By Karen D. Lorentz
It’s not every day that one meets a woman working in a “non-traditional” job at a ski area. But Halley Riley-Elliott is not only comfortable in the work clothes of a mechanic fixing machines, she’s also at home in make-up and gowns competing in beauty pageants. And she loves doing both!
Born in Springfield, Riley-Elliott grew up in Mount Holly and graduated from Black River High School in 2019.
Halley Riley-Elliott likes both beauty pageants and mechanical work. She works for Okemo Mountain Resort.
In 2021 she graduated from Vermont Technical College with a degree in diesel power technology and was working for a small heavy equipment rental company when she decided she needed a change. Having worked at Okemo as a teenager, she returned as a mechanic working on grooming machines.
It was great timing as Vail Resorts, Okemo’s parent company, had already embarked on efforts to encourage women to explore careers in the mountain resort field. (In 2019, the Vail Resorts Northeast Team held a series of events to educate people about opportunities for women as part of a companywide POWDER initiative — Providing Opportunity for Women through Diversity, Equality and Respect.)
Q&A with Halley Riley-Elliott
Mountain Times: When did you join Okemo?
Halley Riley-Elliott: I joined the Okemo team back in 2015 as a junior instructor in Snow Stars and then moved up to be a snowboard instructor.
MT: Were there any people who were special influences or mentors that caused you to choose your current job?
HRE: No one really influenced me or mentored me. My Jeep Wrangler is what did it.
I had learned how to work on that and really enjoyed it. While going to Stafford Technical Center during high school to become an LNA [licensed practical nurse], I also got the chance to help work on heavy equipment. I loved that as well! So I decided to go to college for diesel and make a career out of it.
MT: Your mechanic’s job is one usually held by males. How do you fit in with fellow workers?
HRE: I definitely do not fit in. But it’s a good thing. Keeps everyone on their toes, and their best behavior!
MT: What do you like about your job? best part?
HRE: I love working at Okemo. I love being a part of the “Okemo Difference.” The best part about my job is operating the snowcats and the feeling you get after diagnosing and properly fixing the machines.
MT: And the challenging part?
HRE: The most challenging part of my job is being the only female in the shop.
MT: So how and when did you get involved with the Miss Vermont USA pageant?
HRE: It was a spontaneous decision to compete. I have always wanted to compete and was talking to a former competitor about her experience. After our conversation, I decided that I was going to compete for the 2021 title.
MT: What do you like about competing?
HRE: I love everything about competing. The feeling I get on stage is almost euphoric. I am representing an entire group of females who are not usually represented or associated with pageants, as well as inspiring the up-and-coming generations to follow their dreams. And that is an amazing feeling. I have always wanted to make a difference in this world, and now I am!
MT: What’s your take on being a woman who has a non-traditional mountain operations job and also enjoys beauty pageants?
HRE: It is very different and new to so many people. You do stick out, but in the best way. You are leading and cutting the way for others to follow in your footsteps.
MT: What would you tell any person who was thinking about getting a job at a ski area?
HRE: Do it. Get the experience and know what goes on behind the scenes. I cannot promise that you will love every minute of it, but you will make so many friends and even more unforgettable memories.
MT: Any advice or words of wisdom that made a difference in your life?
HRE: Be unique and march to the beat of your own drum. Dare to be different. Inspire others. Take the road less traveled.
MT: Anything else you would like to share?
HRE: Always be yourself, your very best self. Do not change yourself to fit in. It really is not worth it. Prove people wrong. Stand up for yourself and others. Be an advocate and do good things for others. Do not be afraid to ask for help. And always follow your dreams.
