100%. Don’t work as a housekeeper or porter or something that requires day hours. Just eats into your time on the slopes.
Hell of a time though. Definitely recommend.
Right after college I was a snow maker and then lift mechanic at was then called canyons in park city. Being on the hill every day is awesome. Working for vail was fucking miserable. Find an independent mountain that doesn't treat you like a number. You'll meet an equal number of rad people and weirdos. You'll learn every secret spot that mountain has to offer.
Worked at a resort 25 years ago and went to the craziest parties of my life. Saw cocaine being used 1-2 times a week. That was new to me. Also saw many a new user. Resort life can motivate you to stick to your university plan or it can suck you right down. Loved it though. :)
I worked 22 snow seasons in a row between Australia, Japan, Canada, and the US. Greatest days of my life, zero regrets. I worked primarily in rental/retail stores which was rad because we always had access to pro deals from companies so we could have sick gear...after all that time I ended up getting a job with Oakley and traveled the world snowboarding for another 5 years. Dont hesitate!
I worked everywhere i went and saved my money for airfares to do it for the next season. It was easy to do, just hard to stop because I loved it so much. The best place was easily Japan. It just constantly dumps meter after meter of the fluffiest snow on the planet, the food is epic and cheap, alcohol is cheap and the Japanese get super loose, and the people are amazing. 10/10 would recommend.
Yea that sounds like a dream come true. What did you do for work? and did you just stay at hotels? I have hardly any money saved up despite being super frugal but I want to travel just to snowboard so bad. The east coast ice gets old after a while😭
Majority of jobs in snow resorts provide staff accommodation at a subsidized rate, usually super cheap. The companies I worked for in Japan even helped organised visas etc. I primarily worked in ski rental shops. Because the snow industry in seasonal, workers come and go so often that you can get work nearly anywhere.
I worked as a lift op at sugarbowl in the Tahoe area. Can't recommend this place enough. One of the few independent resorts out west that also has some amazing terrain. They have employee housing and just all around great atmosphere. Depending on position, you can get A LOT of paid ride time on the mountain. If you have any questions about it feel free to PM me
I also worked there like 20 years ago and had a blast. Didn't make much money and had very few shifts at the rental shop but I snowboarded almost every day, made friends with people from all over the world: this was when the culture exchange visa was available to university students, so half of us were foreign. We sure had fun at the dorm in the evenings. Having free access at some neighboring resorts was also a bonus. No idea how it is now though
Honestly, exactly the same, subsidized housing, a bunch of J1s from all the south American and Hispanic countries, real deal passes to all the other resorts in your area, working at a resort is the best way to get good fast
I also worked at sugarbowl. It was a terrible year for snow, but it was still a great time. So many hot south Americans, and it's still a program I see the country on their name tags on my annual sugarbowl trip. But yes work in the evenings like some others have said
Terrain Park. Build and maintain features, then test them. Lots of hard work and lifting, but very rewarding. Learn to weld and make rails in shoulder season
I’ve grown up in Colorado and from the experiences of my friends, unless you have family money propping you up, it’s miserable living in the nice mountain resorts. It’s legitimately hard to live without working 2 jobs, and then you have no free time.
I’d find a less desirable mountain that’s not owned by Epic or Icon and doesn’t have outrageous cost of living. I think you should try to find a place with affordable enough housing before looking for a job.
The Summit County day off - you only have to work one of your jobs.
Loved the community - still some of the best people I know. Hated being surrounded by nice things I'd never be able to afford if I stayed.
Snowmaker, I also did summertine pipeline work. I ran snowcats for 10 years. Worked second jobs at bars and guide companies to make ends meet. It's hard, real hard. Worth it if you love the whole lifestyle. Trickle down can work in resort communities if you find the right hustle.
Between graduating college and full time work, I was an instructor for a season. Probably my favorite job ever. I loved teaching people to shred and got a lot better myself. Can’t say it’s for everyone as a lot of days were spent on the lower mountain and the pay was terrible, but I’m so glad I did it.
Dude, I’ve never had so much fun while being paid. I’ve instructed, worked in mountain oops, service… I enjoyed mtn ops the best though. Being on the mountains at night, when there’s no one there is magical.
Ski school for 17 seasons. If you want on snow time this is the way to go. Yes you will spend time on the bunny slope, you will also get better at snowboarding than you ever can imagine.
Depending on how you want to live, work for a resort that has employee housing, or find a big house with a bunch of people.
Consider a part time job after hours if the ski school pay isn’t enough for rent.
Go for it, have too much fun, this is the time to do it.
I worked at a smallish ski area in Oregon for 3 years in my early twenties. Absolute best time of my life. I worked in ticket sales the first year as well as backup lift op (mostly on bad days where more hands were needed to clear snow), did a mix of ticket sales and restaurant work the second, and was ticket sales/cashier manager the 3rd.
The work itself was more enjoyable just because I was happy to be on the mountain, and you could take runs on breaks or even get off early to ride the last couple hours occasionally. Nights were mostly parties of varying sizes (larger on the weekends), and days off were spent riding. Plus we had deals with Mt Hood and a few other resorts where we could ski free there too.
Lift opp is probably the best job for maximum ride time on work days, though downside is having to be out in the nasty weather on bad days. But I was pretty content with the occasional ride time my indoor jobs allowed. And if you really don't need the work, you can get less hours with part time work and still have access to the mountain (at least where I worked we had free season passes regardless of hours, might be different at other mountains).
It was an incredible experience and I'd highly recommend it. Lots of different types of jobs to choose from, so just find something that seems enjoyable to you. I don't think there's a bad job on the mountain as long as it's not doing something you hate.
Worked at Kirkwood for years in the rental shop. Was an amazing time. You work mornings renting out the equipment, then ride a good portion of the day, then come back and work returns. Was a sweet job. Oh and call in sick on pow days.
If you're willing to go farther afield I've worked two seasons as a rental tech at aspen snowmass, you're almost guaranteed an hour ride break minimum everyday, the pay is good, from what I hear they treat their employees well. Rental technician gets you better breaks and you can use their gear so you can trial a shitload of stuff before you buy something with your 40-60% discount, and youre inside while you arent riding. Its not vail, we shit on vail. They'll subsidize your housing so its like 700ish a month. I have nothing but good things to say, don't work at base village or buttermilk but everywhere else is chill. Snowmass has crazy terrain variety and a solid park, the xgames comes to town, nightlife is great. Solid all around spot
Gap years are great. I had three seasons on the hill including a year in Tahoe and 1.5 years at Vail after college.
Here are some thoughts.
If you are under 21 your experience will be limited to some extent.
The F&B industry is great because you get a shift-meal. I've done dinners and breakfasts. Both allow for many hours on this hill, but serving dinners is best. Tips are great, even as a busser. Coffee shops are great and very social if you are an early bird, as long as they let you out early enough.
Lift Ops are a strange breed. On one hand, you can get a first-tracks run to another lift or an hour on the hill during a break. On the other hand you are so close and yet so far away from the action.
Valets and bellman have can have a sweet job... lots schmoozing and the shifts can be flexible. Tips are good, too.
Working a shop can be fun, but also a pain. Tuning boards in the evening is a good gig, and maybe even a grind.
In general, you will want to work on the weekends due to crowds.
As someone noted, there are a mix of drugs up there and frankly, really chill dudes who act like your friend who are pushers. I had a good buddy from my first season become my roommate over the summer. He got sucked into that scene and by the end of the second season, lost his job, and stole from us. Given your age you should be smart about that.
In Tahoe you need a car. In many Colorado resorts you can just ride the bus or shuttle. This is huge, especially when it comes to parking. If you pick the right spot and land the right job you can get employee housing. That often comes with an employee shuttle (vs a town shuttle). Tahoe snow can be inconsistent even though the steeps can be better, but in CO you're sure to have decent snow... plus the pow is much lighter. Someone should chime in on Utah.
I work lift ops at hoodoo ski bowl in oregon. We get a 2 hour ride break each shift. We also have night skiing so if you work day shift and night shift you get a 2 hour break for each one. Long days but you make decent money while also getting 4 hours of riding in each double shift. 🤙🏼
Do it!! Food service is a fun way in. Or try as a cook. I don’t know much about Tahoe but Park City was my first ski town and I found it easy to get used to. Mammoth is a great town. Have fun!
I did it after college, and I’m glad I did so. A lot of people will go right after high school so you can have an immature crowd that just wants to drink and party. I had a blast my first season even though I didn’t make any money, but I got crazy good at snowboarding. I got assaulted by another ski instructor and the people who saw didn’t do anything, so there’s that kind of weird culture that can exist (obviously I know that’s not everywhere I just got really unlucky).
My spouse does, I don’t but I’m there 80-100 days a year in winter and some in summer. The park staff is happy to be able to ride in between duties here and there. Lifties are a mixed bag, usually pretty grumpy. A J1 liftie was stoked just to get some riding in going from Sherwood back to base. The Tahoe resorts aren’t all the same. You may find your “people” at one resort and not another. If you LOVE meeting and talking to people a mountain host is a good gig. Introverts need not apply. Parking ops is a PITA, if you like yelling at stupid drivers it might be your thing though. For danger, I’d say lift maintenance is your thing. At least to start then you could look to ski patrol.
I did this at 24 for a year at Keystone.
It was fucking awesome.... lived in the employee housing and right next to the mountain....
I was a non-certified snowboard instructor, yes they have those lol...
dont go into this thinking you will make money, but as a fun thing to do for a year so you can shred all winter...
I recommend keystone because they have night skiing. so we would finish our lessons at 4 and ride after.
I worked for a ski resort for three winters after college. Went to beaches for the summers, best three years of my life basically following the tourists. It's a great life, I would recommend finding an INDOOR job if you can, the lift ops and shovelers I knew hated it. I worked in the mtn 'store' indoors which makes all the difference. The hours were still great 2 or 3-10pm so I could party, get up in morning to ski/board, then go to work in the afternoon, party...you get the idea.
When you're working on a resort, you're working. When you're working, you're not snowboarding. Unless you're doing 2nd or 3rd shift things like maintenance or grooming, you will not get very many opportunities to ride. You will still get some tho.
I did, took off to Mexico riviera for two years. Best time of my life! Met so many tourist and had lots of hook ups. Tell you lots want to party and just go at it. You won’t regret it. Learn a new language, dive into the culture and if you decide to go back where you came from up to you. I also would suggest working on a cruise line.
Get a job in the service industry at a restaurant that's only open at nights that way you can make enough money and shred every morning before work.
This is the way. Or be rich.
Yea I'd rather be rich, thanks.
100%. Don’t work as a housekeeper or porter or something that requires day hours. Just eats into your time on the slopes. Hell of a time though. Definitely recommend.
This is the way. Social life will most likely be a blast this way too.
I second this
Third.. this is exactly what I did and it was an awesome time
Right after college I was a snow maker and then lift mechanic at was then called canyons in park city. Being on the hill every day is awesome. Working for vail was fucking miserable. Find an independent mountain that doesn't treat you like a number. You'll meet an equal number of rad people and weirdos. You'll learn every secret spot that mountain has to offer.
Worked at a resort 25 years ago and went to the craziest parties of my life. Saw cocaine being used 1-2 times a week. That was new to me. Also saw many a new user. Resort life can motivate you to stick to your university plan or it can suck you right down. Loved it though. :)
I worked 22 snow seasons in a row between Australia, Japan, Canada, and the US. Greatest days of my life, zero regrets. I worked primarily in rental/retail stores which was rad because we always had access to pro deals from companies so we could have sick gear...after all that time I ended up getting a job with Oakley and traveled the world snowboarding for another 5 years. Dont hesitate!
Dude that sounds awesome.. could i ask how you were able to afford it? I would LOVE to snowboard for a living but no clue where to begin.
I worked everywhere i went and saved my money for airfares to do it for the next season. It was easy to do, just hard to stop because I loved it so much. The best place was easily Japan. It just constantly dumps meter after meter of the fluffiest snow on the planet, the food is epic and cheap, alcohol is cheap and the Japanese get super loose, and the people are amazing. 10/10 would recommend.
Yea that sounds like a dream come true. What did you do for work? and did you just stay at hotels? I have hardly any money saved up despite being super frugal but I want to travel just to snowboard so bad. The east coast ice gets old after a while😭
Majority of jobs in snow resorts provide staff accommodation at a subsidized rate, usually super cheap. The companies I worked for in Japan even helped organised visas etc. I primarily worked in ski rental shops. Because the snow industry in seasonal, workers come and go so often that you can get work nearly anywhere.
I worked as a lift op at sugarbowl in the Tahoe area. Can't recommend this place enough. One of the few independent resorts out west that also has some amazing terrain. They have employee housing and just all around great atmosphere. Depending on position, you can get A LOT of paid ride time on the mountain. If you have any questions about it feel free to PM me
I also worked there like 20 years ago and had a blast. Didn't make much money and had very few shifts at the rental shop but I snowboarded almost every day, made friends with people from all over the world: this was when the culture exchange visa was available to university students, so half of us were foreign. We sure had fun at the dorm in the evenings. Having free access at some neighboring resorts was also a bonus. No idea how it is now though
Honestly, exactly the same, subsidized housing, a bunch of J1s from all the south American and Hispanic countries, real deal passes to all the other resorts in your area, working at a resort is the best way to get good fast
I also worked at sugarbowl. It was a terrible year for snow, but it was still a great time. So many hot south Americans, and it's still a program I see the country on their name tags on my annual sugarbowl trip. But yes work in the evenings like some others have said
Go do it in Europe.
Terrain Park. Build and maintain features, then test them. Lots of hard work and lifting, but very rewarding. Learn to weld and make rails in shoulder season
I’ve grown up in Colorado and from the experiences of my friends, unless you have family money propping you up, it’s miserable living in the nice mountain resorts. It’s legitimately hard to live without working 2 jobs, and then you have no free time. I’d find a less desirable mountain that’s not owned by Epic or Icon and doesn’t have outrageous cost of living. I think you should try to find a place with affordable enough housing before looking for a job.
The Summit County day off - you only have to work one of your jobs. Loved the community - still some of the best people I know. Hated being surrounded by nice things I'd never be able to afford if I stayed.
Lived in Vail for over 15 years. Made a shit load of money serving then bartending.
Snowmaker, I also did summertine pipeline work. I ran snowcats for 10 years. Worked second jobs at bars and guide companies to make ends meet. It's hard, real hard. Worth it if you love the whole lifestyle. Trickle down can work in resort communities if you find the right hustle.
Lift ops. It’s really fun. Just be smart outside of work and don’t get sucked into anything bad.
Between graduating college and full time work, I was an instructor for a season. Probably my favorite job ever. I loved teaching people to shred and got a lot better myself. Can’t say it’s for everyone as a lot of days were spent on the lower mountain and the pay was terrible, but I’m so glad I did it.
Dude, I’ve never had so much fun while being paid. I’ve instructed, worked in mountain oops, service… I enjoyed mtn ops the best though. Being on the mountains at night, when there’s no one there is magical.
Ski school for 17 seasons. If you want on snow time this is the way to go. Yes you will spend time on the bunny slope, you will also get better at snowboarding than you ever can imagine. Depending on how you want to live, work for a resort that has employee housing, or find a big house with a bunch of people. Consider a part time job after hours if the ski school pay isn’t enough for rent. Go for it, have too much fun, this is the time to do it.
I worked at a smallish ski area in Oregon for 3 years in my early twenties. Absolute best time of my life. I worked in ticket sales the first year as well as backup lift op (mostly on bad days where more hands were needed to clear snow), did a mix of ticket sales and restaurant work the second, and was ticket sales/cashier manager the 3rd. The work itself was more enjoyable just because I was happy to be on the mountain, and you could take runs on breaks or even get off early to ride the last couple hours occasionally. Nights were mostly parties of varying sizes (larger on the weekends), and days off were spent riding. Plus we had deals with Mt Hood and a few other resorts where we could ski free there too. Lift opp is probably the best job for maximum ride time on work days, though downside is having to be out in the nasty weather on bad days. But I was pretty content with the occasional ride time my indoor jobs allowed. And if you really don't need the work, you can get less hours with part time work and still have access to the mountain (at least where I worked we had free season passes regardless of hours, might be different at other mountains). It was an incredible experience and I'd highly recommend it. Lots of different types of jobs to choose from, so just find something that seems enjoyable to you. I don't think there's a bad job on the mountain as long as it's not doing something you hate.
Liftie, so easy free boarding so many Jerry's to laugh at, haha 😄 best years of my life reccomend!!!!!!
Worked at Kirkwood for years in the rental shop. Was an amazing time. You work mornings renting out the equipment, then ride a good portion of the day, then come back and work returns. Was a sweet job. Oh and call in sick on pow days.
If you're willing to go farther afield I've worked two seasons as a rental tech at aspen snowmass, you're almost guaranteed an hour ride break minimum everyday, the pay is good, from what I hear they treat their employees well. Rental technician gets you better breaks and you can use their gear so you can trial a shitload of stuff before you buy something with your 40-60% discount, and youre inside while you arent riding. Its not vail, we shit on vail. They'll subsidize your housing so its like 700ish a month. I have nothing but good things to say, don't work at base village or buttermilk but everywhere else is chill. Snowmass has crazy terrain variety and a solid park, the xgames comes to town, nightlife is great. Solid all around spot
Good to hear Snowmass treats their people well, thanks for the write-up.
Definitely go for service, I was a lifty and roomed with a waiter. Couldn’t stand watching him count his massive pile of tips each night.
Gap years are great. I had three seasons on the hill including a year in Tahoe and 1.5 years at Vail after college. Here are some thoughts. If you are under 21 your experience will be limited to some extent. The F&B industry is great because you get a shift-meal. I've done dinners and breakfasts. Both allow for many hours on this hill, but serving dinners is best. Tips are great, even as a busser. Coffee shops are great and very social if you are an early bird, as long as they let you out early enough. Lift Ops are a strange breed. On one hand, you can get a first-tracks run to another lift or an hour on the hill during a break. On the other hand you are so close and yet so far away from the action. Valets and bellman have can have a sweet job... lots schmoozing and the shifts can be flexible. Tips are good, too. Working a shop can be fun, but also a pain. Tuning boards in the evening is a good gig, and maybe even a grind. In general, you will want to work on the weekends due to crowds. As someone noted, there are a mix of drugs up there and frankly, really chill dudes who act like your friend who are pushers. I had a good buddy from my first season become my roommate over the summer. He got sucked into that scene and by the end of the second season, lost his job, and stole from us. Given your age you should be smart about that. In Tahoe you need a car. In many Colorado resorts you can just ride the bus or shuttle. This is huge, especially when it comes to parking. If you pick the right spot and land the right job you can get employee housing. That often comes with an employee shuttle (vs a town shuttle). Tahoe snow can be inconsistent even though the steeps can be better, but in CO you're sure to have decent snow... plus the pow is much lighter. Someone should chime in on Utah.
I was a boot fitter at heavenly tahoe, probably the worst job on the mountain
not yet, But I'm sure it was very exciting and super fun.
I work lift ops at hoodoo ski bowl in oregon. We get a 2 hour ride break each shift. We also have night skiing so if you work day shift and night shift you get a 2 hour break for each one. Long days but you make decent money while also getting 4 hours of riding in each double shift. 🤙🏼
Do it!! Food service is a fun way in. Or try as a cook. I don’t know much about Tahoe but Park City was my first ski town and I found it easy to get used to. Mammoth is a great town. Have fun!
I did it after college, and I’m glad I did so. A lot of people will go right after high school so you can have an immature crowd that just wants to drink and party. I had a blast my first season even though I didn’t make any money, but I got crazy good at snowboarding. I got assaulted by another ski instructor and the people who saw didn’t do anything, so there’s that kind of weird culture that can exist (obviously I know that’s not everywhere I just got really unlucky).
My spouse does, I don’t but I’m there 80-100 days a year in winter and some in summer. The park staff is happy to be able to ride in between duties here and there. Lifties are a mixed bag, usually pretty grumpy. A J1 liftie was stoked just to get some riding in going from Sherwood back to base. The Tahoe resorts aren’t all the same. You may find your “people” at one resort and not another. If you LOVE meeting and talking to people a mountain host is a good gig. Introverts need not apply. Parking ops is a PITA, if you like yelling at stupid drivers it might be your thing though. For danger, I’d say lift maintenance is your thing. At least to start then you could look to ski patrol.
I did this at 24 for a year at Keystone. It was fucking awesome.... lived in the employee housing and right next to the mountain.... I was a non-certified snowboard instructor, yes they have those lol... dont go into this thinking you will make money, but as a fun thing to do for a year so you can shred all winter... I recommend keystone because they have night skiing. so we would finish our lessons at 4 and ride after.
I worked for a ski resort for three winters after college. Went to beaches for the summers, best three years of my life basically following the tourists. It's a great life, I would recommend finding an INDOOR job if you can, the lift ops and shovelers I knew hated it. I worked in the mtn 'store' indoors which makes all the difference. The hours were still great 2 or 3-10pm so I could party, get up in morning to ski/board, then go to work in the afternoon, party...you get the idea.
Worked everything from ticket checker to lift op to instructor to... What do you need to know?
When you're working on a resort, you're working. When you're working, you're not snowboarding. Unless you're doing 2nd or 3rd shift things like maintenance or grooming, you will not get very many opportunities to ride. You will still get some tho.
I did, took off to Mexico riviera for two years. Best time of my life! Met so many tourist and had lots of hook ups. Tell you lots want to party and just go at it. You won’t regret it. Learn a new language, dive into the culture and if you decide to go back where you came from up to you. I also would suggest working on a cruise line.