Member of the Month

hi_vis360
November, 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!

Experience with park staff job

profile picture
spaceghostpurp
Posts: 249 - Karma: 835
Hi so I am a senior in highschool and I am looking to take a gap year and work as park staff at a ski resort. I live on the east coast but I would be interested in going out west. Anybody have experience/advice on how to do this?
Mar 3 2016 11:54AM
23 4
profile picture
MtSnowCatDriver
Posts: 18 - Karma: -6
Everyone on the park crew at Mt. Snow knew who i was from my riding. I was in inferno every weekend and some weekdays. There was a job opening for a snowcat operator, so I walked in and asked if i could do it. If no one with experience shows up, i have the job. No one did. Five days of riding with someone experience, then they turned me loose. Best years of my life!!! Nightly maintenace/rebuilds in all parks and help build all the parks/pipe. It's alot of work, most of the crew goes home at 4, and rails are heavy. It was usually just me and another guy moving all the features. Day park crew gets to ride more, but grooming is the most rewarding, exciting, and fun job i've ever had.
Mar 3 2016 12:15PM
5 0
profile picture
50Kal
Posts: 2828 - Karma: 5,373
Usually you have to know someone who already works on park crew that will vouch for your abilities as a rider and your ability to dig a lot of holes in the snow.

Not saying its impossible, like the guy above but for large resorts out west their is long line of people who want to work park.
Mar 3 2016 2:13PM
2 0
profile picture
270on420out
Posts: 7513 - Karma: 51,155
If they ever tell you to "dig out the rail and read the serial number on the bottom" don't listen.
Mar 3 2016 2:32PM
8 0
profile picture
SkiBum.
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 3,909
If you can shovel and smoke weed you usually will have the job.
Mar 3 2016 3:25PM
2 1
profile picture
brotherdad
Posts: 2076 - Karma: 13,068
Start practicing your spliff rolling skills ASAP and prepare to be frustrated by your snowboarding coworkers' obsession with not building lips
Mar 3 2016 3:36PM
1 0
profile picture
Mikael13
Posts: 40 - Karma: 60
You could also take a look at QParks: http://www.shape-academy.com/en/. It's in Europe but accommodation is included.
Mar 5 2016 6:32AM
0 0
profile picture
Earl_Globz
Posts: 1555 - Karma: 818
Im working TeePee at Seven Springs in PA and loving it! I will probably not get another job
Mar 5 2016 7:12AM
0 0
profile picture
fries
Posts: 2978 - Karma: 7,520
THEDIRTYBUBBLEIf they ever tell you to "dig out the rail and read the serial number on the bottom" don't listen.


Can someone explain this to me?
Mar 5 2016 11:18AM
1 1
profile picture
dyyylan
Posts: 186 - Karma: 500
I don't know if you're dead set on working park crew, but if you want to work at a resort out west, Park City has been super understaffed all season since Vail took over. You would probably be able to find a job pretty easily over here if you wanted to work for The Man.
Mar 5 2016 11:51AM
0 0
profile picture
freestyler540
Posts: 13106 - Karma: 18,910
J_SCan someone explain this to me?

All rails are custom made, some by the resort staff. There are no serial numbers; they just want you to dig the feature out yourself.

Ive always had bad experiences with park crews. But, give them a chance, watch and learn is the best approach. Never turn down a shovel.
Mar 5 2016 12:17PM
1 1
All times are Eastern (-5)