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On a recent afternoon, I went on a quest for people who do their jobs for the fun of it. I found them in the Sandias. Steve Malavolta is a ski patroller at Sandia Peak Ski Area. For the past 17 years, he has donned the red jacket with a white cross on the back and hit the slopes. "This job is about being out in the weather you love," Malavolta said. "And to have fun and help people."

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On a recent afternoon, I went on a quest for people who do their jobs for the fun of it. I found them in the Sandias.

Steve Malavolta is a ski patroller at Sandia Peak Ski Area. For the past 17 years, he has donned the red jacket with a white cross on the back and hit the slopes.

"This job is about being out in the weather you love," Malavolta said. "And to have fun and help people."

Jim Franklin, a five-year veteran of the ski patrol, concurs. In near white-out conditions Wednesday, he spoke through the ice crusted on his face. "We have people up here who need help at all times. You never know what to expect."

As Malavolta (right), on a snowboard, and Franklin, on skis, rode off into the snow in search of someone to help and some fresh powder, it was clear they were in for some fun.

Lower on the mountain, two snowboard instructors shoveled snow off of the boardwalk near the ski school offices. Not exactly glamorous, but they didn't complain.

"This is definitely something I don't ever want to stop doing," said Grant Roberts, referring to being an instructor, not the shoveling.

Roberts has worked at Sandia since he was in high school. "I've gotten better at snowboarding, and I have a good time up here."

First-year instructor Braden Anderson leaned on his shovel and grinned.

"I'm surprised I haven't been doing this longer. Going from riding 10 days a year to 75 really improves your riding."

Seventy-five days of snowboarding — wicked fun.

The patrollers and the instructors are responsible for making sure all those with whom they come in contact on the mountain are enjoying themselves.

"We get a lot of beginners on the hill," said Franklin. "If we can help them and instill the confidence they need to grow, they'll have fun. And if they have a good time the first time, they'll be back."

It's true. My quest for fun jobs took me to the mountains, where I spent a day riding through fresh powder, talking to interesting people and taking pictures. Talk about fun.