Replying to How do you become involved in ski industry without being pro?

I want to live in mountains. I've known this practically as long as I've been alive. Like many of you, skiing is one of my greatest passions, and although I may not be the best or most devout skier on the hill, I know that every moment I spend on the slopes I am at my happiest state. I don't have any disillusions of being a pro and traveling the world on sponsors dimes, but I do dream of at least having some sort of job in the ski industry. The problem I'm facing is that I don't know what jobs could bring me to the mountain and allow me to spend as many days as possible on the hill.

I'm currently working towards an environmental economics degree, and I'm starting to feel lost in terms of direction. What kind of jobs can I find in the industry, and how do I go about getting them? Is my degree going to be useful, or should I be focusing on something else? In a nutshell I was just wondering if people who currently have jobs in the industry could explain a little bit about how they got there, and how someone else could improve their chances of getting their too. Thanks guys.