So You Want to Be a Holiday Valley Y.E.T.I.?
This is one of the coolest jobs a young skier or rider can land at Holiday Valley.
Q: Alright, let’s start with the obvious…what’s a Y.E.T.I.?
A: Great question. Around here, Y.E.T.I. stands for Young Enthusiastic Teaching Intern. Which is a pretty official way of saying: a young instructor-in-training who gets to learn the ropes of the Snowsports School from the inside.
It’s basically a paid on-snow internship for 14- and 15-year-olds, where students work alongside Ranger Coaches and experienced Snowsports instructors, learning what it actually takes to teach, help guests, and be part of the team.
So yes — it’s a real opportunity. And yes — it’s an awesome opportunity.
Q: So if I want to become a Y.E.T.I., what do I do? Wander into the woods and wait to be chosen?
A: Tempting, but no. These days, the usual path into the Y.E.T.I. program runs through something called the Yeti Education Program, or Y.E.P.
Over the past few seasons, that path has gotten much more dialed in. The idea is simple: if we’re going to bring young people into teaching roles, we want them to have a strong base of knowledge, confidence, and experience before they ever put on the uniform.
Q: Okay, so what exactly is Y.E.P.?
A: Y.E.P. is an 8-week training program that runs from January through the first week of March, with sessions held Saturday mornings from 8AM to 12PM.
It’s part training, part mentorship, part behind-the-scenes look at how the Snowsports School works, and all of it is geared toward helping young skiers and riders grow into future instructors.
Q: Sounds serious. Is it all clipboards and lectures?
A: Not even close.
Yes, students learn important foundational stuff, like how to greet guests, help with proper gear fitting, and carry themselves in a professional teaching environment, but the program builds way beyond that.
As the weeks go on, students move into more advanced topics, including movement analysis on snow, and by the final stretch they’ll even be helping teach select members of the public under supervision.
So no, it’s not just sitting around talking about teaching. It’s learning by doing.
Q: What’s the cost?
A: The program costs $300, and that includes a full season pass.
Honestly, that’s a pretty big value. The whole idea is to invest in the future of the Snowsports School while making it possible for motivated young people to get their foot in the door.
Q: What’s the catch?
A: The catch is: you’ve got to show up and put in the effort.
We expect students to complete all 8 sessions. Rare absences can happen, of course, but they should be excused, and there needs to be a plan to make up whatever was missed. If you know you will be missing more than one session, you should not apply for this opportunity.
Dates will be posted in the fall but it is pretty much Saturday Jan 9, 2027 - March 6, 2027, with a break on Feb 13th , 2027, over Presidents' weekend. This isn’t a drop-in whenever-you-feel-like-it kind of deal. Failure to maintain attendance will result in revocation of skiing privileges.
Q: So if someone finishes Y.E.P., are they officially in?
A: If they successfully complete the program and receive a satisfactory evaluation from both Y.E.P. team leaders, they’ll receive a job offer for the following season’s Y.E.T.I. program (as long as they also meet the age requirements and take care of all the required minor employment paperwork.)
Q: How many spots are there?
A: That depends on how many openings we expect to have the following season. Class size is set in the fall, so some years there may be more room than others.
One thing is always true, though: spots are competitive.
Q: Does it help to already be part of Holiday Valley programs?
A: It definitely can. Applicants with experience in Holiday Valley programs may have an advantage in the selection process. But the opportunity is still open to everyone, not just current program kids.
Q: When do applications open?
A: Applications will be available on the Holiday Valley employment page in October 2026.
Q: What if there are still open Y.E.T.I. jobs after that?
A: If any Y.E.T.I. positions remain unfilled, we may consider exceptional candidates through a separate application process.
So while Y.E.P. is usually the main route, there can occasionally be another way in.
Q: One last practical question...what if somebody already bought a season pass?
A: No worries there. If a student purchases a season pass during the spring sale, or anytime before being accepted into Y.E.P. or hired into the Y.E.T.I. program, the appropriate amount will be refunded.
If you’re a young skier or rider who loves being on the hill, likes helping people, and wants to be part of the future of Holiday Valley Snowsports, this is a pretty special opportunity.
It’s not just about becoming a Y.E.T.I. It’s about learning how to teach, how to lead, how to work hard, and how to grow into the kind of instructor younger students will look up to someday.
Also…let’s be honest.Being a Y.E.T.I. is just a pretty cool title.