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April, 2024

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Ski area workers - how much do you get paid?

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milk_man
Posts: 5214 - Karma: 6,497
Looking into this for curiosities sake and to gather information to possibly be used by a ski area. If you work at a ski area I would like to know:

-what is your position?

-what is your hourly wage?

-do you get paid a different rate on weekends?

-if you are snowmaking etc, do you work nights or days?

-what ski area do you work at?

Any input is helpful. Thanks!
May 30 2017 12:56PM
11 1
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Stolpskott
Posts: 38 - Karma: 195
-Liftie

-Euro12,32 ($13,72)

-Yeah, increase on sundays. I get a euro or two extra/h

-N/A

-Can't tell you, this is classified information
May 30 2017 2:22PM
0 0
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Mingg
Posts: 13937 - Karma: 48,484
Liftie
Minimum Wage (9.75)
No
Snowmaking at our hill works nights primarily
Kissing Bridge, NY
May 30 2017 2:23PM
0 0
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lauraobermeyer
Posts: 578 - Karma: 11,529
Instructor, Photographer, and Sales Associate in Ski Shop
$10.10/hour (for instructing thats hours spent in lessons, not just free skiing on days I'm scheduled to work)
Slight bonus for requested privates, if you are PSIA certified, or if it is last minute/holiday.
Snowmaking works both days and nights, since they are trying to work in specific windows of time and temps.
Ski Sundown
May 30 2017 3:07PM
0 0
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freeskier1011
Posts: 18 - Karma: 151
Park Crew

$13.50

Nope, but I only work weekends

I work at a small ski hill on the east coast of Canada
May 30 2017 3:18PM
0 0
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
-what is your position? trail crew/snow farming

-what is your hourly wage? 13$

-do you get paid a different rate on weekends? no

-if you are snowmaking etc, do you work nights or days?

-what ski area do you work at? sunshine village banff
May 30 2017 4:05PM
0 0
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kalle.
Posts: 727 - Karma: 4,525
-rental worker
-11ish euro/hour
-yup, on sundays we get double payment (almost everyone who works on sundays in finland gets it)
-i work at levi ski resort
May 30 2017 5:10PM
0 0
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50Kal
Posts: 2826 - Karma: 5,368
Past positions: lifty, event specialist, snowcat driver. Current: livein caretaker

15hr, 15hr, 17hr, 13hr in order of job.

No.

Snow makers on our hill work both (3 shifts actually) and night guys get hazard pay for night work.

Aspen ski Company.
May 30 2017 6:19PM
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Mr.Mitten
Posts: 1298 - Karma: 3,582
Park Crew (2nd year)

$11/hour

Nope

Not sure on the snowmaking side of things

Bridger Bowl
May 30 2017 7:03PM
0 0
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iced
Posts: 3070 - Karma: 17,940
-what is your position?
Instructor
-what is your hourly wage?
$13.80?? +tips
-do you get paid a different rate on weekends?
Nah
-what ski area do you work at?
SV
May 31 2017 1:49PM
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ahshit
Posts: 1248 - Karma: 3,024
If your planning to work at a ski resort just look at the website
May 31 2017 4:57PM
1 0
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SammyDubz
Posts: 2168 - Karma: 7,220
sickskiIf your planning to work at a ski resort just look at the website


What an innovative idea great advice
May 31 2017 5:08PM
6 0
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TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11986 - Karma: 12,240
-what is your position? park

-what is your hourly wage? $13.00

-do you get paid a different rate on weekends? nope

-if you are snowmaking etc, do you work nights or days? yes. working park, me and the other full time guy would switch nights and days every week. day guy would be on from 10am to 5pm and night guy would be on from 4pm till usually 11:30pm or sometimes later if there is a build happening.

-what ski area do you work at? Rabbit Hill.
May 31 2017 8:24PM
0 0
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SKRockies
Posts: 606 - Karma: 1,689
ski instructor

15/hr CDN

no
NA

Calgary

On top of 15/hr we get 15 cash for private requests
May 31 2017 10:03PM
0 0
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mr-mcsteeze
Posts: 487 - Karma: 1,104
-Ski Instructor/Park Crew

- $11

-no

-N/A

-Mount Peter Warwick, NY
May 31 2017 10:34PM
0 0
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Shoey-Ski
Posts: 1649 - Karma: 6,190
Ski instructor
8.50 an hour that i taught, also had to work 5 days a week to keep my season pass, so I essentially ended up being required to be at my mountain for around 400 hours this winter and I barely made 450$ and it was a 30 min drive each way, (10/10) would not reccomend honestly the shittiest job I've ever had, on the days I had off they forced me to sign in and work if they needed people, (sorry op kinda went on a rant)
our snowmakers work when needed, generally night but since I'm on the ice coast, if we needed snow and temps were right they would make in day

Tussey Mountain
May 31 2017 11:20PM
2 0
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 20,180
CSIA Level 1 ski instructor
Most recently made 16.50/hour working in Alberta. Was available full time, but got anywhere from 4-30 hours a week.Supplemented hours by working lifts, food and beverage and park shaping. at 13.50/hour

As a park manager in Canada's far East:
14.50/hour, anywhere from 20-60 hours a week
Jun 5 2017 8:33AM
0 0
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disappointmett
Posts: 312 - Karma: 1,304
Patrol

12.50 at one hill and 16 at my current

payment is the same all week long

no snowmaking at my last job, the new one is nights

Sunshine Village and Canada Olympic Park
Jun 6 2017 6:19PM
0 0
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ahill
Posts: 75 - Karma: 565
-what is your position? Rentals

-what is your hourly wage? $7.85 (newbies are 7.25) with 50% off food while on the clock

-do you get paid a different rate on weekends? no

-what ski area do you work at? Perfect North

Not in it for the money nor is it my main source of income, just thoroughly enjoy the work and atmosphere

Interesting thread OP.
Jun 6 2017 10:57PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,658
You park crew guys get 13 an hour?? What the fuck


I got 9.75 the last two years. Fuck new york
Jun 6 2017 11:06PM
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-skian-
Posts: 253 - Karma: 861
Park crew/designer/builder, snowmaker, cat driver, liftie.

$12.50

No different wages except for holidays and overtime.

Daytime snow maker (7-7)

Hidden valley highlands.
Jun 8 2017 3:41PM
0 0
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fghtoffyrdmns
Posts: 2987 - Karma: 6,811
cooking pizzas at the ratskeller in government camp on hood (owned by ski bowl so free passes and shit) 12.50 plus tips, tho i just quit and moved to bend
Jun 8 2017 4:29PM
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casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,746
skiP.E.I.CSIA Level 1 ski instructor
Most recently made 16.50/hour working in Alberta. Was available full time, but got anywhere from 4-30 hours a week.Supplemented hours by working lifts, food and beverage and park shaping. at 13.50/hour

As a park manager in Canada's far East:
14.50/hour, anywhere from 20-60 hours a week


As a level 1 instructor you were making $16.50? Lol, a lot of lift mechanics don't make that, that's crazy.
Jun 8 2017 7:14PM
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corona
Posts: 12753 - Karma: 32,285
Thread summary: ski hill jobs have shit pay.
Jun 8 2017 9:14PM
0 1
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arnie_grape
Posts: 3438 - Karma: 11,465
park crew grunt

13/hr+1.50/hr retention bonus

no

mostly daytime

scumshine villas


but I just started maintenance for the summer and I'm making almost $3 more

it's not an industry that you work in to make money. people pay a lot of money to go on ski trips, but if you work at the mountain you get to live their dream every day. it's not baller money but if you're not a fucking moron it's easy to break even.
Jun 8 2017 10:30PM
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 20,180
casualAs a level 1 instructor you were making $16.50? Lol, a lot of lift mechanics don't make that, that's crazy.


Well I was considered "Level 1 plus" because I have a lot of experience and ski at a much higher level. Also where i was working, the instructors get a good wage because sometimes there are only a few shifts in a pay period, even for full time instructors. Minimum wage in Alberta is 13.50/hour I think too.
I actually was paid a little better than that instructing in PEI, because the ski hill here is a provincial park, paying government wages.
Jun 9 2017 7:17AM
0 0
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12425 - Karma: 114,622
DavidCarlsson-Liftie

-Euro12,32 ($13,72)

-Yeah, increase on sundays. I get a euro or two extra/h

-N/A

-Can't tell you, this is classified information


What the fuck. You show me your pay stub right now, i quit my job and i come work for you
Jun 9 2017 9:12AM
0 0
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vikidi.
Posts: 74 - Karma: 197
I've tried out a little bit of everything. The jobs have all been in Finland and i got the same pay on weekends.
Ski instructor - 16-22€ hour depending on ski area.
Liftie/rental shop - 10-11€ hour
park building and maintenance - 11€ hour or voluntary work
Ski restaurant - 10-11€ hour
Snowmaking was mostly during nights, sometimes during days aswell when it was the beginning of the season
Jun 9 2017 9:52AM
0 0
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montanan
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 1,346
Park crew
8.90/hr under the table
Snowbowl, missoula montana
Jun 9 2017 10:21AM
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milk_man
Posts: 5214 - Karma: 6,497
montananPark crew
8.90/hr under the table
Snowbowl, missoula montana


Inb4 IRS
Jun 9 2017 2:27PM
2 0
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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,007
casualAs a level 1 instructor you were making $16.50? Lol, a lot of lift mechanics don't make that, that's crazy.


Pretty standard across the board that instructors make more than lift mechanics, pisses us right off but goes to show where ski areas think the money deserves to go. ski school is a profit machine, fuck all of us who have a mad specific skill set and work year round busting ass to keep shitty lifts turning...


-what is your position? level II lift mechanic

-what is your hourly wage? $15.50/hr

-do you get paid a different rate on weekends? negative, I work weds-sat all year long, pay never changes based on season or day of the week.

-if you are snowmaking etc, do you work nights or days? our snowmakers have day shift and night shift guys, only two of them stay on for summer to do maintenance on compressors and water lines etc, most of the crew works as soon as fall hits and its cold enough and get laid off around mid december, still get a free season pass though and a lot of them segway into grooming once snowmaking season ends.

-what ski area do you work at? big sky, montana
Jun 10 2017 9:10PM
1 0
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ETonasnowboard
Posts: 9 - Karma: 20
-Snowboard/ski instructor (Anwärter)

- I think a bit over €10, not really specified (€1350 per month if you work 6 full days a week)

- Sunday is a normal working day; festive days (easter, boxing day, newyears etc) double pay, saturday is normally your day off so if you do work and it's your seventh day of working in a row you also get paid double I think

-Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Austria
Jun 11 2017 8:24AM
0 0
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333
I am a park builder and park manager in Norway, Myrkdalen.

My pay works out to about 23 euros an hour, however I do get holiday pay as well which is a one time yearly payment of about 2000 euros.

I work any hour of the day. The pay is very good, but I am also expected to work any hour with very short notice, so not much of a social life really.
Jun 12 2017 2:48AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51293 - Karma: 157,944
Job: park stuff
Wage: hopefully enough to party
Same rate on weekends
Working day crew mostly
At the moment working at Afriski


Most places pay the same rate on weekends in the states. Sometimes grave shift with get a better hourly wage.
Jun 12 2017 3:09AM
1 0
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 20,180
DaphPretty standard across the board that instructors make more than lift mechanics, pisses us right off but goes to show where ski areas think the money deserves to go. ski school is a profit machine, fuck all of us who have a mad specific skill set and work year round busting ass to keep shitty lifts turning...


-what is your position? level II lift mechanic

-what is your hourly wage? $15.50/hr

Absolutely agree that lift mechanics make less than half of what you should.
Your dollar is a good bit more valuable though and groceries and fuel are much cheaper in the States.
Jun 16 2017 8:48AM
0 0
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,883
-what is your position?
Park Crew/Assistant Manager
-what is your hourly wage?
$10/hr for digger, increase in pay each year. $15/hr for assistant manager
-do you get paid a different rate on weekends?
Nope
-if you are snowmaking etc, do you work nights or days?
As part of the mountain operations team, I did work some snowmaking (my rate didn't change), I worked days (my normal hours were 6am-2pm weekdays, 5am-2pm weekends). But, we have snowmaking around the clock when necessary.
-what ski area do you work at?
Ski Sundown

Note - this was all 2 years ago, and my position was very individualized because of my particular skills.
Jun 16 2017 11:41AM
0 0
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TowRopeCalvin
Posts: 138 - Karma: 361
Asst. Hill operations manager
16.50 per hour plus 6.4% bonus of remaining budget
I work night and day snow making depends on the time of year and build the t park
Jun 17 2017 9:31PM
0 0
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humpty
Posts: 1189 - Karma: 3,150
Snowmaking
13 hr
I worked 2nd and 1st shift 6am/2pm and 2pm-10pm
If you don't mind getting soaking wet in below freezing weather, and working at the same time.
Jun 19 2017 9:28PM
0 0
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corona
Posts: 12753 - Karma: 32,285
DaphPretty standard across the board that instructors make more than lift mechanics, pisses us right off but goes to show where ski areas think the money deserves to go. ski school is a profit machine, fuck all of us who have a mad specific skill set and work year round busting ass to keep shitty lifts turning...


-what is your position? level II lift mechanic

-what is your hourly wage? $15.50/hr

-do you get paid a different rate on weekends? negative, I work weds-sat all year long, pay never changes based on season or day of the week.

-if you are snowmaking etc, do you work nights or days? our snowmakers have day shift and night shift guys, only two of them stay on for summer to do maintenance on compressors and water lines etc, most of the crew works as soon as fall hits and its cold enough and get laid off around mid december, still get a free season pass though and a lot of them segway into grooming once snowmaking season ends.

-what ski area do you work at? big sky, montana


What sort of special training do you need? At $15.50 you're making about what a car mechanic makes starting out (maybe a hair less). That's just how your line of work is valued, not just lift mechanics. If you want more then do something more specialized that takes more training like airplanes. The market probably values instructors more skill being able to ski well enough to teach is more of a niche skill. I do think lift mechanic should make more though
Jun 20 2017 6:58AM
1 0
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MeenaSmalls
Posts: 888 - Karma: 1,776
GORILLAWALLACEpark crew grunt

13/hr+1.50/hr retention bonus

no

mostly daytime

scumshine villas


but I just started maintenance for the summer and I'm making almost $3 more

it's not an industry that you work in to make money. people pay a lot of money to go on ski trips, but if you work at the mountain you get to live their dream every day. it's not baller money but if you're not a fucking moron it's easy to break even.


ya i aswell worked on sunshine park crew with this idiot. And ya it was fairly good money for how much skiing you get in. You get too ski all day for work and it doesnt get any better than that!
Jun 20 2017 3:07PM
0 0
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Erikaaa
Posts: 423 - Karma: 601
Ski Instructor

Minimum ($10)

No different rate on weekend

n/a

Mount Snow

--- Only work a max of ~6 hours a day - but get a SHIT TON of ride time since I only work weekends. Worked as this position for two mountains and both provided a bunch of freeride time. Also half the lessons I get, I just spend riding around the mountain with the kids/adults so It's super chill - only the beginner lessons are super intense usually.
Jun 21 2017 1:53AM
0 0
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VailValleySkier
Posts: 224 - Karma: 515
Food & Beverage Receiving Clerk (3pm-11pm)

$11.00

Lmao fuck no.

I work from 3:00pm - 11:00pm and get to freeski all day.

Vail
Jun 21 2017 9:26AM
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