Ski Patrol Boot Packing Program

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Come work and play in the mountains!  Whether it’s your first-time seeing snow or you were born on the slopes, joining our team means discovering (or re-discovering!) a passion for the outdoors while building lifelong connections with teammates and guests from around the world.

With 40+ resorts across 3 continents, you can join our team for a season or stay to build a career. From day one, you'll receive some of the highest compensation rates in the industry, free pass(es) along with free ski and snowboard lessons, 40% retail discounts, the chance to grow through Epic Service - our leading training and development experience, and wellness benefits to fuel your success.

Hiring for our seasonal positions occurs on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted until December 15th or until the positions are filled (whichever is first).

Employee Benefits

•    Ski/Mountain Perks! Free passes for employees, employee discounted lift tickets for friends and family AND free ski lessons 
•    MORE employee discounts on lodging, food, gear, and mountain shuttles
•    401(k) Retirement Plan 
•    Employee Assistance Program
•    Excellent training and professional development
•    Referral Program

To Learn More, please review the Benefits Eligibility Summary

 The Crested Butte Ski Patrol will be accepting applications for paid boot packing positions to assist the ski patrol with pre-season snow compaction efforts in CBMR avalanche terrain. Crested Butte avalanche terrain is a unique place for skiing and riding and would not be open without the dedicated efforts of our ski patrol and boot packers. You must be an expert skier to apply for this job.

Job Summary:

Boot packing is the art of what The Avalanche Handbook calls “stabilization by compaction”. The goal of ski or boot packing is to break through ALL existing layers of snow in the snowpack in “avalanche start zones”. Boot packing or walking down the mountain without skis, compresses layers deep within the snowpack. The breaking down and overall disruption and compaction of early season snowpack layering, results in a much more dense and cohesive snowpack that usually retains adequate strength even during melting. Essentially, boot and ski packing requires walking downhill through various avalanche start zones located on Crested Butte Mountain, mostly without your skis, while compacting the snow. Boot packing at the ski area involves long days spent outside in severe winter conditions at high altitudes. The work is extremely strenuous and is comparable to mountaineering. All the inherent risks of that sport are here, including falls or possible avalanche involvement. Due to the amount of traversing required, snowboards are not suitable for this job.

Job Specifications:

• Expected Pay Range: $20.00 - $22.00 / hour

• Shift & Schedule Availability: Part-Time, Holiday Help

  • 20 days minimum for the season
  • Must be available on holidays and weekends

To be considered eligible for this job:

• You must be an expert skier capable of moving safely through very rocky and steep terrain often with very little snow.
• You must have adequate, working, modern ski equipment (your equipment will get very used).
• You must be willing and able to walk on and over rocks in your skis or in your ski boots.
• You must work a minimum of 60 paid hours but not exceed 100 paid hours; this is considered a “holiday help” job that has very irregular hours and scheduling.
• You must have a flexible 7-day-a-week schedule starting in mid-December through early February, dictated by the often unpredictable nature of the weather and snowpack in conjunction with our overall ski area operational objectives.
• In addition to boot packing, packers may be required to assist with on mountain work projects. These projects may include but will not be limited to shoveling and carrying up to 25 pounds of gear while riding surface lifts.
   

Essential Job Functions and Requirements:

• Hours for this job are 8:45 am – 4:15 pm; options are to work all day or an AM (8:45-12:15 pm) or PM shift (12:45-4:15 pm).
• Daily lunch break will be 30 minutes and you must punch out for lunch.
• All packers must ski approved routes down to the base area and when skiing to lifts.
• Packing will begin when there is sufficient snow. Due to this requirement, dates of operations may begin or end at any time. In the past, we have begun as early as December 1st and tend to finish before mid-February.
• On average there are 30 total ‘shifts’ available for boot packing each season.
• You are required to complete any combination of 3-hour shifts for a minimum of 20 shifts. It is up to each boot packer to fit their packing days into the variable days that will be available.
• There is no guarantee how many shifts will be available each week and the season could end suddenly.
• If 60 hours are not completed through the boot packing program you will be required to finish your hours within a secondary department, likely Lift Operations and scanning.
• Emails are sent regularly to inform boot packers of possible shifts as they become available.
• All packers are encouraged to show up for as many days as possible and we require a minimum of 4 packers for any shift to go into the field for boot packing.
   

Job Suggested/Required Gear:

• All ski gear must function properly and pass an equipment check at the start of the season.
• A sturdy-soled ski boot is required. Alpine touring boots or telemark boots are the ideal footwear.
• A modern avalanche beacon (less than 5 years old) must be worn each shift. If you do not have an avalanche beacon, one will be assigned to you for use during your work shift.
• Full winter clothing able to withstand entire days outside.
• Packers are responsible for their own lunch and water and must have a suitable backpack for carrying personal gear, which could include personal avalanche gear.
• Boot packers will receive an employee season Pass and are not eligible for any dependent passes or discount passes due to the holiday help job description.
• All packers will be required to wear their company-provided safety vest for every boot-packing shift. 

The expected pay range is $20.00 - $22.00. This is the pay range we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Individual compensation decisions are based on a variety of factors.

Vail Resorts is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

Requisition ID  505850
Reference Date: 10/31/2024 
Job Code Function: Trail Maintenance