Assistant Manager: Snowmaking - Hourly

Vail Resorts; Paoli (IN); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free passes

Discounts on lodging, food, gear

401(k) Retirement Plan

Employee Assistance Program

Training and development

Referral Program

Job summary

Vail Resorts in Paoli, IN is seeking a Snow Surfaces Assistant Manager (M1) for a winter seasonal leadership role. You will oversee daily operations of the Snow Surfaces department, lead a skilled team, and ensure safe, high-quality mountain conditions for guests.

The position emphasizes hands-on operations with leadership duties, including scheduling, training, and performance management. Opportunities to transition to a summer role exist, and a strong safety culture is required.

Qualifications

• Five years of heavy equipment operating experience preferred.
• Strong leadership and people-management abilities.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to safely operate heavy equipment in winter mountain conditions.
• Valid driver's license required with acceptable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily Snow Surfaces operations under Mountain Operations Manager.
• Supervise Snow Surfaces staff across Snowmaking, Grooming, Terrain Park, and Fleet Maintenance.
• Design, inspect, and maintain Pioneer Park features and terrain elements.
• Coordinate labor, schedules, and budgets to meet operational targets.
• Operate heavy equipment and monitor weather and slope conditions for guest experience.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Leadership

English fluency

Communication skills

Driver's license

CDL preferred

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

CAT

Pisten bulley

SMI

Job description

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

Snow Surfaces Assistant Manager (M1) supports the Mountain Operations Manager in the leadership, direction, and daily operation of the Snow Surfaces Department at Paoli Peaks. This position assists in overseeing snowmaking, grooming, terrain park operations, fleet maintenance, and heavy equipment operations to ensure safe, efficient, and exceptional mountain conditions for both guests and employees.

As a leader, the Assistant Manager actively participates in daily operations while providing guidance, support, and direction to the Snow Surfaces team. This role is responsible for leading terrain park operations, including the design, construction, and maintenance of Pioneer Park features; developing a strong understanding of the resort's snowmaking system and snowmaking operations during production windows; coordinating department schedules and labor resources to meet operational and budgetary objectives; assigning and prioritizing daily work across all Snow Surfaces functions; mentoring and developing employees; operating heavy equipment and snow surface machinery; and promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence.

The Assistant Manager works closely with the Mountain Operations Manager to establish daily priorities, allocate resources, monitor weather and mountain conditions, and ensure all departmental activities are completed in accordance with company standards, policies, and safety requirements. This position also assists with employee recruitment, training and development, scheduling, performance management, equipment planning, budgeting, inventory management, and interdepartmental coordination.

The ideal candidate is a strong and motivated leader with a passion for mountain operations, employee development, and maintaining a best-in-class safety culture. They must be comfortable balancing hands‑on operational responsibilities with leadership and administrative duties in a dynamic resort environment while consistently supporting the resort's operational goals and guest experience.

This is primarily a winter seasonal leadership position with the opportunity to transition into a summer seasonal role within the Lift Maintenance Department. During the summer season, the Assistant Manager may support lift maintenance operations, infrastructure projects, inspections, trail improvements, and other Mountain Operations initiatives as assigned.

Location: Paoli, IN, US

Job Specifications:

• Starting Wage: $25.00-$35.20
• Employment Type: Winter Seasonal 2026/2027
• Shift Type: Full Time hours available
• Minimum Age: At least 18 years of age
• Housing Availability: No

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist the Mountain Operations Manager in leading the daily operations of the Snow Surfaces Department.
• Provide direct supervision and leadership to Snow Surfaces team members, including Snowmaking, Grooming, Terrain Park, and Fleet Maintenance staff.
• Lead the design, construction, inspection, and maintenance of Pioneer Park features, ensuring a safe and engaging guest experience.
• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of the resort's snowmaking system, assisting with planning, production, and operational decision-making during snowmaking windows.
• Coordinate employee schedules, staffing levels, and labor allocation to meet operational demands while maintaining labor budget targets.
• Plan, assign, and prioritize daily work activities across all Snow Surfaces operations.
• Operate snowcats, loaders, excavators, tractors, and other heavy equipment safely and efficiently.
• Monitor weather conditions, snow quality, and slope conditions to support operational planning and guest experience objectives.
• Ensure all snowmaking, grooming, terrain park, and equipment operations are completed in accordance with company policies and safety standards.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, and performance management of Snow Surfaces team members.
• Mentor employees and support leadership development within the department.
• Maintain accurate operational records, equipment inspections, maintenance logs, and departmental reports.
• Support fleet maintenance activities, including equipment inspections, preventative maintenance schedules, and operational readiness.
• Coordinate effectively with Lift Experience, Lift Maintenance, Ski Patrol, and other resort departments.
• Assist with department budgeting, inventory control, purchasing, and resource planning.
• Participate in incident investigations and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Promote and model a strong safety culture, ensuring compliance with OSHA, company, and industry safety standards.
• Serve as the acting Mountain Operations leader in the absence of the Mountain Operations Manager.
• Respond to operational emergencies, weather events, and changing mountain conditions as needed.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record required.
• Class A CDL preferred or ability to obtain.
• Minimum five years of heavy equipment operating experience.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to safely operate multiple types of heavy equipment in challenging mountain and winter conditions.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English fluently.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in varying mountain weather conditions, including snow, ice, wind, and extreme temperatures.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during storms and peak operational periods.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in ski resort operations or snowmaking operations.
• Experience with CAT, Pisten bully, SMI, or similar heavy equipment.
• Knowledge of winter operations, snow removal planning, and alpine work environments.
• Experience leading teams, coaching employees, and fostering a positive safety culture.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely climb into and out of heavy equipment multiple times per shift.
• Ability to walk on uneven, snowy, icy, and steep terrain.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while operating heavy equipment.

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.