Ski bum jobs? There’s now a website for that
Looking for a job in the ski industry just got a little easier. SkiResortJobs.org is a new website focused exclusively on uniting ski resorts with people eager to work in mountain towns.
“From the perspective of a current ski area employee or anyone who wants to live in a ski town, a job search is completely aggravating,” says Gard Skinner, founder of the site. “You sift dozens of websites, many of the jobs have expired or gotten filled, and applying is usually way too difficult. Then from the employers’ perspective, it has to be brutal. The huge generic search tools cost hundreds for a single listing and the ads don’t reach [the right] audience. Local papers are local and unemployment in ski towns is negligible.”
SkiResortJobs.org is different because it’s niche. It only lists jobs at ski resorts. And not just the seasonal stuff, but also career jobs, too.
“There’s a huge recruiting push for seasonal workers, so the fall is time to cast a wide net,” Skinner continues. “But as each employee moves up through the organization, they need to know what jobs come open. The right tool would be invaluable for that supervisor or manager or director who’s building a life and a family in the industry.”
And for a resort it’s a good way to find employees with the specific skills they need: instructor, patroller, guide, lift mechanic, snowmaker, lift electrician or mechanic, marketing.
So far the jobs on the site are in the U.S. and Japan, but expect the Great White North to populate on the site’s map soon. The Canadian Ski Council plans to market the opportunity to it’s members.
“We want to ensure people who are passionate about skiing and snowboarding have the opportunity to pursue a career in this great industry of ours,” says Michael Fulton, marketing and communications manager at CSC. “We’re excited to make it easier for Canadians to get into the ski and snowboard industry, for ski areas to find talented individuals faster, and ultimately to continue to grow the Canadian snowsports industry.”
As the site grows Skinner sees its reach extending to everywhere there’s skiing.
“We are not putting any restrictions on the site for now, and we hope to someday have cool opportunities from every country that slides down the hill,” he says. “You don’t even have to use it, follow it on Twitter or Facebook, or go in and set up a free Job Alert. Let the site do the work for you.”
RYAN REPORT is a frequent web post by Ski Canada magazine’s technical editor, Ryan Stuart.
