Vice President of Mountain Operations

Sugarloaf Mountain Corporation; Snoqualmie Pass (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

PTO accumulation

401(k) contribution eligibility

Job summary

Sugarloaf Mountain Corporation is seeking a Vice President of Mountain Operations to lead all aspects of mountain operations. The successful candidate will be a part of the Executive Team, contributing to strategic planning and operational excellence across departments.

Responsibilities include capital project execution, financial management, safety compliance, and team leadership. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of leadership experience in the ski industry with strong knowledge of Washington State regulations. A competitive salary of $140,000 to $160,000 annually is offered along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in mountain operations for over 10 years, including 5 years at a senior level.
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks related to ski operations in Washington State.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for mountain operations across multiple departments.
• Ensure safe and efficient daily operations while maintaining high guest experience standards.
• Oversee capital projects from scope development through execution.

Skills

Leadership in ski resort operations

Operational expertise in snowmaking, lift operations, and maintenance

Financial management

Education

10+ years in ski resort operations

Job description

Overview

The Vice President of Mountain Operations is a senior executive and full member of the resort Executive Team and Senior Leadership Committee, providing 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. This role requires both the technical depth to operate complex, multi‑base lift and snowmaking infrastructure and the organizational strategic leadership to build high‑performing teams, manage significant budgets, and drive performance across the division. Reports directly to the President and General Manager.

Responsibilities

Th following statements are intended as general illustrations of the work in this classification and are not all-inclusive of the specific position.

Strategic Leadership and Executive Partnership

• 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.

Operational Excellence

• 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.

Capital Project Planning and Execution

The VP serves 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 in conjunction 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.

Environmental and Resource Stewardship

• 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.

Safety and Compliance

• 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 Operateremains current.

People Leadership and Team Development

• 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.

Financial Management

• 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 GM, Controller and Planning Director with 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.

Wage and Benefit Info:

The wage range for this position, from $140,000 to $160,000 annually DOE

This position is eligible for goal attainment incentives

Benefits include: health, dental, vision

Team member will accrue PTO and will earn 2 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.