Best resorts to work for?

What are the best big ski resorts to work for as an uncertified ski instructor?  

Thanks,
Tom

rc4, how's Girdwood?  Misspent a lot of my youth on that hill. 

There is no best, the big thing is where fits with you and what you think you want. 

Comming out of Alyeska, you may want big and flashy, and that is just fine.  Some folks like the second string areas with a little calmer living (Schweitzer, Whitefish, Powder MT, Solitude, endless list).  Figure that out for yourself then start the search.    

Go for a certification, it is worth it.

I like living in Jackson and working for the ski school.  If you can get through the hiring clinic, a Lvl 1 cert is a slam dunk and worth doing.

One of the attractions of Breckenridge for me is the high level of training options.  Many of the trainers are also PSIA examiners.  Don't know what'll happen during the 09-10 season, however.  The reduced business we had last season prompted a significant reduction in the training available for the last third.  They did keep exam prep training going.

Outside magazine rated Aspen Ski Company one of the top 10 large companies to work for!

http://bestplacestoworkoutside.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=68

If you work for VRI next year, you'll have to wear a helmet!

To work for SkiCo you need a minimum of a Cert 2 - ski or snowboard, kids or adults.
http://www.aspensnowmass.com/companyinfo/employment/currentopenings.cfm


Edited by daysailer1 - 7/4/2009 at 01:42 pm GMT

Best in terms of location, weather, terrain, snow, training opportunities, work environment/rules/schedule, pay, benefits (e.g. housing), cost of entry (yes you typically have to pay $$ to get a job as an instructor) .....?  Your vertical may vary. Call some schools and talk to them.

Stranger,

therust, 
Please explain  "(yes you typically have to pay $$ to get a job as an instructor)"

Tom

Not TR, but on the East Coast, where his experience has been, it's common for resorts to hold a clinic for untrained instructors for which they charge a minimal fee.  If you meet their requirements as demonstrated during the clinic, you get offered a job.  The learning you experience while in the clinic justifies the fee.  You gain whether you get a job or not.

While certification may not result in a significant pay raise (in some areas), it can pave the way for better employment elsewhere.

At Killington/ Pico, in the past, we have charged $50 for our instructor's school if you have interviewed and we are interested. If you just sign up without the interview, it's $500, but to be honest, that is mainly to discourage people who have no intention of working at Killington/ Pico from taking it as a ski week and then complaining That is was too focused on teaching. We offer a Snow Camp for less money that runs at the same time for the early season ski week crowd.

With instructors school, you get a 5 day ticket (or two two day tickets if you take our weekend program) and 7 hours on the hill for five days (or 4). Not bad for $10 a day (ok $12.50 for the weekend group).

If you have experience working at another resort, we have a free hiring weekend. Day one is the "can you actually do what you said you could" and day two is HR, orientation, and the nuts and bolts of how we do things at Killington/ Pico.

K

You may want to talk to a fellow Alaskan - Chris Rogers at http://www.snowboarderguide.com/articles/about/

theRusty gave succinct and accurate advice. 

You can pay in many different aspects:
-Commuting costs 
-do you have to buy the uniform or any part of it
-rent the uniform
-pay a deposit on the uniform
-pay for normal wear and tear on the uniform
-clean the uniform or does the resort clean them for you
-housing -which is higher in most resort areas
-uncertified & no seniority pay - so pay is lower
-as uncertified you may only get assigned lower level group lessons or kids-both of which are poor tippers
-orientation and training days for their mountain costs - housing, food
-will they pay for your Certification class fees
-do you get paid while get oriented/trained for new resort
-amount of mandatory training hours you have to accumulate during the season
- the quality of that mandatory training

Yuki has a whole list around somewhere around here of the things he got charged on the East Coast. 

Most of my headaches went away moving from a second tier resort to a first tier resort.


Edited by daysailer1 - 7/4/2009 at 09:04 pm GMT