Snowboard Jobs: Working in the Snowsports Industry

If you've ever considered joining the snowboarding industry, there are (literally) hundreds of different snowboard jobs available. And while a snowboard job is unlikely to make you into a billionaire (overrated if you ask us), it's a sure-fire way to have the most fun possible while collecting a pay check.

If you’re looking for snowboard jobs and want to learn more, you have come to the right place. Many of the people who work here at Burton will happily tell you that they have found their dream job, and many of us have held other snowboard jobs, too, whether that was in lift operations, snow making, guest services, snowboard instruction, ski patrol, or even working at a local snowboard shop.

Read on to learn about our favorite snowboard jobs and considerations if you want to find work in the snowsports industry.

• Working for a Snowboard Shop
• Working at a Ski Area
• Jobs at Snowboard Companies
• Jobs at Snowboard Non-profits
• Becoming a Sponsored or Professional Snowboarder

Working for a Snowboard Shop

One of the most accessible snowboard jobs that you may be able to find close to home is working at a snowboard shop. Snowboard shops need employees who can perform a variety of tasks including tuning, gear setup, rentals, and sales.

If you already know how to snowboard, chances are good that you have at least the basic knowledge needed to help customers select gear or set up and adjust snowboard equipment for people who are renting or purchasing. Tuning and performing snowboard repairs requires more knowledge, but working at a shop is one of the best places to learn these technical skills.

If you are specifically interested in working at a Burton retail store, visit the Buton Job Portal to see available positions. Working at a Burton store comes with awesome perks, like access to free demo equipment, super deep discounts, and a flexible schedule, to name a few.

Working at a Ski Area

Some say that working a ski or snowboard job at a ski area is a rite of passage for anyone in the snowsports industry. And while ski area employment has experienced some scrutiny in recent years, many folks who have worked at ski areas often reflect positively on the experience. Additionally, working at a resort generally comes with a coveted free season pass, as well as free access to other resorts. If you want to maximize riding days, working at a mountain is one of the best ways to do it.

Resorts are complex businesses with tons of different jobs available. You don’t need specialized experience to get started working at a ski area, however the more coveted jobs generally do require some level of prior training or experience.

• Lift Operator: Whether you consider the job of lift operator to be glamorous or not, ski areas simply could not operate without “lifties,” making them some of the most important people on the mountain. Lift operators ensure smooth day-to-day operation of chairlifts, help guests load/unload, and generally keep the mood light in the lift line. Make no mistake, lifties are some of the most dedicated skiers and snowboarders who live for the winter.
• Guest Services: Guest service entails a variety of jobs, from working the ticket window to providing customer service at the season pass desk, or being stationed on the mountain to answer questions, direct visitor foot traffic, and more. Folks who work in guest services generally enjoy helping others and making sure everyone has all the information they need.
• Snowmaking, Grooming & Park Crew: If you get excited at the thought of suiting up and heading out on the slopes to ensure the ski runs are in optimal shape for the coming day of riding, you might enjoy working in snowmaking and grooming operations. These folks often work difficult hours in harsh conditions, setting up, operating, and maintaining snowmaking equipment, driving snow cats, and building terrain parks. Snowmaking and grooming are some of the hardest jobs on the mountain, but the benefit of working odd hours (nights, generally) is that your days are open to ride all that sweet snow you just groomed.
• Ski or Snowboard Instructor: Teaching others how to ski or snowboard is some of the most rewarding work you’ll find at a ski area. Instructing can be very flexible, allowing you strike a nice balance between working and having free days to ride, depending on what you want. Working as an instructor can be a full-time job or a part-time gig, and as with all other ski area jobs, it typically comes with a free (or discounted) season pass and sometimes free lift tickets to other resorts.
• Ski Patrol: If you like helping those in need, are proficient at riding any terrain, and have medical training, you might enjoy working for ski patrol. Patrollers tend to be an eclectic mix of young, middle-aged, and retired folks from all walks of life who share at least one thing in common: they love skiing and/or snowboarding. Patrollers perform many crucial jobs including opening and closing the mountain, setting up and maintaining ski area boundaries, marking hazards and obstacles, administering routine and emergency medical care, and enforcing the rules. To be eligible to work for ski patrol, you will generally need a current Outdoor Emergency Care or Emergency Medical Technician certification. Visit the National Ski Patrol website to learn more. Note that some mountains have both professional ski patrollers and volunteer ski patrollers, so make sure to read the fine print.
• Administrative Staff: From finance, to human resources, to IT, there are many other opportunities for you to find the right fit, so keep an open mind.

A Note on Ski Area Employment

Working conditions, employee housing, pay, and perks can vary drastically from one ski area to another. If you are looking for a snowboard job at a resort, we recommend finding other people who have worked there before and asking them about their experience. Only give your precious time to ski areas that will value you and who positively support the culture.

Jobs at Snowboard Companies

For those who live to ride, getting a job at a snowboard company can be incredibly rewarding. At Burton, we find this to be especially true, thanks to our three-pronged approach to business that champions people, planet, and sport. That essentially means that we aim to maximize our positive social impact and minimize our negative environmental impact while delivering high-quality equipment.

With offices spread across the globe, there’s no shortage of opportunities to get involved in our mission of developing the best snowboards and snowboard outerwear, while spreading the love of standing sideways. Browse current Burton Snowboards job opportunities on our global careers portal.

Jobs at Snowboard Non-profits

Now more than ever, we need smart, motivated people getting involved with snowboard non-profits. Key initiatives in this area generally focus on democratizing and expanding access to the sport of snowboarding. Check out the Chill Foundation if this sounds like something you want to get involved with.

Non-profits like POW (Protect Our Winters), go one step further by focusing their efforts on depoliticizing climate education and empowering individuals to advocate for the places and experiences that make us all feel alive. This goes way beyond the sport of snowboarding.

Becoming a Sponsored or Professional Snowboarder

Riders consider being a sponsored or professional snowboarder to be the ultimate dream job. Get paid to snowboard? Sign us up. But before you get excited, understand that becoming a professional snowboarder is the most challenging thing to accomplish on this list of snowboard jobs. It requires an unwavering dedication to riding, a significant time investment, and other streams of income, as sponsorship alone is generally not lucrative enough to be a sole source of income.

For those who still want to pursue sponsorship, here are some ways to start your journey.

• Compete: Enter (and win) local snowboard competitions to gain entry to national-level competitions. Wins at national events open the door to competing internationally.
• Build an Online Presence: Create and share your riding online, interact with community members, and develop a following.
• Create Snowboarding Media: Build a catalog of videos and photos showcasing your unique style, whether that’s freeride or freestyle riding. Be original, be different, have the most fun. Stack clips.
• Get Active in the Snowboard Community: Many of the most successful sponsored and pro riders share one thing in common: they give back to the snowboard community. Find volunteer opportunities, mentor new riders, and actively seek out other ways to strengthen the sport.
• Pitch Sponsors: Find companies that will understand your unique take on the sport of snowboarding and help them understand how their sponsorship will help you help them. It’s a two-way street, so make sure you communicate the value that you’ll bring to the table if they can support your riding.