I want to work at a ski resort in my country (America) over the winter, since I have a seasonal job at a summer camp lined up already for next year and can run them back to back. I have about $1500 cash saved up for whatever I might need (gear, rent, food, plane ticket, etc) and an interview on tuesday.

What should I expect as a liftie that won't be told to me before I get there? All I know is the hours are long, you're not making a ton of $, and there's no real flexibility in your schedule.

I'm used to just buying rentals and not giving any thought to my own equipment, but should I buy some of my own skis to beat up for a season? They're required to have, in some form, and I'm not entirely sure how seasonal rentals would work for that long.