I can’t believe I’m really writing this post, since it’s pushing 100 degrees outside right now. But despite the record highs, August and September are prime time for finding a cool job on the ski slopes this winter.
Whether you want to be a ski instructor, patrol the slopes or staff the shops, getting a job at a ski resort is highly competitive. One of the best ways to land a job is by attending a ski resort job fair.
Ski job fairs are a great place for you to learn about the various companies and resorts by talking one-on-one with the year-round staff. You can even schedule your job interview and many resorts make hiring decisions on the spot!
Keep the following tips in mind I you want to be successful at your ski job fair:
- Most fairs are held on-site several months before the start of the season (aka September and October).
- Fairs are usually two or three days long, starting on Saturday and running through Monday — or as late as the following Wednesday.
- The informational part happens over the weekend and interviews are usually scheduled for Monday through Wednesday. Typically, the fair starts on Saturday, at 8 a.m., with an introduction to the resort, a review of company policies. This part may spill into Sunday, but the week days are used for interviewing.
- To find out about fairs in your ski resorts of choice, call and ask. Dates change every year, so don’t rely on last year’s information.
- Most employers require standard drug testing these days.
Here’s a list of some of the most popular resorts and their usual fair times
September
- Jackson Hole
- Breckenridge (varies, so call ahead for dates)
October
- Big Bear Mountain Resorts
- Crystal Mountain
- Heavenly Mountain Resort
- Homewood
- Northstar-at-Tahoe
- Sierra-at-Tahoe
- Sierra Summit
- Squaw Valley Ski Corp.
- Timberline Ski Area
November
- Mt. Hood Ski Bowl
- Alpine Valley Resort
- Chestnut Mountain Resort
Check out our section on Ski Jobs for more details on ski fairs and other employment options.