Of the ski resort employers listed on our site a healthy percentage of them host job fairs every fall. These events provide an opportunity for those interested in getting a job to learn about the company, meet many of the year-round staff, apply for a position, interview, and sometimes even get offered a job on the spot.

Human resources personnel at these companies say job fairs are the best way to get hired for the winter.

We strongly suggest attending job fairs at any of these ski resorts. Attending will help you find a job easier than if you arrive during the ski season when there are often very few jobs available. Having a resume to give to potential employers when handing in an application is also a smart idea.

Job fairs are valuable for compiling information on ski resorts and their employment opportunities and are often the crucial first step in obtaining a job that suits you. Representatives from ski companies are on hand at the fairs to answer questions, direct you to your area of interest, and help you through the application process.

The job fairs are typically scheduled on a weekend, about two to three weeks before the resort plans to open for the season.

All day Saturday (8am-4pm) is usually reserved for the overall introduction to the resort, review of company policies, and scheduling of interview appointments for the next week. In case you can't schedule an interview until Wednesday or Thursday, it is a good idea to stay near the resort for at least a few days (and hopefully the entire season!).

Find out in advance where the economical hotels or campgrounds are before you trek to your destination.

The days between the fair and your appointment are a good time to get to know the general area and to scope out housing possibilities, especially at resorts where housing is noted as being scarce.

Keep in mind that many resorts nowadays conduct drug tests. It would be wise to call ahead to find out which companies have this practice. Remember, it takes several weeks for drugs to leave your system.

A last helpful hint: call the resort to confirm job fair dates and times before departing. Dates have been known to change, and some resorts might not know the exact times until a couple of weeks before the actual event. Each year is different.

The following list indicates job fair dates for those resorts that hold them. Not all resorts hire exclusively through job fairs, so consult the company information in the Regions/Employers section for more information.

Western Region

Big Bear Mountain Resorts

Bear Mountain - October
Snow Summit - October

Crystal Mountain: October
Heavenly Mountain Resort: October

Homewood: Mid October
Kirkwood Associates, Inc.: October; call for dates
Mountain High Ski Resort: Call for dates
Mt. Baldy Ski Area: Call for dates
Mt. Hood Ski Bowl: Early November
Northstar-at-Tahoe: Late October
Sierra-at-Tahoe: Mid-October
Sierra Summit: Late October
Squaw Valley Ski Corp.: Last Saturday in October
Timberline Ski Area: October

Northern Region

Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee: September or October
Schweitzer Mountain: First week in October

Southwestern Region

Arizona Snowbowl: Late October
The Aspen Skiing Company: October
Breckenridge Ski Resort: Varies
Copper Mountain Resort & Ski Area: Mid-October
Crested Butte Mountain Resort: Early October
Deer Valley Resort: September and October
Keystone Resort: October
Sandia Peak Ski Area: End of November
Santa Fe Ski Area: End of October
Ski Sunlight: October
Solitude: First week in October
Steamboat Ski Area: Call for dates
Taos Ski Valley: Last Friday and Saturday in October
Telluride Ski Resort, Inc.: Call for dates
Vail Associates, Inc.: Call for dates

Midwestern Region

Alpine Valley Resort: November
Chestnut Mountain Resort: November

Northeastern Region

Attitash Bear Peak Resort: October
Killington Ski Area: October and November
Mount Snow Ski Resort: October--November
Okemo Ski Company: Mid-October
Sugarbush Resort: October and November
Stowe Mountain Resort: First Saturday in November
The Stratton Corp.: Mid-October
Waterville Valley Company, Inc.: Second Saturday in October
Wildcat Mountain: End of October

Eastern Region

Ski Windham Operating Corp.: Mid-October

Canadian Region

Big White: Mid-October
Marmot Basin Ski Lifts: Mid-October

Other Job Sources

Don't think just because you're heading to a resort to ski you have to work at the resort itself. A lot of ski bums get jobs at nearby hotels, bars, or restaurants other than those owned by the resorts.

In addition to less competition for jobs, employment at independent companies can sometimes mean better pay or benefits and more flexible schedules.

Apply for a Ski Resort Job >>>