Vice President of Mountain Operations

Summit at Snoqualmie; Snoqualmie Pass (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision plan

PTO and 401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

The Summit at Snoqualmie is seeking a Vice President of Mountain Operations to provide strategic and operational leadership over seven departments, including Snowmaking, Grooming, Lift Operations, and more. The role requires a deep leadership background and expertise in operating complex infrastructure.

Responsibilities include capital planning, safety, budgeting, and team development, reporting to the President and General Manager, with a strong focus on guest experience and regulatory

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership in ski resort mountain operations.
• Demonstrated operational expertise across at least three disciplines (lift operations, lift maintenance, snowmaking, grooming, ski patrol, or terrain parks).

Responsibilities

• Serve as a full member of the Executive Team and Senior Leadership Committee, contributing to resort strategy and performance.
• Oversee seven departments and ensure safe, efficient daily operations.
• Lead capital planning for mountain infrastructure and capital projects from scope through closeout.
• Manage capital budgets, vendor selection, and schedule management.
• Ensure compliance with state regulations (WAC 296-59, RCW 70.88, WAC 352-44) and safety standards.
• Develop and retain department managers and supervisors, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Operational expertise

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Job description

Overview

The Summit at Snoqualmie and Alpental is the Pacific Northwest's premier multi‑mountain ski resort, located 47 miles east of Seattle at Snoqualmie Pass. The property spans five base areas and 20 chairlifts across Summit West, Summit Central, Summit East, and Alpental within the Mt. Baker‑Snoqualmie National Forest. A four‑season operating model includes a mountain bike park and positions the resort as one of the most accessible ski destinations in North America.

Boyne Resorts is the largest family‑owned, independent mountain resort company in North America, guided by five core values: Long‑Term Thinking, Excellence in Execution, Attitude Is Everything, Developing Great People, and Serve First.

The Vice President of Mountain Operations is a senior executive and full member of the resort Executive Team and Senior Leadership Committee. This role provides strategic and operational leadership over seven departments: Snowmaking, Grooming, Lift Operations and Scanning, Lift and Electrical Maintenance, Terrain Parks, Vehicle Maintenance, Grooming Maintenance, and Ski Patrol. The position requires technical depth to operate complex multi‑base lift and snowmaking infrastructure and the organizational leadership to build high‑performing teams, manage significant budgets, and drive performance across the division. The VP reports directly to the President and General Manager.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a full member of the Executive Team and Senior Leadership Committee, contributing to resort‑wide strategy, culture, and financial performance.
• Partner with the President and General Manager on long‑range capital planning and serve as the primary point of accountability for mountain operations in corporate and Boyne leadership reviews.
• Ensure safe, efficient daily operations across all seven departments, maintaining highest standards of guest experience and operational reliability.
• Oversee snowmaking strategy and execution for early season coverage, storm response, and surface quality, with attention to water and energy optimization.
• Act as the resort’s owner for capital projects across the mountain infrastructure portfolio, from scope development through commissioning, with primary execution during the summer overhaul window.
• Work with the President and General Manager and capital planning teams on the annual and multi‑year capital plan for lift systems, snowmaking, grooming fleet, and on‑mountain facilities, and present proposals to Boyne corporate leadership.
• Manage all mountain capital projects from scope and budget through vendor selection, contractor execution, schedule management, and closeout.
• Ensure compliance with all USFS land use obligations, including operating plan implementation, annual reporting, and district ranger coordination.
• Establish efficiency targets for snowmaking water consumption, grooming fleet fuel, and lift electrical usage.
• Maintain an uncompromising safety culture across all departments, aligned with Washington State L&I ski area safety regulations (WAC 296‑59), ANSI B77.1 tramway standards, and Boyne Resorts policies.
• Own the annual Washington State Recreational Conveyance inspection cycle (RCW 70.88 and WAC 352‑44), ensuring deficiencies are resolved and the Certificate to Operate remains current.
• Lead, develop, and retain department managers and supervisors, building a culture of accountability, service, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with Human Resources on recruitment, onboarding, performance management, compensation planning, and workforce development across all departments.
• Develop and own the Mountain Operations annual operating and capital budgets, monitoring labor, fuel, supplies, and departmental expenses against plan, and delivering variance analysis and corrective action as needed.
• Partner with the GM, Controller, and Planning Director on capital maintenance budgets, including planning and contract oversight.

Qualifications

What we are looking for:

Required

• 10 or more years of progressive leadership in ski resort mountain operations, with at least 5 years at senior director or VP level.
• Demonstrated operational expertise across at least three disciplines: lift operations, lift maintenance, snowmaking, grooming, ski patrol, or terrain parks.

Preferred

• Working knowledge of Washington State regulatory frameworks including WAC 296‑59, RCW 70.88, and WAC 352‑44 (Recreational Conveyance Certificate to Operate), and ANSI B77.1. The VP does not personally hold a state‑issued tramway license but familiarity with these frameworks is central to this role.
• Experience with USFS Special Use Permit environments, including agency relationship management and operating plan compliance.

Join our team and enjoy The Summit Experience!

Wage And Benefit Info

The wage range for this position is $140,000 to $160,000 annually, DOE. This position is eligible for goal attainment incentives.

Benefits include health, dental, and vision. Team members accrue PTO and earn two weeks or more in a 12‑month period. 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.