7 replies to this topic

[xman]

Hey guys,
I was just curious if some of you might elaborate on what a typical work day during the ski season consists of. I would be curious to hear from both mechcanical and electrical guys. I am still very interested in trying to get into this industry and would like more info. Just so you all know, I have thoroughly enjoyed this site and learning about this industry. Thanks all........

I would also be curious of the off season work days also. Thanks.

This post has been edited by xman: 23 February 2010 - 07:26 AM

[zeedotcom]

It all depends on where you are/what you do. Some guys work 4 days ten hours and other guys work 6 days a week 14 hours a day. Some areas are only open during the day and additional maintenance can be done before/after opening and closing times. At areas with night skiing, where the lifts run until 10 at night, you have more limited opportunities to do this work, resulting in really early mornings or really late nights on top of there needing to be mechanics/electrical staff present during operation. This can make for some long days.

For a lot of guys that I know in the Midwest, 60 hours is on the short end of the work week most of the time. I'm in a "season off" while I finish school, but last year I was going in at 5 in the morning to do my basic maintenance such as running the lift on the aux, doing oil changes, brake testing, chair repair and other projects. Worked until close (9:30) many nights.

[xman]

zeedotcom, on 23 February 2010 - 07:52 AM, said:

It all depends on where you are/what you do. Some guys work 4 days ten hours and other guys work 6 days a week 14 hours a day. Some areas are only open during the day and additional maintenance can be done before/after opening and closing times. At areas with night skiing, where the lifts run until 10 at night, you have more limited opportunities to do this work, resulting in really early mornings or really late nights on top of there needing to be mechanics/electrical staff present during operation. This can make for some long days.

For a lot of guys that I know in the Midwest, 60 hours is on the short end of the work week most of the time. I'm in a "season off" while I finish school, but last year I was going in at 5 in the morning to do my basic maintenance such as running the lift on the aux, doing oil changes, brake testing, chair repair and other projects. Worked until close (9:30) many nights.

Thanks zee,
Great information, thanks for sharing that.

[liftmech]

We're (Summit County, CO) on the other side of the spectrum from the Midwest. Four tens, limited overtime, if you don't get the work done today there's always tomorrow (unless it's absolutely critical you finish it NOW!) Summer, same thing. OT is available for rope splices or major projects that require all hands on deck, but for the most part still a forty-hour week. Not a bad way to do it.

[towertop]

liftmech, on 26 February 2010 - 05:24 AM, said:

We're (Summit County, CO) on the other side of the spectrum from the Midwest. Four tens, limited overtime, if you don't get the work done today there's always tomorrow (unless it's absolutely critical you finish it NOW!) Summer, same thing. OT is available for rope splices or major projects that require all hands on deck, but for the most part still a forty-hour week. Not a bad way to do it.

Well here at Sunrise we're not so lucky... Winter we work 5-10's (luckey to have two days off) and OT when needed. Summer we work 4-10's no OT and when in summer opps have Mon, Tue, Wen off. 9 months out of the year we work weekends.

[Snostyle]

As the Lift Ops manager at MountainCreek NJ, I work 6 10's during the season on average and I'm salary. And during the off season I work 4 10's but I'm here on weekends 10 months out of the year. I definitely take adavantage in the summer as much as I can

[mikest2]

0600- pull into the shop, see if there are any cats dead on the hill, if not, have coffee, then check out top stations of two detaches, bottom station of one. Have coffee (0715) pick up top operator for first lift checked out, start lift. Pick up another top operator for another detach, check out top station and start lift. Check out carpets, answer call for new propane bottle at some top station. Spend the rest of the day working on little ongoing projects, grip inspections, tower checks, snow cats, answering lift down calls, checking various noises. Days are never quite the same. Try to have a beer by 1700. Repeat as required to fill calender !

[xman]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.