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, Mountain Operations plays a critical leadership role in delivering a safe, efficient, and exceptional mountain experience for guests and employees. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Mountain Operations, this position provides oversight and strategic direction for key mountain operations departments, including Lift Experience, Snowmaking, Grooming, Ski Patrol, Terrain Parks, and Building Maintenance.
This leader is responsible for driving operational excellence, fostering a culture of safety and accountability, developing high-performing teams, and ensuring the mountain operates at the highest standards of guest service and reliability. The ideal candidate is an adaptable and collaborative leader who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and is passionate about outdoor recreation and operational leadership.
Job Specifications:
- Starting Wage: $61,122.00 - $87,317.00 +Annual bonus
- Employment Type: Year Round
- Shift Type: Full Time hours available
- Minimum Age: At least 18 years of age
- Housing Availability: No
Job Responsibilities:
Leadership & Team Development :
- Lead, coach, and develop departmental leaders to create a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
- Establish performance expectations and oversee goal setting, development planning, and performance management processes for direct and indirect reports.
- Build organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, and leadership mentoring.
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing work environment focused on employee engagement and operational excellence.
Safety & Risk Management :
- Champion a proactive safety culture for employees and guests across all mountain operations functions.
- Partner closely with the Health & Safety team to ensure compliance with all company, regulatory, and industry safety standards.
- Participate in risk mitigation planning, incident response, and emergency preparedness initiatives.
Operational Excellence :
- Provide strategic oversight of all assigned mountain operations departments to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operations.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational performance, cost efficiency, guest satisfaction, and employee productivity.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational metrics to evaluate department performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Balance shifting business priorities, weather impacts, and operational challenges while maintaining service excellence.
Financial Management :
- Develop, manage, and oversee departmental operating and capital budgets.
- Monitor financial performance and implement strategies to achieve budgetary objectives while maintaining service and safety standards.
- Identify opportunities for cost optimization and operational efficiencies.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement :
- Build strong partnerships across resort departments to ensure alignment and operational effectiveness.
- Serve as a key member of the resort leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, staffing, business initiatives, and overall resort performance.
- Manage relationships with contractors, vendors, and external partners to ensure quality, compliance, and value.
- Participate in enterprise-wide working groups and best-practice initiatives to share knowledge and drive operational consistency.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Support resort hiring, workforce planning, and administrative functions as needed.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Job Requirements:
Required
- Minimum of 3 years of leadership experience managing teams and operations in a complex, fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated success leading multiple operational departments or functional areas.
- Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasting, and operational performance metrics.
- Excellent leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
- Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication abilities.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other business-related technologies.
- Valid driver's license and ability to successfully pass a background check.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and during peak operating periods.
- Ability to work outdoors in varying and adverse weather conditions.
- Intermediate or higher skiing or snowboarding ability.
Preferred
- Experience in ski resort, mountain operations, outdoor recreation, hospitality, transportation, or related industries.
- Experience leading unionized and/or seasonal workforces.
- Knowledge of mountain resort operations, snowmaking, lift systems, grooming, facilities, or guest service operations.
The expected pay range is $61,122.00 - $87,317.00 +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 515569
Reference Date: 07/16/2026
Job Code Function: Leadership - Mtn Ops
