The type of ski resort job you get will depend to a great degree on the amount of specialized skills and experience you have. Those with experience or training as a coach, instructor, equipment technician, or mountain rescue worker will have the easiest time getting on-hill jobs that directly involve skiing.

Because of competition for these positions, unless you fit the requirements you may need to lower your sights a bit.

But don't despair if you're not already a fully accredited ski coach or a member of a nearby mountain rescue squad. With a little perseverance you too can find a fun, rewarding job at a ski resort. Depending on the position, skiing ability may not even be necessary.

Those with extensive customer service experience should have plenty of jobs to choose from. Besides offering skiing, mountain resorts are in the business of providing food, lodging, entertainment, and retail sales. If you have worked in these positions in other settings, be sure to let the resort's personnel director know when you apply.

In the words of one human resources officer, interpersonal skills and flexibility are two very important traits:

"Basically we're looking to hear that they're interested and willing to deal with the public and that they're people-oriented types. We want to know that they're not afraid of physical work. They also need to have the flexibility to do jobs other than what they were hired to do."

Finally, even though the chance to ski is often the number one reason why people look for jobs in this industry, it's not necessary to make that the focus of the interview:

"We ask them why they want to work here and what they would like to do. What we don't want to hear is that they want to work here just so they can get a free ski pass."

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