Ski Resort Operations and Management

2-Year Diploma at Tenth Street, Nelson

Program Calendar

2010

• August 3 - Year 2 Fall term begins.
• September 7 - Year 1 Fall term begins.
• October 29 - Year 2 Fall term ends, work term begins.
• December 17 - Year 1 Fall term ends.

2011

• January 4 - Year 1 Fall Winter term begins.
• February 14 - 18 Reading Break (*subject to change)
• April 22 - Year 1 Winter term ends.
• April 18 - 22 Year 2 Work Term Reports.
• August 2 - Year 2 Fall term begins.

*Late applications may be accepted if space is still available.

Program Objectives

The Ski Resort Operations and Management Program provides education and training in ski industry subjects for students who desire a career in the ski and snowboard industry. 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. Some courses may be subject to change.

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 23 courses focussed 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 three five-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.

Distance Learning Courses

Selkirk College offers ski resort management distance learning courses to students who cannot attend the College on a full-time basis. Courses are available to those who are new to the ski industry and to ski resort employees who want to advance their ski industry careers.

COMM 240 - Financial Accounting

• equivalent of SROM 169 Financial Accounting

SROM 172 - Ski Lift Functions, Maintenance, and Regulations

• equivalent of SROM 172 classroom version

SNOW 152 - Snow Sports Leadership and Communications

• equivalent of SROM 153 Organizational Leadership

SNOW 154 - Snow Sports Human Resources Management

• equivalent of SROM 258 Human Resources Management

SNOW 156 - Ski Resort Risk Management - Online

• equivalent of SROM 158 - Ski Area Risk Prevention Management

For information about Ski Resort Management Distance Learning courses, contact admissions (250) 352-6601.

Admission Requirements

Academic

• Completion of BC grade 12 or equivalent (e.g.: G.E.D., A.B.E. Provincial)
• English 12 with a grade of  “C” or better.

General

• Interview. A personal or telephone interview will be completed with a ski program instructor. Where circumstances make a personal interview impractical, a telephone interview may be conducted. Areas discussed during the interview include:
  • Knowledge of the sport and the ski industry;
  • Commitment to a career in the ski industry and to the program.

 Note:  Interview results are not used as criteria for admissions.

• Ski Industry Experience. At least one season of full-time work at a ski resort is strongly recommended. Part-time work or related experience in retail, adventure tourism or hospitality are considered in lieu of full-time ski industry experience.
  
• Applicants are to provide a standard résumé outlining their work experience in the ski industry or related tourism sectors such as retail, accommodations or food and beverage.
• All applicants must complete pre-admission tests in reading, writing and math.
• All applicants will be required to complete a questionnaire which will be sent to them upon receipt of the initial application to this program.
  

Notes

• It is strongly recommended that students have keyboarding skills and an understanding of Microsoft Windows prior to program commencement.
• Students currently in the process of meeting academic entrance requirements are encouraged to apply as early as February for the current year’s intake.
• A current high school student must include a letter from his/her principal or counsellor outlining the student’s present standing in prerequisite requirements and a statement about the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the training.
• This program has an enrollment objective of 30 students per year. Students are accepted on a first come, first served basis subject to meeting all program registration requirements.
• Field trips are a requirement of the program. Transportation and travel expenses range from $300 to $400 per semester and are an extra expense to be paid by the student.
• This is a popular program; candidates are strongly advised to apply early.

Prior Learning Assessment

Selkirk College recognizes experience and expertise gained by students prior to entry into College programs. Through a prior learning assessment (PLAR) process, a student may receive course credits for knowledge and experience acquired in the workplace. Through an interview and documentation process including the student, a PLAR advisor, and the instructor, the student's experience is evaluated in relation to the course requirements. Through PLAR a student may receive credit for one or more courses in a given program.

Career Potential

The ski industry in western Canada is well positioned to meet an increasing world-wide demand for high quality winter and summer mountain recreational facilities and Selkirk College graduates are in demand as the industry grows. The 2010 Olympics slated for Vancouver and Whistler B.C. will have an impact on ski resorts in both British Columbia and Alberta between 2005 and 2015 as they did for Calgary and Alberta for the 1988 Winter Olympics. Demand for new ski industry professionals is expected to increase in Western Canada over this period.

Graduates of the Ski Resort Operations and Management Program may follow a variety of ski resort career paths. The list below indicates just some of the departmental options available for our graduates.

Technical

• Lift Operations
• Lift Maintenance
• Grooming Operations
• Snowmaking Operations
• Ski Patrol and Avalanche Control
• Building Maintenance

Service

• Ski and Snowboard School
• Rental Shop Operations
• Retail Shop Operations
• Food and Beverage Operations
• Childminding Centers
• Terrain Park Operations

Administrative

• Guest Services and Hosting
• Ticket Office Sales
• Human Resources and Payroll
• Bookkeeping and Banking
• Accounting / Budgeting
• Reservations / Accommodations
• Marketing and Promotions
• Special Event Management
  

The seasonality of ski resort jobs results in somewhat higher rates of employee turnover than in non-seasonal businesses, and this creates opportunities for graduates to advance into supervisory and middle management positions. In fact, many students are able to secure supervisory positions for their work terms or shortly after graduation. Graduates often need to find suitable summer employment that meshes with the ski season prior to becoming year round full time employees. Because our program provides "Transferable Skills" to our students, off season employment options in the summer tourism industry are readily available. Four season resorts also provide the opportunity for year around employment for graduates from this program.

Other Ski Industry Employment Options

• Cat Skiing Operations and Heliskiing Operations
• Lift construction companies
• Ski and Snowboard equipment manufacturers
• Retail wholesale agencies
• Sporting goods retail operations

Degree Program Transferability

Through curriculum articulation agreements, Ski Resort and Operations Management graduates from Selkirk College may receive up to two year's credit towards four-year bachelor's degrees from several institutions.  Selkirk has formal agreements with the following universities, but others also accept transfer credit from the SROAM Program.

1. University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Bachelor of Business Management Website http://www.uleth.ca/
2. Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops British Columbia, Bachelor of Tourism ManagementWebsite http://www.tru.ca/
3. Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo British Columbia, Bachelor of Tourism Management Website http://www.mala.bc.ca/
4. Royal Road University, Victoria, Bachelor of Tourism Management, http://www.royalroads.ca/

It is important to note that current tuition fees and costs of living in the West Kootenay can mean significant financial savings for Selkirk students who study in Nelson for the first two years before transferring to university or university colleges.

Approximate Expenses

Total program expenses are comprised of both College fees and Program Specific Fees. For planning your stay at Selkirk College, it is advised that both of these be considered. These figures represent College fees only. For more information on program specific costs please contact the Program Contact or School Chair of the program.

These figures are approximate only and could change at any time. Visit selkirk.ca/tuition/ for approximate fee information. Non-Canadian students please refer to selkirk.ca/tuition/international/ for important information.

Program Courses

Course of Studies

Translation key:

• Lec = Lecture Hours per week;
• Ttl = Total course hours per term

Courses marked as (D) are available via Distance Education.

Course of Studies

Course	Name	Lec	Ttl
Term 1
SROM 150	Tourism: A Ski Industry Perspective	0	45
SROM 155	Computer Applications	0	45
SROM 158 (D)	Ski Area Risk Prevention and Management	0	45
SROM 159	Business Communications I	0	45
SROM 169	Financial Accounting	0	45
SROM 171	Ski Area Planning	0	45
SROM 172 (D)	Ski Lift Functions, Maintenance and Regulations	0	45
SROM 180	Field Study	0	30
	Total:	0	345
Course	Name	Lec	Ttl
Term 2
SROM 151	Tourism Marketing and Customer Service	0	45
SROM 153	Organizational Leadership for the Resort Industry	0	45
SROM 154 (D)	Human Resources Management	0	45
SROM 156	Data Base Management and Web Design	0	45
SROM 157	Ski Retail/Rental Shop Management	0	45
SROM 160	Ski Resort Guest Services and Snow School Operations	0	30
SROM 166	Ski Resort Facilities Maintenance	0	30
SROM 173	Ski Resort Slope Grooming Operations	0	30
SROM 175	Snowmaking Systems Operations	0	30
SROM 184	Snow Safety/Ski Patrol Operations	0	30
SROM 190	Field Study	0	30
	Total:	0	405
Course	Name	Lec	Ttl
Term 3
SROM 251	Ski Area Marketing and Special Events	0	45
SROM 254	Ski Area Food and Beverage Administration	0	45
SROM 256	Ski Area Budgeting and Business Management	0	45
SROM 258	Human Resources Management for the Resort Industry	0	45
SROM 272	Ski Lift Operations	0	30
SROM 280	Ski Area Construction and Project Management	0	45
SROM 290	Field Study	0	30
	Total:	0	285
Course	Name	Lec	Ttl
Term 4
SROM 288	Ski Resort Winter Work Term	0	500
	Total:	0	500