SKI U: Five degree programs tailored for working in the ski industry
Alaska Pacific University
Outdoor Studies
Located in Anchorage, APU uses block sessions, meaning students enroll in one course for 28 days, allowing outdoor skills classes to be taught entirely in the field. Prepare for a career in wilderness leadership with courses such as Search Rescue, Expedition Glacial Travel, and Cold Weather Physiology. APU’s articulation agreement with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School), allows credit transfer between organizations. Outdoor Studies students concentrate in commercial recreation, outdoor education, or land management.
Sierra Nevada College
Ski Business Management
Sierra Nevada College offers the nNation’s the only four-year baccalaureate degree program in Sski Bbusiness Mmanagement. Graduates are prepared for positions in ski area management and marketing, resort operations, and mountain property management. SNC requires 250 hours of ski industry-related practical work experience. Seeing that you’ll be living on the shores of Lake Tahoe (Incline Village, NevadaV), this is bound to be a tedious endeavor.
Montana State University
Snow Science
Bozeman’s MSU offers a renowned Snow Science degree within its Department of Earth Science. You’ll learn everything snow—it’s distribution, mechanics, composition, variability, and effects, all in the natural laboratory of the Bridger, Gallatin, and Madison ranges. One of the best pre-professional programs in the world, MSU’s Snow Science Option prepares students for careers in avalanche forecasting, snow-melt hydrology, and snow engineering.
University of Utah
Commercial Recreation
Within the U of U’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, the Commercial Recreation emphasis focuses on entrepreneurial endeavors and small business management. You’ll take a blend of business, marketing, and management courses minutes from the Wasatch. One recent Commercial Recreation student gained credit interning for Wasatch Powderbird Guides in Snowbird and Dean Cumming’s H20 Heli Guides in Valdez, Alaska.
Western State College of Colorado
Ski Area Management
Western State College of Colorado Ski offers a major in Recreation with a Ski and Resort Management emphasis. You’ll take courses like Ski Patrol Management, Snow Safety, and Mountain Planning. Gain up to nine9 credits with a recreation internship. Your classes in Gunnison, will be only 35 miles away from Crested Butte.