working in the skiing industry

[vinzclortho]

I met with a career counsellor a few weeks ago. He suggested looking for a sales-type job in a field I am actually interested in. I could try and get into sales in the field I am currently in, but I honestly just don't care about Industrial supplies and really only took my current job due to lack of contacts and a degree when I moved to California. So now I'm back in Boston, in school working towards a degree and trying to get into a job I'm actually intersted in. So basically I'm just looking for anyone with connections to the ski world, professionally speaking, who can help me understand what types of jobs are out there. I'm not looking for anyone to hook me up with a job, just insight into what types of jobs exist. as helpful as "ski area dentist" or "cougar hunter" are, it's not really what I'm looking for. any help is appreciated.

[Tippster]

Well, there go my two suggestions....

Seriously tho, the larger resorts have huge marketing departments, etc. Do a search here for a good idea what companies like VA are offering.

http://skijob1.snow.com/info/gaj.jt.asp

[Obstruction]

Meetings and group sales at the large and lux type resorts (Squaw Creek, Sun Valley or Top Notch at Stowe for example). You bring in the corporate and association meeting type business, sell them a couple of years or months in advance. I would suggest the idependent hotels v. chains because the chains move their sales folk around too much and you could end up in the flatlands after a couple of years.

Woodsy would know better from the hotel side but I have gotten to know quite a few hotel sales types as someone who has responsibility for getting meetings booked.

[surfsnowywaves]

Ski Industry...

Theres multiple choices there...a helpful start to get the brains thinking would be what kind of degree you're getting?

At the different levels...
Ski Resort:
Managerial type jobs
Maintenance/Repair Guy
Snowmaking
Grooming
Instruction
Ski Patrol
Rental Department
Sales/Season Pass
Marketing
Business cubicle job
Ski trail designer <that would be sweet

Ski Companies:
Factory worker
Marketing
Business Cubicle job
Sponsored athlete
Graphics designer
Clothing designer

Ski Shops:
Technician
Salesperson

So as it appears, you can do anything. With a degree, you'll be able to a lot with larger ski companies or ski area conglomerates like Vail Resorts or Booth Creek or American Skiing Company or Intrawest...that kinda stuff. If it comes down to the worst, you can always get a job serving food at the on-mountain cafeteria.

[Steven S. Dallas]

Bro-brah your way to the top, bro-brah.

[vinzclortho]

Bro-brah your way to the top, bro-brah.

bro, I'm already brahing the shit out of this situation.


seriously, thanks for the suggestions and ideas guys.

[sandytheskier]

Sometimes it is good to start small in the industry. Have you ever worked in a ski shop? A degree that would be related to the industry would be nice too, business or engineering.
The more experience you have the better. The big time ski jobs only want to hire people that know their shit (usually). Interning is a great way to get in too. Both Burton and Rossignol have headcourters in Vermont (kind of close to you).

[vinzclortho]

I've started talking to a guy who is pretty high up at Ride Snowboards, sort of the same deal I'm throwing out here....just looking for info...and a good friend of mine is friends with somebody pretty high up at Volkl so I'm trying to work that angle. My degree will be in international business, but I won't graduate for a few more years.

[squaretail]

Here's a look at what most US-based distributor's offices look like, in terms of skiing-specific gigs. I have not included admistrative jobs.

President
Sales Manager
Marketing guy #1
Marketing guy #2
Product Development guy
Team Manager guy
Race Room guy
Warranty guy

About 8-10 in house positions.

In terms of sales people, most companies have between 10 and 20 to cover the US.

Then there are the Van guys...often called "Tech reps," these jobs are the point-of-entry for almost all people in the business. Lots of driving, little skiing, and even less pay...it's sort of a rite-of-passage type thing...the type of job where people with real work skills come to the top easily.

Like all jobs, who you know is important. Don't bother blindly mailing (or even worse, e-mailing) companies about job openings. It's a waste of time.

As mentioned by another poster, it's a good idea to begin at a shop. This will give you a chance to buddy up with the sales reps and van guys...then they can open some doors for you when the time comes.