Ski Resort Operations and Management – Diploma

Program Details

Length: 2 years

Total Credits: 63

Intake Terms: Fall

Delivery Method: In-person

Campus: Tenth Street

Credential: Diploma

Cost:

Approximate program cost

Student Loans:

This program is eligible for student loans

Credential Received

Diploma in Ski Resort Operations and Management

Overview

Program Summary

You already love the slopes and cannot get enough of the action, now you can take your passion to new career heights. Selkirk College’s Ski Resort Operations and Management (SROAM) program can help you become a top professional in this vibrant industry.

Based in Nelson, BC, you will be at the centre of epic mountain culture and have easy access to world-class ski resorts where you can sharpen your ski, snowboard and networking skills. Covering all aspects of ski resort operations, our program gives you a unique blend of management skills and industry knowledge to prepare you for lasting leadership roles. This curriculum contains articulated business and tourism courses transferable toward any college and university in BC, as well as specific industry course content not available at other post-secondary educational institutions.

Field trips provide students with first-hand exposure to all aspects of resort indoor and outdoor operations. Direct meetings with ski industry managers and supervisors at resorts visited give students a chance to explore job opportunities for their work semester and after graduation.

During the first three semesters, students take courses focused on tourism, business and operational subjects that prepare them for a role in the snow-sports industry. During the fourth semester, students undertake a paid work term of their choice within the industry. The work term is a co-operative education endeavour that involves both employer and college supervision of the students’ work experience. Students choose their work placement and negotiate with employers to determine possibilities for job rotation and other learning opportunities. Students receive one on-site visit from an instructor during the work term and must complete a final assignment to receive credit for this work term.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, learners will be able to:

Explain terms, concepts and theories relevant to the Canadian ski industry
Demonstrate developing critical and creative thinking skills
Apply emerging problem-solving skills
Communicate effectively and efficiently in various formats to a variety of stakeholders, consistent with industry expectations
Outline professional and ethical standards within their field
Conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner in academic and work-related environments
Apply basic accounting principles as required
Apply the basic principles of organizational behaviour, management theories and human resource management
Competently use standard industry technology in operations, communication and record keeping/data collection
Demonstrate a working knowledge of ski industry operations and their value to the economy
Apply industry-specific government health, safety and environmental standards and regulations

Program Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements to Selkirk College as outlined in college Policy

8611: Admissions, applicants must meet the following Ski Resort Operations and Management program requirements to be considered fully qualified:

Any English course at the Grade 12 level with a minimum of 67%. For international applicants, IELTS 6.5 overall band score (with no band less than 6.0), or equivalent on other internationally recognized English language proficiency tests. If an international student applies with an IELTS of 6.0 overall score (with no band less than 5.5), then they would need to meet the requirements below.
Applicants who lack the specific English admission requirements may still gain admission to the program with the understanding that they will complete ENGL 66 Essential English with a minimum of 67% in the first year of their program. This course must be completed to be able to advance beyond 30 program credits.

Additional Requirements

APPLICATION PROCESS

Once the above admission requirements have been met and the student has been accepted to the program a student must:

Submit a completed Application Questionnaire to the coordinator.
Submit a standard resume to the coordinator. On the resume, part-time or full-time ski and related tourism industry experience is to be included.

Once the two requirements above have been completed the student will work with the program coordinator to schedule an in-person or remote interview. The interview is intended to provide the students advice on how to best succeed in the program but is not a condition of admission.

This is a popular program; candidates are strongly advised to apply early.
It is strongly recommended that students have keyboarding skills and an understanding of Microsoft Windows prior to program commencement.
This program has an enrolment objective of 30 students per year. Students are accepted on a first come, first served basis subject to meeting all program registration requirements.
Field trips are a requirement of the program. Transportation and travel expenses are an extra expense to be paid by the student. Approximately $500 should be budgeted to cover these expenses.
Students must acknowledge that they are in good health, able to stand for long periods of time, and able to lift up to 25 kg.

1. General

a) Entry to the program will be at the commencement of the Fall semester. Entry may be limited by prerequisites, space limitations, and/or completion of preadmission assessment. International entry may be limited where international student enrolment targets or limits have been met.

b) Accepted applicants will be placed in particular classes and/or sections by the school chair or designate.

c) No class or section switches will be permitted without the express approval of the school chair or designate and the instructor.

d) A student admitted to this program will be given preferred access to its courses.

2. Part-time Study

a) Subject to space limitations and prerequisite requirements, a student who wishes to take fewer than the maximum number of courses in any semester may do so with approval from the school chair.

3. Work Term

a) Participation in the paid work term is mandatory for graduation from the program. See Part IV Work Term Policy for more details.

Graduation and Promotion

In order to receive your credential in your program you must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 and can carry no more than one (1) failing grade in the previous semester courses to be promoted to subsequent semesters.

A. PROMOTION

1. A student must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.00 and can carry no more than one (1) failing grade in the previous semester courses to be promoted to subsequent semesters. Promotion from the first year to the second year also requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 and no more than one failing grade in first year courses. Any student with more than one (1) failure during the first year of the program must have the school chair’s approval to progress to the next semester and may be required to withdraw.

2. A student will not be permitted to exceed a full semester course load except with the permission of the school chair or designate.

3. A student whose progress in a course is not satisfactory may be required to withdraw from the course and take an upgrading course which may be associated with an additional cost.

4. Two (2) failures in a course are normally cause for withdrawal from the program. A third attempt at a course may be made at the discretion of the school chair or designate.

5. Any student who has left the program because of unsatisfactory performance may be readmitted with the approval of the school chair or designate after consultation with faculty members and if there is space within the program.

B. GRADUATION

1. Credentials:

a) Diploma in Ski Resort Operations and Management

2. Requirements: (see Policy 8617: Graduation)

a) The requirements for graduation for the Ski Resort Operations and Management Diploma program includes the successful completion of the following courses with a cumulative GPA of

2.0 and a minimum passing grade of “P” P in all courses.

Program Courses

Term 1

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
SROM150	Introduction to Tourism	3.00	45
SROM151	Marketing	3.00	45
SROM155	Computer Applications	3.00	45
SROM158	Ski Area Risk Prevention and Management	3.00	45
SROM159	Business Communications	3.00	45
SROM166	Ski Resort Facilities Maintenance	2.00	30
SROM171	Ski Area Planning	3.00	45
SROM172	Ski Lift Functions, Maintenance and Regulations	3.00	45
SROM180	Field Trip	1.00	15

Term 2

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
SROM152	Ski Area Marketing and Special Events	3.00	45
SROM153	Organizational Leadership	3.00	45
SROM156	Exploring Solutions Through Technology	2.00	30
SROM160	Ski Resort Guest Services and Snow School Operations	2.00	30
SROM169	Accounting	3.00	45
SROM173	Ski Resort Slope Grooming Operations	3.00	45
SROM175	Ski Resort Snowmaking Systems	2.00	30
SROM184	Snow Safety/Ski Patrol Operations	2.00	30
SROM190	Field Study	1.00

Term 3

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
SROM256	Ski Area Budgeting and Business Management	3.00	45
SROM254	Ski Area Cafeteria Operations	3.00	45
SROM257	Ski Rental/Retail Shop Management	3.00	45
SROM258	Human Resource Management	3.00	45
SROM272	Supervisory Ski Lift Operations	3.00	45
SROM280	Ski Area Construction and Project Management	2.00	30
SROM290	Field Trip	1.00	30

Term 4

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
SROM288	Ski Resort Winter Work Term	0.00

Additional Program Policies

Effective Term: Fall

Effective Year: 20240801

Advanced Standing:

ADVANCE OR TRANSFER CREDIT AND PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT

1. A student may obtain credit for a maximum of 75% of program requirements by Transfer Credit, Advanced Placement, Prior Learning Assessment or combination thereof.

a) Course equivalency will be determined in accordance with Selkirk College Policy 8614: Advanced Standing.

2. Transfer credit will not be granted for courses completed outside of Canada.

3. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) (see Selkirk College Policy 8614: Advanced Standing)

a) Only domestic experiences will be considered for PLA for this program.

b) Not more than 75% of credits required in a program will be awarded through PLA.

c) Otherwise, College Policy 8614: Advanced Standing will be followed.

Re-Entry Instructions:

RE-ENTRY INSTRUCTION: (see Policy 8615)

1. Re-admission to the program is only permitted when space is available.

2. Students who must interrupt their program may apply for re-admission within one year of departure or with the permission of the school chair.

Assessment:

Grading

a) Grading will be based on the categories defined in Standard Grading Table for the School of Hospitality and Tourism. To view the grading table see Policy 8612: Grading.

b) A minimum grade of P will be required for satisfactory completion of each course; however, a 2.0 cumulative GPA is necessary to graduate from the program.

Grading Table: Standard School of Hospitality and Tourism Programs

Types of Assessments:

1. Supplemental Assessment(s)

a) Students are evaluated and graded in each subject or course topic as indicated in the respective course outline.

b) Exams, labs, group or individual projects, assignments, presentations, class participation and other evaluative events.

c) In addition to normal evaluation for competence in subject matter, students will be continuously evaluated on their professional conduct in classroom and field situations. A professionalism/participation evaluation may make up to 20% of the final grade for each course in this program as specified in each course outline. Standards for the professionalism/participation evaluation will be communicated to all students.

d) Work Term Grade: Work terms are graded on a Pass or Fail basis and are not considered when calculating a student's grade point average. The student will be given a credit granted or no credit granted for their work term.

Attendance:

1. Punctual and regular attendance for scheduled classes, laboratory sessions and all of the scheduled learning activities is expected of all students.

2. Where absenteeism adversely affects a student’s progress and performance, probation and/or withdrawal from the program may result.

3. See individual course outlines for any additional attendance and /or professional conduct requirements.

Assignments:

1. Assignments

a) Students will normally receive notice of dates and times when assignments and/or tests are to be submitted and/or written.

b) If accepted, late assignments may will be subject to penalty. Assignments are due prior to

8:30 am on the due date. Late assignments will have 10% per day deducted for each calendar day they are late. Assignments will not be accepted more than five (5) days after the due date.

c) Course challenges are not available for students who do not successfully complete a course. In such a situation the student would be required to retake the course and complete all required course work.

d) A student who does not submit an assignment or write a scheduled test will receive a zero mark. However, in some courses it may be mandatory to submit all assignments to an acceptable level and/or to write all exams in order to receive credit for the course.

2. Exams

a) A student may be allowed to make alternative exam arrangements, with the appropriate instructor, for valid and verifiable reasons such as medical emergency, family bereavement, or jury duty.

b) Any alternate arrangements for final examinations must be approved by the school chair or designate.

c) Supplemental examinations will only be given for exceptional reasons.

d) Tests and exams will ordinarily be retained by the instructor.

3. Plagiarism and Cheating: See Policy 8618: Cheating and Plagiarism

Other regulations:

PART IV: WORK TERM POLICY

1. In order to participate in the summer work internship, the student must have completed all required courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, completion of all courses with no more than one (1) failing grade. Any student with more than one (1) failing grade must have school chair approval to go on their work internship.

2. During the work term, students are subject to the Selkirk College program policies as well as the policies of the employer.

3. To avoid late penalties, students must notify the instructor one week in advance if work term assignments cannot be handed in on time.

4. During the work term, students are expected to meet or exceed management requirements for job performance. Students are expected to maintain good working relationships with their co-workers and supervisors.

a) In order to achieve maximum benefit from the work term, students are expected to become involved in several different departments if possible.

5. Due to the limited number of local placement possibilities, students may be required to consider placements away from the local environment.

6. Termination from a work term place of employment is grounds for withdrawal from the program. Students must notify the instructor within 48 hours of any termination, temporary suspension or disciplinary action. Students must also notify the instructor within 48 hours of any unannounced lay off or work term cancellation. Failure to do so will aggravate an already serious situation and further jeopardize the student's status in the program. Students must follow the appeals process in order to request reentry or continuation in the work term.

PART V: FIELD TRIP POLICY

Students are subject to Selkirk College Policy 8350: Educational Field Trips. In addition, the following policies apply:

1. Students on any field trip are visible representatives of Selkirk College and their respective program. Students are expected to conduct themselves as professionals and exercise common sense, responsibility and maturity in all field trip situations. They are expected to leave a positive impression on communities and facilities with which they come in contact. Drunkenness, inappropriate behaviour, disorderly conduct, or other indications of unprofessional attitudes of any kind on a field trip will be taken seriously and may result in dismissal from the trip, the course or the program.

2. In any situation involving machinery, maintenance shops or engine rooms, students must abide by caution signage, instructor and tour guide instructions, and use common sense.

PROBATION

Refer to Selkirk College Policy 8619: Probation for further information.