If you’re thinking about doing a ski season, get ready for a weird, brilliant, unforgettable few months.
You’ll snowboard or ski almost every day, live with a bunch of like-minded misfits, and probably spend more time hungover than you’ll ever admit to your parents.
You’ll squeeze into a tiny shared apartment, make just enough money to survive, and end up with stories that don’t make sense to anyone who wasn’t there.
Let’s be real though: this isn’t about building your savings account. It’s about the experience. But there are a few things worth knowing before you sign your soul over to the mountain.
1. Don’t Expect to Get Rich
Most ski season jobs pay minimum wage, or close to it. If you’re working full-time, you’ll probably make enough to cover rent, eat like a raccoon, and afford a few nights out. Maybe a gear upgrade if you skip a few dinners. But saving money? Not happening.
A few exceptions: bartenders and servers can make decent tips, especially in big resorts. And if you land a job with regular hours, like lift ops, rentals, or custodial, your pay might be steadier than a brand-new instructor begging for hours.
Speaking of instructing: yeah, it sounds glamorous, and the hourly rate might be higher. But that only matters if you actually get lessons to teach. As a Level 1 rookie, don’t count on it. Especially during slow weeks.
2. Common Ski Season Jobs (and What They’re Really Like)
There’s a surprising number of roles up for grabs each winter. Some are rad, some suck, most are a bit of both. I should know, I’ve worked most of them.
Lift/Gondola Operator
You’re outside all day, helping people onto chairs. It’s repetitive, but you usually get good riding time. Bonus: the slow moments where you get to people-watch chaos unfold.
Terrain Park Crew
You’ll shovel, rake, and fix rails in freezing temps. But you’re also riding the park for “maintenance purposes,” which is code for sneaky laps when no one’s watching.
Retail
Warm and dry. Also… customers. Brace yourself for daily rants about prices and gear they saw cheaper online.
Rentals
You’ll fit ski boots, adjust bindings, and smell more feet than a podiatrist. Bonus: you’ll get really good at spotting people lying about their ability level.
Repairs
Tuning skis, waxing boards, and fixing the aftermath of people riding over rocks. Kinda peaceful, until rental staff dump 30 pairs of skis on your bench at 4 PM.
Food & Beverage
Bar work can be fun (and good for tips), but café or cafeteria work is pure chaos at lunchtime. Dishwashing? Humbling, but often weirdly chill.
Custodial
Doesn’t sound glamorous, but hear me out: early or late shifts = free time to ride. Plus, people ignore you—which can be a blessing.
Ski School
Teaching beginners can be sweet—watching someone link their first turns is a great feeling. But don’t expect tons of hours unless you’ve got experience.
Daycare
You watch kids while their parents ride. Some nap, some cry, and one will definitely sneeze directly into your mouth. Choose wisely.
Guest Services
Warm office, access to all the insider info, and a swivel chair. Also: non-stop questions about lift tickets and where to find pizza.
3. Should You Work for the Mountain?
Jobs like liftie, instructor, park crew, or rental tech usually mean you’re working for the resort itself. That often comes with a few perks: guaranteed season pass, staff housing (sometimes) and the bragging rights of saying “I work for the mountain.”
But it’s not always perfect. Resort jobs can be strict with uniform and schedule, and corporate policies tend to suck the fun out of things now and then. Still, the stability can be worth it. Especially if you’re not into couch-surfing your way through the season.
Here are a few of the pros and cons:
A Safer (But More Expensive) Route
If you’ve got some savings or you’re risk-averse, you can always organize your own setup. Book accommodation early, grab an early-bird season pass, and lock everything in before the snow hits. It costs more upfront, but it means you’re not dependent on a job working out just to have a place to sleep or a lift ticket in your pocket. It’s a safer way to do a season, especially if you’re not planning to work for the resort.
4. Living Situations
Staff Accommodation
This is what most people picture when they think of ski season housing. Usually a shared dorm-style setup. You’ll have a bunk bed or a tiny single, sometimes with one roommate, sometimes with three or four. It’s tight. You won’t have much space or privacy. But honestly, you’re hardly ever in your room except to sleep (and maybe nurse your hangover).
Private Accommodation
If you’ve got the money – or you’re quick to organize – you might land something more comfortable. Think rental apartments with a few other seasonaires. Nicer digs, but usually more expensive and possibly further from the lifts.
The People
This is the part no one warns you about: the friendships hit fast and deep. You live, work, and ride together. You share food, stories, hangovers, and powder days. It starts chaotic, but by week two, it already feels like home. These are the people you’ll talk about for the rest of your life. And if you keep doing seasons, you’ll keep bumping into them at other mountains, in other countries. It’s like an underground network of snow-chasing misfits. And it rules.
5. The Not-So-Glamorous Stuff
Saving Money Is Tough
Even if you’re good with cash, you’ll be lucky to save much. You’ll cover rent, food, and beers. Maybe scrape together enough for a flight to the next mountain. But don’t expect to come out ahead.
Privacy Is Limited
Doesn’t matter if it’s staff housing or private – there’s a good chance you’ll be sharing a room. You’ll get used to it, but some days, all you’ll want is a quiet space that smells less like socks.
Post-Season Blues
When it ends, you’ll feel weird. Re-entering the real world is disorienting. Suddenly you’re back where people care about careers and brunch spots and you’re just sitting there wondering when it’s going to snow again.
Winter FOMO Is Brutal
If you take a break from seasonal life, it’ll hit you hard. Your phone will light up with videos of your old crew slashing powder, hooting in tree runs, drinking beers in hot tubs. You’ll feel it in your chest. And you’ll want back in.
6. Picking the Right Resort
Not all ski towns are created equal. Some are party-heavy (hello, Whistler), some are remote and rider-focused (like Revelstoke), and others feel more corporate or family-friendly. Your experience will vary massively depending on where you land.
A few things to consider:
Snow reliability (do you want powder days or bluebird park laps?)
Cost of living (some towns are crazy expensive)
Size of the mountain (bigger resorts offer more variety, but can feel more anonymous)
Vibe (party scene, mellow, international crowd, etc.)
If it’s your first season, you probably want somewhere with a big community of seasonaires. You’ll feel less alone and more plugged in from day one.
7. Gear You Actually Need
Don’t bring your entire closet. But don’t show up unprepared either.
Must-haves:
A good snowboard or ski setup that suits your terrain
Two pairs of gloves (you’ll soak/ruin the first)
Decent base layers (you’ll wear them every day)
Solid outerwear kit
A helmet (seriously)
A party shirt or something dumb for themed nights
Most other stuff you can grab in town or borrow. But showing up with the basics means you’re ready to ride from day one.
8. What No One Tells You
A few quick-fire truths people usually learn the hard way:
Everyone smells bad after riding. Just accept it.
Your boots will become your most prized possession.
You will work hungover. A lot.
Local discounts are your financial lifeline.
Someone always gets fired. Don’t be that person.
The locals know where the real powder stashes are. Be nice to them.
Should You Do It?
Yes. A hundred times yes.
You won’t make much. Some days you’ll be cold, tired, and wondering why your room smells like wet gloves and instant noodles.
But you’ll also get more out of one season than most people get from five years of “normal” life.
You’ll ride almost every day. You’ll make friends from around the world. You’ll work weird jobs, survive sketchy living situations, and laugh until your face hurts. You’ll come home with stories. And then you’ll probably book another season.
So should you do it?
Do it.
And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments. Or just quit your job and figure it out on the mountain.
See you out there.
