Lift Operations Supervisor

Sugarloaf Mountain Corporation; Boyne Falls (MI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Ski passes

Golf passes

Waterpark passes

Discounts on food and retail

Job summary

Boyne Mountain Resort seeks an on-hill Lift Operations Supervisor to lead the lift fleet, oversee Lift Leads and Operators, and drive safety and guest service on busy days.

You will train, coach, and hold teams accountable to safety standards, ensuring every lift runs safely and guest-ready all season long.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of lift operations or equivalent leadership experience.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to stay calm under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Open, inspect, and close assigned lifts each operating day, ensuring safety and guest readiness.
• Monitor lift capacity, wait times, and staffing; adjust assignments as needed.
• Supervise, develop, and evaluate Lift Leads and Operators.
• Direct on-hill operations from lift terminals and load/unload zones.
• Coordinate inventory and tools at shift start and ensure return at shift end.
• Communicate on-hill needs to dispatch and report safety concerns.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Two-way radios

Skiing ability

Driver's license

Safety decisions

Organization

Email

Timekeeping

Basic computer apps

Bilingual

Job description

Overview

The Lift Operations Supervisor is the primary on-hill leader for the day-to-day operation of the resort's lift fleet, spending the majority of each shift on the mountain at lift terminals directly overseeing Lift Leads and Operators. Working from the operating plan and priorities set by the Lift Operations leadership, this role delivers hands-on training, coaching, and accountability to safety, guest-service, and performance standards, helping ensure every lift runs safely, efficiently, and in a guest-ready condition throughout the season. Everything we do at Boyne Mountain is guided by our core values: L.E.A.D.S.: Long-Term Thinking, Excellence in Execution, Attitude is Everything, Develop Great People, and Serve First. You'll bring those values to every lift tower, every team interaction, and every guest recovery moment.

As a Boyne Mountain team member, there are so many awesome perks for you to take advantage of, such as: ski passes, golf passes, waterpark passes, and discounts for food, beverages, retail, daycare, and so much more! To learn more about Boyne Mountain Resort, employment perks, and employee testimonials.

Responsibilities

• Long-Term Thinking - Participate in lift incident investigations and support corrective action plans for safety events. Coordinate with Lift Maintenance, Ski Patrol, and Guest Services on cross-functional operations. Hold the team accountable to uniform standards, safety protocols, and department policies — because the decisions made today shape the safety culture of tomorrow.
• Excellence in Execution - Personally open, inspect, and close assigned lifts each operating day, confirming each is safe and guest-ready before loading. Inspect, monitor, and help maintain ramp quality and lift rope lines throughout the day, keeping load and unload zones safe, orderly, and guest-ready.
• Attitude is Everything - Monitor lift capacity, wait times, and staffing levels during shifts. Adjust staff assignments and breaks in real time based on on-hill conditions and daily operational needs. This role takes you outside in every kind of weather Michigan can deliver — and you approach every shift with composure, focus, and steady can-do energy that keeps the whole team grounded.
• Develop Great People - Supervise, develop, and evaluate Lift Leads and Operators. Coach and mentor operating staff in collaboration with Lift Operations leadership to build skills, consistency, and guest-service standards. Deliver hands-on, on-hill training to operating staff using the department's curriculum.
• Serve First - Serve as the on-hill point of operation for all lifts, including chairlifts and surface lifts, directing daily operations from the terminals and load/unload zones. Champion outstanding guest service, modeling and reinforcing friendly, safe, and helpful guest interactions across the team. Support overall resort operations by assisting other departments in any capacity needed during peak periods, acting first as a team member of Boyne Mountain Resort and not solely of Lift Operations.
• Address day-to-day performance and conduct issues, escalating to Lift Operations leadership as needed.
• Coordinate lift operator transportation to and from assigned lift locations at open and close. Coordinate Leads' assigned lift locations and confirm coverage across the mountain.
• Work hands-on in all facets of lift operations as needed, including ticket checking, line managing, ramp work, and lift line setup and teardown.
• Confirm each team has the proper supplies at the start of shift — including tablets, ticket scanners, and tools — and ensure all inventory is accounted for and returned at the end of each shift.
• Communicate on-hill needs to dispatch, including ticket-scanning errors, lift issues, and safety concerns.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises Lift Leads and Operators within the assigned shift (typically 100+ seasonal team members). Provides on-hill input to training, coaching, and performance management decisions within the assigned area; formal decisions are led by the Lift Operations Assistant Manager.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

1+ years of lift operations experience, or equivalent operational leadership experience in another field. Prior supervisory or lead experience preferred but not required for internal candidates with strong operational knowledge. Candidates with a strong leadership background outside of mountain or lift operations will be considered, provided they can quickly develop lift-specific knowledge.

Strong communication skills and the ability to stay calm and decisive during high-pressures situations required.

Skills

• Strong verbal, written, and two-way radio communication skills, with the ability to lead and motivate a large team
• Intermediate skiing or snowboarding ability sufficient to access all lift locations on the mountain in variable conditions
• Ability to safely operate a snowmobile and side-by-side utility vehicle on the mountain; a valid driver's license is required
• Sound judgment and decision-making in fast-paced, safety-critical situations
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proficiency with email, timekeeping, and basic computer applications
• Bilingual ability preferred but not required

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

Must be able to respond on-hill to any lift location within assigned area in all weather and terrain conditions, including occasional tower or rope evacuation work, and work extended hours including nights, weekends, and holidays during the operating season.

Position requires extensive time outdoors at elevation in all seasonal weather conditions, including cold, wind, and snow. Duties are performed on and around moving mechanical equipment; strict adherence to safety protocols is required at all times.