Lift / Tubing Operator

City of Streamboat Strings; Steamboat Springs (CO); On-site; USD 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

End-of-season bonus

Merchant Pass for 20+ hours weekly

Real Deal ski access

Job summary

City of Steamboat Springs is seeking a seasonal Howelsen Hill Mountain Operator to manage tubing hill operations, lift safety, guest services and snow maintenance. You’ll ensure a safe, welcoming environment for guests while supporting winter operations across the mountain.

The role requires outdoor work in winter conditions, weekend availability, and a commitment to excellent customer service. Seasonal hours average 36–40 per week from December through March, with competitive pay and seasonal

Qualifications

• Experience in ski area operations or lift operations.
• Experience in amusement operations preferred.
• Customer-service experience valuable.
• Equivalent education and experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Serves as an ambassador promoting safety and city values.
• Runs tubing hill operations, including setup, ticketing, safety briefings.
• Provides safety orientations to participants.
• Operates tubing hill lift with safety checks and logs.
• Performs snow maintenance on tubing hill areas.
• D delivers high-quality guest service from arrival to departure.
• Maintains tools and work areas in a neat, safe condition.
• Works outdoors in winter conditions and supports events.

Skills

Customer service

Safety awareness

Equipment operation

Interpersonal skills

Tools

Tubing hill lift equipment

Ticket validation systems

Snow maintenance tools

Hand tools

Radios

Safety equipment

Job description

This is a seasonal position. Hours are variable up to 40 per week depending on department need.

Final Day To Apply:

10/09/2026

It’s fun and rewarding to work for the City of Steamboat Springs! Our employees are passionate and proud to serve our community with excellence and distinction. Our teams are awesome, and we are committed to our community and the very special place that is Steamboat Springs, Colorado!

Job Description:

HOWELSEN HILL MOUNTAIN OPERATOR

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs daily operational duties at Howelsen Hill including tubing hill operations, lift operations, guest services, snow maintenance, and safety coordination. Ensures a safe, welcoming, and efficient environment for all guests while supporting winter operations across the mountain.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the Supervisor, Foreman, and Lift Maintenance staff.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as an ambassador of the City of Steamboat Springs, upholding City values of Service, Teamwork, Integrity, Well-being, Respect, and Compassion while promoting safety at all times.

• Conducts daily tubing hill operations including morning setup, ticket validation, safety briefings, traffic flow management, speed control, snow maintenance, and completion of daily logs.

• Provides hourly safety orientations and participant introductions to tubing hill operations to ensure rules, procedures, and systems are followed.

• Operates the tubing hill lift including guest safety and interaction, ticket checking, safety checks, daily logs, maintaining loading/unloading zones, and supporting special events.

• Performs snow maintenance on the tubing hill and associated areas.

• Offers top-notch customer service from guest arrival through departure.

• Adheres to all City safety policies and procedures.

• Maintains tools, supplies, and work areas in a neat, organized, and clean manner.

• Works to maintain a safe, fun, and welcoming environment for guests and coworkers.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Must be able to work extended periods outside in winter conditions.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

May assist with general winter operations, events support, or mountain maintenance tasks as assigned.

WORK TYPE AND SCHEDULE

Seasonal position scheduled December through March, averaging 36–40 hours per week. Weekend availability required.

PERKS

Seasonal employees may choose one of the following based on eligibility:

• A $1.50/hour end-of-season bonus based on total hours worked; or

• A Steamboat Resort Merchant Pass for employees working 20+ hours weekly, paid for by the City.

• All Howelsen Hill employees are eligible to participate in the Real Deal, granting access to ski at most ski areas in Colorado.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Experience in ski area or ski lift operations preferred.

• Experience in amusement operations preferred.

• Customer-service experience acceptable and valuable.

• Any equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of practices related to customer service and safety in recreational environments.

• Skill in operation of listed tools and equipment.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, participants, guests, and the public.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Tubing hill lift equipment, ticket validation systems, snow maintenance tools, hand tools, radios, and safety equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be able to work for extended periods outdoors in winter conditions including cold, snow, ice, and wind. Regularly required to stand, walk, interact with guests, and perform light to moderate physical labor.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed outdoors in variable winter weather conditions and around operational equipment. Requires maintaining safety awareness in guest areas, lift zones, tubing lanes, and snowy/icy terrain. Weekends required.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview, reference check. Additional job-related testing may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of typical responsibilities. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them if they are similar or logically related. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change as operational needs evolve.

If you like serving in a role that will directly and positively impact our great community, you’ll enjoy your career with us!

Pay Range:

$21.97 - $26.70

Offers will be negotiated based on each candidate’s qualifications.