International Employee Info

Where is Crystal Mountain?
Crystal Mountain Ski Area is located 76 miles Southeast of Seattle in Washington State. Washington is located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and Canada to the North. The summit of our ski area is approximately 14 miles away from majestic Mt. Rainier National Park.

What is Crystal Mountain?
Crystal Mountain is Washington States premier ski area and plays host to over 375,000 skiers each winter season. We have been ranked the #7 ski area overall in all of North America by SKI Magazine and are continually voted by Washington residents as the most popular ski area in the state.
We have over 500 employees and volunteers during our winter season, many whom have worked with us over previous years.

What is the weather like?
Employment at any ski area requires us to work in a mountain environment. Mother Nature will expose us to situations during the winter ranging from beautiful sunshine to blizzard like conditions. We also receive over 350 inches of snow annually. Temperatures can range from 5 degrees F (-15C) to 50 degrees F (10C).

You will have a much easier time adjusting to the colder temperatures if you are dressed properly for the conditions. We STRONGLY suggest you bring the following items with you when you come to the United States:
-Water repellent jacket
-Warm jacket-fleece, micro-fiber, wool or down
-Warm hat
-Goggles and/or proper eyewear
-Warm gloves or mittens
-Warm water repellent pants that can be worn over other pants and long underwear
-Warm insulated boots with good traction (the parking lots and plaza area can be icy and full of snow)
-Long underwear tops & bottoms
-Warm socks

Many of these items are available in our on mountain retail store at a discounted price. We also have a limited supply of these items from previous seasons that might be available.

When does the mountain open for the season?
Our ski season and our opening day are completely dependent on Mother Nature and when she decides to give us some wonderful snow! That being said, we usually try to open by the end of November/first of December. With the dates of your arrival being set by your individual universities, the involved embassies as well as by your Work and Travel sponsor you will more than likely arrive at Crystal Mountain after we have already opened.

Will I be required to work holidays?
Holidays are when many guests choose to visit our beautiful mountain. This means we become increasingly busier over the holiday period. This means everybody works. A usual winter ski season covers the following holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day and Easter.

After arriving in Seattle, how will I get to Crystal Mountain?
Depending on your arrival date and time, a representative of Crystal Mountain will meet you at the airport and will take you to the ski area. If you choose to reschedule your arrival to the United States, you will need to find transportation to the mountain on your own. At the end of your time here, you will need to arrange a ride back to the airport yourself.

Is there any paperwork or documents that I will need to obtain after arriving at Crystal Mountain?
In addition to the papers you will need to enter the United States (passport, ID etc.), you will also be required to obtain a Social Security Card and a Washington state Food Handler’s permit (only if work with or serve food). We will take you to the Social Security Office on arrival where you will apply for your card. When it is mailed to you (usually within 6-8 weeks) you must turn this in to our payroll office. Your paychecks are dependent on us receiving this information. Failure to do so will result in you not getting paid in a timely manner. Please check with your supervisor with questions. The Food Handlers cards can be obtained by taking a short online course. There is a $15 fee for this class and ALL employees who serve or work with food MUST have a valid permit.

What type of housing will I be living in?
Our employee housing is dormitory style and each room can house from 1-4 employees. Each room will be supplied with a mattress with frame and a dresser for each employee and a mini refrigerator for the room. There are co-ed bathrooms in each of the dorms and it is the responsibility to keep these, as well as the entire dorm area, clean and clear of any and all debris. Cleaning supplies will be provided by Crystal Mountain. You will be required to supply your own bed linen and towels. A $250 security/damage deposit is necessary and can be paid to the housing manager upon arrival or may be deducted from your first two paychecks. Rent is $200 per month. . You will need to fill out and sign a “dorm agreement” containing and explaining all rules and regulations concerning the dorms when you arrive and check in.

Where can I get meals?
Some dorms do not have cooking facilities available and there is NO COOKING of any kind allowed in these dorms. For those employees housed in these dorms we offer a special discount at our Cascade Grill restaurant 7am-5pm daily. This allows you to eat at your leisure and when your work schedule allows.

How do I get to work?
Dormitories are located on mountain and are approx. ¼ mile from base area. A quick walk or a hop onto our shuttle bus will get you to work. The mountain provides shuttle busses starting at 7 AM and continually running until 5 PM most days.

Is there wireless internet service available?
Yes. We currently have internet service available in our Main Lodge as well as in the dormitories for use by our housed employees.

Will I have a uniform?
Each department has its own distinct uniform. The clothing necessary will depend on the job you have. Please check with your manager/supervisor to see what uniform you will be assigned and what you will need to provide on your own. Uniforms are not allowed to be worn when you go out skiing or snowboarding on your own time.

What are some of the employee perks/benefits?
The best perk about working at Crystal Mountain is the season pass which allows you to ski and/or ride the entire ski mountain!

Other employee perks include the following:

-Ability to ski/snowboard at over 40 other ski areas in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia, Canada.
-Discount on food & beverage (excluding alcohol)
-Discount on rental equipment
-Discount on retail items in our on mountain Sport Shop
-Discount on ski and snowboard lessons
-Direct Deposit (after opening a bank account here in the United States). This is especially helpful in receiving you last check of the season.
-And much, much more!!!

Will I be able to learn how to ski and/or snowboard?
Most of our previous international student/employees have taken advantage of their season pass and available discounts on rental gear and lessons to learn how to ski and/or snowboard while here at Crystal Mountain. If you want to learn, you will have plenty of opportunities. Also, depending on your job, learning how to ski/ride might be required. If needed, ski and/or snowboard gear will be provided for you by Crystal Mountain free of charge.

How much & when will I get paid?
Washington State’s minimum wage is currently $8.67 (year 2011) and will change to $9.04 (year 2012). All wages are dependent on each job and/or department but most positions are paid at or slightly above minimum wages. Washington State’s minimum wage is one of the highest in the United States (Federal minimum wage is only $7.25).

How can I cash my check?
After all international students arrival here at Crystal Mountain, we will have representatives from local banks come to the mountain so students/employees will be able to open bank accounts (checking/savings/debit card). We require that all employees are enrolled in our “Direct Deposit” program. Ask your supervisor if you have any questions.

Are there any tipped positions available?
Crystal Mountain does not hire international students/employees directly into tipped positions.

Can I get a second job?
Yes, you would be able to get a second job in another department with the approval of your manager/supervisor. You might also be able to get extra hours in your primary department. You cannot exceed 56 hours per week total for all work in all departments at Crystal Mountain. Also, we only pay overtime after the 56th hour.

Will I always get to work my scheduled hours?
The hours you work will actually work will more than likely be different from your scheduled hours. The amount of hours you will work at Crystal Mountain will be dependent on many varying factors: the weather, time of season, and how many guests we have visiting our ski area on any given day. During holidays and weekends, you may work very long hours. Other days you might be sent home early or told to come back at a later time. Slow days are great days to go outside and enjoy the beauty and fun that being at Crystal Mountain has to offer!!

What is there to do at Crystal Mountain?
Besides the amazing opportunity of learning to ski and/or snowboard while here at Crystal Mountain, being in the Northwest offers many different experiences for you to take pleasure in. Many past international students/employees have organized trips to the cities of Seattle, Tacoma and even Vancouver, Canada! Washington State and our entire surrounding area have many different and wonderful sights and opportunities to come into contact with and enjoy. Please remember that any requested days off must be approved through your manager/supervisor. Any missed shifts without prior approval are grounds for discipline up to and including termination. Enumclaw is the closest town to Crystal Mountain. And it is located approx. 40 miles away. Here you will find movie theatres, shopping, post office, banks, many restaurants and most everything else you would expect to find in a city.

We look forward to your arrival here at Crystal Mountain and hope you will have a wonderful time working with us this winter.