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Getting into the ski industry
Im going to college next fall for mech engineering and right now all i can think about is getting into the ski industry (mainly building, design, and repair, not tryna be a liftie). Ive always loved building things and this seems like the ideal way for me to combine some of my passions. I know next to nothing about the ski building process, the industry itself, etc. but i guess thats part of the learning process. For the ppl that have insight on this or have pursued it, what path did you take to get where you are now? Including college major, jobs, previous experience and that type of stuff. These questions might be pretty broad/vague but i just wanted some input. Thanks in advance
@loganimlach
The ski industry pays like shit
The ski industry pays like shit
Now that we've gotten that out of the way....
If it's something you really want to do it's worth checking out. If you could work your way up on the resort side and move into a separate company you could probably do alright. Maybe designing or installing lifts or other shit like that. Even skilled people on the resort side are making far less than they could in something else, or even a similar field.
I just had a buddy leave a month or so ago to head back east for a welding job. I've been considering doing the same for a couple of years. I like what I do though, but it's tough to get buy when you're making less that it costs to live or pretty fucking close to it.
I could have bailed years ago but I live what I do working in terrain parks. Designing and building features and setups. Switched over to the night life full time running cats. Idk, I doubt I'll leave but the pay is pretty rough. Especially if you have any college loans.
I didn't go to school. I started as a ski instructor at my local hill when I was 14. Worked there for 3 seasons. Then moved for the same gig to a bigger mountain, but almost got fired for building a big step down in the middle of a trail opening weekend and hired in the park to fill a spot there. Been in parks ever since.
15 seasons in parks and 18 total in the ski industry. Mostly done park stuff but have dabbled in other depts to fill in and pick up hours. Some snowmaking here and there, will probably do a month of early season snowmaking next year here. I broke my shoulder one year and ran lifts for a while. 2 summers ago we had a big snowstorm and resort wasn't super equipped for snow removal. Ended up getting a radio call while opening the park to come down to the shop and ended up welding some things back together that had broken so people could get back out to trying to get the roads clear.
I was scared of the fact that it's a seasonal gig, but i've liked it. If I can afford it, I'll work the southern hem season in the summer. Other times Ill work outside of the industry and try and save up money toward the next winter.
It's weird saving up money to work full time, but you kind of half to. Ski resorts pay like shit, even the best pay, isn't anything wild. And ski towns are some of the priciest places to live. Low amounts of housing, and a ton of people willing to pay more than you drive up the prices.
Most ski resorts are willing to crosstrain for different jobs. Depends on the job, and them knowing you're a decent worker and not a total fuck up.
But you could learn various jobs even if you're hired for another, as well as pick up different skills. Welding, maybe operating machines, maybe learn the inner workings of the lifts and how to fix them. There are college courses that can help in the industry, but it's mostly a "get the job, suck up the bullshit, do good work, and try and learn as much as you can" kind of thing. Most people didn't go to college for their job unless maybe they have trade school related skills toward their gig like mechanics, welders, electricians, etc.
If you want to do it, fucking do it. If you hate it, it's just a season. If you love it maybe it's 2, maybe it's 10.
I say give it a whirl, and see how it treats you. I think it's a cool experience to get behind the scenes a bit of the inner workings of ski resorts. Especially if you're a huge skier, it's a dope perspective.
You will very very very likely not get rich in the ski industry though. So take that into consideration, but I hope that doesn't discourage you from throwing it down for a season!
The ski industry pays like shit
Now that we've gotten that out of the way....
If it's something you really want to do it's worth checking out. If you could work your way up on the resort side and move into a separate company you could probably do alright. Maybe designing or installing lifts or other shit like that. Even skilled people on the resort side are making far less than they could in something else, or even a similar field.
I just had a buddy leave a month or so ago to head back east for a welding job. I've been considering doing the same for a couple of years. I like what I do though, but it's tough to get buy when you're making less that it costs to live or pretty fucking close to it.
I could have bailed years ago but I live what I do working in terrain parks. Designing and building features and setups. Switched over to the night life full time running cats. Idk, I doubt I'll leave but the pay is pretty rough. Especially if you have any college loans.
I didn't go to school. I started as a ski instructor at my local hill when I was 14. Worked there for 3 seasons. Then moved for the same gig to a bigger mountain, but almost got fired for building a big step down in the middle of a trail opening weekend and hired in the park to fill a spot there. Been in parks ever since.
15 seasons in parks and 18 total in the ski industry. Mostly done park stuff but have dabbled in other depts to fill in and pick up hours. Some snowmaking here and there, will probably do a month of early season snowmaking next year here. I broke my shoulder one year and ran lifts for a while. 2 summers ago we had a big snowstorm and resort wasn't super equipped for snow removal. Ended up getting a radio call while opening the park to come down to the shop and ended up welding some things back together that had broken so people could get back out to trying to get the roads clear.
I was scared of the fact that it's a seasonal gig, but i've liked it. If I can afford it, I'll work the southern hem season in the summer. Other times Ill work outside of the industry and try and save up money toward the next winter.
It's weird saving up money to work full time, but you kind of half to. Ski resorts pay like shit, even the best pay, isn't anything wild. And ski towns are some of the priciest places to live. Low amounts of housing, and a ton of people willing to pay more than you drive up the prices.
Most ski resorts are willing to crosstrain for different jobs. Depends on the job, and them knowing you're a decent worker and not a total fuck up.
But you could learn various jobs even if you're hired for another, as well as pick up different skills. Welding, maybe operating machines, maybe learn the inner workings of the lifts and how to fix them. There are college courses that can help in the industry, but it's mostly a "get the job, suck up the bullshit, do good work, and try and learn as much as you can" kind of thing. Most people didn't go to college for their job unless maybe they have trade school related skills toward their gig like mechanics, welders, electricians, etc.
If you want to do it, fucking do it. If you hate it, it's just a season. If you love it maybe it's 2, maybe it's 10.
I say give it a whirl, and see how it treats you. I think it's a cool experience to get behind the scenes a bit of the inner workings of ski resorts. Especially if you're a huge skier, it's a dope perspective.
You will very very very likely not get rich in the ski industry though. So take that into consideration, but I hope that doesn't discourage you from throwing it down for a season!
Went to school for mech engineering as well.
Focus on classes that include CAD programs, materials / composites and general design courses. Most of this you'll encounter in the curriculum as is.
While the schooling portion is important, the big thing for getting into the ski industry is knowing someone / getting your foot in the door as it's a very small industry. Interning at local ski factories or shops with grinding equipment will go a long way. Do research on http://www.skibuilders.com so you're not going in completely blind.
Just a heads up, it's a really tough industry to secure a job in that will turn into a career.
Focus on classes that include CAD programs, materials / composites and general design courses. Most of this you'll encounter in the curriculum as is.
While the schooling portion is important, the big thing for getting into the ski industry is knowing someone / getting your foot in the door as it's a very small industry. Interning at local ski factories or shops with grinding equipment will go a long way. Do research on http://www.skibuilders.com so you're not going in completely blind.
Just a heads up, it's a really tough industry to secure a job in that will turn into a career.
hot.pocketWent to school for mech engineering as well.
Focus on classes that include CAD programs, materials / composites and general design courses. Most of this you'll encounter in the curriculum as is.
While the schooling portion is important, the big thing for getting into the ski industry is knowing someone / getting your foot in the door as it's a very small industry. Interning at local ski factories or shops with grinding equipment will go a long way. Do research on http://www.skibuilders.com so you're not going in completely blind.
Just a heads up, it's a really tough industry to secure a job in that will turn into a career.
Fuck somehow I missed "ski building process" derp.
Some of my friends have built there own but I have only the most basic knowledge and should just delete my other reply lol.
face shots are a powerful currency
the ski industry can get ya paid
im rich bitches
the ski industry can get ya paid
im rich bitches
this freeskier interview with jlev might answer some questions
https://jskis.com/blogs/its-just-skiing/freeskier-interview
**This post was edited on Mar 8th 2018 at 4:40:09pm
https://jskis.com/blogs/its-just-skiing/freeskier-interview
**This post was edited on Mar 8th 2018 at 4:40:09pm
Thanks for the input guys. Im pretty blown that its so difficult to pursue, especially for someone with minimal experience that lives in mideast Md. I guess I'll just let time do its thing and see what leads to what
ezavThanks for the input guys. Im pretty blown that its so difficult to pursue, especially for someone with minimal experience that lives in mideast Md. I guess I'll just let time do its thing and see what leads to what
That's a bad attitude. If you want it to happen, make it happen. No one is going to hand you your dreams.
SklarThat's a bad attitude. If you want it to happen, make it happen. No one is going to hand you your dreams.
I didnt mean it to sound as if im giving up. It may be a dream but i still have to be realistic. If i decide to go for it, i dont wanna hype myself too much. I just need to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
Build skis, gear, do R&D stuff, be a lifty too cuz (depending on the crew) thats definitely the best mountain job besides park crew, cat driving, and stuff. Anything else is just annoying soul-crushing work. Beware of the "i dont give a fuck, maaaaan" attitudes a lot of resort workers have and prepare to get pissed at incompetence.
Why not pursue engineering, secure a nice job, buy a bitchin' ski cabin, and build skis as a hobby?
Doplagang sometimes looks for people with brains. They are busy as shit. No idea where ya get your foot in there. But they build shit.
I spent 10 years in the industry and am glad to be out. Miss some of it sometimes.
Everyone that says it pays shit is flipping burgers or bumping chairs. Pay is average at higher levels. Resort dependent.
I spent 10 years in the industry and am glad to be out. Miss some of it sometimes.
Everyone that says it pays shit is flipping burgers or bumping chairs. Pay is average at higher levels. Resort dependent.
another option to consider is to find a career that would allow you to live in a cool ski town while making a decent living. Often people who work in the ski industry don't get to ski all that much. Find something else you are interested in that would work in a smaller resort town.
Where are you going to school? Best way to get into the industry as an engineer will be interning, I would also also suggest looking a way from skis, and more towards helmets, goggles, and other products within the industry. As was mentioned earlier, really focus in on CAD and other design classes. If your an engineer who can create products, as well as complete realistic renderings, you can bring a load of value to any company.
stormtrooperWhere are you going to school? Best way to get into the industry as an engineer will be interning, I would also also suggest looking a way from skis, and more towards helmets, goggles, and other products within the industry. As was mentioned earlier, really focus in on CAD and other design classes. If your an engineer who can create products, as well as complete realistic renderings, you can bring a load of value to any company.
I'll be going to either UMD or illinois urbana-champaign. Ive also got some pretty basic autocad experience, but id rather apply it on skis if possible. I havent really considered helmets and other stuff like that, but that definitely seems interesting
do an internship with a ski company. Liberty skis usually accept them all the time.
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