Stables Manager

Vail Resorts; Keystone (CO); On-site; USD 58,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Ski passes

Employee discounts

401(k) retirement plan

Employee assistance program

Training and development

Job summary

Vail Resorts is seeking a Stables Manager for Keystone to oversee the stable operations, care for draft horses, and manage the sleigh ride program. You will lead a team of wranglers, supervisory staff, and culinary support to deliver guests an exceptional mountain experience.

The role requires strong equine expertise, winter operation skills, and a focus on safety and guest service. Excellent leadership and coordination with transportation and culinary teams are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in equine operations or outdoor recreation, with 3-5 years in management or senior supervisory role.
• Extensive horse knowledge, including care, handling, and basic veterinary practices.
• Ability to drive and manage draft horses in sleigh operations under harsh winter conditions.
• Strong organizational and communication skills; fluent in English.
• Proficiency with operations systems such as Guest Connect, Tock and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to lift 50-85 lbs and work outdoors in physically demanding conditions for extended periods.
• Valid drivers license; capable of towing and maneuvering horse trailers.
• TIPS and ServSafe certifications (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire).
• Commitment to safety, guest service excellence, and team development.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the stables team, including the supervisor, chef tournant and wranglers, ensuring facilities, equipment, and grounds are clean, organized and well-maintained.
• Oversee the health and daily care of draft horses, including feeding, grooming, harnessing, bridling, and basic veterinary care; ensure all animal welfare standards are met.
• Provide strategic direction and support for sleigh ride operations.
• Coordinate with transportation and the Adventure Center teams to ensure timely and efficient ride departures and guest communication.
• Manage operational systems including InfoGenesis, Tock, and other company platforms to ensure accurate scheduling, guest tracking and service.
• Oversee payroll accuracy, including tip and gratuity tracking, timesheet corrections and labor reporting.
• Collaborate with culinary leadership to plan and execute dinner services, including special requests and seasonal adjustments.
• Develop and manage team schedules, staffing plans and performance evaluations; support leadership development for supervisors and wranglers.
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols and resort standards, including snow removal operations using machinery such as trucks, skid steers and snowcats.
• Maintain readiness to drive horse-drawn sleighs in extreme winter conditions and transport horses using trailers; ensure all staff are properly trained and certified.
• Maintain a good working relationship with the USFS. All operations are conducted on USFS land.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Equine knowledge

English fluent

Operations coordination

Tools

Guest Connect

Tock

Microsoft Office

Job description

Now hiring for winter 2026/27 - Cooks, Drivers, Instructors & more.

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert: Create Alert

Come work and play in the mountains! Whether it’s your first-time seeing snow or you were born on the slopes, joining our team means discovering (or re-discovering!) a passion for the outdoors while building lifelong connections with teammates and guests from around the world.

With 40+ resorts across 3 continents, you can join our team for a season or stay to build a career. From day one, you'll receive some of the highest compensation rates in the industry, free pass(es) along with free ski and snowboard lessons, 40% retail discounts, the chance to grow through Epic Service - our leading training and development experience, and wellness benefits to fuel your success.

Hiring for our seasonal positions occurs on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted until December 15th or until the positions are filled (whichever is first).

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

The Stables Manager provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Keystone Stables, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality wagon/sleigh rides for guests and employees. This role manages the wrangler, supervisory, and chef tournant teams, guides daily operations, maintains the health and care of the draft horses, and ensuring excellence in guest service during dinner wagon/sleigh rides experiences.

In addition, the Manager oversees the back ranch homestead for daily operations and collaborates with culinary leadership on BEO requests.

This position requires advanced equine expertise, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to operate horse-drawn sleighs in extreme winter conditions. Resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to guest satisfaction are essential for success in this role.

Job Specifications:

• Starting Wage: $58,298.00 - $83,283.00 + annual bonus
• Employment Type:Winter Seasonal 2026/2027
• Shift Type:Full Time hours available
• Minimum Age:At least 18 years of age
• Housing Availability:Yes

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the stables team, including the supervisor, chef tournant and wranglers, ensuring facilities, equipment, and grounds are clean, organized and well-maintained.
• Oversee the health and daily care of draft horses, including feeding, grooming, harnessing, bridling, and basic veterinary care; ensure all animal welfare standards are met.
• Provide strategic direction and support for sleigh ride operations.
• Coordinate with transportation and the Adventure Center teams to ensure timely and efficient ride departures and guest communication.
• Manage operational systems including InfoGenesis, Tock, and other company platforms to ensure accurate scheduling, guest tracking and service.
• Oversee payroll accuracy, including tip and gratuity tracking, timesheet corrections and labor reporting.
• Collaborate with culinary leadership to plan and execute dinner services, including special requests and seasonal adjustments.
• Develop and manage team schedules, staffing plans and performance evaluations; support leadership development for supervisors and wranglers.
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols and resort standards, including snow removal operations using machinery such as trucks, skid steers and snowcats.
• Maintain readiness to drive horse-drawn sleighs in extreme winter conditions and transport horses using trailers; ensure all staff are properly trained and certified.
• Maintain a good working relationship with the USFS. All operations are conducted on USFS land.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Proven leadership experience in equine operations or outdoor recreation, with 3-5 years in management or senior supervisory role.
• Extensive horse knowledge, including care, handling, and basic veterinary practices.
• Ability to drive and manage draft horses in sleigh operations under harsh winter conditions.
• Strong organizational and communication skills; fluent in English.
• Proficiency with operations systems such as Guest Connect, Tock and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to lift 50-85 lbs and work outdoors in physically demanding conditions for extended periods.
• Valid drivers license; capable of towing and maneuvering horse trailers.
• TIPS and ServSafe certifications (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire)
• Commitment to safety, guest service excellence, and team development.

The expected pay range is$58,298.00 - $83,283.00 + annual bonus. 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 518346
Reference Date:10/15/2026
Job Code Function:Stables