Specialist Ski Patrol

Vail Resorts; Kirkwood (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Retirement Plan

Employee Assistance Program

Excellent training and professional开发

Job summary

Vail Resorts is seeking Ski Patrol personnel for Winter Seasonal 2026/2027 at Kirkwood, CA. The role focuses on safety, guest service, and calm response in crises, while coordinating patrol operations and leading a team on varied terrain.

Responsibilities include assisting injured guests, transporting to safety, maintaining trails, and enforcing resort policies. Requires high school diploma, advanced skiing ability, and Outdoor Emergency Care certification.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and guest service skills.
• Strong leadership and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to work with diverse teams in a mountain environment.
• Must be able to operate under varied weather and terrain conditions.

Responsibilities

• Supervise guest safety on varied terrain and ensure compliance with policies.
• Assist injured or ill guests and coordinate evacuations when needed.
• Maintain trails, closures, and safety materials on the mountain.
• Lead a patroller team and coordinate daily patrol operations.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Guest service

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Employee Benefits

• Ski/Mountain Perks! Free passes for employees, employee discounted lift tickets for friends and family AND free ski lessons
• MORE employee discounts on lodging, food, gear, and mountain shuttles
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Excellent training and professional development
• Referral Program

Job Summary

Service is the foundation of everything we stand for at Vail Resorts and our Ski Patrol team is no exception to ensuring this experience of a lifetime. Responsible for safety and security of staff and guests on the mountain, Ski Patrol are on alert and dependable professionals focused on prevention with the ability to remain calm in crisis when incidents arise.

Job Specifications

• Starting Wage:$24.64/hr - $35.20/hr
• Employment Type:Winter Seasonal 2026/2027
• Shift Type:Full Time
• Minimum Age:At least 18 years of age
• Housing Availability:Yes

Job Responsibilities

• Supervise and promote guest safety on varied terrain with varying winter weather conditions, including the guest service expectations included for advanced patrollers.
• Assist injured/ill guests on the mountain.
• Transporting injured guests off the mountain using a toboggan or supporting air lift operations.
• Maintain trails, including hazard identification and setting up closures, safety materials, and other impacts from the resort environment.
• Transporting supplies and heavy equipment to areas of need.
• Performing closing procedures at the end of the day to ensure that all guests are safely off the mountain.
• Enforcement of the Skier Responsibility Code and Resort Policies.
• Chairlift and guest evacuation.
• Operating snowmobiles to various areas of the mountain, as needed.
• Demonstrates effective communication skills and strong guest service skills.
• Works consistently with management team to promote the safe, cohesive and efficient operation of the entire ski patrol.
• Coordinates a team of patrollers in daily patrol operations and tasks.
• Identifies and communicates with Team Lead potential AI needs.
• Assists with the training and development of their assigned team. Identify and immediately communicate with Team Lead when patrollers are falling short of their expectations and goals.
• Contributes to the ongoing safety culture by actively supporting safety initiatives.
• Takes a leadership role in contributing to the improvement and optimal functioning of Patrol operations and other special assignments.
• Works with other Patrollers in all aspects of the job.
• Demonstrates a positive example in the workplace through training, initiative, quality and quantity of work.
• Interacts and assists with other departments in a positive and professional manner.
• Communicates team goals, daily expectations and progress to the patrollers on their team, helping to improve the department’s metrics throughout the season.
• Participates in and supports mountain safety programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Demonstrates effective communication skills and strong guest service skills.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships inter/intra departmentally.
• Demonstrate advanced to expert skiing ability and be able to safely negotiate any area of the mountain, whether chairlift or hiking access, in all weather and snow conditions. Patrollers must be able to ski at an advanced level to safely handle a toboggan (with provided training) in any terrain and perform avalanche mitigation duties.
• High School Degree or equivalent.
• Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) Technician Certification – minimum.
• Ability and capability to access and use technology across multiple platforms.
• English speaking, writing and comprehension.
• Must be at least 18+ years of age.
• Must possess valid U.S. Driver’s License.
• Must be available to work holidays and weekends. This is a full-time, 5 day a week position.
• Must be able to ski at an advanced to expert skier level in all snow and weather conditions, daily, for two -hours minimum and up to eight hours at a time.
• Be able to lift (and ski with) a minimum of 50 lbs daily, with help as needed.
• Must have frequent ability to lift, stand, walk, sit, and maneuver in all climate conditions on mountain, at high elevation.
• Must have full dexterity of hands and fingers to feel and maneuver in cold temperatures.
• Ability to reach with hands/arms.
• Ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl in all weather conditions at a high elevation.
• Must have good vision (corrected or not corrected) – with ability to see up-close, in the distance, peripheral, depth perception and have the ability to adjust focus.

The expected pay range is$24.64/hr - $35.20/hr. This is the pay range we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Individual compensation decisions are based on a variety of factors.

In completing this application, and when submitting related documentation, applicants may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, and/or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

We follow all federal, state, and local laws including restrictions on child/minor labor. Minors hired into this position will not be asked or permitted to engage in any activities restricted to adult workers.

Vail Resorts is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

Requisition ID 515710
Reference Date:07/14/2026
Job Code Function:Ski Patrol