If you enjoy being outdoors in the winter weather, you may consider a career that involves being around snow and ice. There are many types of careers related to the snow, from winter sports to careers in polar science. Exploring jobs in the snow can help you learn the various options available to you and help you determine which jobs match your interests and skills. In this article, we share eight different jobs that involve working in the snow, and then explain what you can expect from each position.
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8 jobs in the snow
Here are some of the job options to consider if you want to work in and around cold weather and snow:
1. Adventure Guide
National average salary: $28,893 per year
Primary duties: An adventure guide is in charge of leading tour groups through exciting outdoor adventures in various natural habitats and climates. They educate participants about the natural world and lead them through outdoor activities like hiking, rock climbing, camping, and rafting. Adventure guides teach their group members primitive survival skills and safety knowledge about each activity.
Being an adventure guide in a cold climate is ideal if you’re interested in a job where you can be around snow. Many adventure guides work in mountainous areas and arctic climates to provide others with guidance on how to navigate snowy conditions. Cold-weather adventure guides can lead activities like mountaineering, snowshoeing, and skiing.
2. Camp counselor
National average salary: $30,772 per year
Primary duties: Camp counselors supervise groups of campers in different age groups, manage their schedules, and oversee their safety through various camp activities. They brainstorm ideas for enriching camp programs, guide campers through their itinerary, monitor campers to uphold safety standards, and respond to any emergencies or conflicts. Camp counselors also lead the group in games, crafts, songs, and outdoor recreation.
Many camp counselors work seasonally over the summer, but they can also lead camps during winter break. Working at a winter camp as a counselor provides you with the opportunity to work with youth in a snowy outdoor environment, often in an alpine area with mountains and forests.
3. Ski instructor
National average salary: $33,517 per year
Primary duties: Ski instructors work on ski slopes and mountains to teach people about ski course etiquette and how to use ski equipment to navigate courses and obstacles. They provide instruction on how to put on safety gear, equip themselves with skis and ski poles, gain momentum, and stop safely on a ski course. Ski instructors teach people of all ages and skill levels how to improve their skiing skills and learn tricks.
Because skiing is a winter sport that requires you to perform in a snowy area, being a ski instructor is ideal for someone interested in living in a snowy environment year-round. Ski instructors may travel to areas with snow to maximize their time working on the slopes or spend summers repairing equipment and maintaining the skiing area.
4. Park ranger
National average salary: $35,772 per year
Primary duties: A park ranger is responsible for patrolling the grounds of a national or state park to ensure the safety of visitors and uphold the pristine natural condition of the land. They provide support for visitors by sharing informative materials and giving them directions about park access and facilities. Park rangers record information about wildlife and potential environmental hazards, respond to reports, conduct search and rescue operations, and enforce park rules.
As a park ranger, you live on or near the grounds of a natural area year-round. If you want to work around the snow, consider working at a park in a cold climate so you can enjoy overseeing a snowy area with cool weather for most of the year.
5. Snowplow operator
National average salary: $45,903 per year
Primary duties: A snowplow operator clears snow, ice, and debris from city streets, major roadways, and other paths to allow people to travel through snowy weather. They drive snow and salt trucks to treat the roads and make them safer for vehicles to drive during inclement conditions. Snowplow operators respond to calls from city officials and emergency services to remove large amounts of snow from high-traffic areas. They plan driving routes to clear roads and may use hand shovels to dislodge snow from areas that the plow can not reach.
Being a snowplow driver is ideal for people who enjoy driving and are confident handling large machinery during snowstorms. As a snowplow driver, you may travel to areas with active blizzards to provide emergency assistance.
6. Hotel manager
National average salary: $50,309 per year
Primary duties: Hotel managers oversee the hospitality operations of a hotel, including bookings, maintenance, staff training, and customer service. They manage the amenities within a hotel and schedule bookings for major events. Hotel managers coordinate deals with suppliers and local businesses to provide guests with entertainment, food, and luxury items during their stay.
If you want a job in the snow, you can consider being a hotel manager at a ski lodge or a mountain resort where participating in winter activities is one of the main attractions at the hotel. Managing a lodge or hotel in a snowy area allows you to enjoy the scenic views and connect your guests with fun activities in the winter weather.
7. Forester
National average salary: $56,732 per year
Primary duties: A forester is responsible for maintaining the health and population of a forest or grove of trees. Foresters survey areas of land to determine potential issues with the tree population, gather samples, run tests, and make plans to conserve the area and its wildlife. They schedule controlled fires to burn away brush, plant trees, restore historic forests and work alongside developers to preserve forest lands.
Because many forested areas have snowy climates, being a forester can provide ideal job conditions if you like the cold and snow. Foresters often spend time outside in the winter to ensure that trees remain healthy under snow cover.
8. Meteorologist
National average salary: $69,316 per year
Primary duties: A meteorologist studies the weather and develops forecasts for future weather conditions based on their analysis of air pressure, precipitation, and other weather patterns. Meteorologists share weather reports to explain natural phenomena and provide recommendations on how to adapt to weather conditions. They may report live from areas where weather events occur to interpret weather patterns or work in an office analyzing data from weather radars and satellites.
As a meteorologist, you work with all kinds of weather, including snow and sleet. You may have the opportunity to live in snowy climates or travel to observe major winter storms, then use that information to learn about how other winter storms develop in the future.
I hope you find this article helpful.
