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Jobs in ski industry

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Owl
Posts: 1236 - Karma: 22

Hey guys so I really want a job I enjoy when I'm older and whats better then the ski industry. I really like Math and Physics so Im thinking of taking mechanical engineering in university. Is that what it would take to become an engineer for an ski brand?? What exactly do you need in terms of classes and specifications for a job like that. Like the guy who talks about breaking the afterbangs in TC8. Any good help will get some serious karma

May 19 2009 11:05PM
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jhackbeez
Posts: 2136 - Karma: 258
if you like skiing all the time, its usually a rarity in the ski industry.  Usually pulling 9-5's all the time plus weekends depending on the company.  Im just saying that from first hand experience.
May 19 2009 11:09PM
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Owl
Posts: 1236 - Karma: 22
Oh i already now that I think that engineering would be a lot more fun in the ski industry then in like being a civil engineer or pipeline and stuff. The amount of skiing doesn't matter just as long as it's part of the ski industry
May 19 2009 11:13PM
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buddychaps
Posts: 1817 - Karma: 583
you can be a marketing salesman for a company or make skis, design them, etc. thats what i wanna do
May 19 2009 11:18PM
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hank_hill
Posts: 1273 - Karma: 218
my threads for later
May 19 2009 11:20PM
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Owl
Posts: 1236 - Karma: 22
ya same man but what exactly would you have to take in college/university to qualify for it?
May 19 2009 11:24PM
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Owl
Posts: 1236 - Karma: 22
well i understand how its different how it isn't skiing but just work but how in engineering(designing skis and stuff) how would that be so different because your really just creating the skis...
May 19 2009 11:25PM
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buddychaps
Posts: 1817 - Karma: 583
graphic design, marketing, engineering
May 19 2009 11:30PM
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garygohard
Posts: 1463 - Karma: 2,871
probably
May 19 2009 11:32PM
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bp.lando
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 1,495
being a young person who has held many odd jobs in the industry I can be of help to you.

Companies I've worked / work for: NS, Ninthward, Bern, Surface, Jiberish

The industry is very fun, its a group of laid back individuals who also enjo winter sports, and having fun is always a priority even in the office.

The industry is not rich. Theres money in the industry but not a ton.

I think if you understand that coming in that you wont be skiing everyday in the winter, and that there is a ton of hard work that you might feel over worked and under paid. However for me its all worth it in the long run because I help people enjoy the sport that we both love.
May 19 2009 11:41PM
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buddychaps
Posts: 1817 - Karma: 583
what did you do to be able work with these companies?
May 19 2009 11:46PM
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Funnel
Posts: 7816 - Karma: 1,534
If you are in to physics and engineering like you said.  It could be fun to work for the world's largest aerial lift manufacturer (Doppelmayr CTEC).  I think it would be super cool to design chairlifts.  It seems even more fun than designing skis.  Just a suggestion.
May 19 2009 11:54PM
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bp.lando
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 1,495
learned how to network.

i got my start here on NS, writing event coverge, I had contacted Ethan who was in charge of that at the time. I then volunteered to take over the movie trailers page for the summer, and i did that.

Then i got noticed and got hired by Ninthward to make one of their websites, and ended up doing a ton of e-markekting.

Ninthward got me the connection to get an internship at Bern, where i spent the summer working on web stuff while also learning a TON about sales.

I then planned my own event the Midwest Ski Film Festival, and made a ton of connections through finding sponsors.

With the sales stuffs I learned I contacted Surface, and Jiberish, and I am not an independent sales rep for both companies.

The whole time I contacted ski companies offering my services, I was denied by quite a few, but embraced by a select few. Right now I am a college student, with my foot in the door in the ski industry and hope to dive in once I graduate.
May 20 2009 12:01AM
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Owl
Posts: 1236 - Karma: 22
Ya thats sick!! and liking the post before too. Im not to interested in the money i just want a job i enjoy and not one where im stuck in a office doing lame ass work. So you were more marketing what would i need to do to get exposure for engineering?? and someone who said graphic design engineering and something else would just mechanical engineering be good or something else?
May 20 2009 12:31AM
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Owl
Posts: 1236 - Karma: 22
ya that makes a lot of sense. so just send an email?? who do you think would be good to reach?? LINE?
May 20 2009 12:40AM
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Pippin
Posts: 4846 - Karma: 661
Although its Rogge's senior project watch it as it has a few interesting points to take away from it:
- case in point the industry is not a rich one, you have to understand you will not be living a luxurious life(there are a select few who can)...hey let it speak for itself

Ride Another Day - Life After School from Mike Rogge on Vimeo.


May 20 2009 12:57AM
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Owl
Posts: 1236 - Karma: 22
lots of really good points... so would working for a brand in engineering be pretty close to like working for a media company like NS?
May 20 2009 1:29AM
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bobs
Posts: 4801 - Karma: 868
Follow your passions man. I'm a mechanical engineer at WPI. I just finished a class on the technology of alpine skiing. I know seniors who just finished an industry related capstone project and had the time of their lives. Needless to say. There is a great difference between loving skiing and loving the industry and understanding your equipment. If you think its a natural fit and fully accept its a very narrow market with little money. Dream big and do it up
May 20 2009 1:41AM
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KyleA
Posts: 865 - Karma: 510
If you are want to be an engineer, the ski industry is most likely not where you want to be.  Unless you want to make very little money and not get to ski very much.  Also, if you are intelligent enough to be an engineer, I would not suggest any type of marketing or business major.  Or else you will just waste 4 years of your life to gain nothing but common sense.  If you were trying to design skis mechanical engineering or material science engineering is where you want to be.  Mechanical (which I'm majoring in) focuses more on math, physics and different types of motors and systems, whereas material science focuses more on the composites and other materials which will be useful in the making of skis.  Making your own skis is a fun learning experience though and I suggest you try it if you are trying to get into the field.  I'm currently trying to get a job at a ski factory in salt lake, but I probably wont be looking to stay in the field after college.
May 20 2009 2:10AM
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KyleA
Posts: 865 - Karma: 510
^ disregard the are.
May 20 2009 2:13AM
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rostog
Posts: 202 - Karma: 16
My threads
May 20 2009 5:06AM
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wattt
Posts: 5 - Karma: 10
i think if u really want to do it, contact sumone in the industry who does design skis or ,w/e and ask them what they did in college or if what u wanna take is a good idea
May 20 2009 7:51AM
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Mrvic.
Posts: 1033 - Karma: 154
this thread is going to be helpful.. "my threads for later" keep it going
May 20 2009 8:48AM
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philipc
Posts: 6651 - Karma: 1,286
Lyndon state college has a ski resort management prrogram
May 20 2009 9:17AM
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Pinguu
Posts: 1581 - Karma: 49
my threads, i want to here more
May 20 2009 11:52AM
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Melvs
Posts: 15174 - Karma: 480
Like BP said, networking and knowing the right people.  If you want to design skis, then yes, mechanical engineering is the right starting point.  www.skibuilders.com has a lot of info.  start doing it on your own and maybe you can show your value to a company that way.  it's definitely not a easy job to get, but if you know the right people and can show your value, you can probably find a job somewhere, eventually.
May 20 2009 12:03PM
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greenman
Posts: 945 - Karma: 27
good idea here
May 20 2009 12:34PM
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BootySpunk.
Posts: 8148 - Karma: 84
That is my dream job. I would love to design chairlifts and gondolas and things of that nature. But which area of engineering would that be..civil?
May 20 2009 12:52PM
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Yung_Gnarley
Posts: 9092 - Karma: 3,022
yeah i want to get into the industry in any way, shape, or form. i love skiing and it would be great to have the sport be intergrated into my day at work, even if it is just marketing or design.
May 20 2009 12:57PM
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OhMyBosh
Posts: 5056 - Karma: 171
get your instructors license and teach?
May 20 2009 1:02PM
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KyleA
Posts: 865 - Karma: 510
If you want to actually design the chairlifts, that would be mechanical.  You will need to know Solid Works  very well.  Civil would deal more with the on mountain placement of the lift. 
May 20 2009 1:13PM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14503 - Karma: 10,746
I think Josh Malczyk has the best job, marketing for Line. such a sick job.
May 20 2009 3:27PM
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philipc
Posts: 6651 - Karma: 1,286
oh..... really?
May 20 2009 3:43PM
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Snowgoner
Posts: 5047 - Karma: 965
mythreads
May 20 2009 4:43PM
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sick-as-aids
Posts: 3453 - Karma: 1,007
im a rep for head here in nz this season... got on my knees basically since i was 15 and just did bumboy shit for ages. now i got a real job..
although you dont get to ski as much as one may like, its still sick as your always up the hill and interacting with other skiers.. for me personally, the actual skiing side of things isnt my favorite part, dont get me wrong i still cream myself when i ski, but i love being in the environments and cultures of skiing, and thats why my job is so rad!

if you want to become a rep, you gota work your way up, even start as a factory sweeper or some shit, but once you rep for 1 company, it is easy to keep progressing....
im not sure about the mechanical side of things though
May 20 2009 5:41PM
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Malczyk
Posts: 1435 - Karma: 1,895
ha! yes it is pretty sweet deal but there's no direct path to your dream job. It's a mosh of hard work, networking, not being dumb, awareness and luck. here's a few tips:

1. work for free (for a long time) doesn't go unnoticed, get internships and crappy ski jobs in college
2. don't burn bridges, the snowsports industry is painfully small and incestuous
3. be able to realize when opportunity knocks and take it
4. don't expect to get rich, for passionate people success isn't measured in dollar amounts
5. either be a washed up pro or be friends of washed up pros - that's the fast track route, ha!
May 20 2009 6:04PM
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Gooseling
Posts: 1028 - Karma: 10
i know someone that went to a ski area management college.  but the dropped out after he realized that there were basically no jobs in the industry
May 20 2009 7:02PM
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00000000
Posts: 11075 - Karma: 82,508
There is a problem with your thread title

It's an oxymoron
May 20 2009 7:20PM
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selkirks
Posts: 1978 - Karma: 59
If you want to actually spend time skiing you're probably better off at a resort.
May 20 2009 7:30PM
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ScubaSteveFather
Posts: 555 - Karma: 574
My threads for later
May 20 2009 7:36PM
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Marissa.M
Posts: 450 - Karma: 61
May 20 2009 7:56PM
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MoistAbode
Posts: 1132 - Karma: 37
threads that are mine
May 20 2009 8:02PM
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thegoat
Posts: 518 - Karma: 11
why do you have this notion that working in the ski industry would be more interesting then a different engineering job?
I mean you are right, the main difference is that you get paid less. Other wise its the same stuff.
May 20 2009 8:07PM
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thegoat
Posts: 518 - Karma: 11
a degree in engineering (I hope you like math!)
instead of asking people around here, look into different universities college of engineering, take a look at the class requirements, etc.

getting an engineering job in the ski industry is not going to be that different from getting an engineering job in another industry.
May 20 2009 8:09PM
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thegoat
Posts: 518 - Karma: 11
how is designing skis different then designing other stuff? Where do you think ski designers work?
Alot of it is in the office. Sure they get out on the hill once in a while, but not doing what I would call skiing for enjoyment.

as for getting exposure for engineering, get a degree (I hope you like math!), then apply for a job.
May 20 2009 8:14PM
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matt.rad
Posts: 1813 - Karma: 303
I'm currently going to school for mechanical engineering. My best advice would be to get a job working sales at a local ski shop, get to know people, make connections, and work your way from there. If you have any more questions, feel free to shoot me a PM.
May 20 2009 8:14PM
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thegoat
Posts: 518 - Karma: 11
No.
not sure how you associated the two togeather.
May 20 2009 8:15PM
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thegoat
Posts: 518 - Karma: 11
sorry for all the posting, but in all its wisdom the NS staff as not figured out that being able to quote multiple posts in one response would be awesome.

What it really seems to me is going on is that you are fixated upon getting a job in the ski industry. Not specifically one area of interest, just the ski industry. The ski industry, like every industry is full of different fields. You could be involved in law, engineering, sales, business management, health care, emergency response, law enforcement, manufacturing, statistical analysis, teaching, marketing, and many more. All are jobs that are avalible in the 'ski industry.' This does not mean they are all going to be enjoyable.

My suggestion would be to find something that really intrests you and then persue a carrer in that field regardless of which 'industry' you end up in. If you really like engineering (pick your type there are lots of different ones) you will enjoy doing it regardless of wether it is in the ski industry or not. If you don't really enjoy engineering, working in the ski industry won't make you enjoy it.

If you really enjoy to ski, my suggestion would be to get a job outside of the ski industry. You will have more time to ski, and more money to spend on skiing (re: vacations to cool places, and fancy expensive gear) Plus, I think it is important to have something that you love to do that is independent of your job. I find that it is refreshing to just change things up and not have to think about the same think all the time. If your job is designing skis, you will end up thinking about the design of the skis you are skiing on rather then on how stoked you are that you are skiing.
May 20 2009 8:28PM
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ct_steeze
Posts: 1175 - Karma: 153
my threads

I was also thinking about going into the same exact thing and designing skies and stuff...
Does anyone have any suggestions for people to contact who are engineers in the industry?
May 20 2009 8:28PM
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thegoat
Posts: 518 - Karma: 11
Oh, and if you want to be an engineer, I hope you got the memo about math. you had better be good at it, and enjoy doing it. Because you will be doing alot of it.
May 20 2009 8:30PM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
As a graduate of Colorado Mountain College in Ski Area Ops here's my little advice if your interested in engineering:

Designing chair lifts and working for Dopplemyar or POMA, the only two manufacturers out there, is ridiculously hard. We visited the POMA factory, which is in grand junction, CO so no skiing really. Anyway the guys who design that stuff has crazy degrees from MIT or worked for NASA. There was one guy out of the 7 or so that were in the design/engineering dept. that had any social skills. All the others were a little off...not really skiers....which suprised me. The one guy was great and has been designing lifts forever, he has been there since the beginning. Overall the majority of the workers there have no or very little interest in skiing.

Then there's the more blue collar approach of a lift mechanic. Its a hard working job w/ long hours and very very cold working conditions. It also is extremely hard to get your foot in the door. You must have a very strong mechanical backround, and be a lifite (which blows) for at least 4 years or so. Then there's 4 years of on the job school, like a electrician or plumber. But in the end the pay is pretty good with lots of advancement oppurtunities and you live in a mountain town.

^This is what I tried to do, but I dont have a strong enough mech backround and after two years of being a liftie, and skiing 150+ days for 3 years its just not worth it to me. And I hear from many young lift mechs. that its lots of old guys (45-60) bitching at each other all day.

Now I'm going back to school for my engineering degree and really dont know where it will take me, but I know that once I graduate I will have a solid degree that will always support me in some way. There's lots of opputunities in snomaking, grooming, and all sorts of other odds and ends w/ mech engineering that are involved in the ski industry that most people dont think of. Either way, I'd say get your engineering degree, make a shit load of contacts and take it from there. It may take me years and years to get back into the ski industry somehow, but like others have said, theres a large advantage to not working in the industry and just skiing a lot more. If your parents are willing to help you out now w/ school, take advantage of it. You can always ski.
May 20 2009 8:49PM
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