Senior Manager of Mountain Operations

Create Your Experience of a Lifetime!

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 Epic 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.

Candidates for year-round positions are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted up to 90 days after the posting date, or until the position is filled (whichever is first).

Job 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
  

Full Time roles are eligible for the above, plus:

• Health Insurance; Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, and Vision Insurance plans (for eligible seasonal employees after working 500 hours)
• Free ski passes for dependents
• Critical Illness and Accident plans

Job Summary:

The Senior Manager of Mountain Operations provides oversight and leadership of all on mountain operations departments at Wilmot: lift maintenance, lift operations, grooming, snowmaking, terrain parks, vehicle maintenance, and general mountain activities. As a member of the Resort’s Senior Leadership Team, this position is a key contributor in the development, communication and implementation of resort strategies, goals, initiatives, culture and engagement, and a responsible member of the team in executing and meeting all business objectives.

Job Specifications:

• Starting Wage: $70,290.00 - $100,415.00 + annual bonus 

• Employment Type: Year Round  

• Shift Type: Full Time hours available 

• Minimum Age: At least 18 years of age  

• Housing Availability: No 

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead, develop, and inspire high-performing teams; recruit, hire, coach, and build leadership bench strength for succession planning. 

• Foster a ‘one team’ culture prioritizing employee and guest safety while promoting accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement. 

• Oversee all mountain operations departments ensuring alignment with resort and corporate strategies, goals, and initiatives. 

• Develop, manage, and track departmental budgets, workforce plans, and operational performance metrics. 

• Drive safety initiatives with the goal of zero incidents; partner with Health & Safety and lead emergency preparedness and response efforts. 

• Serve as Incident Commander in emergency situations and ensure training and readiness across teams. 

• Ensure proactive maintenance programs for lifts, vehicles, and infrastructure to minimize downtime and ensure regulatory compliance. 

• Lead capital planning, project management, and execution of capital investments (CapEx). 

• Enhance operational efficiency through cross-department communication, collaboration, and process improvement. 

• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, peers, leadership teams, regulatory agencies, and local communities. 

• Maintain subject matter expertise in mountain operations and proactively apply industry best practices and innovations. 

• Participate in and contribute to best practice groups across the enterprise. 

• Ensure timely and effective communication across teams and departments. 

• Adapt quickly to changing business, environmental, and operational conditions. 

Leadership Competencies:

• Forward-thinking with the ability to anticipate business needs and prioritize effectively. 

• Strong relationship builder who fosters trust, collaboration, and engagement across teams. 

• Highly effective communicator with strong emotional intelligence and self-awareness. 

• Ability to develop talent, unlock team potential, and drive accountability. 

• Comfortable leading through complexity with agility, resilience, and strategic thinking. 

Job Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in mountain operations or senior leadership. 

• 3+ years managing multiple departments in a leadership role. 

• Strong financial management and budgeting experience. 

• Demonstrated leadership, team-building, and talent development capabilities. 

• Crisis management and emergency response experience. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong public speaking ability. 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with enterprise systems preferred. 

• Advanced skiing or riding ability preferred. 

• Knowledge of regulatory compliance and hazardous material handling. 

• Ability to work in variable and extreme weather conditions. 

• Valid driver’s license required. 

• High school diploma required; college degree preferred. 

The expected pay range is $70,290.00 - $100,415.00 + 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  515219
Reference Date: 07/02/2026 
Job Code Function: Leadership - Mtn Ops