Switch Gears Into the Winter Sports Industry

The onset of a once-in-a-century pandemic provided many folks with an opportunity to reevaluate their lifestyle and career choices. With 'HELP WANTED' signs hanging in nearly every business there's never been a better time to consider a job switch or a career change. Some have already discovered the joy of seasonal work at one of Utah's fabled ski areas. What few realize is that many entry-level positions at ski areas can often lead to rich, rewarding and satisfying careers. It requires a ton of human resources to power a resort, and the skills the workforce possesses are as varied and diverse as the positions on offer.

Besides the obvious, customer-facing positions like ski instructors, lift operators and food and beverage personnel, resorts rely heavily on the skills and expertise of mechanics, maintenance gurus, electricians, welders, operators of heavy machinery, spa and beauty technicians, cat drivers, snowmakers, accountants, janitors, marketing experts, financial analysts, event coordinators, chefs and plow drivers to name just a few. There is huge potential to discover and foster a career you love in the ski operations industry, and you may be surprised by the diversity of available positions. 

All Utah resorts are currently hiring.
Be sure to visit their recruitment pages to peruse all the current offerings and the many different directions you could go!

BRIGHTON RESORT - SKI PATROL - No Patrol Experience Necessary

Brighton is hiring both veteran and inexperienced ski patrollers. Score a ski pass for just $10, and help keep over 1,000 acres of terrain safe for resort guests. Patrollers at Brighton are plenty busy as Big Cottonwood Canyon typically sees over 500" of snow each season. Assist guests in need, respond with first aid and enjoy discounts and industry perks. This job is perfect for powder lovers and those who wish to work in the elements in a team-based setting.  View job qualifications, description and benefits here. Brighton is also looking for snowcat operators which is a fantastic career, according to Adam Morrisett, who serves as Brighton’s Supervisor of Snowcat Operations. You can learn what a snowcat operator's routine looks like in our recent article here. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared from Instagram

 

SOLITUDE MOUNTAIN - MASSAGE THERAPIST
Solitude Mountain Resort is seeking massage therapists licensed in Utah to fulfill positions in the Solitude Mountain Spa and The Inn at Solitude. Applicants should have experience in Swedish, deep tissue and sports massages. Additional spa service experience is a plus. Learn more and apply here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared from Instagram

POWDER MOUNTAIN - SNOW SHOVELER
Great things can come from a position as a snow shoveler! Just ask my partner in crime who got his start at Alta Ski Area as a snow shoveler in the 2011 season that boasted a record-breaking 724". He skied (and shoveled) 60 feet of powder, but more importantly, his experience in this position led to nine seasons as a member of the Alta Ski Patrol, lifelong friends, a satisfying career and experiences in helicopter ski guiding. Powder Mountain is currently hiring snow shovelers and paying a competitive rate of $14-16 per hour! Apply here. Position includes a ski pass, buddy vouchers, a bus pass and ski passes for any dependent family members. 





SUNDANCE RESORT - GLASSBLOWER
Surely the most unique job we came across is Sundance Mountain Resort's open application for a glassblower. Experienced glassblowers are expected to create production glass and gallery pieces from glass bottles and items recycled from around the resort. You can actually learn more about this unique and creative initiative here. A Sundance glass blower should be able to shape gather into glassware using recycled glass. A production background is helpful, and blowers should be able to maintain the hot shop and equipment, fire up kilns and manage material stock. Learn more here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared from Instagram

DEER VALLEY - BAKERY PERSONNEL 
Deer Valley Resort is recruiting personnel for their bakery in entry-level and experienced positions. This fast-paced position includes a ski pass, a 401K plan, health insurance and resort-wide discounts. It's hard to imagine a more guilt-free combo than crushing carbs and a few ski runs every day! For more information click here.

NATIONAL ABILITY CENTER - ADAPTIVE SKI & SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTORS
Few things in my 30+ years of skiing have been as rewarding as my experience as a volunteer instructor for the Wasatch Adaptive Sports organization. The pure joy that the adaptive students feel upon discovering skiing and snowboarding makes me return every season! I'm not even paid, and I would never question giving my time to this pursuit. I highly recommend checking out the National Ability Center, which is hiring adaptive instructors for their ski and snowboard programs. 

Knowing how much these lessons mean to the families and students involved makes participation in these programs a fantastic use of time. Just check out how much Ruby enjoyed her first lessons with Wasatch Adaptive or learn more here. The NAC is hiring a number of positions and it's a place to discover a rewarding career that helps others. Click here for info.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared from Instagram

It's worth taking the time to review current employment opportunities with all of Utah's ski areas. The options may just surprise you. Working at a ski resort provides unbeatable access to the slopes, like-minded coworkers and the chance for a rewarding career. From machinery operators to marketing professionals to hospitality, the ski industry is waiting for you.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE JOBS

View this post on Instagram

A post shared from Instagram