Manager: Base Area 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 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

To Learn More, please review the Benefits Eligibility Summary

Job Summary:

The Base Area Manager is a key member of the Afton Alps Senior Leadership Team and provides strategic and operational leadership for multiple guest-facing business units, including Rental, Retail, Uniform Distribution, and Snow Tubing. This leader is responsible for delivering exceptional guest and employee experiences while achieving departmental safety, financial, operational, and staffing objectives.Through strong leadership, business acumen, and cross-functional collaboration, the Base Area Manager ensures these areas operate efficiently, consistently, and in alignment with resort goals and company values.

Job Specifications: 

• Starting Wage: $58,298.00 -$83,283.00
• Employment Type:  Winter Seasonal 2026/2027 
• Shift Type:  Full Time  hours available 
• Minimum Age:  At least 18 years of age 
• Housing Availability:  No 

Job Responsibilities: 

• Provide overall leadership and operational oversight for Rental, Retail, Uniforms, and Snow Tubing departments. 

• Lead and develop department supervisors and frontline leaders while fostering a culture focused on safety, teamwork,accountability, and guest service excellence.

• Serve as a member of the Resort Senior Leadership Team, contributing to strategic planning, operational readiness, staffing plans, and overall resort performance.

• Establish and execute operational plans to achieve revenue, labor, guest experience, employee engagement, and safety objectives.

• Manage departmental budgets, labor plans, payroll performance, inventory controls, and expense management across all assigned business units.

• Oversee staffing strategies including hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, performance management, succession planning,and employee development.

• Ensure compliance with all company policies, safety standards, operating procedures, and regulatory requirements.

• Partner with resort leadership to coordinate peak-period operations, special events, weather response plans, and guest demand forecasts.

• Monitor guest feedback, service recovery opportunities, and operational performance metrics to continuously improve the guest experience.

• Ensure all facilities, equipment, uniforms, rental inventory, retail merchandise, and tubing operations are maintained to company standards.

• Create and maintain a positive, inclusive, and highly engaged workplace culture aligned with company values.

• Serve as Manager on Duty as assigned and provide leadership support during emergencies, operational incidents, and peak business periods.

• Collaborate with Human Resources, Mountain Operations, Ski & Ride School, Lift Operations, Food & Beverage, and other departments to ensure seamless resort operations

Job Requirements:

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, profitability, safety, and both the employee and guest experience. 

• Perform other duties as assigned.

The expected pay range is $58,298.00 -$83,283.00. 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 516839
Reference Date: 08/22/2026 
Job Code Function: Base Area Ops