Ski Industry Business and Instruction (minor)

The Ski Industry Business and Instruction minor is designed to give you the diverse skills needed for employment and success in the ski industry. Faculty will provide you with a true hands-on learning experience and environment through a strategic partnership with Beech Mountain Ski Resort.

The program incorporates an outdoor recreation management foundation with professional business practices and industry certifications, within a liberal arts education.

FAST FACTS

This is the only minor of its kind in the Southeast and only the third on the East Coast.

Beech Mountain Resort serves as a satellite classroom to provide you with a true hands-on learning experience.

100% of students work in the ski industry while completing the minor.


What You'll Study

This program brings together instruction from expert faculty both in the world of outdoor recreation management and business. You’ll be enrolled in outdoor recreation courses such as risk management in outdoor recreation, contemporary issues in the ski industry, and outdoor teaching and facilitation. Not only will you learn about the outdoors, but you’ll also be able to enjoy them with year-round elective courses in winter adaptive adventure recreation, skiing/snowboarding, and mountain biking.

As you progress through the program, you’ll become eligible to earn certificates that will give you a unique advantage upon graduation. Students can enroll in the PSIA-AASI Ski/Snowboard Instructor Level 1 Certification and the PSIA-AASI Adaptive Level 1 Certification Prep courses.

You will complement your Ski Industry Business and Instruction minor with business courses such as accounting, principles of marketing, human resources, or business law among others.

Curriculum
Course Descriptions

After Graduation

Career opportunities include:

  • Ski resort management and administration
  • Ski/snowboard instructor
  • Ski patrol
  • Resort operations (snowmaking and lift maintenance)
  • Marketing and sales
  • Human resources

Meet the Faculty

Aram Attarian
Adjunct Outdoor Recreation Management Instructor

Shane Bryant
Adjunct Outdoor Recreation Management Instructor

Talia Freeman
Adjunct Outdoor Recreation Management Instructor

Witold Kosmala
Outdoor Recreation Managment Mentor

Dee Thomas
Adjunct Outdoor Recreation Management Instructor

Katie Wall
Assistant Professor of Outdoor Recreation Management, Director of the BB&T Leadership Initiative

Kick off the winter season on Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Teton Gravity Research Film Tour, featuring the film, Winterland. The film begins at 7 p.m. in Evans Auditorium and proceeds benefit the Ski Industry Business and Instruction minor, helping fund student conferences, certifications, and other professional development opportunities. In addition, funds will benefit the new Lees-McRae satellite classroom at Beech Mountain Resort.

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