Assistant Manager: Grooming - Hourly

Vail Resorts; Crested Butte (CO); On-site; USD 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free ski passes

Free ski lessons

Employee discounts

401(k) Retirement Plan

Employee Assistance Program

Training & development

Referral Program

Job summary

Vail Resorts in Crested Butte is hiring for a Snow Grooming Assistant Manager for the 2026/27 winter season. You will lead grooming staff, plan nightly operations, and oversee fleet maintenance to ensure top safety and snow quality.

This role demands strong leadership, snowcat skills, and a focus on safety and process improvement. The position offers a winter seasonal role with full-time shift type, competitive starting wage, and comprehensive employee benefits, including passes, training, and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 3-5 years of snow grooming experience.
• Minimum 1-2 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Advanced proficiency operating snowcats in varied terrain and snow conditions.
• Strong understanding of snow science, grooming techniques, and mountain operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise grooming staff, recruit and develop talent.
• Plan and execute nightly and daytime grooming operations.
• Oversee grooming fleet maintenance and inspections.
• Enforce safety policies and incident investigations.
• Assist with budgeting, records, payroll, and performance metrics.

Skills

Leadership

Snow grooming experience

Snowcat operation

Communication

Night/weekend flexibility

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Snowcats

Fleet management

Job description

Now hiring for winter 2026/27 - Cooks, Drivers, Instructors & more.

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

The Snow Grooming Assistant Manager supports the Snow Grooming Manager in the daily leadership and operation of the mountain grooming department. This role assists with planning, directing, and evaluating all snow grooming activities to ensure safe, consistent, and high-quality trail conditions. The Assistant Manager helps supervise grooming personnel, oversees fleet maintenance coordination, manages operational efficiency, and promotes a culture of safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

The position requires strong leadership, excellent communication skills, advanced snowcat operating abilities, and the ability to make informed operational decisions in a dynamic mountain environment.

Job Specifications:

• Starting Wage:$29.00 - $35.20
• Employment Type:Winter Seasonal 2026/2027
• Shift Type:Full Timehours available
• Minimum Age:At least 18 years of age
• Housing Availability:No

Job Responsibilities:

Leadership & Supervision

• Assist in recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, and evaluating snow grooming staff.
• Provide direct supervision and leadership to grooming operators and shift leads.
• Schedule employees to ensure adequate staffing for all grooming operations.
• Conduct shift briefings and communicate operational priorities.
• Promote a positive team culture focused on safety, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Assist with employee coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Serve as Manager-on-Duty for the grooming department in the Grooming Manager's absence.

Snow Grooming Operations

• Assist in planning and executing nightly and daytime grooming plans.
• Monitor trail conditions and adjust grooming strategies based on weather, snowpack, skier traffic, and operational needs.
• Coordinate grooming activities with Mountain Operations, Ski Patrol, Snowmaking, Lift Operations, Terrain Park, and Events teams.
• Ensure trails, terrain features, roads, and operational areas are groomed to established quality standards.
• Participate in snowcat operations as needed.
• Monitor GPS and fleet management systems to optimize productivity and resource utilization.

Equipment & Fleet Management

• Assist with oversight of the grooming fleet, including snowcats, winch cats, snowmobiles, and support equipment.
• Coordinate inspections, preventative maintenance, and repairs with the fleet maintenance team.
• Ensure operators complete required equipment inspections and documentation.
• Track equipment performance, downtime, fuel usage, and maintenance needs.
• Promote proper equipment operation to maximize safety and extend asset life.

Safety & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all resort safety policies and operating procedures.
• Promote and enforce safe snowcat and winch-cat operating practices.
• Conduct safety training and participate in incident investigations.
• Monitor weather conditions and operational hazards.
• Ensure all employees maintain required certifications and training.
• Support the department's risk management and emergency response efforts.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Assist with departmental budgeting and expense management.
• Maintain operational records, reports, and documentation.
• Support payroll review and scheduling processes.
• Track department performance metrics and operational goals.
• Participate in planning meetings and operational reviews.

Job Requirements:

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 3-5 years of snow grooming experience.
• Minimum 1-2 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Advanced proficiency operating snowcats in varied terrain and snow conditions.
• Strong understanding of snow science, grooming techniques, and mountain operations.
• Ability to work overnight, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts as operational needs require.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and make sound decisions under pressure.

Preferred

• Previous assistant manager or lead operator experience.
• Experience operating winch cats.
• Experience with terrain park construction and maintenance.
• Mechanical aptitude and equipment maintenance knowledge.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work outdoors in extreme winter weather conditions.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while operating equipment.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to climb into and out of heavy equipment multiple times per shift.
• Ability to work at elevation and on steep mountainous terrain.
• Ability to respond to emergencies during day or night operations.
• Leadership & Team Development
• Decision Making
• Operational Planning
• Safety Leadership
• Communication
• Problem Solving
• Equipment Stewardship
• Accountability

The expected pay range is$29.00 - $35.20. 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.