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:
At Vail Resorts, our mission is to create an Experience of a Lifetime for our employees, so they can, in turn, create an Experience of a Lifetime for our guests.
The Assistant Manager, Snow Surfaces, supports the planning, leadership, and execution
of all Snow Surface operations at Roundtop Mountain Resort, including Snowmaking, Grooming, Terrain Parks, and Summer Mountain Projects. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Mountain Operations, this role serves as a key member of the Mountain Operations leadership team and works closely with resort leaders to ensure safe, efficient, and guest-focused operations while delivering exceptional snow conditions and terrain experiences.
The Assistant Manager, Snow Surfaces helps drive operational excellence through employee development, workforce planning, resource management, and cross-functional collaboration. This position provides hands-on leadership during winter operations and supports year-round maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and capital projects that contribute to the resort's long-term success.
Job Specifications:
- Starting Wage: $26.60 - $38.00
- 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
- Manage and support the Leads of Snowmaking, Grooming, and Terrain Park operations.
- Oversee the recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, and performance management of employees.
- Promote a strong culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
- Develop future leaders through mentorship, training programs, and succession planning efforts.
- Provide leadership coverage for Mountain Operations leadership as needed, ensuring continuity of operations and effective decision-making during manager absences.
- Foster a culture aligned with Vail Resorts' leadership competencies and mission.
- Collaborate and align with enterprise-level Snow Surfaces COE groups on priorities, standards, and procedures
Snowmaking Operations
- Support and provide direction to Snowmaking Leads to optimize resources, labor allocation, and equipment utilization while developing and executing seasonal snowmaking strategies and production goals.
- Manage snowmaking systems, pumping infrastructure, water resources, compressors, and automation technology.
- Lead daily operational decision-making based on weather conditions, production targets, and business priorities.
- Coordinate preseason readiness and off-season maintenance activities.
- Ensure compliance with environmental permits, safety requirements, and operating standards.
Grooming Operations
- Support and provide direction to Grooming Leads to optimize resources, labor allocation, and equipment utilization.
- Oversee the planning and execution of grooming operations to maintain high-quality snow surfaces.
- Monitor trail conditions and snow quality to ensure exceptional guest experiences.
- Collaborate with Fleet Maintenance on preventative maintenance programs, equipment readiness, and proper operation.
- Support special events, racing venues, terrain parks, and operational priorities.
Terrain Park Operations
- Support and provide direction to Terrain Park Leads to optimize resources, labor allocation, and terrain features utilization.
- Provide oversight for the planning, construction, inspection, and maintenance of terrain park features.
- Partner with Events and Communications to create, promote, and support the execution of terrain park events.
- Ensure compliance with company standards and industry best practices.
- Responsible for the completion and oversight of all documentation pertaining to terrain parks, including plans, layouts, and builds.
- Partner with Patrol and Environmental, Health & Safety teams to support safe terrain park operations.
- Support employee training and development related to park construction, maintenance, and inspections.
- Drive consistency and quality in terrain park offerings throughout the season.
Operational Excellence & Strategic Planning
- Utilize operational reporting and performance metrics to support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Assist with long-term planning focused on snowmaking infrastructure, grooming fleet utilization, and operational sustainability.
- Partner with Mountain Operations leadership to implement enterprise initiatives and best practices.
- Support cross-functional collaboration between Snow Surfaces, Lift Experience, Ski & Ride School, Ski Patrol, and Resort Operations teams.
- Contribute to annual operating plans and departmental objectives.
Financial Management
- Support development, management, and forecasting of departmental operating budgets.
- Drive the optimization of labor management, workforce planning, and scheduling.
- Monitor expenditures related to fuel, utilities, materials, and equipment operations.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining safety and operational quality.
- Support capital planning and implementation of mountain improvement projects.
Safety & Compliance
- Champion Vail Resorts' commitment to Safety First.
- Ensure adherence to all company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
- Lead, develop, monitor, and constantly improve training programs for snowmaking systems, heavy equipment operation, and terrain park safety.
- Conduct inspections, audits, incident reviews, and corrective action planning as necessary.
Off-Season Operations
- Lead and support with summer trail maintenance, vegetation management, erosion control, and mountain improvement projects.
- Lead and support with infrastructure maintenance, trail maintenance, snowmaking capital projects, and construction activities.
- Coordinate resources, contractors, vendors, and internal teams to successfully complete projects.
- Help prepare the resort for winter operations through proactive maintenance and planning.
Job Requirements
Required Qualifications
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Minimum 3–5 years of progressive leadership experience in Snowmaking, Grooming, Terrain Parks, Heavy Equipment Operations, or Mountain Operations.
- Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience leading teams in a dynamic operational environment.
- Valid driver's license.
- Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and related business systems such as MaintainX, Workday, and Gensuite.
- Ability to work flexible schedules including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts during winter operations.
- Intermediate ability to ski or snowboard in varying weather and terrain conditions.
- Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
Preferred Qualifications
- Associate's or Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Operations Management, Recreation, Engineering, or related field.
- Experience with snowmaking infrastructure, pumps, compressors, and automation systems.
- Experience operating snow grooming and heavy equipment.
- Terrain Park leadership or operational experience.
- Budget management and capital project experience.
- Knowledge of OSHA, environmental compliance, and risk management practices.
- Previous Vail Resorts operational experience.
Leadership Competencies
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
- Safety First Leadership
- Talent Development and Coaching
- Financial Accountability
- Strategic Thinking
- Operational Excellence
- Collaboration and Relationship Building
- Guest-Centric Decision Making
- Effective Communication
- Adaptability and Resilience
- Continuous Improvement Mindset
Physical Requirements
- Frequently work outdoors in varying weather conditions including snow, wind, rain, and cold temperatures.
- Ability to walk, climb, ski/snowboard, and ride snowmobiles on varied terrain.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Ability to respond to operational emergencies and support business needs during peak periods.
The role you are being hired into requires further background check clearances by the State of Pennsylvania, which will need to be completed before you can begin work. For more information on the clearances, click here.
The expected pay range is $26.60 - $38.00. 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 516439
Reference Date: 08/02/2026
Job Code Function: Leadership - Mtn Ops
