Work first, ski later

Like to ski?

Need a job?

Then you'll want to head to Lookout Pass and Silver Mountain Resort.

Both resorts have scheduled job fairs on Saturday, with more than 200 positions needing to be filled between the two of them. And with the state's jobless rate resting at 9 percent, there are plenty of people without work.

"We're expecting a lot of people to be at the job fair this year," said Ric Clarke, director of Lookout's ski school.

Lookout's job fair is 8-10 a.m. at the base lodge on the Montana/Idaho border. Silver Mountain is 9-11:30 a.m. at Kellogg Middle School. Both resorts will be hiring lift operators, ski and snowboard technicians, bartenders, cooks, dishwashers, guest services, retail sales and janitors.

Silver, because it also has an 84-degree year-round indoor waterpark and a lodge, will be hiring lifeguards and housekeepers.

Pay scales at both resorts start at minimum wage, $7.25 in Idaho, and rises depending on the job.

But beyond the money is another perk that traditionally attracts potential employees - season passes.

Most positions at both resorts come with a season ski pass, as well as discounts on retail and food, free lessons and the opportunity to hang on the hill.

"Most people who work at skiareas do so because they want to have access to the skiing," Clarke said.

John Williams, Silver Mountain marketing director, said they have more than 100 jobs to fill, and usually 150 or more attend the fair, while another 100 apply in person at their office.

Silver is looking for "energetic, outgoing people who enjoy working with people and know how to take initiative to deliver excellent customer service to our guests and home owners."

"We work at a fun place in the mountains with fun people," Williams wrote in an e-mail. "We provide a fantastic experience for our guests who love and appreciate what we do."

People of all ages work at the resorts, but it's mostly a younger crowd of powder hounds.

Clarke said Lookout expects to hire about 100 people for full- and part-time jobs. Its employees enjoy working with the public.

"They're coming here to have a good time. It's a real fun atmosphere," he said.

It doesn't hire all new staffers, as many of its winter workers held jobs at Lookout's Route of the Hiawatha in the summer.

"We're lucky because we've got the Hiawatha bike trail in the summer," Clarke said. "This allows us to keep our good people on year-round."

The resorts are generally open from Thanksgiving to mid-April.