Fairbank Group Looks To Hire 250 Instructors

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22 October 2015

Push to The Latest: No

SAM Magazine—Hancock, Mass., Oct. 22, 2015—The economics of the ski industry, the minimum wage wave and the imperative to create increasing numbers of new skiers and riders has created an instructor shortage for many resorts across America. The Fairbank Group is tackling this problem by ramping up its efforts at all three of its resorts.

The group's resorts—Jiminy Peak, Mass., Bromley, Vt., and Cranmore Mountain Resort, N.H.—are ambitiously looking to hire 250 ski and snowboard instructors by late November. The areas are casting a wide net, and touting the advantages.

First, the group advises that “not all instructors need to be experts.” "If a potential instructor arrives highly motivated and with an engaging personality, we will teach them to ski or snowboard better through the paid training we provide," said Bromley instructor Burleigh Sunflower, director of snowsports.

Second, the areas are recruiting from a broad audience. “Intermediate level skiers and snowboarders can work as assistant instructors if they're at least 14 years old,” according to the resorts.

Karen Dolan, Cranmore snowsports school director encourages high school students to become instructors, as it looks good on college applications. "We're teaching them life-long job skills, outdoor safety, and people skills. I may be biased, but it's certainly a lot cooler than flipping burgers," she said.

Third, the areas note that “most part-time instructors at the three resorts work evenings, weekends, and holidays,” so schedules can be flexible.

And fourth, there are perks, like skiing privileges. “And some receive family discounts based on their seniority,” the company added.

"We're looking for people passionate about the sport, who love being out on the hill, and who want to share the sport with others,” Sunflower said. “The fact that instructors are paid, are assigned classes based upon their availability, and usually get first tracks on powder mornings, makes instructing even more appealing."