I used to Groom in college and its all i have ever wanted to get back into!!! Been running heavy equipment the last few years but its not even close to the same.... Coming down the mtn in the middle of the night with all the lights on, is a beautiful sight.
I’ve been a dozer operator for a few years was thinking about possibly going and operating a cat next winter, how great is the demand for operators and do you need certifications and what not?
Demand is there. It's seasonal work, obviously. But you could run Cats for mowing and farming too to supplement the year. Certs, not always, but it'll always help.
this job is awsome and i really want to become a snow cat operator but how do i begin? where can i look for jobs? what are the apllications? im 20 years old, i have a license and experience with some machines and a techincal sense. but do i have to have experience on snow cats? if so where can i build experience?
depends where you're located but usually prior experience with snowcats specifically is not required. usually they just need/want you to have prior heavy machinery experience in general so you know what to expect when handling a specialized piece of equipment. as far as how to go about getting experience or where to look for jobs, i'd just go around looking at ski/snowboard resort employment pages. its seasonal work so you'd have to work an existing job schedule around it and the openings usually arent posted until late summer/early fall (pretty much right now). I actually sent in my application for my first season as a cat operator last night and i hope i get the opportunity, but i've heard from people that currently work or previously worked at the resort that it's a pretty competitive position the resort i'm looking to start at gives you awesome benefits, especially since the cat operator position is full time. in addition to free ski pass, vouchers for friends and family, discounts on ski shop and mountain dining, since its a full time "essential" position, you may be eligible for on site employee housing, making the commute extremely convenient wishing you luck on getting into it!
I'm also 20 I have an interview tomorrow for snow cat. Never worked at the resort, but I've ridden it for 2 years. I have forklift experience and so far seems to be working. I'd try starting at a more local resort, maybe they're more relaxed with getting newbies started. Otherwise, snowmaking seems to be the natural prelude to people driving snow cats.
Little update for you if you wind up reading this. I got the job. It's clear they're desperate for workers because I was practically hired before I walked in. (I see why they're so desperate, pay is jack shit at $19 :/) Other resorts with more people will be harder to get, but try to find a understaffed mountain. You might get in easy, at least to start, and then take that experience to better paying resorts.
@@ian3166 to be fair it shouldnt be expected to get amazing amazing pay. this kind of stuff is the sort of job you get because you're passionate about it and the surrounding ski/snowboard community, rather than because it pays good
@@hrafnsvart I'm still doing the job, need a pass this year, I'm tired of my old job, and I still look forward to it. They apparently actually pay at $20 and hour, which is competitive for the area as a beginner cat. Still $3 less than my current job.
It’s definitely a great job man. Especially if you are ocd about certain things you can really delve into the run and make a finished product that you are proud of. Definitely gotta go ride lake Louise. Thank you for the comment Brian
