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July, 2025

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Parking Attendant

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kaicycle
Posts: 43 - Karma: 427
Anyone here worked parking at a resort? Did it suck? Did you get to ski much?

I'm moving to Tahoe this season to work at Palisades, first time working at a resort. Got offered a job as a parking attendant. Seems pretty chill to me, 7am-4pm shifts with a 2hr ride break. Otherwise I might be able to get on the grooming team doing graveyard shift, which would be great for skiing but also feel like it might kill my social life and mental state. Thoughts?
2 years ago
15 0
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hi_vis360
Posts: 5405 - Karma: 56,106
Parking attendant has always seemed like a chill gig to me. Spend time outside, boss tourists around, and you get to wear HI VIS. I imagine you would learn a lot more useful skills running the cat though
2 years ago
27 0
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7997 - Karma: 23,485
I did parking and i hated it so much. I'd rather scan passes. Grooming would be wayyy better.
2 years ago
12 0
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Kyguyy
Posts: 614 - Karma: 6,580
Fuck yea parking!! I did it last winter and it was pretty dope, great pay (at killington), great skiing hours during the week, funny interactions with pissed off people, cones, and other things. You just gotta dress warm and be ready to be belittled by entitled mfers in sprinter vans and/or teslas/rivians. If you’re looking for a lot of time for skiing/riding then parking may be for you.
2 years ago
18 0
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soup
Posts: 6354 - Karma: 4,486
How in the fuck, is grooming an entry level job at a ski hill. Dishwasher, parking attendant, operating a $350k equipment at night by yourself, are not three entry level jobs imo.
2 years ago
15 0
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b0ss
Posts: 822 - Karma: 6,377
BRO are you seriously considering parking lot attendant over grooming? Get a grip! What kind of “social life” are you talking about? The kind where you sit around at employee housing, take bong rips and watch cops? Or the one where you get invited to potlucks, have hella clout, work around people who are actually passionate…
I’ll be working snowmaking and I better see you in a cat when those piles start getting tall. Think about your futurrerrrrrrrrrrrrrr
2 years ago
20 0
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brownetown
Posts: 505 - Karma: 4,989
Would highly recommend parking, it’s definitely the ski area job that allows you to ski the most besides evening hospo. If you have a good mentality you’ll be fine, plus you often get thrown beers and lil snacks from guests. All the grooming crew guys I’ve talked to hate their lives cause they’re up all night working and then sleep all day cause they don’t have the energy to ski. Certainly not the case for everyone, I’m sure some love it, but proceed with caution.
2 years ago
3 0
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kaicycle
Posts: 43 - Karma: 427
skiP.E.I.I did parking and i hated it so much. I'd rather scan passes. Grooming would be wayyy better.


Ah yeah what made it so bad in your experience?
2 years ago
0 0
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kaicycle
Posts: 43 - Karma: 427
soupHow in the fuck, is grooming an entry level job at a ski hill. Dishwasher, parking attendant, operating a $350k equipment at night by yourself, are not three entry level jobs imo.


Don't ask me mate I'm just the one applying... the listing said they were open to anyone. A manager I spoke to said I'd likely be qualified enough (despite not having any machinery operating experience).
2 years ago
1 0
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kaicycle
Posts: 43 - Karma: 427
b0ssBRO are you seriously considering parking lot attendant over grooming? Get a grip! What kind of “social life” are you talking about? The kind where you sit around at employee housing, take bong rips and watch cops? Or the one where you get invited to potlucks, have hella clout, work around people who are actually passionate…
I’ll be working snowmaking and I better see you in a cat when those piles start getting tall. Think about your futurrerrrrrrrrrrrrrr


"Sit around at employee housing" lol I wish.

I'm by no means guaranteed a spot on grooming, but I already have an offer in hand for parking. Just trying to figure out the best way to ski for a season and not hate my life. If I wanted "clout" or a "future" out of it then I'd be looking at ski patrol.
2 years ago
4 0
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ToddlerBodyBag
Posts: 283 - Karma: 2,093
Every parking lot employee I’ve ever seen looks pissed tf off. It does not seem healthy to be that wired all day
2 years ago
1 0
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7997 - Karma: 23,485
kaicycleAh yeah what made it so bad in your experience?


I guess part of the problem is I didn't really sign up to do it- was working lifts at a small resort due to having an injury that kept me off skis. Had to do parking a few times when it was super busy because the pass to Fernie was closed after a storm. Since the place I was working usually wasn't that busy, the parking situation was totally inadequate for that many vehicles, people were doing dumb shit everywhere and everyone was pissed off. It was also around -30 C so hard to stay warm. I would have rather been washing dishes, at least it would be warm and time would pass quickly. What hurt more is that my actual job when not injured was instructing, and people were booking private lessons just to skip the line on those days.

I've also operated a groomer at a different small resort and while the hours aren't fun, it's more enjoyable than standing in a parking lot all morning, and I love building parks.

**This post was edited on Sep 11th 2023 at 9:27:30am

**This post was edited on Sep 11th 2023 at 9:28:25am
2 years ago
3 0
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bennwithtwons
Posts: 1807 - Karma: 18,127
get a parking job at diamond peak instead. there is only space for a few hundred cars, so i suspect your work day would be super easy
2 years ago
3 0
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HypeBeast
Posts: 10097 - Karma: 76,795
What are the hours for the grooming shift? You said graveyard but some people say that for evening shifts that let out at 1am and some use it for night shift. If it's really a true night shift where you get off at 5, 6, or 7am, don't do it. Even jobs people like doing overnight are taxing mentally and physically over time. No fucking chance any resort pays enough to justify night shift. You're comparing apples to oranges here.

7-4pm with a 2hr break sounds pretty chill.
2 years ago
3 0
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hoodratz47
Posts: 12028 - Karma: 9,586
Have Hella clout. Yeahhhh. Sure
b0ssBRO are you seriously considering parking lot attendant over grooming? Get a grip! What kind of “social life” are you talking about? The kind where you sit around at employee housing, take bong rips and watch cops? Or the one where you get invited to potlucks, have hella clout, work around people who are actually passionate…
I’ll be working snowmaking and I better see you in a cat when those piles start getting tall. Think about your futurrerrrrrrrrrrrrrr
2 years ago
2 0
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Skibumsmith
Posts: 5478 - Karma: 12,461
If you actually want to ski: fight fires or get on a roofing crew or landscaping crew in the summer.
If you'd rather not slave away during the summer but still want to ski a lot: wait tables.
If you realllly want to work for mtn ops and ski a lot: building maintenance.
2 years ago
6 0
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partyandBS
Posts: 6234 - Karma: 95,925
i did part parking from 12/13-14/15 and it was dope. the thing about parking and really any job is that its what you make it.

the bad:
-it will be dark and cold but there’s no such thing as bad weather. just bad layering
-people will get angry. emotional intelligence and not reciprocating the energy back are key. this is much easier for some people than others
-the work happens before 11a and the rest of the day is slow

the opportunities:
-parking is a small department. you can be a standout here much easier than a larger department like lift ops/ski school
-you get more contact with your leaders. if they are good, this is fuckin awesome for career development and getting promoted. if they are not than that can fuckin suck.
-guest comments. you are the first impression they get of their ski experience so they are more likely to remember. fuckin huge advantage for programs that reward people who have positive guest comments. great for end of season reviews and making a career out of it

ultimately its what you make it. i saw so many people stand around and almost just watch the clock tick and be miserable. i couldnt do that. i would carry gear, talk to people, pick up trash, etc. it made it so much more enjoyable that way.
2 years ago
6 0
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HypeBeast
Posts: 10097 - Karma: 76,795
partyandBSi did part parking from 12/13-14/15 and it was dope. the thing about parking and really any job is that its what you make it.

the bad:
-it will be dark and cold but there’s no such thing as bad weather. just bad layering
-people will get angry. emotional intelligence and not reciprocating the energy back are key. this is much easier for some people than others
-the work happens before 11a and the rest of the day is slow

the opportunities:
-parking is a small department. you can be a standout here much easier than a larger department like lift ops/ski school
-you get more contact with your leaders. if they are good, this is fuckin awesome for career development and getting promoted. if they are not than that can fuckin suck.
-guest comments. you are the first impression they get of their ski experience so they are more likely to remember. fuckin huge advantage for programs that reward people who have positive guest comments. great for end of season reviews and making a career out of it

ultimately its what you make it. i saw so many people stand around and almost just watch the clock tick and be miserable. i couldnt do that. i would carry gear, talk to people, pick up trash, etc. it made it so much more enjoyable that way.


Fuckin love parking attendants like you. I barely notice the dudes who look like recluses just waving people in, but the people who appear stoked and happy you're there can really set your day up for success. It's pretty rare to see people like that in lots tho.

The people who are cocksuckers and obviously too high to wave you in properly, but then get annoyed you didn't follow their conflicting directions are the worst. Same goes for the people who are overbearing.
2 years ago
5 0
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kaicycle
Posts: 43 - Karma: 427
partyandBSi did part parking from 12/13-14/15 and it was dope. the thing about parking and really any job is that its what you make it.

the bad:
-it will be dark and cold but there’s no such thing as bad weather. just bad layering
-people will get angry. emotional intelligence and not reciprocating the energy back are key. this is much easier for some people than others
-the work happens before 11a and the rest of the day is slow

the opportunities:
-parking is a small department. you can be a standout here much easier than a larger department like lift ops/ski school
-you get more contact with your leaders. if they are good, this is fuckin awesome for career development and getting promoted. if they are not than that can fuckin suck.
-guest comments. you are the first impression they get of their ski experience so they are more likely to remember. fuckin huge advantage for programs that reward people who have positive guest comments. great for end of season reviews and making a career out of it

ultimately its what you make it. i saw so many people stand around and almost just watch the clock tick and be miserable. i couldnt do that. i would carry gear, talk to people, pick up trash, etc. it made it so much more enjoyable that way.


Cheers for this mate, super helpful stuff. Absolutely right about any job being what you make it and sounds like you managed to get a lot out of it. A good attitude goes a long way it seems.

Hadn't considered the opportunities shit you mentioned but that's some great info to have about the job too especially about visibility in the resort and contact with the higher ups.
2 years ago
2 0
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kaicycle
Posts: 43 - Karma: 427
runforlove2024What are the hours for the grooming shift? You said graveyard but some people say that for evening shifts that let out at 1am and some use it for night shift. If it's really a true night shift where you get off at 5, 6, or 7am, don't do it. Even jobs people like doing overnight are taxing mentally and physically over time. No fucking chance any resort pays enough to justify night shift. You're comparing apples to oranges here.

7-4pm with a 2hr break sounds pretty chill.


From what I can tell graveyard for grooming is the 12-7am shift. And yeah I'd almost certainly be on the same wages as an entry level groomer vs parking. I've done a bit of night work before but only on a part time basis and it was okay, but I suspect full time would fuck me over pretty hard, especially trying to ski every day on top of that.
2 years ago
2 1
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HypeBeast
Posts: 10097 - Karma: 76,795
kaicycleFrom what I can tell graveyard for grooming is the 12-7am shift. And yeah I'd almost certainly be on the same wages as an entry level groomer vs parking. I've done a bit of night work before but only on a part time basis and it was okay, but I suspect full time would fuck me over pretty hard, especially trying to ski every day on top of that.


Every day the entire season? Or is it a rotating x amount of days on and off? I've never worked at a ski resort, but I've been on a 7on7off night shift schedule for the past 2 years. Working everyday nights would make me suicidal especially knowing there's no shift differential and no pay difference for skill set.

-Getting off at 7am is tits, especially if you got shit to do. Focus doesn't last much beyond noon before getting delirious. Some days, the focus goes early. I'd be skeptical how safe you could ski after a night shift. 7hr shift ain't bad. I do 10's so that might be part of it.
-Your circadian rhythm will be fucked if you flip flop back and forth between days and nights. Imagine being tired all day on your off days, then having insomnia all night. No sleep. And headaches.
-Even if you are careful to get good night sleep, eat good, exercise, etc. your mental and physical health can still go down the drain simply from being on that cycle. I've definitely become a bigger asshole since I went on nights.
-It could be sick for pow days. Get off work, ski for a few hours and then hit the sack. This schedule would definitely maximize your skiing. Social life would be questionable.

Maybe @theabortionator has better advice.
2 years ago
4 0
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kaicycle
Posts: 43 - Karma: 427
runforlove2024Every day the entire season? Or is it a rotating x amount of days on and off? I've never worked at a ski resort, but I've been on a 7on7off night shift schedule for the past 2 years. Working everyday nights would make me suicidal especially knowing there's no shift differential and no pay difference for skill set.

-Getting off at 7am is tits, especially if you got shit to do. Focus doesn't last much beyond noon before getting delirious. Some days, the focus goes early. I'd be skeptical how safe you could ski after a night shift. 7hr shift ain't bad. I do 10's so that might be part of it.
-Your circadian rhythm will be fucked if you flip flop back and forth between days and nights. Imagine being tired all day on your off days, then having insomnia all night. No sleep. And headaches.
-Even if you are careful to get good night sleep, eat good, exercise, etc. your mental and physical health can still go down the drain simply from being on that cycle. I've definitely become a bigger asshole since I went on nights.
-It could be sick for pow days. Get off work, ski for a few hours and then hit the sack. This schedule would definitely maximize your skiing. Social life would be questionable.

Maybe @theabortionator has better advice.


No idea what the rostering would be like, I'm still waiting to hear back from the grooming dude.

But yeah the thought of getting off work in the morning and being too spent from work/lack of sleep to ski much seems pretty trash and honestly makes me think that a 2hr ride break in the middle of the day might make more sense. My sleep schedule and mental health are already a bit wack so working nights could be adding fuel to the fire on that front. Having the ability to ski any day you want is still a big pull though...
2 years ago
1 0
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teamdummy
Posts: 1189 - Karma: 2,607
Parking crew hack….. keep some of the primo spots open. Then offer them up to the wealthy fuckers in g-wagons and Audi Avants for an under the table up charge. They’ll gladly pay it for front row parking at 10 am. You and the crew split the earnings everyday for a cash bonus.
2 years ago
2 0
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7997 - Karma: 23,485
teamdummyParking crew hack….. keep some of the primo spots open. Then offer them up to the wealthy fuckers in g-wagons and Audi Avants for an under the table up charge. They’ll gladly pay it for front row parking at 10 am. You and the crew split the earnings everyday for a cash bonus.


I would have gotten fired for this shit.
2 years ago
0 0
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teamdummy
Posts: 1189 - Karma: 2,607
skiP.E.I.I would have gotten fired for this shit.

Oh it’s shady, no doubt. The whole crew has to be involved. And on the dl at the same time. The best side hustles always have a little dirt on them.
2 years ago
2 0
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Pakanaka
Posts: 320 - Karma: 1,995
done 2 seasons working as a carparker and can honestly say skiing wise it is one of the best jobs on the mountain. super chill as long as your surpervisors are cool then you'll have a mean time. music is essential and hopefully your co workers are homies. money wise not the greatest but we out here living the best life so totally worth it.
2 years ago
2 0
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kaicycle
Posts: 43 - Karma: 427
Pakanakadone 2 seasons working as a carparker and can honestly say skiing wise it is one of the best jobs on the mountain. super chill as long as your surpervisors are cool then you'll have a mean time. music is essential and hopefully your co workers are homies. money wise not the greatest but we out here living the best life so totally worth it.


Chur bro, I reckon I'm gonna pull the trigger on it. If it ends up being ass then I might try move to part time and work hospo on the side.
2 years ago
0 0
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