Snowmaker III

Mountain Capital Partners, LLC; Durango (CO); On-site; USD 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free season pass

Job summary

Mountain Capital Partners, LLC seeks a Snowmaker III for Purgatory Resort in Durango, CO. The seasonal role involves independently operating and optimizing snowmaking equipment to deliver high-quality snow for safe conditions.

You will work with air/water guns, hydrants, hoses, and high-pressure systems, and mentor less-experienced Snowmakers while coordinating with Crew Leads and Pumphouse Operators.

Qualifications

• Advanced working knowledge of snowmaking operations and equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot field equipment and adjust operations.
• Experience mentoring less-experienced Snowmakers and working with Crew Leads.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and optimize snowmaking equipment across terrain.
• Set up and maintain snowmaking hoses and equipment.
• Perform startup, adjustments, shutdowns, and freeze-prevention procedures.
• Monitor weather, snow quality, system conditions, and adjust operations.
• Train and mentor Snowmaker I/II employees and support field operations.

Skills

Snowmaking operations

Equipment troubleshooting

Independent work

Team mentoring

Tools

High-pressure water systems

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Purgatory Resort - DURANGO, CO 81301, Position Type: Seasonal, Salary Range: $25.00 - $27.00 Hourly, Snowmaker III

General Purpose:

Snowmaker III is an advanced position responsible for independently producing and maintaining high-quality machine-made snow across the mountain to support safe and consistent skiing and riding conditions. Team members demonstrate advanced proficiency with manual and automated snowmaking equipment, including air/water snow guns, tower guns, fan guns, hydrants, hoses, valves, and other components of high-pressure water and compressed-air systems.

Snowmaker III employees are expected to perform snowmaking operations with minimal supervision, demonstrate strong understanding of snowmaking system operation, make sound operational decisions based on weather, snow quality, system conditions, and production needs, and troubleshoot more complex field equipment and operating issues. Employees at this level serve as experienced field resources and are expected to assist with training and mentoring less-experienced Snowmakers while supporting Crew Leads with field operations as needed.

Snowmaking requires physical endurance, advanced situational awareness, sound judgment, mechanical aptitude, communication, and teamwork. Candidates must be capable of working independently in challenging and rapidly changing conditions while recognizing when equipment, system, production, or safety concerns require escalation to a Crew Lead or Snowmaking Leadership. Multiple seasons of professional snowmaking experience or demonstrated equivalent competency is strongly preferred.

This is a seasonal position. Dates are subject to change based on weather, snowmaking needs, applicant availability, and the needs of the business. This role comes with a free season pass for you and your dependents. For a full list of benefits, visit the Purgatory employee benefits page. https://www.purgatory.ski/employee-benefits/

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. This position will remain open until filled.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Independently operate, monitor, and optimize snowmaking equipment including air/water snow guns, tower guns, fan guns, hydrants, hoses, valves, and automated snowmaking equipment where applicable.
• Set up, move, connect, drain, and maintain snowmaking hoses and equipment across assigned terrain.
• Independently perform snow gun startup, adjustment, shutdown, draining, and freeze-prevention procedures.
• Monitor weather conditions, wet-bulb temperature, wind, snow quality, coverage, system conditions, and equipment performance and make appropriate operational adjustments.
• Inspect snowmaking equipment and infrastructure and identify leaks, freezing, mechanical issues, abnormal operating conditions, and other problems affecting production or safety.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot field equipment and operating issues within the employee’s level of training and authorization.
• Recognize developing system or equipment problems and promptly communicate concerns to Crew Leads and Pumphouse Operators before they significantly affect operations or production.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between field operations, water pressure, compressed air, system demand, and snow production.
• Maintain clear and professional radio communication with Snowmaking, Pumphouse, Grooming, and other Mountain Operations personnel.
• Safely operate snowmobiles, UTVs, trucks, and 4x4 vehicles in winter mountain conditions.
• Perform daily inspections of assigned vehicles, tools, and equipment and address or report deficiencies as appropriate.
• Independently complete assigned terrain and snowmaking objectives with minimal supervision.
• Assist Crew Leads with field operations, equipment deployment, startup and shutdown activities, and changing production priorities as needed.
• Train and mentor Snowmaker I and II employees in equipment operation, snowmaking practices, troubleshooting, and safe work procedures.
• Follow established department procedures, safety requirements, and PPE standards at all times.

Other Responsibilities:

• Assist with preseason setup and postseason teardown, inspection, organization, and storage of snowmaking equipment.
• Maintain clean and organized snowmaking equipment, vehicles, storage areas, and workspaces.
• Assist with maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of snowmaking equipment and infrastructure.
• Participate in required department training, safety meetings, and equipment-specific training.
• Assist with training and mentoring less-experienced Snowmakers.
• Provide feedback on equipment performance, operating procedures, and opportunities to improve snowmaking efficiency and reliability.
• Support snowmaking system maintenance, testing, and improvement projects as needed.
• Support other Snowmaking and Mountain Operations projects and departments as needed.
• Assist with general mountain cleanup and maintenance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Advanced working knowledge of snowmaking operations, equipment, and snowmaking system functions is required. Candidates should demonstrate strong proficiency with snow guns, hydrants, hoses, pressurized water and air systems, automated equipment, and field troubleshooting.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Advanced situational awareness, hazard recognition, and sound operational judgment.
• Strong knowledge of snowmaking equipment, terminology, operating procedures, and safe work practices.
• Strong understanding of wet-bulb temperature, wind, snow quality, coverage, and other environmental factors affecting snow production.
• Ability to independently evaluate conditions and optimize snowmaking equipment for production, snow quality, and coverage.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to diagnose and troubleshoot equipment and operational problems.
• Working knowledge of how field operations affect water pressure, compressed air, system demand, and overall snowmaking performance.
• Ability to recognize developing equipment or system problems and determine when escalation is necessary.
• Ability to prioritize work and adapt to changing weather, terrain, production needs, and system conditions.
• Physical coordination and endurance in steep, snowy, and icy terrain.
• Clear and effective communication, including professional radio communication.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to effectively train, mentor, and support less-experienced Snowmakers.
• Dependability, initiative, accountability, professionalism, and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to identify and respond appropriately to visual, auditory, and environmental cues.

Special Certifications/Licensing:

Valid Driver’s License

Education or Formal Training:

None required. Technical, mechanical, equipment operation, or advanced snowmaking-related training preferred.

Experience:

Multiple seasons of professional snowmaking experience strongly preferred. Candidates must demonstrate advanced proficiency in snowmaking operations, independent equipment operation and adjustment, field troubleshooting, and safe work practices. Experience with multiple types of snowmaking equipment and a working understanding of high-pressure water and compressed-air systems is strongly preferred. Candidates should also demonstrate the judgment, technical knowledge, and communication skills necessary to mentor less-experienced Snowmakers and serve as an experienced field resource. Classification is based primarily on demonstrated competency and technical proficiency rather than years of service alone.

Working Environment/Physical Activities:

99% of the workday is spent outdoors in a winter mountain environment under changing and often challenging conditions including extreme cold, wind, snow, blowing snow, darkness, reduced visibility, ice, and wet conditions. Work is performed on steep, snowy, icy, and uneven terrain and around high-pressure water, compressed air, hoses, hydrants, snowmaking equipment, snowmobiles, UTVs, grooming equipment, vehicles, and other moving machinery.

Frequent walking and standing on steep and uneven terrain, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, handling, pushing, pulling, gripping, talking, and listening. Employees must possess sufficient near and far visual acuity, depth perception, hearing, and field of vision to safely perform snowmaking operations in adverse winter conditions.

Frequently lifting and carrying tools, hoses, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally handling objects weighing up to 100 pounds with assistance as appropriate. This position requires the physical endurance to perform demanding outdoor work for extended shifts in cold and wet conditions.