Grooming Supervisor

Sugar Bowl; California; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k after 1000 hours

Paid sick time

Employee Assistance Program

Professional development opportunities

Free ski and tubing passes

Free ski passes for dependents

50% off food at our restaurants

Free group ski and snowboard lessons

Employee discounted lift tickets

Lift ticket discounts at multipleResos

Hotel discounts

Employee ski reciprocal programs

Job summary

Sugar Bowl Resort in California is seeking a Grooming Supervisor to lead the nightly grooming operation, set the schedule, coach the grooming team, and uphold Sugar Bowl’s standards for an excellent product each morning.

This hands-on leadership role requires deep grooming knowledge, strong equipment skills, and a proven ability to develop operators while coordinating with the Snow Surfaces Director to align priorities with conditions and guest demand.

Qualifications

• Extensive, hands-on knowledge of grooming techniques for classic quality and technical terrain.
• Operational skill across grooming equipment; able to run and teach it.
• Prior lead or supervisory experience in grooming or a comparable field-based crew.
• Track record of developing operators; capable of training Groomer I from scratch and pushing Groomer III to sharpen their craft.
• Strong communication skills and ability to generate reports using standard computer programs.
• Energetic, friendly, and outgoing with strong guest service instincts.
• Valid driver's license with a clean record.
• Comfortable working in extreme weather and climate conditions with the crew.
• Open to learning new skills and supporting other departments as needed.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise, schedule, and coach the Groomer I, II, III, and lead groomers each shift.
• Coordinate and run the nightly grooming operation, translating conditions and priorities into a clear plan for the crew.
• Partner with the Snow Surfaces Director to determine nightly grooming priorities based on conditions, weather, trail usage, and guest demand.
• Train and onboard new Groomer I hires, and mentor Groomer II and III operators toward growth.
• Set, model, and enforce safety standards for snowcat operation and equipment use.
• Evaluate operator performance, provide direct coaching and feedback, and flag personnel concerns to the Snow Surfaces Director.
• Inspect grooming equipment regularly and coordinate repairs or maintenance needs with the shop.
• Document nightly grooming activity to track effectiveness and support Risk Management needs.
• Cross-train and lend a hand in other departments as needed, building a broader understanding of resort operations.

Skills

Grooming techniques

Grooming equipment operations

Leadership experience

Developing operators

Communication and reporting

Driver's license

Weather resilience

Team-first mindset

Job description

Sugar Bowl Resort is looking for a Grooming Supervisor to lead the team that makes our slopes ready for guests every single morning. You’ll be the person running the nightly grooming operation, setting the schedule, coaching technique, and holding the team accountable to Sugar Bowl’s standard for a consistently excellent product. Working closely with the Snow Surfaces Director, you’ll help set nightly grooming priorities based on conditions, weather, and guest demand, then translate that plan into a well-run shift for your crew. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who has put in the seat time, knows what great grooming looks and feels like, and genuinely enjoys developing the people doing the work alongside them.

Why Sugar Bowl?

Sugar Bowl Resort has been proudly independent for over 80 years and is one of the oldest ski resorts in California. Situated atop beautiful Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl has a storied past with ties to Austrian ski culture, Hollywood and Walt Disney. This special community helped bring skiing to “sunny California” since December 1939. Since then, it continues to attract adventurous winter sports enthusiasts a like.

Who You Are

• Extensive, hands-on knowledge of the latest grooming techniques, for both classic quality and technical terrain
• Excellent operational skill across all grooming equipment - you can run it as well as teach it
• Prior lead or supervisory experience, ideally in grooming, heavy equipment operation, or a comparable field-based crew
• A track record of developing operators; comfortable training a Groomer I from scratch and pushing a Groomer III to sharpen their craft
• Strong communication skills, comfortable generating reports and documentation using standard computer programs
• Energetic, friendly, and outgoing, with strong guest service instincts
• A valid driver's license with a clean record
• Comfortable working in extreme weather and climate conditions alongside the crew
• Open to learning new skills and supporting other departments as needed - a versatile, team-first mindset

What You’ll do

• Directly supervise, schedule, and coach the Groomer I, II, III, and lead groomers each shift
• Coordinate and run the nightly grooming operation, translating conditions and priorities into a clear plan for the crew
• Partner with the Snow Surfaces Director to determine nightly grooming priorities based on conditions, weather, trail usage, and guest demand
• Train and onboard new Groomer I hires, and mentor Groomer II and III operators toward continued growth
• Set, model, and enforce safety standards for snowcat operation and equipment use
• Evaluate operator performance, provide direct coaching and feedback, and flag personnel concerns to the Snow Surfaces Director
• Inspect grooming equipment regularly and coordinate repairs or maintenance needs with the shop
• Document nightly grooming activity to track effectiveness and support Risk Management needs
• Work with the Snowmaking Department to coordinate equipment relocations and trail openings
• Maintain the grooming shop and facilities in a clean, organized condition
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Snow Surfaces Director
• Cross-train and lend a hand in other departments as needed, building a broader understanding of resort operations beyond the grooming shop
• Take advantage of opportunities to learn new skills across the resort, supporting a well-rounded, team-first approach to the guest experience

Physical Requirements

• Comfortable sitting for extended periods while operating a snowcat, with frequent climbing on and off the machine
• Capable of working outdoors in extreme, cold winter weather conditions, often during late evening and early morning hours
• Able to stand, sit, or lie in cramped or awkward positions for extended periods during equipment inspection or repair
• Capable of frequently lifting 50-75 lbs, and occasionally lifting over 100 lbs
• Comfortable working in proximity to moving mechanical parts and heavy machinery
• Manual dexterity for equipment inspection, maintenance checks, and machinery operation
• Sufficient visual and auditory acuity to safely operate machinery, supervise a crew in the field, and monitor changing weather and trail conditions
• Steady footing and balance for navigating icy, uneven, or steep terrain on and off equipment

Winter Benefits

• Employer sponsored 401k plan after 1,000 worked hours and one (1) year of service
• Paid sick time
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development opportunities
• Free ski and tubing passes for employees
• Free ski passes for dependents
• 50% off food at our restaurants
• Free group ski and snowboard lessons for employees
• Employee discounted lift tickets for family and friends
• Lift ticket discounts at multiple resorts including 24 Mountain Collective destinations
• Hotel discounts
• Employee ski reciprocal programs