Ski Patrol Director

Anchoragechamber; Anchorage, Northern (AK, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Hilltop Ski Area is seeking a Ski Patrol Director to lead all patrol operations, oversee staffing, training, scheduling, and the guest experience. You will drive safety programs, medical response, and rope rescue, while building a high-performing team and positive culture on Hilltop Mountain.

The role emphasizes leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration with HR and admin to maintain safety policies and guest satisfaction throughout the season.

Qualifications

• One-year college education or technical school, or 3+ years related experience.
• Current OEC, WFR, EMT 1 (or greater) certifications.
• Must be at least 18 years old and pass a background check.
• Ability to ski/snowboard to safely perform duties.
• Leadership experience in a patrol or similar role preferred.
• Strong guest service attitude and effective communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Hires, manages staffing and scheduling, and coaches patrol staff.
• Leads patrol training program design, scheduling, and safety during training.
• Oversees Accident Investigation Team and coordinates with senior leadership.
• Promotes guest service, teamwork, and a safety-focused culture.
• Leads winter mountain setup, trail openings, signage, and safety checks.
• Coordinates lift evacuations and mass casualty incident responses.
• Maintains incident records and reports; liaises with insurance when needed.

Skills

Leadership

Staffing & Scheduling

Training program design

Emergency response coordination

Guest service orientation

Communication

Microsoft Office

Education

One-year college or technical school

OEC

WFR

EMT-1

Tools

Snowmachines

ATVs

Patient toboggans

Job description

The Ski Patrol Director leads all operations of the Ski and Bike Patrol at Hilltop Ski Area, including staffing, training, scheduling, team culture and guest experience. They ensure the safety of guests and employees, oversee medical response, and lead rope rescue and lift evacuation. The role requires strong leadership, problem-solving, creativity, and the ability to build a high-performing and positive team culture.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

Leadership

• Hires, manages staffing and scheduling, and coaches/mentors ski patrol staff.
• Leads all aspects of the Patrol training program to include designing and facilitating training topics, scheduling sessions, documenting training plans and logs, and ensuring safety during training.
• Provides direct oversight of the Accident Investigation Team, including training of the team and coordinating communication with senior leadership.
• Maintains interdepartmental relations to promote team cohesion.
• Promotes and exemplifies a culture of exceptional guest service, teamwork, innovation, and fun.
• Works well independently, and with others, and provides resources wherever assistance is needed.
• Conducts and demonstrates a high level of professionalism.
• Works closely with external organizations to develop policies and procedures.
• Partners with leadership and departments to create innovative programs to improve and grow patrol.
• Asks questions, shares concerns, or gives ideas on innovation and efficiencies that improve both the guests’ and employees’ experience.
• During seasonal closures, the Patrol Director leads departmental advancement by actively developing and delivering targeted improvement initiatives to leadership.
• Takes on additional duties to support other departments during the shoulder season as directed by management.
• Other duties as assigned.

Safety & Operations

• Leads winter mountain setup and maintenance, including trail openings and closures, signage, ropes, and pads.
• Ensure that the hill is clear, safe, properly staffed by patrol, and ready to open prior to the public being at Hilltop Ski Area.
• Leads the rescue of injured skiers/bikers and renders first aid or transfers them to the Aid Shack and/or Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
• Notify EMS in cases of serious injury where additional treatment is needed.
• Assures that no skiers/bikers remain on slopes or trails at the end of the day or during inclement weather via patrol sweep.
• Observes ski lifts to report safety hazards and evidence of damage or wear.
• Enforces the Skier/Mountain Bike Responsibility Code.
• Maintains records of any incidents on the hill using an incident management system.
• Issues warnings and initiates the removal of guests in violation of rules and/or without proper lift tickets.
• Makes follow-up calls to customers who have had serious incidents or accidents at the facility.
• Ensures all records and reports are completed, organized, and current, and provides required documentation to the insurance company as needed.
• Build safety programs, develop and revise policy in collaboration with the Director of Mountain Operations.
• Adheres to and maintains, reviews, and provides updates to the Mountain Operations Plan.
• Ensures that all department and company safety policies are being followed.
• Works in collaboration with HR and Admin Manager to create a safety focused culture, helping to submit first report of injury for workers compensation, conduct employee accident investigations, and to actively evaluate and mitigate risk on the mountain.
• Ensures that guests and employees have a fun, safe, and memorable experience.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Minimum of one-year college education or technical school; and/or 3+ years related experience and/or training.
• Must have current OEC, WFR, EMT 1 or greater certifications.
• Must be at least 18 years of age to work and submit to a background check.
• Must work well with adults and children.
• High level of energy and enthusiasm for skiing, biking, and patrolling.
• Must be able to ski/snowboard at a level to safely complete job requirements.
• Previous experience in a leadership capacity, ski patrol experience preferred.
• Ability to coordinate and advise lift evacuations and coordinate mass casualty incidents.
• Strong guest service attitude, good verbal, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.
• Competence in operating snowmachines, ATVs, and patient toboggans.
• Experience working with, and communicating with, a wide range of people.

Additional Postings available from Hilltop Ski Area