Dozens of students, who find seasonal jobs in the ski industry, may be in for an extra bonus this year.

There was snow lingering in the air over the ski slopes west of Collingwood on Tuesday afternoon, where the anticipation of another ski season is building.

“We have been organizing the back shop taking everything out of storage, we've been repairing all of the boots, right now we are getting all of the skis and snowboards ready to go,” says Sean Murray, who got the call to start work at Blue Mountain three weeks ago.

Murray is one of the 1,800 people it takes to run the resort when it's at full capacity. Snowmaking operations got started earlier this week and depending on the weather, the ski slopes could open the first week of December.

However, the resort still needs to hire about 100 people to work for the season. Many of the jobs that are available are part time and ideal for students.

Janet Hammond, a spokesperson for Blue Mountain, says employees get to ski for free and the resort is now helping students save for their education.

“We are going to be putting $500 aside for tuition for post-secondary education,” says Hammond “If they return to us season to season they have a chance to make a good savings account towards their education.” 

Many retirees also join the work force during the ski season.  Doug Johnston is a retired corporate executive, who enjoys imparting his wisdom on the teens, who get their first job at Blue Mountain.

“Oh they are very invigorating,” he says. “They keep me young, they are just a great bunch to work with.”

The ski resort isn’t the only location that needs people. Help wanted signs pepper the windows of businesses, shops and restaurants.

Sigi Waldner rents skis and snowboards to visitors when they come and he plans to be ready to go.

“I am going to bring two guys in for this weekend just make sure, if somebody shows up or a bus comes in we will be ready,” Waldner says.

The resort will also, be operating a shuttle between the mountain and Collingwood at the end of each work day to help students with transportation.