Ski Area Management - Certificate

The ski industry is a major economic contributor around the world, particularly within rural communities. Within the USA, skiing represents a $7.1 billion dollar industry and has averaged a total of 57.5 million skier days since 2002/03. Worldwide, there are over 400 million skier days per year. Today, the ski industry is experiencing a growth in participation and revenue, with the skiing experience the best it has ever been.

Ski areas are currently in need professionals who are bright, motivated, and educated to meet the challenges of ski area operation in an ever-changing global environment. These include increasing revenue, marketing the guest experience, planning and developing base area and on-mountain projects, communicating with stakeholders, and managing both human and natural resources upon which the industry relies, in a strategic, ethical, and sustainable manner. Colorado State University’s Ski Area Management program (SKAMP) provides students with these skills and knowledge so that they can differentiate themselves from others and advance their career as a successful ski area manager.

SKAMP is an online graduate certificate that is designed for those who are working within the ski industry or looking to start a career within the ski industry. As such, courses can be taken from anywhere in the world, whether Nagano in Japan; Whistler, B.C in Canada, the Dolomites in Italy, or Colorado, USA. SKAMP is designed to be completed over a nine-month period, with the offering of courses designed to complement the busy winter season in the Northern Hemisphere. It is recommended that students undertaken this graduate certificate in conjunction with employment in the ski industry so that they position themselves in the best possible position for career advancement.