You already love the slopes and can’t get enough of the action, now you can take your passion to new career heights and we can help you get there. 

Based in Nelson, BC, you’ll be at the centre of epic mountain culture and have easy access to world-class ski resorts where you can sharpen your ski, snowboard and networking skills. Covering all aspects of ski resort operations, our program gives you a unique blend of management skills and industry knowledge to prepare you for lasting leadership roles. The curriculum contains specific industry course content not commonly available at post-secondary educational institutions.

The Ski Resort Operations and Management Program is reviewed annually by an advisory committee of senior ski industry representatives to ensure that content is current and that that graduates are equipped with the latest useful knowledge and skills.

The aim of this program is to accelerate the movement of graduates into supervisory and management level positions. The program relies heavily on the ski industry to provide direct exposure to virtually all aspects of indoor and outdoor operations. Close contact with industry operations is provided through field trip visits that introduce students to industry supervisory and management personnel.

Field trips provide students with first-hand exposure to new construction and installations, snowmaking plants, ski lift designs, as well as to consumer and industry trade shows. Direct meetings with ski industry managers and supervisors at resorts visited give students a chance to explore job opportunities for their work semester and after graduation.

During the first three semesters which span 14 months, students take 22 courses focused on tourism, business, and operational subjects that prepare them for a role in the ski and snowboard industry. Included in these first three semesters are 2 five-day and 1 three-day field trips to different ski regions in British Columbia and Alberta.

During the fourth semester, students undertake a 21-week paid work semester at a ski resort, which may lead to full-time employment. The work term is a co-operative education endeavour that involves both employer and college supervision of the students' work experience. Students choose their work placement and negotiate with employers to determine possibilities for job rotation and other learning opportunities. Students receive one on-site visit from an instructor during the work semester and must complete a major written report and verbal presentation to receive credit for this work term.

Get professional training 

• Lift, Grooming and Snowmaking Functions, Maintenance and Regulations 
• Tourism Marketing, Customer Service and Human Resources 
• Ski Area Construction, Risk Prevention and Management 
• Resort Communications and Organizational Leadership  
• Computers, Data Base Management and Web Design 
• Accounting, Budgeting and Business Management 

Careers include 

• Ski Patrol and Avalanche Control 
• Terrain Park Operations 
• Ski and Snowboard Schools 
• Guest Services, Rental and Retail Operations 
• Sales, Marketing and Special Events 
• Resort, Cat and Heliskiing Operations 

SROAM Newsletter for February 2013

To see a pdf version of this newsletter for February you can view more information.