Cool winter jobs

Looking for a new job this winter? Well, if you can’t stand the thought of being cooped up indoors while the snow is flying, or your friends are snowshoeing or snowboarding, you’re not alone.

Luckily, in Reno, you have plenty of options for hanging out outside—and earning some cash while you do it.

With plenty of ski resorts within reasonable driving distance, the slick curves of the Mount Rose Highway and the treacherous turns of Interstate 80 become well-known commuter trails to the snow industry.

Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe seems to be the locals’ favorite when it comes to finding a cool winter job. College students and retired engineers alike download the application, www.mtrose.com/info/jobs.php, to find employment as lift technicians and mechanics, ski school instructors, waiters, ski techs, ski patrol, ticket checkers or shuttle drivers.

And the benefits far surpass the medical insurance or free meals—the coveted ski pass lurks beneath the winter jackets of most Mount Rose seasonal employees.

Heavenly Ski Resort boasts a long list on their Web site of seasonal jobs for those wary of working in the warm confines of a cubicle: ticket cashiers to snow reporters, ski patrol to instructors and lift operators.

If you have, let’s say, a gift, you might even be taken aboard as a host for the Another Heavenly Morning TV Show. The great news keeps coming. A full-time position at Heavenly, whether you’re a lift operator or a ski tech, receives you the coveted six-resort pass. For a part-timer, a pass to Heavenly will suffice.

Or, try a job with the city of Reno through the Parks, Recreation and Community Service Department in the new Rink on the River, scheduled to open Nov. 23, 2005. Ice skating wannabes and professionals join the ranks as skate guards, cashiers, skate instructors, Zamboni drivers and season finale performers. And, of course, you can skate for free.

A new winter job in the area, outdoor holiday decorating, provides gainful employment to the eccentric or creative job-seeker or to the guy who just really loves the holidays. Moana Brite Lights, Christmas Décor and Christmas Light Designs are waiting for bright, creative artists to get to work stringing lights, building forms and models or just holding the ladder.

If you prefer a hard-core, snow-driven industry, there’s always the chain monkey option—just make sure you have a warm bed to come home to after installing chains for 15 hours on the snowy mountain summits.