Lead Lift Operator

Vail Resorts; Leavenworth (WA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free employee passes

Discounted lift tickets for friends &–

Free ski lessons

40% retail discounts

Wellness benefits

401(k) Retirement Plan

Employee Assistance Program

Training and professional development

Referral Program

Job summary

Vail Resorts in Washington (Leavenworth) is hiring for winter seasonal roles including Lift Operators and Lift Experience Team Lead. The position focuses on safe lift operation, staff leadership, and guest service excellence in an alpine environment.

Starting wage ranges from $22.00 to $29.22 per hour, with full-time seasonal hours. Applicants must be at least 18, fluent in English, and able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1–2 years of previous lift or mountain operations experience required.
• Must be physically capable of assisting guests while loading lifts; may lift up to 40 lbs.
• Must be able to communicate fluently in English.
• Must be able to work outdoors in all types of inclement weather, standing and moving for the entire shift on potentially slippery or uneven surfaces.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, holidays, and weekends.
• Pay range is $22.00/hr - $29.22/hr.

Responsibilities

• Setting up one or more lifts every day, and must quickly develop a working knowledge of those lifts and work area.
• Training new employees in Daily Operating procedures.
• Leading the Lift Operators in assigned tasks and projects.
• Ensure lift logs are complete and accurate on a daily basis.
• Coach and develop the performance of assigned Lift Operators, and assist in the development of employee reviews.
• Responsible for the overall appearance of assigned lift stations and staff, as well as auditing station supplies and lift logs throughout the day.
• Ensure that all breaks are completed in accordance with Department Labor policies.
• Conducts and provides valuable input during morning/evening shift meetings.
• Must be able to adhere to all company and department policies and procedures and set an example for others to follow.
• Must be completely reliable and punctual for all assigned shifts, and be able to work unsupervised and delegate duties when needed.
• Participate in classroom and on the job training for lift operators and ensure training documents are kept current.
• Other duties as assigned by department leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Education

High School Diploma or GED

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 Lift Experience Team’s mission is to provide employees and guests witha seamlessend-to-end experience from maze entrance to lift unloading. Service is the foundation of everything we stand for at VailResorts,and our Lift Experience Team is no exception to this experience of a lifetime. As a Lift Operations Team Lead, you willbe responsible forthe safe operation of resort lifts,overseeemployees in the Lift Experience Team, while being courteous and efficient guest service champions with a proven ability to lead.

Job Specifications:

Starting Wage:$22.00/hr - $29.22/hr

Employment Type:Winter Seasonal 2026/2027

Shift Type:Full Timehours available

Weekends and Holidays as needed

Skill Level: Lead

Minimum Age:At least 18 years of age

Housing Availability:Yes

Job Responsibilities:

• Setting up one or more lifts every day, and must quickly develop a working knowledge of those lifts and work area.
• Training new employees in Daily Operating procedures.
• Leading the Lift Operators in assigned tasks and projects.
• Ensure lift logs are complete and accurate on a daily basis.
• Coach and develop the performance of assigned Lift Operators, and assist in the development of employee reviews.
• Responsible for the overall appearance of assigned lift stations and staff, as well as auditing station supplies and lift logs throughout the day.
• Ensure that all breaks are completed in accordance with Department Labor policies.
• Conducts and provides valuable input during morning/evening shift meetings.
• Must be able to adhere to all company and department policies and procedures and set an example for others to follow.
• Must be completely reliable and punctual for all assigned shifts, and be able to work unsupervised and delegate duties when needed.
• Participate in classroom and on the job training for lift operators and ensure training documents are kept current.
• Other duties as assigned by department leadership.

Job Requirements:

High School Diploma or GED Equivalentrequired

1-2 years ofpreviouslift or mountain operations experiencerequired

Must be physically capable ofassistingguests while loading lifts; maylift upto 40lbs

Must be able to communicate fluently in English

Must be able to work outdoors in all types of inclement weather, standing and moving forentireshift on potentially slippery or uneven surfaces.

Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, holidays, and weekends

The expected pay range is$22.00/hr - $29.22/hr. 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.