LIFTIE SCHOOL: Sierra College and CSIA meet demand for trained lift-technicians

Toward the end of his junior year at Truckee High, when Scott Horn had to decide between working hard at school and graduating, or getting his GED equivalent and focusing on his ski racing–he chose skiing, with the hope of one day getting a hands-on job doing something that interested him.

It paid off. Not only did Horn, 18, continue skiing five days a week last winter, but in July, after taking lift-maintenance classes sponsored by the California Ski Industry Association, Doppelmeir hired him to help install Northstar at Tahoe’s new six-pack.

“I always find myself looking at the lifts wondering what’s in there, wondering what’s going on,” Horn said. “It’s kind of a glory job. When winter rolls around and friends get on, I can tell them that I helped build this lift.”

In an attempt to curb a growing demand for trained lift technicians, the CSIA collaborated with Sierra College to offer classes, called “Introduction to Ropeway Mechatronics,” at Sugar Bowl Resort. It is the only training program that caters specifically to ski lifts.

“Every resort has a shortage of people coming in that are qualified lift technicians,” said program coordinator Marshall Lewis. We tried recruiting people outside the ski industry and that wasn’t successful. The industry leaders decided to ‘grow our own’ so to speak, and this was the best way to do it.”