Snowcat Operator

Sugarloaf Mountain Corporation; Snoqualmie Pass (WA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) discretionary match

Sick time accrual (1 hour per 40 hours

Job summary

The Summit at Snoqualmie, Seattle area’s ski resort, is seeking a Snowcat Operator for graveyard shifts to groom runs and support terrain work. You’ll inspect equipment, log reports, and maintain safe, high-quality surfaces for guests each morning.

Responsibilities include operating snowcats safely, following grooming patterns, and advancing through operator certification levels. The role emphasizes teamwork, safety, and guest-ready trails at every operating day.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must be 18 years or older.
• Willing and able to work overnight/graveyard shifts, including holidays and weekends.
• Comfortable outdoors in alpine winter environments.
• Understand grooming patterns or willing to learn.
• Strong safety awareness and ability to follow procedures.
• Team player with effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Complete daily pre- and post-operation vehicle inspections and document findings.
• Submit accurate grooming reports and equipment logs each shift.
• Report equipment damage or unsafe conditions promptly.
• Progress through Level 1–4 operator certification program.
• Follow shop, fueling and spill procedures to protect equipment and environment.

Skills

Overnight shift

Safety awareness

Team player

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Snowcat

Winch cat

Forklift

Job description

Overview

The Snowcat Operator is responsible for preparing and maintaining the resort's alpine ski and ride surfaces by operating grooming equipment through the winter operating season. The role works primarily graveyard shift, shaping runs of every difficulty level based on operator ability, and occasionally supports terrain park work, so guests find a consistently groomed surface each morning. The Snowcat Operator reports to the Grooming Supervisor or Grooming Manager and is central to the resort's ability to deliver a safe, high-quality guest experience every operating day.

Come work and play at Seattle’s home mountain, The Summit at Snoqualmie. Located an hour from Seattle, at the junction where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses Interstate 90. With summer activities ramping up with spectacular Mountain Biking trails and Scenic Lift Rides, there is lots to do all year long.

Responsibilities

Long Term Thinking

• Complete daily pre- and post-operation vehicle inspections within the required time standard and document findings accurately.
• Complete and submit accurate grooming reports, equipment logs, and other required paperwork each shift.
• Report equipment damage, maintenance needs, or unsafe conditions to the Grooming Supervisor promptly.
• Progress through the company's Level 1–4 operator certification program, building toward greater equipment, terrain, and leadership responsibility over time.
• Follow established shop, fueling, and fluid-spill procedures to protect equipment and the environment for future shifts.

Excellence in Execution

• Operate company snowcats safely and precisely, including all interior and exterior functions, hydraulic systems, and implement changes (target 30 minutes or less).
• Apply correct blading technique — matching existing passes, cutting moguls and rollers, filling dishes, and windrowing — to leave a smooth, consistent surface.
• Follow established grooming patterns, overlap correctly, and complete clean back-up shots and turnarounds.
• Groom chairlift tower lines, rope tows, magic carpet tracks, and terrain around buildings while maintaining safe clearances.
• As certification level increases, safely check out and operate additional company grooming equipment, including winch cats and track setters.

Attitude is Everything

• Maintain composure and sound judgment while operating heavy equipment overnight, in poor visibility, and in changing mountain weather.
• Coordinate and communicate effectively with other operators during team grooming and multi-machine push projects.
• Follow correct accident and incident procedures and communicate hazards clearly to affected staff and departments.

Develop Great People

• Share technique and mountain knowledge with newer operators as skills and certification level allow.
• Support crew and safety meetings and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement within the grooming department.

Serve First

• Prepare and maintain a quality, safe skiing and riding surface for guests of all ability levels every operating day.
• Clean up turnarounds, run-outs, and edges so every trail is guest-ready at the start of the day.

Qualifications

What we are looking for:

Required

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Willing and able to work overnight/graveyard shifts, including early morning, late evening, holiday, and weekend hours as scheduled.
• Comfortable working outdoors in an alpine, winter environment for extended periods.
• Basic understanding of, or willingness to learn, the resort's trail system and grooming patterns.
• Strong safety awareness and ability to follow established procedures.
• Team player able to communicate effectively with other operators and departments.

Preferred

• Previous experience operating a snowcat, winch cat, or other equipment like forklifts or skid steers.
• Occupational First Aid or equivalent first aid/CPR certification.
• Working knowledge of avalanche hazards, slope angles, and snow conditions.
• Prior grooming, ski area operations, or supervisory experience for advancement toward higher certification levels.

Join our team and enjoy The Summit Experience!

Wage and Benefit Info:

The wage range for this positions is: from $26.00 to $30.00/hr

• This is a non-benefited role.
• All individuals may contribute to the 401(k). An employee must work 1,000 hours in a calendar year to qualify for the discretionary match (there is a 2 year vesting cliff).
• All individuals accrue sick time at 1 hour per 40 hours worked to a maximum of 64 hours per year.

It is the policy of Boyne Resorts to recruit, hire and promote in all job classifications and shall not discriminate with regard to race, color, national origin, religion, ancestry, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other non-merit factor. Boyne Resorts is committed to valuing individual diversity in the workplace by reaching beyond stereotypical views and using the strengths and different perspectives and unique backgrounds that each person offers. Even more importantly, Boyne Resorts embraces and derives value from the diverse views that each individual brings.