Manager: Snowmaking

Create Your Experience of a Lifetime!

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 Epic 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.

Candidates for year-round positions are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted up to 90 days after the posting date, or until the position is filled (whichever is first).
 

Job 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
   

Full Time roles are eligible for the above, plus:

• Health Insurance; Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, and Vision Insurance plans (for eligible seasonal employees after working 500 hours)
• Free ski passes for dependents
• Critical Illness and Accident plans

Job Summary:

The Manager of Snow Surfaces is responsible for the year-round oversight and coordination of the Snowmaking, Grooming, and Terrain Parks departments, including summer construction operations to ensure a consistent and safe product for our employees and guests. This is achieved through financial management, teamwork, planning, employee development, quality control, and strong leadership in partnership with the other Snow Surfaces Managers. This position assists with the development, communication, and implementation of Resort goals and initiatives while developing and maintaining strong working relationships both internally and externally.

Job Specifications:

• Starting Wage: $54,754 - $76,562
• Employment Type: Full time
• Shift Type: Full Time hours available

• Minimum Age: At least 18 years of age

• Housing Availability: No

Job Responsibilities:

• Accountable for mountain operations goals while contributing to overall resort and corporate goals and initiatives. Focus on snowmaking and/or grooming and terrain parks will shift based on the needs of the business throughout the year.
• Own the efforts for mountain operations to improve employee and guest safety and eliminate employee work comp incidents.
• Increase operational efficiency and effectiveness through intra- and inter-departmental communication and cooperation.
• Oversee departmental budgets and capital projects while tracking performance to expectations.
• Responsible for ongoing mountain development planning, capital planning, as well as expense planning and implementation.
• Develop leaders within snow surfaces to improve leadership within current roles and to prepare for increased responsibility/succession.
• Directly manage the establishment of goals, development plans, and the appropriate evaluation of performance for all direct reports. Ensure effective hiring, training, coaching, and discipline.
• Drive the mountain operations culture and the overall resort culture to create optimal engagement of employees- providing the experience of a lifetime for our staff and ensuring that they provide it for our guests.
• Actively participate in enterprise-wide best practice groups relevant to operating departments with a focus on driving local and company-wide results.
• Build strong, positive relationships with stakeholder groups outside of direct reports; this includes other divisions, homeowner groups, community partners, etc.
• Act as a representative within the local community as necessary. Prioritize and adapt in a constantly changing business and environmental setting.
• Ensure compliance with all local, state and federal regulations, including OSHA, SWMP, water reporting, etc.

Job Requirements:

• Must have a valid Driver’s License.
• Must have the ability to operate proficiently with Microsoft Office Suite and other VRI software as necessary.
• Must possess the ability to speak, read and write effectively in English.
• Must have the ability to stand for long periods of time. 
• Previous experience with snowmaking, grooming, and terrain parks.

Preferred:

• Summer construction and storm water management
• Previous resort and mountain operations experience.

The expected pay range is $54,753.60 - $76,561.71 + annual bonus. This is the pay range we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Individual compensation decisions are based on a variety of factors.

In completing this application, and when submitting related documentation, applicants may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, and/or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. 

We follow all federal, state, and local laws including restrictions on child/minor labor. Minors hired into this position will not be asked or permitted to engage in any activities restricted to adult workers.

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  510406
Reference Date: 07/25/2025 
Job Code Function: Snowmaking