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December, 2024

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Ladies in the industry

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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,010
Just curious how many of you gals work in the ski industry. I've found that a lot of the outdoor positions minus ski school are very male dominated and from talking to a lot of upper mgmt, they don't like those stats. They want more ladies, just so few apply for the more physically demanding jobs.

I've worked lift ops, park crew and now I'm lift maintenance. First girl in the history of Big Sky to be on park crew, second on lift maint.
Oct 13 2014 1:55PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10840 - Karma: 57,643
I've worked ski school and race deleopment at Northstar, along with lift ops. Doing lift ops at Big Sky this season.
Oct 13 2014 1:58PM
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erica
Posts: 3450 - Karma: 24,088
I was a bootfitter until my shop closed end of last season. I write for ns now and hopefully have some more stuff in the works!
Oct 13 2014 2:41PM
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errrka
Posts: 2261 - Karma: 6,058
Alright so....

I was a ski instructor for like 5 years, back home in Ohio and at Snowbasin, UT
I was the VP of our Ski Team in college at Ohio State
Had a marketing internship at the local hill Mad River Mountain right out of college
Started working with NS at SIA doing event coverage there, and further helping with social media and content creation
Internship/Job with Windells working pretty much as an office assistant
Now I'm in Jackson doing an internship with TGR working on web management, site design and a few editorial pieces here and there
Also working with an awesome ski company in development of their new women's product! ;)

I was offered an interview with Brainfarm to be a production management intern, but I can't afford to have an unpaid internship anymore....

After this... I don't know what, which is terrifying, but hey I applied for the Digital Marketing Coordinator position with Jackson Hole Resort, so wish me luck!
Oct 13 2014 3:19PM
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Mingg
Posts: 13993 - Karma: 49,693
I'm working park crew this year at my local hill. I don't know a whole lot about it, but I'm stoked to learn!! Also I'm working with a local shop to get a girls team together. Currently we've got a guy's team and then one other girl and myself. We're trying to get at least 3-4 more girls to ride with and we're adding girls to comp events. Shit is gonna be sick in the next couple years. I can't wait to see how it plays out!
Oct 13 2014 4:08PM
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zoaster
Posts: 42 - Karma: 92
This winter at my local hill I will be instructing, helping with the race team and head of the park crew. I also work at the local skate shop.
Oct 13 2014 7:16PM
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Heddious
Posts: 93 - Karma: 58
I worked in a ski shop in France a few years back and now I'm one of the editors on the swedish ski site Freeride.se (does that count as "in the industry" or is it like on the edge of it..?)
Oct 14 2014 8:10AM
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Heddious
Posts: 93 - Karma: 58
Btw, Erica.MN – I was super stoked when I realized there was a girl writing for NS, I hope you'll have more stuff published in the future!
Oct 14 2014 8:12AM
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erica
Posts: 3450 - Karma: 24,088
HeddiousBtw, Erica.MN – I was super stoked when I realized there was a girl writing for NS, I hope you'll have more stuff published in the future!


I have another feature with a pinkname coming out reeeaaaaalll soon :)
Oct 14 2014 8:35AM
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Heddious
Posts: 93 - Karma: 58
ERICA.MNI have another feature with a pinkname coming out reeeaaaaalll soon :)


wohoo, looking forward to it!
Oct 14 2014 8:46AM
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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,010
ERICA.MNI have another feature with a pinkname coming out reeeaaaaalll soon :)


YEAAAAAAAA!!!
Oct 14 2014 12:17PM
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_CC_
Posts: 3890 - Karma: 747
I instructed little nuggets for 6 years at Mount Snow and Winter Park.
Also I'm looking for winter work but, if I teach one more season I'll get my tubes tied. Machines> people so I'm gonna look for mountain ops jobs and the like. I miss working on the mountain but, not the snot and crying.
Oct 14 2014 12:49PM
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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,010
caroline.I instructed little nuggets for 6 years at Mount Snow and Winter Park.
Also I'm looking for winter work but, if I teach one more season I'll get my tubes tied. Machines> people so I'm gonna look for mountain ops jobs and the like. I miss working on the mountain but, not the snot and crying.


you should seriously pursue lift maintenance, based on your posts over the past few years it seems like something you'd totally kick ass at!
Oct 14 2014 1:05PM
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_CC_
Posts: 3890 - Karma: 747
YoungDaphyou should seriously pursue lift maintenance, based on your posts over the past few years it seems like something you'd totally kick ass at!


I've thought about it! I've been meaning to ask you about your job but, keep forgetting.

There's an entry level position in Breck I just came across. I don't have any direct lift experience but, I've worked at 2 resorts and have damn good mechanical knowledge of cars, heavy equipment, and power tools.

I want to be in Colorado again, I just hate Breck sometimes.
Oct 14 2014 1:27PM
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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,010
caroline.I've thought about it! I've been meaning to ask you about your job but, keep forgetting.

There's an entry level position in Breck I just came across. I don't have any direct lift experience but, I've worked at 2 resorts and have damn good mechanical knowledge of cars, heavy equipment, and power tools.

I want to be in Colorado again, I just hate Breck sometimes.


Its worth applying, if you are mechanically inclined lifts are super easy to figure out. I know Big Sky has hired lots of people who didn't have direct lift experience but knew about mechanics, I'm sure Breck is the same way.
Oct 14 2014 2:27PM
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_CC_
Posts: 3890 - Karma: 747
YoungDaphIts worth applying, if you are mechanically inclined lifts are super easy to figure out. I know Big Sky has hired lots of people who didn't have direct lift experience but knew about mechanics, I'm sure Breck is the same way.


Well I applied yesterday and got an interview already! Wasn't prepared for that!
Oct 15 2014 5:40PM
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Mama.
Posts: 3066 - Karma: 2,607
I've done quite a few random things in the industry and gave it up in favor of massage therapy. The idea of making more money and setting my own hours was just too appealing. I do miss working with like minded people though. Wahh.
Oct 15 2014 5:47PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10840 - Karma: 57,643
caroline.Well I applied yesterday and got an interview already! Wasn't prepared for that!


Woah! Good luck lady!!
Oct 15 2014 6:09PM
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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,010
caroline.Well I applied yesterday and got an interview already! Wasn't prepared for that!


Fuuuck yea! Grease sisters unite!
Oct 15 2014 8:01PM
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katrina
Posts: 2395 - Karma: 15,198
i was working a part-time job in the ski industry. then i realized that the people who told me i was doing great and to apply for jobs with them really just wanted a date... this happened twice. now ive decided i won't ever work in the ski industry, i'd rather go back to teaching and working as a mechanical engineer.

the ski industry culture is the worst thing to happen to skiing.
Oct 23 2014 6:08PM
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Mingg
Posts: 13993 - Karma: 49,693
Katrinai was working a part-time job in the ski industry. then i realized that the people who told me i was doing great and to apply for jobs with them really just wanted a date... this happened twice. now ive decided i won't ever work in the ski industry, i'd rather go back to teaching and working as a mechanical engineer.

the ski industry culture is the worst thing to happen to skiing.


Don't you ride for Line? Forgive me if I'm mistaken, I just thought that would be considered being in the industry haha
Oct 23 2014 9:02PM
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DaceFace
Posts: 19 - Karma: 123
i worked on the events crew for the mountain ive been riding down in new zealand. long hours but sick job!
Oct 29 2014 8:39PM
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Mingg
Posts: 13993 - Karma: 49,693
MinggI'm working park crew this year at my local hill. I don't know a whole lot about it, but I'm stoked to learn!! Also I'm working with a local shop to get a girls team together. Currently we've got a guy's team and then one other girl and myself. We're trying to get at least 3-4 more girls to ride with and we're adding girls to comp events. Shit is gonna be sick in the next couple years. I can't wait to see how it plays out!


This guy has been pretty hard to work with. I'm not sure if they are as into it as they were a few months ago. Shit sucks and I don't have a high enough position to really have a huge say to change much.

Also, I might have to withdraw from working park crew for a different job. I'm applying to be a Business Manager for Schuss which is pretty legit. I'd be a director as a freshmen and I'd plan on holding the job throughout college. We work with all the mountains around us and that would look so good if I ever pursue a career in resort management or really anything in the industry. God I am SO stoked. My interview is Friday andddd I think I really have a good shot at it. :D If I don't get the job tho I'll keep my job working park crew haha
Nov 5 2014 2:36PM
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_CC_
Posts: 3890 - Karma: 747
YoungDaphFuuuck yea! Grease sisters unite!


Woo! I'll be operating and getting trained on mechanics at Eldora, which is nice because I don't have to move for a 6th time this year.
Nov 5 2014 3:07PM
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connecticunt
Posts: 847 - Karma: 1,541
caroline.I instructed little nuggets for 6 years at Mount Snow and Winter Park.
Also I'm looking for winter work but, if I teach one more season I'll get my tubes tied. Machines> people so I'm gonna look for mountain ops jobs and the like. I miss working on the mountain but, not the snot and crying.


This will be my 6th year teaching at mount snow. I do little kids basic skiing and snowboarding, younger kids park intro and ill also help work rentals if they need me to.

I'm so into the whole burton riglet program and how they teach tiny kids how to snowboard through very basic uses of park features. After this season I'm going to try to see if I can move out to a mountain that doesn't have the riglet program yet and set one up where I could have a supervisor position. That's the ideal situation for me.
Nov 5 2014 8:19PM
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pH14bitch
Posts: 21 - Karma: 113
I worked in a shop tuning skis in high school, and this year I'll be instructing little tykes and doing volunteer ski patrol! Yay! I don't think I'd want to be involved in the retail side of the industry though....
Nov 6 2014 1:24PM
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_CC_
Posts: 3890 - Karma: 747
connecticuntThis will be my 6th year teaching at mount snow. I do little kids basic skiing and snowboarding, younger kids park intro and ill also help work rentals if they need me to.

I'm so into the whole burton riglet program and how they teach tiny kids how to snowboard through very basic uses of park features. After this season I'm going to try to see if I can move out to a mountain that doesn't have the riglet program yet and set one up where I could have a supervisor position. That's the ideal situation for me.


I probably met you in snow camp at some point then! I liked instructing little kids a lot, but I seriously need a break from parents and I'm much better with machines than people.

That'd be an awesome gig. I've only heard a little bit about that program through the grapevine, but it sounds like it'd be wicked fun.
Nov 6 2014 3:49PM
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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,010
caroline.Woo! I'll be operating and getting trained on mechanics at Eldora, which is nice because I don't have to move for a 6th time this year.


frick yea! we'll have to geek out about lifts. I have no idea what Eldora has these days, its been so long since I've been there
Nov 6 2014 7:40PM
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_CC_
Posts: 3890 - Karma: 747
YoungDaphfrick yea! we'll have to geek out about lifts. I have no idea what Eldora has these days, its been so long since I've been there


It probably hasn't changed much! I was actually gonna ask you about good lifty boots. I have my fire boots with zero insulation and my fuzzy sorels that are disintegrating. Any suggestions?
Nov 6 2014 7:43PM
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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,010
caroline.It probably hasn't changed much! I was actually gonna ask you about good lifty boots. I have my fire boots with zero insulation and my fuzzy sorels that are disintegrating. Any suggestions?


A lot of the mechanics use mountaineering boots and really like them.

I typically wear my ski boots all the time but have my sorels in the lift shack in case I have to climb something sketchy as shit. Ski boots for me work fine unless I'm on a tower or snowmobiling, but I have no idea what Eldora's policy is regarding riding on the clock.
Nov 6 2014 7:48PM
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haley666
Posts: 65 - Karma: 808
caroline.It probably hasn't changed much! I was actually gonna ask you about good lifty boots. I have my fire boots with zero insulation and my fuzzy sorels that are disintegrating. Any suggestions?


i got myself a pair of isolated blundstones. they were super warm and waterproof all season, and the best part is that there is no laces on them bad boys.
Nov 6 2014 8:27PM
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Most-D
Posts: 729 - Karma: 1,088
errrkaAlright so....

I was a ski instructor for like 5 years, back home in Ohio and at Snowbasin, UT
I was the VP of our Ski Team in college at Ohio State
Had a marketing internship at the local hill Mad River Mountain right out of college
Started working with NS at SIA doing event coverage there, and further helping with social media and content creation
Internship/Job with Windells working pretty much as an office assistant
Now I'm in Jackson doing an internship with TGR working on web management, site design and a few editorial pieces here and there
Also working with an awesome ski company in development of their new women's product! ;)

I was offered an interview with Brainfarm to be a production management intern, but I can't afford to have an unpaid internship anymore....

After this... I don't know what, which is terrifying, but hey I applied for the Digital Marketing Coordinator position with Jackson Hole Resort, so wish me luck!




Dude, good luck with the Jackson Hole job application! And keep us posted on any developments with this new women's product :-D
Nov 11 2014 4:58PM
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