Misconceptions About Working at a Ski Resort

[@markbrodrick3774]

I did not know how to ski when I moved to a ski area. Worked at the ski area year around for 42 years as a lift mechanic, I loved my job. I would recommend working at a ski area to anyone looking for a great adventure.

[@DigitalTiger101]

I'm about to graduate with an engineering degree and all I want is to work at a ski resort. I am so excited to finally be able to apply to winter positions and hopefully work at a ski resort in BC or Alberta. I don't care if I'm payed in nickels, if it means I get to snowboard more than twice a season, I will do anything for it.

[@theworkingexpat]

I’m sure you will get to snowboard a lot more than that! :) I hope its an awesome season for you!

[@floccgotti7095]

Hope u get the job bro I applied today🤙🏾

[@bunnyman6321]

How you make out?

[@DigitalTiger101]

@@bunnyman6321 unfortunately life took me in a different direction, and I don't see myself working at any ski resorts in the near future. But I'm working toward being able to live near a mountain

[@Skiallday]

Thank you for the information! I am starting my first season at Aspen this upcoming winter and can’t wait to start!

[@theworkingexpat]

That’s great! I hope you have a great season!

[@raysegura4139]

I started working at Kirkwood and then went to heavenly then Sierra ski ranch then squaw valley then Park City then deer valley all of those years of my life going downhill it was tragic

[@payt00nt0wn]

I can’t wait to start this season

[@TruthSeeker9038]

Thanks for the information! I am an army veteran, just turned 30. After working such a high-stress career for many years, I want to do something I really enjoy and I have been skiing my whole life, so this really calls to me. Where I live, ski instructors make about 24-40 an hour, depending on certifications and what-not. I am wondering though, if it is full-time, 40-hour work weeks or just 2-3 hours here and there. Also, what kind of jobs I could look in to for off season. Thanks again!

[@theworkingexpat]

Hi! From my experience, and what I understand from my friends who are ski instructors, is that most ski resorts offer either full time (at 40hrs a week) or part time. Part time hours can range depending on resort, so you could probably find some that need instructors on the weekends or only a couple of days out of the week. I am not completely positive about only working a couple hours here and there do to the length the lessons would run. But you never know! I hope you find a job with a schedule that works well for you and that you really love it! 😊

[@TruthSeeker9038]

@@theworkingexpat Thank you so much!

[@medwards1993]

Lifty at Park City here. Going into my third winter. Wrapping up my second summer, going into fall operations in a couple of weeks.

[@theworkingexpat]

That’s awesome! Park City is beautiful. I hope you have a great season!

[@TheGamingBrowney]

Any tips on moving out there. Is it better to live in saltlake and commute or get a place in park city. Broke 20 year old here tryna be a ski bum.

[@Ramping]

@@TheGamingBrowneyupdate?

[@TheGamingBrowney]

@@Ramping havnt moved yet still at university lol

[@DigBaddyTaylor]

Thank you so much for giving me this extra bit of confidence in my decisions... I'm putting myself in A LOT of debt to study Ski Business and Resort Management at Sierra Nevada University.

[@theworkingexpat]

Hi- glad to help! I know the higher up jobs in the industry are different in many ways from the seasonal jobs, but you will probably make a lot more money. Having a degree in general will also allow you access to a lot more jobs, not matter which route you go down. Good luck with your studies- I hope you enjoy your experience :)

[@timmo5192]

I am 33 thinking to go do a ski season, I did it when I was 19 but I been kinda lazy lately and just want to take a season break to work somewhere again. The ski job I had at 19 was kinda bad, I would work in a big town, and prob try to split it with a bartending or barista job. and try and get part time just so i can get a lift pass and free rental also.

[@theworkingexpat]

That's a smart plan. The ski pass is defiantly what makes it for a lot of people!

[@janpedersen4265]

thanks you. I just discovered skiing but want to do it all the time if possible. im almost 30 but want to do it more

[@luiseliluis9946]

Get your levels in :) best to choose an international qualified cert like the NZ cert :)

[@Crazy_Alex_7667]

I just wanna go up in the engine and do stuff there and be a lifty cause it looks cool

[@facts_with_freddie]

Great video!! 👍

[@abertv1333]

I just worked to get a job at a ski school. Working conditions were terrible, pay terrible, full time really just meant stand by. It wasn't as fun as I imagined at all.

[@theworkingexpat]

Hi- thank you for sharing. I’m sorry you had such a bad experience. Were you a ski instructor or working indoors at the ski school?

[@4nd3rzzon]

I work both night time work, and daytime at a skiresort

[@imagreatguy5770]

Hey loved the video! What’s your top 3 best ski towns to take a gap year at? Looking for somewhere not too expensive

[@theworkingexpat]

Hi! When it comes to ski towns, I have visited and/or worked in several- though I have only worked at one ski resort. Unfortunately, it seems all ski towns and resorts are pretty expensive. My number one, hands down, would be Jackson Hole, WY. It is one of my favorite places in the USA and there is so much to do, no matter the weather. It is also absolutely gorgeous in the winter time and you are practically in Grand Teton National Park. Plus, the food is fantastic wherever you go and it isnt difficult to spot wildlife. Second I would say is Steamboat Springs, CO. There are SO many amazing hikes around the area that it is hard to get them all done in one summer (if you are planning on being there for the full year) and they have a lot of different events that go on throughout the year to keep you entertained. Plus it is only a few hours drive to visit Denver for the weekend. I am going to cheat for number 3 and say Park City, UT. It's cheating because I only have stopped there for a day, but have done previous research on it in terms of things to do and there is a lot there that and keep you busy! Plus, it is not too far from Salt Lake City, and there is SO much in Utah to explore if you are the outdoorsy type. I would definitely spend a few season's there! (If I was not cheating I would pick North Conway, NH as my number 3- but that is just because I have great memories there, and it isn't really a place I would be able to spend a whole gap year on.) Hope this helps! Have fun on your gap year and I hope you find a great town for you!

[@imagreatguy5770]

@@theworkingexpat Thank you so much for the information. This is so helpful to me

[@rambultruesdell3412]

Steamboat, Colorado. Great town, effective lifts, far from the crowds, happier people, and 🖕🖕 to the ski corporation

[@ariv8136]

Thank u very much for the advices

[@theworkingexpat]

Glad it helped! :)

[@jshdbbdhdbdbndn2361]

Do they provide housing cause i don’t want to drive 3hrs to work

[@jshdbbdhdbdbndn2361]

like for free

[@theworkingexpat]

Hi! When I was applying to ski resorts I did try and find free housing but there were none that I could find. If there are any, I am just not aware of them. The housing most ski resorts offer is cheaper than renting a place in a resort town, but not free.

[@jshdbbdhdbdbndn2361]

@@theworkingexpat oh ok so where would the cheaper housing be located, and will you be living with people, thanks for the reply’s

[@theworkingexpat]

@@jshdbbdhdbdbndn2361 it depends! Each ski resort will have different options for employee housing. Some may be right next to where you work, some may be an hour away. Or, you may be able to find better housing in town that is not employee housing - of course, the cost will vary. There may be some where you have an option to have a single room, if so I am sure that will be a bit more expensive.

[@tommy2days]

Did you work with any retirees? I’m planning to work part time after I retire from my current job and thought working a seasonal job would be great. I love skiing and have lived in a mountain community before (many years ago). Thanks for your insight and for sharing your experience.

[@theworkingexpat]

Hi! Yes I did! I actually had a lovely women who was in her 60s that worked in tickets with me. Her and her husband had just retired and both came up to work for a season or two - I don’t remember what department he was in…. But there were others I met who had moved up to live the ski life after retirement, and they loved it! So you won’t be alone, and if it is something you want to do, go for it! I hope you have an amazing time!

[@blueprintwebdesign3727]

How many ride breaks do lifties normally get?

[@theworkingexpat]

Hi! I am not sure if there is a specific amount if you are a liftie. In our department - tickets ad activities - our manager went for a ride break almost every day, and let us go almost everyday as well, for about an hour each time.

[@andrewadair1336]

What’s a lifty?

[@theworkingexpat]

Hi! A lifty is the person that is stationed at the bottom and top of the ski lifts. They help guests get on and off the lifts and make sure everything operates safely.

[@staceybabin7816]

which resort did you or do you work at?

[@theworkingexpat]

I worked at Big Sky in Montana

[@EduardoSandoval-t7q]

How about housing

[@theworkingexpat]

What do you mean? If it is included or what its really like?

[@donovanevans6137]

Hi,do they provide meals at a ski resort for free? 🎿🍔🍟

[@theworkingexpat]

Hi! Most US ski resorts provide discounts on meals for employees, but not for free.

[@donovanevans6137]

@@theworkingexpat ok

[@wyatt9841]

You can get a pretty good discount for food and we’re I work at the ski shop and a free lift pass for some jobs

[@luiseliluis9946]

Depends all on the resort. Some offer only 15 percent off some offer 5 dollar meals

[@donovanevans6137]

@@luiseliluis9946 ok