Manager: Base Area Operations

Job Description

Job Description

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 Manager, Base Area Experience is an M2 leader responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of assigned base area functions at Whitetail Resort. The role leads managers, team leads, and frontline teams across Buildings and Facilities Maintenance, Parking and Security, Product Sales and Services (PSS), Activities, and Guest Information Hosts, based on the resort operating model and business needs.

This manager establishes departmental priorities, develops leaders, oversees labor and operating budgets, drives cross-functional improvement, and ensures consistent execution of resort standards. The role partners with senior resort leadership to deliver a seamless experience from arrival through departure and achieve safety, guest, employee, and financial outcomes.

Job Specifications:

• Starting Wage: $58,298.00 - $83,283.00 + 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:

Safety and Guest Experience

• Lead daily operations with employee and guest safety as the highest priority.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence and ensure teams deliver welcoming, accurate, and efficient service.
• Respond to guest concerns, coordinate service recovery, and escalate significant issues appropriately.
• Conduct routine safety checks, reinforce safe work practices, and follow through on corrective actions.

People Leadership

• Recruit, onboard, train, schedule, coach, and develop frontline employees and team leaders.
• Set clear expectations, provide timely feedback, and hold employees accountable for performance and conduct.
• Support performance conversations, development plans, recognition, and succession readiness.
• Promote an inclusive, collaborative, and engaging employee experience.

Operational Excellence

• Build and execute daily operating plans for regular operations, peak periods, events, and changing conditions.
• Coordinate staffing, guest flow, facility readiness, signage, cleanliness, parking, security, and information services.
• Use operating data, guest feedback, and key performance indicators to identify trends and improve results.
• Maintain required records and ensure compliance with company standards and applicable regulations.
• Manage third-party contractors and vendors within assigned areas.

Financial Stewardship

• Support preparation and management of departmental labor and operating budgets.
• Monitor labor, expenses, purchasing, and productivity; adjust plans to meet service and financial expectations.
• Identify practical opportunities to improve efficiency while protecting safety and the guest experience.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Mountain Operations, Food and Beverage, Retail and Rental, Ski and Ride School, and other resort teams to support a connected guest journey.
• Communicate operational priorities, risks, and results to resort leadership and key partners.
• Support resort-wide programs, special events, emergency response, and seasonal readiness efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Five years of progressive leadership experience, including experience leading leaders and teams in resort operations, hospitality, guest services, facilities, security, recreation, or a related environment.
• Working knowledge of resort or high-volume service operations.
• Demonstrated ability to coach employees, manage competing priorities, and make sound decisions in changing conditions.
• Basic budget, labor management, and operational performance experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn evolving workplace systems.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license and the ability to operate assigned equipment where required.
• Availability to work weekends, holidays, evenings, and peak operating periods.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising multiple guest-facing or operational work groups.
• Experience with base area operations, parking, facilities, security, activities, or Product Sales and Services.
• Experience using guest feedback and operational metrics to improve performance.

Leadership Expectations

• Leads with safety, care, accountability, and sound judgment.
• Builds trust through clear communication and consistent follow-through.
• Develops employees and creates meaningful growth opportunities.
• Collaborates across functions to improve the employee and guest experience.
• Adapts quickly and maintains composure in a dynamic resort environment.

Physical and Working Conditions

• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in variable weather conditions.
• Ability to stand, walk, and navigate uneven, snowy, or icy surfaces for extended periods.
• Ability to use assigned equipment and lift or move items consistent with operational requirements and approved job standards.

The role you are being hired into requires further background check clearances by the State of Pennsylvania, which will need to be completed before you can begin work. For more information on the clearances, click here. 

The expected pay range is $58,298.00 - $83,283.00 + 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  517318
Reference Date: 09/06/2026 
Job Code Function: Base Area Ops