Assistant Manager: Snowmaking - Hourly

Vail Resorts; Crested Butte (CO); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free ski passes

Discounted lift tickets for friends &1

Free ski lessons

Discounts on lodging and gear

401(k)

Employee Assistance Program

Training & development

Referral program

Job summary

Vail Resorts in Colorado is hiring for winter seasonal roles including snowmaking leadership to support resort openings and terrain expansion. The positions offer competitive wages, free passes, and Epic Service training, plus wellness benefits.

Starting wage ranges from $25.00 to $35.20 per hour, with full-time hours available. Housing is not provided. Must be 18+, have snowmaking experience and leadership ability, and be able to work extended hours and adverse weather.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3–5 years of snowmaking experience.
• 1–2 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of snowmaking equipment, systems, and operations.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work extended hours, overnight shifts, weekends, holidays, and adverse weather.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, hire, onboard, and train snowmaking personnel.
• Provide direct supervision and leadership to snowmaking crews.
• Support employee development through coaching and mentoring.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with company policies.
• Help create and maintain work schedules for staffing needs.
• Lead crews and make operational decisions in absence of the Snowmaking Manager.
• Plan and execute snowmaking strategies to open dates and terrain expansion.
• Monitor weather, system performance, and production metrics for efficiency.
• Coordinate water, air, and energy resources to optimize snow production.
• Maintain operational records and collaborate with other departments.
• Assist with maintenance and repair of snowmaking equipment.
• Ensure OSHA safety compliance and training.
• Manage budget monitoring, payroll review, and reporting.

Skills

Snowmaking leadership

Staff supervision

Mechanical aptitude

Communication skills

Operational decision making

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in ski area management, engineering, business, or related field

Tools

Hydrants

Guns

Pumps

Valves

Pipelines

Control systems

Job description

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

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert: Create Alert

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

Job Specifications:

• Starting Wage:$25.00 - $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 & Team Development

• Assist in recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and training snowmaking personnel.
• Provide direct supervision and leadership to snowmaking crews.
• Support employee development through coaching, performance feedback, and mentoring.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all company policies and procedures.
• Help create and maintain work schedules to ensure appropriate staffing levels.
• Lead crews and make operational decisions in the absence of the Snowmaking Manager.

Snowmaking Operations

• Assist in planning and executing snowmaking strategies to support resort opening dates and terrain expansion goals.
• Monitor weather conditions, snowmaking system performance, and production metrics to maximize efficiency.
• Coordinate water, air, and energy resources to optimize snow production.
• Support daily operational decision-making regarding deployment of equipment and personnel.
• Maintain accurate operational records, logs, and reporting documentation.
• Work collaboratively with Grooming, Lift Operations, Ski Patrol, and other departments.

Equipment & Infrastructure Management

• Assist with the maintenance and repair of snowmaking equipment, including hydrants, guns, compressors, pumps, valves, pipelines, and control systems.
• Conduct inspections of snowmaking infrastructure and ensure deficiencies are addressed promptly.
• Monitor inventory levels and assist with managing parts, supplies, and seasonal equipment needs.
• Support preseason setup and post-season shutdown activities.
• Coordinate repairs with internal maintenance teams and external vendors as needed.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all work activities are conducted in accordance with OSHA regulations and company safety standards.
• Participate in incident investigations and recommend corrective actions.
• Conduct safety meetings, training sessions, and field observations.
• Ensure proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Maintain compliance with environmental regulations and water-use requirements.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Assist with budget monitoring and cost-control initiatives.
• Support payroll review, timekeeping, and labor tracking.
• Prepare reports related to production, staffing, equipment performance, and operational efficiency.
• Participate in capital planning discussions and future snowmaking infrastructure improvements.

Job Requirements:

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 3-5 years of snowmaking experience.
• Minimum 1-2 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of snowmaking equipment, systems, and operations.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work extended hours, overnight shifts, weekends, holidays, and during adverse weather conditions.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

Preferred

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in ski area management, engineering, business, or related field.
• Previous experience supervising large seasonal workforces.
• Knowledge of automated snowmaking systems.
• Experience with pump stations, compressors, electrical systems, and industrial controls.
• CPR/First Aid certification.
• Experience with budgeting and operational planning.

The expected pay range is$25.00 - $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.

Requisition ID 517849
Reference Date:09/24/2026
Job Code Function:Snowmaking