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February, 2025

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"Just enough for an employee epic pass" job

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mountaindewgirl
Posts: 2314 - Karma: 21,113
Hi guys,

So what's the least amount of work that a person's gotta do to juust barely qualify for an employee Epic Pass?

I'm rocking a 9-5 during the week and sweatin being able to afford my pass next year. What's a good gig to pick up just enough weekends and nights to qualify as an employee? Anyone keen on what the minimum hours are that Vail requires?
Jan 14 2020 5:39PM
4 1
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SnickleFriz
Posts: 333 - Karma: 906
I knew a starbucks barista who worked 3 days a week who got the pass in 2014-2015.
Jan 14 2020 5:45PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 25,620
how much is the pass on the presale anyways? I have a hard time believing that the pass benefit is worth it unless you are working for similarly low pay anyways and you already live at the mountain so as to not have any extra transportation cost
Jan 14 2020 5:47PM
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mountaindewgirl
Posts: 2314 - Karma: 21,113
Ding ding ding
OregonDeadhow much is the pass on the presale anyways? I have a hard time believing that the pass benefit is worth it unless you are working for similarly low pay anyways and you already live at the mountain so as to not have any extra transportation cost
Jan 14 2020 5:52PM
6 0
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LivingDaLife
Posts: 352 - Karma: 1,349
You can do 17 days at ski school.
Jan 14 2020 5:52PM
1 0
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theabortionator
Posts: 52303 - Karma: 170,384
They're desperate enough for lifties to prolly higher someone for a day or two a week.

Snomaling can be good if the temps are consistent and they finish at a regular time. Can be done with work mid December and keep your pass without working any farther. That said youll be getting 60 hour weeks in snowmaking easy which can be great for some early season cash, or bad if you're inly looking for a day or two.

Depends on the job and the mountain. But they're desperate enough for lifties for sure at a few mtns.
Jan 14 2020 6:03PM
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BAA
Posts: 77 - Karma: 604
With Vail being so big you can slip through the cracks with relative ease. I worked in the rental shop at Keystone and the tune shop in Beaver Creek and by the time it was April I had only worked 3 days and clocked about 30 days of skiing. That was in 2016 though, would think that the holes in their policy have changed by now.
Jan 14 2020 6:04PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37895 - Karma: 127,025
theyre dying for people and its almost impossible to get fired from that company and never ever be able to work for them again. I know friends who are currently lifties that have gotten "fired" from lift ops but called back because they just simply cannot find anyone to fill positions.

if you dont really value your nightlife on weekends, id suggest maybe doing some bellperson stuff at a hotel on weekend nights when theyre busy. tons of tip money opportunities and the hardest work youll be doing is either storing peoples shit in bell closets or taking bags or towels up to rooms or running errands for the front desk staff or housekeeping when theyre swamped (and they will be). if you can remember shit, youll make some reservations for dinner or whatever if youre really motivated to make some cash. its relatively chill, its the type of hotel work i wish i did more.
Jan 14 2020 7:58PM
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Static
Posts: 8588 - Karma: 4,095
DeebieSkeebiestheyre dying for people and its almost impossible to get fired from that company and never ever be able to work for them again. I know friends who are currently lifties that have gotten "fired" from lift ops but called back because they just simply cannot find anyone to fill positions.

if you dont really value your nightlife on weekends, id suggest maybe doing some bellperson stuff at a hotel on weekend nights when theyre busy. tons of tip money opportunities and the hardest work youll be doing is either storing peoples shit in bell closets or taking bags or towels up to rooms or running errands for the front desk staff or housekeeping when theyre swamped (and they will be). if you can remember shit, youll make some reservations for dinner or whatever if youre really motivated to make some cash. its relatively chill, its the type of hotel work i wish i did more.


bellman is a pretty good job, you can also make easy commissions arranging ski rentals or airport rides if you get in with some local companies
Jan 15 2020 2:42AM
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12589 - Karma: 117,456
mtn host, one day a week for an epic pass
Jan 15 2020 7:30AM
4 0
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Mtuhockey33
Posts: 765 - Karma: -2,197
I was a lifty until I realized I could be a shuttle driver at a hotel. Just drove people to and from the airport from our hotel. People tipped really well, I made more money than working at the resort, and I got to work 3:30-11 so I could ski every day until I had to work. They gave a huge discount on a season pass ($400/season).

with that being said; mountain guides/hosts only work 1 day a week, get to give tours based on who shows up and they all got a free season pass. Super easy to do and you still get to ski on the day you work.

**This post was edited on Jan 15th 2020 at 10:10:56am
Jan 15 2020 10:09AM
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Casey
Posts: 7944 - Karma: 25,740
You should lead with this in the interview.

“I am just here for the free pass,you can count on me to work just enough and just hard enough not to get fired.”

I think they will appreciate the honesty
Jan 15 2020 10:59AM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37895 - Karma: 127,025
Staticbellman is a pretty good job, you can also make easy commissions arranging ski rentals or airport rides if you get in with some local companies

very true. i worked a lodging position at a private condo spot at Deer Valley for a few seasons doing front desk and bellperson/concierge stuff mixed with HOA property management and was starting to get some sweet kickbacks from some local companies around town in the form of free shit or money. was pretty nice actually. the tips were fat and ended the season with like almost 3k in tips plus my bonus. drove shuttles around too which made big-time money.


shuttle driving is hella chill as well, but can be pretty fuckin crazy at times (like this upcomming weekend.) And if it snows, get ready to have people lay into you for missing their dinner reservations. Other than that, you can make like $500+ a night at some properties if youre a good talker.

**This post was edited on Jan 15th 2020 at 7:39:42pm
Jan 15 2020 7:36PM
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STEEZUS_CHRI5T
Posts: 3014 - Karma: 23,161
It costs $370 for the year. You could go pick up coins on the side walk to come up with that..
Jan 16 2020 9:18AM
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b0ss
Posts: 814 - Karma: 6,261
Epic pass is free for employees
/thread
Jan 16 2020 10:49AM
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mcswizzle
Posts: 842 - Karma: 2,298
larilinesignHi guys,

So what's the least amount of work that a person's gotta do to juust barely qualify for an employee Epic Pass?

I'm rocking a 9-5 during the week and sweatin being able to afford my pass next year. What's a good gig to pick up just enough weekends and nights to qualify as an employee? Anyone keen on what the minimum hours are that Vail requires?


Holiday help at a retail shop is THE move. You'll have to sacrifice your Christmas and possibly New Years, but its usually jammed at Vail resorts that time anyway. I worked 40 hours during the holidays, then one 3 hour shift in the evening per week after that and got a season pass out of it. I think technically holiday help positions mandate you work at least a total of 50 hours. Even if you don't get enough hours during peak season, you manager will just have you make up the hours scanning tickets during slow spring season. Pretty good way to go, but I imagine it will depend on the manager you end up with.
Jan 16 2020 12:56PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37895 - Karma: 127,025
also if youre handy with a screw driver and know how to change batteries on remotes or turn on fire places, hotel maitenance might be chill. youll be working with hella greasy old guys though, but are all ski bums doing the same thing.
Jan 16 2020 4:18PM
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