I am wondering what it takes to have a decent paying career at a resort. Perhaps as a lift mechanic or snowboard instructor. What kind of pay do they get ? I know lift operator's probably get close to minimum wage, but what does a level 1 snowboard insturctor get ? Level 2, 3 . How do you get into grooming machines or as the lift mechanic or anything that may pay good. I am tired of my regular job as a metal fabricator. It gets so boring sometimes and I miss out on tons of snowdays.

Instructors don't make a ton either.  You make more the higher your cert for sure.  Being a mechanic definitely pays better. Being a metal fabricator you might have skills that give you year round employment opportunity vs seasonal.  No guarantees that you'll have anymore time off, but you should be located by the mountain at least.  As with almost every job, you'll probably have to pay your dues to get into that cushy position that allows you to do what you want.

LEarn how to do custom boot work then you'll make money.

Soooo.....how did that meet work out? 

Posted by konk

Soooo.....how did that meet work out? 

And from out of left field comes KONK!  WTF have you been dude?  All the hookers and blow keeping you busy?

Meet?  If you are talking 30+ than this thread is being hijacked.  I think Motor city has something going on in Jackson this weekend.  Ale flew out here and we went on a hut trip.  I guess it was a mini meet of sorts.

Well dude it's good to see ya back on the forums.

I am just gonna have to look into it. I see these Director's of Snowboarding or Director of ski school or whatever all the time, and wonder how they got their start. Anywho, I am on a life mission, accept nothing less.

dont know what its like at all the resorts i can only speak for the one i work at. the mountain pays all the certified trades people the going union rate for there trade. instructors make squat, but i heard the tips can be good.

I worked as a SB school manager for the past 5 years and it's okay.  Most schools want at least a level 2 certification to be manager, though many prefer level 3.  It helps to know people like in any industry.  Definitely experience as a line-up supervisor or instructor staff trainer is a must.  The position pays okay but not as good as a management position in other industries.  

Definitely who you know and working your way up.

I taught snowboarding for 8 years.  Got my level II certification and by the time I left with the certification and experience I was making almost $20 an hour.  But I only got paid when I taught.  I have friends who taught for years, went on to work in Aspen, now have clientele and make dough for teaching snowboarding.  A lot depends on where you take it.  I know other instructors who started working with snowboard companies and now are reps, shop buyers, designers for the snowboard industry.

Lift mechanics all have the training to get those jobs.  You can see that stuff on the hiring pages what experience/training they require.  Some mountains, the lift mechanics are year round if they have summer lift operations.  I know some groomers that worked their way up from snow making/operations staff.  Just took some years to get there and know the right supervisors willing to give you a chance.

The year round jobs with resorts are the valuable ones that give you better pay and tons of benefits. 

I went from an instructor for years, to ski school staff to summer liftie and now I work on the website for a resort, a job that's year round that still gives me days on snow and tons of perks. 

But yeah as a metal fabricator, resorts are always looking for welders to work on park rails and operations stuff during the winter and summer.  Definitely up your alley.

I'm also trying to find a resort career, but the only resort experience I have is one season as a lifty, so I'm going back in as that, and hope to work my way up to groomer or other such outdoor job. I do have a commercial drivers licence in South Africa, and if that would automatically be valid in the States, I would also consider resort bus driving as a start. It appears liftys at Vail get around $8-25/hr. I expect qualified metal workers would get a bit more. Check out www.skijob1.com That is Vails recruiting site. Lots of useful info on there.

[Edited by Sean_H on 27/04/2008 at 04:08]

Management positions in technology, sales/marketing, and finance probably pay the most.  Depending on the resort, the field of work, and your level of experience/expertise you can make $40-80k/yr.   Also depending on the resort and the position, you may sacrifice some on mountain experiences for higher pay.    The interview process will reveal salary and benefits (including the level of ski/snowboard benefit). 

Lift mechanics, operators,  electricians, etc. probably make better than entry level jobs, but they frequently are seasonal, hourly positions and may not offer benefits like health insurance, paid vacation, retirement packages.  If you're looking for a career, I think these are pretty important... like Shay mentioned, full-time year round is where it's at!