Mountain Recreation Management

Thomas Anderson, Assistant Professor
John DeLeo, Professor
Jonathan Norling, Assistant Professor

B.S. Mountain Recreation Management:
-Ski Resort and Snowsport Management
-Adventure Leadership

Core Values

The Recreation program was created in 1972 by a group of public and private sector executives to prepare professionals for careers in park and recreation management and resort planning and development. Our original core values to prepare students with great attitudes and strong work ethics as stewards of socially and environmentally-responsible endeavors, remain true today.

Program Mission Statement

To prepare leaders competent in recreation resource and user management in the private and public sectors, who are:

responsible and confident
independent and logical thinkers
socially and environmentally sensitive

Program Goals

The program goals of the Mountain Recreation Management Department bond the two concentrations of Adventure Leadership, and Ski Resort and Snowsport Management across a core curriculum. Students who graduate from the program will have:

strong written and verbal communication skills
an understanding of leisure needs and behaviors of diverse populations
an environmental awareness and appreciation
sound resource management skills
an ability to think logically and critically
knowledge through applied experiences and problem solving
individual, group, and organizational leadership skills
the ability to design, conduct, and analyze research
a commitment to community service
an appreciation for the importance of a sound work ethic

Course Requirements

The Department offers two concentrations in the baccalaureate program: Ski Resort and Snowsport Management, and Adventure Leadership. The concentrations require 46 credits of core courses, which include content in: leisure history and philosophy; planning and development of programs and services; management principles and practices; research methods and implementation; recreation resource management policy and practice; leadership applications; and computer skills including Geographic Information System (G.I.S.) and Global Positioning System (G.P.S.) mapping skills. As a part of the core, students participate in a common outdoor education practicum, as well as sophomore field practicum, upperclass research projects, and senior internship experiences specific to their concentration. In addition to core requirements, each concentration includes a sequence of specialized courses.

Concentration Requirements and Career Opportunities

Ski Resort and Snowsport Management students engage in more than 360 hours of sophomore field experiences at various resorts throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. They may choose to specialize in Mountain Operations, obtaining a Vermont Lift Attendant Level I qualification, or in Mountain Services, focusing on Service Marketing and events. An additional minimum of 450 hours is spent in a senior internship at a resort matching the student’s career interests. Introductory courses orient students to resort operations and functions. Ski resort seminars focus on industry trends and issues. Students may choose to graduate with an additional Associate of Science degree in Business Administration. Graduates find careers in diverse functions in both mountain services and mountain operations at resorts throughout the country.

The Adventure Leadership concentration prepares students for career opportunities as outdoor instructors, ski and climbing guides, expedition leaders, or program directors and administrators in wilderness therapy, adventure-based counseling, commercial adventure-based programs, outdoor environmental education centers, college outdoor programs, recreation departments, and other public and private organizations. Classroom experiences provide students with a theoretical understanding of adventure education, experiential learning, program development, risk management, environmental stewardship, and leadership. Field-based courses, practicum, and internship experiences provide students with opportunities to develop the personal characteristics and technical skills necessary for the practice of safe, high quality adventure programs. This program highlights integrated technology, GIS, GPS, mapping & planning, and adventure skills training in rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, backcountry skiing/riding, mountain biking, orienteering, ropes and challenge course facilitation, expedition planning and leadership. Expeditions have gone to Newfoundland (backcountry skiing), Baja (sea kayaking), Utah (canyoneering, mountain biking, backcountry skiing), Ecuador, Africa, Mexico (mountaineering). The Green Mountains of Vermont and White Mountains of New Hampshire serve as natural learning laboratories.

Student Outcomes for the Major

Upon graduation, recreation majors will be able to:

plan, implement, and evaluate a program to meet diverse leisure needs served by the public and private sectors of the recreation industry;
apply appropriate use of current technology for recreation field related problems;
conduct research consistent with the scientific methods to objectively solve problems within the recreation profession; and
identify strategies which lead to sustainable environmental practices.

Minor and Certificate Programs

Mountain Recreation students have numerous opportunities to add-value to their degrees and job opportunities through specialized course choices, including:

Minors/Associates: Business Marketing, Business Administration

Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR, Leave No Trace Master Educator, Outdoor Emergency Care, State of Vermont Lift Apprentice Level I

Certificates of Completion: Avalanche Level I & II (AIARE), Mountain Operations (LSC), Mountain Services (LSC), Geographic Information Systems (ESRI)

Experiential and service-learning embedded in course offerings

Expeditionary learning opportunities to improve hard skills, enhance cultural understandings, explore career options, and serve local/indigenous/natural communities

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