Terrain Park Snowcat Operator- All Levels

Palisades Tahoe Resort, LLC; Olympic Valley (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free skiing + riding privileges to Pal

Healthcare options for Seasonal & Year

Discounts on outdoor gear

Job summary

Alterra Mountain Company is seeking a Snowcat Operator at Palisades Tahoe to prepare and maintain safe terrain park surfaces for skiers and snowboarders in all conditions. You’ll operate grooming equipment, build features, and support various mountain departments as needed.

The role requires strong communication, a safety-first mindset, and ability to ski or snowboard in variable conditions. Benefits include skiing privileges, healthcare options, and gear discounts.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills, oral & written.
• Strong sense of customer service & safety awareness.
• Able to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Punctual and reliable, able to report at scheduled start time.
• Work well as part of a team.
• Required to ski or snowboard in variable conditions while carrying equipment.

Responsibilities

• Operate slope grooming and snowcat equipment safely and efficiently.
• Groom terrain park features and slope surfaces to ensure skier safety.
• Coordinate with maintenance for repairs and preventative upkeep.
• Assist with other grooming tasks and department needs as required.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Teamwork

Skiing/snowboarding

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Seasonal Palisades Tahoe

We share the spirit of these legendary mountains with the world. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Job Summary

A Snowcat Operator will prepare and maintain a Terrain Park snow surface that is safe and functional for skiers and snowboarders during all snow and weather conditions. Builds and maintains terrain features in the freestyle parks and other locations where applicable. Depending on level, a snowcat operator may also fulfill the hailing and dozing needs of other mountain departments, assist in directing grooming activities, and assist with special projects. Hourly The base hourly pay range below represents the low and high end of the Palisades Tahoe Resort, LLC’s hourly pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to experience, education, training, location, merit system, quantity or quality of production, responsibilities, and regular and/or necessary travel. The range listed is just one component of Palisades Tahoe Resort, LLC’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include short-term and long-term incentives and many region-specific benefits.

Base Hourly Pay Range

Base hourly pay range: $23.00 - $40.31 per hour

A Great Job and Benefits to Match

• Free skiing + riding privileges to 17 iconic resorts including Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, Steamboat, Solitude and more!
• Healthcare options for both Seasonal & Year-Round employees
• Generous discounts on outdoor gear, apparel, etc.
• 401(k) plan with generous company match
• Free and discounted lift tickets
• 25%-50% discount at Food & Beverage locations at Palisades & Alpine
• 40% discount at Palisades Tahoe operated retail stores, including The North Face, Patagonia, Oakley, and more!
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Essential Job Responsibilities/Duties/Tasks includes the following: other duties may be assigned:

• Slope grooming machine operation: Ability to properly check out/in a snowcat.
• Demonstration safe operation and distances near obstacles and personnel.
• Operate all machine functions such as blade, tiller, and other grooming implements.
• Ability to park a snowcat safely and properly.
• Minimize downtime and prevent machine damage through preventative maintenance, cleanliness, and up-keep of machine.
• Strong communication with the vehicle maintenance shops regarding needs.
• Perform light to medium manual labor such as changing implements, installing features and vehicle check-outs and miscellaneous other chores.
• Safe slope operation: Able to clean up a turn around on the slope surface with a focus on skier safety.
• Navigate and properly operate grooming machine on beginner terrain and travel routes.
• Navigate and properly operate on select intermediate terrain and travel routes.
• Ability to follow and groom in a pack as directed.
• Operate machine safely with minimal supervision.
• Final Product Technical ability to maintain the slope with the proper flow and direction.
• Groom seamlessly from one pass to the next.
• Can groom a smooth finish down fall line with no blade dives or tiller hops.
• Must be able to recognize when repairs to slope are necessary.
• Able to perform proper and safe tie-ins with other grooming.
• Prepare and maintain Terrain Park features and a skiing/snowboard surface that is safe and functional for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels using Grooming vehicles.

Competencies and Job Requirements:

• Maintain snow surfaces to meet high standards with necessary supervision.
• Excellent communication skills, oral & written.
• Strong sense of customer service & safety awareness.
• Able to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Punctual, able to report at scheduled start time.
• Work well as part of a team.
• Required to ski or snowboard in variable conditions while carrying equipment.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, talk, see, hear, and ski. Must be capable of sitting for long periods of time, up to 90% or more of a normal 8-hour work shift. Must be capable of occasionally balancing, climbing, reaching, squatting, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crawling. Must be capable of occasionally carrying, lifting. pushing or pulling up to 75bs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perceptions and the ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions

Indoor/Outdoor: While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee will frequently be exposed to extreme cold, wetness and/or humidity, and occasionally blizzards and extreme storm conditions. Hazardous Materials/Noise: The noise level in the workplace is usually moderate, this job may experience hazards such as mechanical, electrical, fumes, odors, dusts, gases.

Equipment Used in Job

• Groomer/Snowcat, hand tools, two-way radios.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Valid driver's license with no restrictions.
• Pisten Bully Pro Academy on-line training – Provided by Palisades Tahoe post hire.
• A Motor Vehicle Record review may be required as part of your job.

For information on Alterra Mountain Company’s Social Responsibility work including our Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion actions, please see our webpage at www.alterramtnco.com/social-responsibility. Among other resources, Alterra has Employee Resource Groups to support the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), disability, LGBTQIA2S+, and women communities within our workforce. Work alongside California’s best terrain in our vibrant and enthusiastic community. Receive retail and restaurant discounts, season passes for eligible dependents and free tram access. Full-time, part-time, and on-call staff ski free at 14 iconic resorts, including Palisades Tahoe.

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