Snow Surfaces Assistant Manager

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 Snow Surfaces Assistant Manager supports both winter grooming operations and summer trail maintenance programs. This role will directly oversee Terrain Park operations and assist the manager in leading the grooming team in the winter season. In the summer they will assist in trail construction, maintenance, and environmental compliance. Responsibilities include staff supervision, equipment oversight, budget support, and coordination with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) on summer trail projects. This is a hands on leadership position focused on quality, safety, and operational efficiency year round.

Job Specifications:

• Starting Wage: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00
• Employment Type: Year Round
• Shift Type: Full Time hours available
• Minimum Age: At least 18 years of age
• Housing Availability: Yes

Job Responsibilities:

Winter Season – Grooming & Terrain Park Operations

• Oversee terrain park operations for both daily hand crew and nightly grooming operations.
• Lead and oversee grooming team.
• Collaborate with Patrol, Snowmaking, Terrain Parks, and other departments to ensure grooming priorities are achieved.
• Support labor budget planning and management, scheduling and operational expenditure budgets.
• Contribute to seasonal budget planning, reporting, and long-term capital equipment forecasting, and identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining grooming quality and safety standards.

Summer Season – Trail Maintenance & Construction

• Assist in planning, coordinating, and executing summer trail maintenance and construction projects, including tree felling, drainage work, road repair, and hazard mitigation, using small trail-focused equipment such as chainsaws, brush cutters, small excavators, UTVs, and hand tools.
• Support construction and improvement of trails and infrastructure in line with resort master plans and USFS requirements, ensuring projects follow federal land-use guidelines, including protection of sensitive areas, proper tool/equipment use, and adherence to approved work scopes.
• Supervise summer seasonal trail crews, ensuring safe practices, efficient workflow, and high-quality trail outcomes.
• Coordinate with Mountain Operations leadership on workload planning, project timelines, and resource allocation.
• Maintain clear documentation for USFS-related projects, including maps, work logs, project summaries, and compliance records.

Equipment, Safety & Training (Year-Round)

• Assist with maintenance schedules, daily equipment checks, and coordination with mechanics, and foster a strong safety culture across winter and summer operations.
• Ensure accurate documentation of equipment logs, maintenance records, and shift reports.
• Help onboard, train, and mentor grooming operators and summer trail maintenance workers, supporting continued skill development in snowcat operation, winching techniques, trail construction, and equipment safety.

Job Requirements:

Required

• 2+ years of snowcat operating experience or heavy equipment experience.
• Experience with trail maintenance, outdoor work, or similar field operations.
• Leadership or supervisory experience with crews or operators.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and ability to perform equipment checks and minor repairs.
• Ability to work nights in winter and outdoors in varied summer conditions.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

Preferred

• Experience assisting with labor or operational budgeting.
• Terrain park building experience.
• Winch cat operating experience.
• Chainsaw proficiency, trail construction experience, or small equipment operation (ATV/UTV, mini excavator, etc.).
• Prior roles in Mountain Operations leadership.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods when operating grooming machines.
• Ability to hike, lift up to 50 lbs, and work in exposed mountain environments.
• Winter work performed at night in cold and variable weather; summer work performed outdoors in variable terrain and temperatures.

The expected pay range is $60,000.00 - $70,000.00. 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  517364
Reference Date: 09/09/2026 
Job Code Function: Grooming