and ft rep. And a blizzard Tecnica. As stated above its who u know. Plus they give you free skis after a few years if friendship. Another guy who I work with hasn't paid for a ski or a boot in like 10 years. And he gets a new ski almost every year. Plus you get pro form which is super discount so I can get a new volkl kink for like 200 bucks. Just ordered fks14 for 150, brand new, they 18 is 50 more dollars. Shits illll lol
Aug 21 2012 11:23PM
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TOAST.
Posts: 7481 - Karma: 36,054
Ok so from what I have seen it is start small work for next to nothing, meet people in higher positions, and hope that they like you and you will eventually get something you can make a living off of.

I dont think I would go for a ski area management degree, from what I have noticed that really wont help you that much, maybe it will change now that they are becoming bigger. But I think a regular business degree or marketing degree would be better that way you have a fallback plan.
Aug 21 2012 11:25PM
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jerm
Posts: 947 - Karma: 1,061
i got a recreation and resources management degree, similar to ski area management in some respects. You may think that a regular business degree would be better but while in college i meet some of the people who i work with now in the snow sports world. I believe i wouldnt have meet them if i were in other classes. so being around the people you want to work with in the future can be key.
Aug 22 2012 12:06AM
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corona
Posts: 12795 - Karma: 32,750
I remember reading a thread on this before, where some ski industry reps talked about what's involves. from what I remember it's all about contacts and working your ass off for very little to begin with. maybe someone can find that thread
Aug 22 2012 12:24AM
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Skithedeep
Posts: 645 - Karma: 39
I did/am doing the same thing. Last winter I did an internship at my local mountain and worked a week or two in every department. I learned an insane amount about the ski industry and met tons of industry folk. I worked my ass of for 6 months for free, but I also got to do avy control, drive a groomer, and get to see everything and anything on the mountain I wanted to. I was able to do this because the GM of the resort is a good family friend, which once again shows, it's all about who you know. Now I'm applying all over the place to resorts and I can pretty much apply for any position because I have at least some experience in every area of a mountain and I also got a ton of great references.

For school I double majored in Outdoor Recreation/Tourism and Business Administration which sets you up pretty well. I'm hoping to eventually land a Mountain Operations Manager or GM position but that's a ways off. All I can suggest is to get an education, gain experience (even if you work for free), and don't be afraid to go to the mountains you ski at and try to meet some of the managers/directors and just talk with them. It doesn't matter what position someone holds, they love to talk about themselves and what they do, especially when it is to someone who is interested and can benefit from their advice. When I spend a winter in Utah I met the Mountain Ops Managers from Alta and Snowbird and spent quite a bit of time just talking with them and talking about the industry and all it took was a few phone calls and emails.



Aug 22 2012 1:05AM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
Move to SLC or somewhere there's a lot of industry folk, and start meeting them. it's all about connections and who you know. The ski industry is a giant, clique-y family. To be involved you need to get a foot in the door somewhere, that's not always an internship - I feel like it just as often comes from people you meet on the chairlift or at parties.
Aug 22 2012 11:25AM
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infuser
Posts: 1220 - Karma: 241
you're from westchester right? do you work at a ski shop? if so which one?
Aug 22 2012 11:37AM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
there are only two in the area right?
hickory and tweed
Pedigree -both suck- i grew up in the 845 and went to college in white plains so I was in both frequently


Aug 22 2012 11:47AM
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infuser
Posts: 1220 - Karma: 241
sorry for the threadjack op... yea those are the only two i know of. pedigree is cheaper so i usually go there
Aug 22 2012 12:02PM
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Joannnnie
Posts: 6 - Karma: 10

I suggest you call the companies directly, and start with an internship.

It's the best way to get to prove yourself, and to put a foot in a door!

Aug 22 2012 2:43PM
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snowedout
Posts: 224 - Karma: 101
OP when do you graduate?

Start with a internship, many ski resort corps offer internships. If you cant get into a internship dont just say ill try next year... try to get a job at a ski shop that the actually company owns (thats ur in). If you cant get a job in a shop take whatever you can get lifty,snowmaker, instructore, ect basically do whatever you can to get ur in. Then work hard, at the end of the season ask your department manager if they could introduce you to the marketing department manager. Ask them as many questions as you can about getting into the marketing side of things.... Now your in the back of his or her head as a possible employee at one point.

Here is a internship for the marketing department at Big Sky ski resort, the head of marketing is agreat guy and you could learn a ton from him:

good luck man, pm me if you will graduate before this winter. I have a few openings in my department if you need ur in.

Aug 22 2012 4:02PM
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dayinthelifepc
Posts: 242 - Karma: 88
Are there any ski industry guys on NS? That actually check it frequently? I guess it was worth a try to put a short resume up but I would also say you're better off calling the companies directly and setting up an interview. You'll seem a lot more professional and serious.
Aug 23 2012 11:45AM
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Line_Skis
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 37,659
read here: http://news.lineskis.com/2012/08/17/join-rebel-command/
Aug 23 2012 3:08PM
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titsLOL
Posts: 7485 - Karma: 396
It IS who you know, anyone who tells you otherwise is just mad they don't know more of those people. The biggest thing about the ski industry is that there is no money in it. Expect to work practically, if not literally, nothing and eventually work your way up to barely getting by, where you will stay for a while. Eventually you might make it to where you can comfortably pay your bills, but by the time you get to this point you will be much older and already know a lot about the industry so you wont care about this advice. Just prepare for poorness and you'll have a good time.
Aug 23 2012 3:55PM
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jerm
Posts: 947 - Karma: 1,061
This last sentence is all that should really matter. youre not (or atleast you shouldnt be) into snow sports for the money. youre doing it and looking for a job in it because you love it. and being poor is ok if youre happy.
Aug 23 2012 9:00PM
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J_Christoph
Posts: 2519 - Karma: 8,752
Damn I wish I lived close to seattle
Aug 23 2012 9:11PM
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Suckonitkid
Posts: 17 - Karma: 16
You need to make friends with a rep from a big company like Atomic, Fischer, etc.... maybe they'll let you help them out at ski area demos for free...someday you get a like a $100 for helping them. If you you do that enough, maybe a company will ask you to be their tech rep and pay you below minimum wage for the 80+ hours a week you work...and then the next year there is all new management and you have no job and end up back at some local shop.

If you want to make money in the ski industry - do something else business wise and come back when you have some skills to show these companies you can run things and at least you might get a decent salary then. Get a business degree, don't go get some silly ski industry degree that won't do shit for you outside the industry. Business is business, so get a regular degree in case the ski thing doesn't work out.

Or just go be a bum for a year or two doing some jobs to make ends meet and just ski...you actually will ski less if you work in the industry. If you like talking about skiing and not skiing, then try to get an industry job, but if you like to ski, then get some other job making money and have fun just skiing when you want.


Aug 23 2012 9:42PM
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jensen
Posts: 2576 - Karma: 1,267
Best first post I have ever seen on NS. Probably an alias, but still +k for telling it how it is. This is in all honesty the best advice you are going to get.
Aug 24 2012 12:09AM
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j.bird
Posts: 6680 - Karma: 15
Honestly man... You can make more money and have more time to ski if you work in a bigger industry.

It just makes too much sense to work in a bigger market.
Aug 24 2012 12:56AM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
damn this is tempting
Aug 24 2012 1:14AM
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manwiththemetalleg
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 91
Well i guess that depends who you want to work for - the 'ski industry' has a pretty broad scope. It isn't just made up of core ski and outerwear companies - although perhaps working for these guys it is more about who you know.

Think about the bigger picture - why do you want to be in the 'industry'? I'm guessing it's to ski right? Or somehow be involved in something you love? Well if its for the second reason you need to be more specific - what for you would bring skiing related enjoyment to your job? Designing products for example?

However - if it's the first reason - you want to have more opportunity to ski - then there is a wide choice available to you.. think of everything that makes the industry function. I'm not talking about some underground tall T company, but more like logistics, lift manufacturers, snow-cats, food/drink etc etc. Think of all the suppliers working within the industry - many of these are likely to be based near the mountains.


If you do want to work for a company that you consider directly involved in the industry - e.g. a ski manufacturer - its still not always who you know. Again think big brands - AMER sports, Scott etc. I work for a digital agency in Switzerland, on websites for a number of ski industry related brands. I also get to ski every powder day and every weekend. The gondola is outside my front door. That's as much ski industry that i need.

...and i didn't land in this role through who i know
Aug 24 2012 2:31AM
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Suckonitkid
Posts: 17 - Karma: 16
Just what I'm talking about....welcome to the world of Ski Volunteering. Doesn't K2 Sports own Line: http://www.k2sports.com/...can't they throw a few bucks at an intern - they are a large corporate entity, not some small brand that can't afford help. You get stickers and have to pass a drug test....sounds like an awesome time.
Aug 24 2012 11:51AM
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Rogge
Posts: 5773 - Karma: 3,930
Write for Newschoolers.com and create cool content. It worked for me.
Aug 24 2012 6:35PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
20,000 posts, I can has Powder Mag job?
Aug 24 2012 9:38PM
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daudino88
Posts: 57 - Karma: 25
threads!
Aug 24 2012 9:58PM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
Oh but you forget coming to office parties. I'd say above your writing (and I'm not kidding) your coming to those friday parties was the single most effective thing in your career.

I mean lets break it down here:

Your work quality was on point. You wrote for NS, you were a good member, and nothing about what you did was in question. However, you came to the office (drove like 3 hours and shit) for parties, and we all got to know you.

Knowing a person in the flesh is powerful. It lets you get a view into the deep parts of that person's mind, and in turn gives you a feeling of how they would act in the future mixed with their current level of work quality. So Rogge, you were both known as a good contributer, and an overall quality part of the ski industry that we all knew.

So when I got a call from one of the powder guys that was like "Hey, what is this Rogge guy all about" I was able to respond not only with a review of your written work, but also an idea of your personality. I could additionally infer things about your interaction with the industry, and make som predictions based on such.

Scoring high in all categories, I made a glaring recommendation of you as a person that would be a fucking fantastic fit for Powder. I'd like to think that my opinion may have not been the be-all-end-all, but at least greased the wheels a bit to help you get in there.

So for those who call things an 'old boys club' - maybe it is that way... however sometimes what appears to be an old boys club is really just a place where you have to be awesome at what you do, and impress a group of people that have been doing this for a while.

The best advice, hands down is to get involved and just be super fucking helpful. If you help people in the ski industry, then they will help you.

Follow the rules of Karma and you're stoked.

Aug 24 2012 10:15PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 3,909
The amount of shit spewed out of peoples keyboards in this thread is just next level....I can't even comment anymore than that without getting upset.
Aug 25 2012 3:51AM
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jerm
Posts: 947 - Karma: 1,061
if you want to read some serious bullshit you should check this out. this is a real good one. http://www.yobeat.com/2012/08/23/peoples-court-jared-elston-vs-ryan-collins/
Aug 25 2012 4:40AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
So true.

The ski industry isn't really a nice industry to work in, especially if you want to ski a lot yourself. If you genuinely want to do it, finish school then work your way up from ski shop floor staff. If you've got what it takes it'll work out.
Aug 25 2012 8:56AM
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titsLOL
Posts: 7485 - Karma: 396
I think that is pretty much what everyone has said... not sure what skibum is complaining about.

If you want to ski for yourself just get a job at a nice restaurant in a ski town. You'll make more money than a guy who's been repping for 10 years (out the ass statistic), and you'll work mostly nights and therefore get to ski a lot.
Aug 25 2012 12:19PM
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J.DUKE
Posts: 1233 - Karma: 38
Establishing yourself in the ski industry is about kicking the door open, making as many contacts as possible,and making yourself known. for the most part.

I did the SAM program through Gogebic/NMU, and my internship pretty much gave me the opportunity to land a cushy shop job with benefits at Keystone with a very large subsidiary of VRI.

That initial job provided me with two things:

1. Contacts with Area/Regional MGRs through out the company, as well as the opportunity to meet VPs and Department managers from other ski areas. Making these contacts, and maintaining some sort of continued communication has set me up to have several options now that I have finished school.

2. This is going to come off as corny, but it gave me a whole lot of confidence to take on any position I may want to take. I went from not knowing much about running a shop as large as the one I did, to being a top ASM in the area.
Employers are looking for someone who is very capable of learning new ideas and concepts quickly, and then excelling at executing them. If you can do this and show it to a possible employer, you will do well in the industry. Or any industry for that matter.
Aug 25 2012 1:31PM
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TheSkiMonster
Posts: 155 - Karma: 327
This is the route most of us took to get where we are in the ski business as retailers, reps and presidents of companies.

First and foremost you need to have a positive attitude.

Retail, you can't just work at any retailer, you have to apply to one that is a good shop, that moves product and keeps their customers happy and coming back year after year. This retailer should also be growing and have opportunity to climb the ladder.

You need to be able to sell product, a lot of it. This is one of the ways you get noticed and also RESPECTED by reps, sales managers, marketing managers and the presidents of companies.

Merchandising and Management understanding how to display products in a store is crucial, so is managing a staff. The reps, sales managers etc. visit shops all year round you need to make your shop stand out.

If you have done all these things you will have many doors open up and will be successful in whatever you decide to do next in this business. It will take time and work, but it's worth it. I love working and being a part of the industry.

- George

Co-Founder of theskimonster.com




Aug 25 2012 4:33PM
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