Mountain Resort Management

A snowboarder flying through the air over a mound of fresh snow.

As the only program of its kind, the Mountain Resort Management Concentration puts you on top of it all by preparing you for leadership roles in resort and ski area management, from on-the-mountain to back-of-the house positions. You can choose from two tracks within the concentration: mountain operations or resort management. Alumni from this program have worked at Ski The East, Park City Mountain Resort, Jackson Hole Outdoor Leadership Institute, Stowe Mountain Resort, and more. 

In the mountain operations track, you’ll learn about ski patrolling, trail design and snowmaking systems, and other areas involved in running operations on a mountain resort. You'll even become versed in running summer mountain activities, like zip lines, downhill mountain biking, and outdoor climbing. 

In the resort management track, you’ll gain the skills to move up quickly as you learn to manage hospitality services like lodging, night life, and dining. You’ll also learn public relations, ecotourism, and event planning. Both tracks include coursework on resort software technologies, environmental science, resort law, and risk management.

Reach out with Questions

Amanda Ley

Assistant Director of Admissions

802.468.6465

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Brad Moskowitz

Professor & Program Coordinator: Outdoor Education, Leadership, and Tourism

802.635.1423

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Why Study Mountain Resort Management at Vermont State

  • Career Opportunities: Outdoor and adventure tourism job market trends show solid growth in the field, especially in outdoor recreation and youth education. This concentration is great for people who want to move up in the industry, as well as those wanting to shift careers into this field.
  • Certifications: You can broaden your career options by taking the VT State Level One Lift Maintenance Exam and earn certification in CPR or as a Wilderness First Responder as well as other in-demand certifications for the field.
  • Greater Earning Potential: With preparation for management and leadership roles, you’ll have opportunities to advance toward greater earning potential. Outdoor education graduates of public colleges like Vermont State University also earn significantly more a decade after starting college than graduates of private colleges, according to the Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership.
  • Supportive Mentorship: Our dedicated professors will work closely with you in small groups in the classroom and the outdoors, helping reach your academic and career aspirations.
  • Growing Network: Our alumni and program network is always expanding and opening up new doors for students with internships and job opportunities.

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Sample Courses

  • Mountain Resort Software Technologies 
  • Resort Law and Risk Management  
  • Venue Management 
  • Outdoor Emergency Care 
  • Summer Mountain Operations 
  • Snow Maintenance 
  • Ecotourism  
  • Strategic Media Communications  

Other Concentrations in This Program

Student Stories

A young man in a baseball cap wearing a red check flannel shirt smiles at the camera.

“The program at Lyndon gives me the opportunity to reach my goals in the classroom and outside the classroom. There’s a large group of people who come from Lyndon who are in the position I strive to be in, and I’ve made a lot of connections. If you’re looking to ski and do what you love, Lyndon is the place to be.”

CJ Gaunce 
A young woman blond woman in a pink denim jacket smiles at the camera with her hand on her hip.

“I like how work-centered the whole program is. It’s real-life and very practical knowledge. You’re going to need all of the things you learn here forever if you choose to stay in the resort business.”

Emma Moore

Meet Our Faculty

Associate Professor

  • Lyndon Campus

Man in neon yellow jacket smiles at the camera with a rock in his hand. While on a mountain.

Professor & Program Coordinator: Outdoor Education, Leadership, and Tourism

  • Lyndon Campus

Ready to Take the Next Step?