18 replies to this topic

[Kicking Horse]

Here is the Question

Which is better?

Going to College to for being a Lift Tech or Doing on the job training?

What are the pro's and con's of each?

[edmontonguy]

What training is required? Is it a genral course followed by onsite training (IE: industrial mechanics)? or is it a specialized course offered only at a few institutions?

[SkiBachelor]

I think we have talked about this issue in the past and decided that it was actually better to get 'in the field training' rather than going to college and learning about it. However, Vail has a class each spring I think where they teach people lift maintenance 101 and there are also more advanced classes so you can work your way up. Maybe you should check out one of these classes out first. If you feel like you learned a lot, this might be the way to go.

I'm not sure if Vail Resorts is still doing this, but I read it in a 1998 SAM issue.

[Kicking Horse]

i think asked the question before and did not really get a good asnwer. So that is why i'm asking agian.

[Allan]

Good trades to have are Heavy Duty Mechanic, Electrician, Millwright, Ontario offers a Ski Lift Mechanic apprenticeship - that would probably be the best. Nothing will beat OTJ training, however.

[Kelly]

Allan pretty much covered it. Millwright is as close as you can come for a definition for training. Rigging and a basic understanding of engineering can also help. I suspect what we would all agree on, is the best characteristic to have is initiative. The rest comes easily if you have that trait or can be taught that trait. Also you must love fresh air and snow.
If not – repeat the phrase, "would you like to Super Size that".

Ryan B

[edmontonguy]

Does each resort consult an engeneering firm? or do they have a an onsite civil/mecahnincal engineer?

This post has been edited by edmontonguy: 09 May 2004 - 09:59 AM

[Allan]

I don't think many hills have engineers on staff. If the need arises for one, an outside firm would be contracted.

[Allan]

And I don't think too many engineers would work for Ski Resort wages :)

[Allan]

Here is the knowledge required to be a certified Lift Mechanic in Ontario. We are going to have the same program in BC soon. Hopefully the course I took covers this. I think anyone can take this course... see here: Selkirk College SROM 172

Forgot the attachment

Attached File(s)

•  Sign_off_Reg186_03.pdf (133.78K)
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This post has been edited by Allan: 09 May 2004 - 05:32 PM

[Kicking Horse]

so OJT would be the best option other then doing Selkirk College SROM 172

Since they offer it online i might look into that some more.

For current and past lift techs.

How did u learn what u know today?

This post has been edited by coski: 09 May 2004 - 07:28 PM

[Allan]

I learned most my stuff on the job. I think there is a College in Colorado that has a lift maintenance course, too.

[liftmech]

I learned basic welding theory in class (Bellingham Tech), with a hefty dose of rod-burning during most of the time I spent there. The rest I have learned entirely on the job and in one-to-two-hour blocks every spring at PNSAA and RMLA. There is nothing an instructor can teach you that isn't better learned hands-on with an experienced mechanic. I think our profession is one of those that still utilises, however informally, the ancient master/apprentice technique.

[Kicking Horse]

Allan, on May 9 2004, 08:37 PM, said:

I learned most my stuff on the job.  I think there is a College in Colorado that has a lift maintenance course, too.

yes there is. But I don't like the idea of Relocating to Leadville @ this time.

[liftmech]

Don't slag Leadville, bro... Just because there is absolutely nothing to do up here :---: You could take the same courses in Steamboat as well, I believe.

[Kicking Horse]

How would someone go about getting a ski area to take u on for On the job training?

(i'm seriously looking into becoming a lift tech)

[Allan]

Start off as a lift operator and show interest in the mechanical aspects of the lifts. Recognize potential problems by knowing what to look/listen for. Be helpful, honest, trustworthy & a hard worker. You more than likely won't walk into a mechanics job - as there usually is a lineup from within the company.

[liftmech]

This is true.. most of our techs were lifties once, myself included. One was a ski patroller who helped build lifts in the summer and one worked in the mines, but they're exceptions to the rule.

[Kelly]

Being a lift operator proves a few things to your self and to the lift maintenance supervisor. You can work outside and enjoy it, and you can survive on low wages.
A little background knowledge of lifts also helps.
I believe my step into maintenance was the casual comment like "you know it seems like that relay won't stay latched because of some intermittent voltage drop or it's a crappy relay". It seemed so obvious, but to the person hearing that statement felt I was more interested in lifts than the other people he had to pick from.
I have worked with people from the "trade schools". They usually got noticed sooner to be hired but were later found to have very little hands-on experience so they took just as much time to supervise and train. Usually they were just a half step ahead of the rest of the available people to be hired and if they didn't have any initiative they were at the same level. Yep – hard worker is a common theme for being hired.

On my post about engineering knowledge I wasn’t suggesting 6 years of engineering school, rather that your able to say "hey if that span is twice as long then the weight on that tower is twice as much, or that wire to that circuit breaker is bigger - I know it has more than 12 volts going though it".

Ryan B