Sports reporter -- Eagle-Vail, Colorado

[TrooperBari]

http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=941318

The Vail Daily, a 15,000 circulation paper in the central Rockies, is seeking a self-starting, passionate sports reporter ready to cover everything from high school sports to World Cup Skiing.

Versatility is the name of the game here. Our readers expect major league coverage of high school sports, but they also want to know everything that is happening on the snow as well as what our community's athletes are doing around the world. The person who gets this job will find that no day is dull with the variety of sports you'll be covering from the not-so average high school gamer to high-profile features.

Photoshop, Quark, NewsEdit and Web skills are a must as an ability to ski or snowboard intermediate runs on the slopes. This position opens Aug. 1 and you must be ready to go from Day 1.

The Vail Daily is a part of Colorado News Media and offers health care, a 401(k) plan and other benefits.

Please send your cover letter, clips and references to [email protected] or via snail mail to Chris Freud, Sports editor, c/o Vail Daily, P.O. Box 81, Vail, CO, 81658.

I might be going out on a limb here, but the advertised $25K-$30K salary probably isn't enough to live in Eagle or Vail.

 

[KevinmH9]

It's a great position it sounds and I was going to apply, but requiring the ability to ski and/or snowboard? I haven't done either in my life although I want to try. Is requiring someone to know how to ski/snowboard being a bit picky or something? Just didn't sound right to me.

 

[Boom_70]

It's a great position it sounds and I was going to apply, but requiring the ability to ski and/or snowboard? I haven't done either in my life although I want to try. Is requiring someone to know how to ski/snowboard being a bit picky or something? Just didn't sound right to me.

Just spitballing here but if you can't ski you would not be able to cover some of the events held on hill.

 

[TrooperBari]

It's a great position it sounds and I was going to apply, but requiring the ability to ski and/or snowboard? I haven't done either in my life although I want to try. Is requiring someone to know how to ski/snowboard being a bit picky or something? Just didn't sound right to me.

Have a go, Kev. The worst they can say is no.

 

[outdoors]

Well, if you thought living in Glenwood on little money would be tough, have fun with this one. You will need a bus of people living with you to afford living on this salary, and hope you have no outside expenses.

 

[a_rosenthal]

It's a great position it sounds and I was going to apply, but requiring the ability to ski and/or snowboard? I haven't done either in my life although I want to try. Is requiring someone to know how to ski/snowboard being a bit picky or something? Just didn't sound right to me.

Fairly familiar with the paper.

Used to work with their former photo chief. He was told the same thing, that you have to be able to ski/snowboard. He had never been on a mountain when he applied. He lied, got the job, taught himself the day before he started and was fine. And he had to take pictures while boarding.

You'll be fine.

A bigger concern is the COL there. It's worse than the Glenwood job advertised below (same company, FYI). You will absolutely need at least one roommate here. Perhaps two or three. Everything is expensive in Vail. Double the cost for everything, even fast food.

 

[thebigd]

you mean swift owns the vail paper?

 

[effinyorks]

you mean swift owns the vail paper?

Yes it does, as well as the Aspen Times, Summit Daily News and Grand Junction Free Press, among myriad other papers in the mountains...

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

Regarding rentals, a check of the Vail paper's classifieds is illuminating.

Figure $1,200 for a 1/1.

I am excluded.

 

[a_rosenthal]

Regarding rentals, a check of the Vail paper's classifieds is illuminating.

Figure $1,200 for a 1/1.

I am excluded.

That's pretty cheap, I'd think, for that area.

This is one of those jobs that would be great in theory. You can ski (unless things have changed, you get a primo discount on a season-long ski pass. In fact, it might be free for employees. Not sure), it's in a beautiful area and if you're a sports guy, you'll have most days to yourself to enjoy the skiing/boarding.

But I can't fathom how a journalist survives there on a journalists salary. I know the average starting salary there is higher than the salary at some other Swift shops, but we're talking around $1,500 a month on rent.

Probably should add that in my dealings with Chris, he seemed like an all-around good guy. Don't know anyone who's worked with him who wouldn't agree.

 

[Sawker]

On their website right now...

Is one income enough in Vail Valley?
http://vaildaily.com/article/20080623/NEWS/958197231

The answer: not if you work for the newspaper.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

On their website right now...

Is one income enough in Vail Valley?
http://vaildaily.com/article/20080623/NEWS/958197231

The answer: not if you work for the newspaper.

Great get. 8)

That link should be reposted every time they advertise an opening.

 

[mustangj17]

It's a great position it sounds and I was going to apply, but requiring the ability to ski and/or snowboard? I haven't done either in my life although I want to try. Is requiring someone to know how to ski/snowboard being a bit picky or something? Just didn't sound right to me.

Just spitballing here but if you can't ski you would not be able to cover some of the events held on hill.

And if you can't ski, Colorado is not the place to learn. Their bunny hills are other state's black diamonds.

 

[Boom_70]

If NY State can have a blind Governor then a ski town newspaper can certainly have a sports reporter that can't ski. I can ski but can't write, I wonder if they would consider me.

Eagle Vail is a great area. If I were young with no responsibilities I would jump at a chance to work at a paper like that because of the skiing - the best in the U.S .

If you don't ski it's probably not worth it to struggle.

 

[a_rosenthal]

It's a great position it sounds and I was going to apply, but requiring the ability to ski and/or snowboard? I haven't done either in my life although I want to try. Is requiring someone to know how to ski/snowboard being a bit picky or something? Just didn't sound right to me.

Just spitballing here but if you can't ski you would not be able to cover some of the events held on hill.

And if you can't ski, Colorado is not the place to learn. Their bunny hills are other state's black diamonds.

Nah, you can still learn. You can learn enough to be adequate (which is all I assume you need to be to cover things) in a day or two.

 

[outdoors]

It's a great position it sounds and I was going to apply, but requiring the ability to ski and/or snowboard? I haven't done either in my life although I want to try. Is requiring someone to know how to ski/snowboard being a bit picky or something? Just didn't sound right to me.

Just spitballing here but if you can't ski you would not be able to cover some of the events held on hill.

And if you can't ski, Colorado is not the place to learn. Their bunny hills are other state's black diamonds.

You have several ski areas around, so you can always find one that is a little easier. A-Basin can be good at times, so can Copper. Both have relatively easy beginner bunny/green slopes that most can pick up after a few days. I would think that a pass to the ski area would be included. If not, then this job would be extremely hard to live with.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

This could be a very exciting job if Kobe ever comes back to Vail.

 

[Boom_70]

This could be a very exciting job if Kobe ever comes back to Vail.

As I recall this was the paper that tried at first to put a happy spin on the whole Kobe visit to the Vail Valley at first.

 

[TheS]

Probably should add that in my dealings with Chris, he seemed like an all-around good guy. Don't know anyone who's worked with him who wouldn't agree.

I'll agree. I met Chris at a state volleyball tournament, and he was indeed a good guy.

 

[Claws for Concern]

Isn't there a comedy festival in Vail every year, too?