Assistant Manager: Snow Surfaces - Salary

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 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 Snow Surfaces Assistant Manager (M1) supports the Mountain Operations Manager in the leadership, direction, and daily operation of the Snow Surfaces Department at Mad River Mountain.This position assists in overseeing snowmaking, grooming, terrain park operations, fleet maintenance, and heavy equipment operations to ensure safe, efficient, and exceptional mountain conditions for both guests and employees.

As a leader, the Assistant Manager actively participates in daily operations while providingguidance, support, and direction to the Snow Surfaces team. This role is responsible for leadingterrain park operations, including the design, construction, and maintenance of terrain parkfeatures; developing a strong understanding of the resort's snowmaking system and snowmaking operations during production windows; coordinating department schedules and labor resources to meet operational and budgetary objectives; assigning and prioritizing daily work across all Snow Surfaces functions; mentoring and developing employees; operating heavy equipment and snow surface machinery; and promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence.

The Assistant Manager works closely with the Mountain Operations Manager to establish daily priorities, allocate resources, monitor weather and mountain conditions, and ensure all departmental activities are completed in accordance with company standards, policies, and safety requirements. This position also assists with employee recruitment, training and development,scheduling, performance management, equipment planning, budgeting, inventory management,and interdepartmental coordination.

The ideal candidate is a strong and motivated leader with a passion for mountain operations,employee development, and maintaining a best-in-class safety culture. They must be comfortable balancing hands-on operational responsibilities with leadership and administrative duties in a dynamic resort environment while consistently supporting the resort's operational goals and guest experience.

This is primarily a winter seasonal leadership position with the opportunity to transition into a summer seasonal role supporting Mountain Operations initiatives at Mad River Mountain. During the summer season, the Assistant Manager may assist with lift maintenance support activities,infrastructure projects, inspections, trail improvements, facility maintenance, and other mountain operations projects as assigned.

Job Specifications: 

• Starting Wage: $52,000.00 - $64,064.00  
• 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: 

• Assist the Mountain Operations Manager in leading the daily operations of the Snow Surfaces Department.
  
• Provide direct supervision and leadership to Snow Surfaces team members, including Snowmaking, Grooming, Terrain Park, staff.
  
• Lead the design, construction, inspection, and maintenance of Park features, ensuring a safe and engaging guest experience.
  
• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of the resort's snowmaking system, assisting with planning, production, and operational decision-making during snowmaking windows.
  
• Coordinate employee schedules, staffing levels, and labor allocation to meet operational demands while maintaining labor budget targets.
  
• Plan, assign, and prioritize daily work activities across all Snow Surfaces operations.
  
• Operate snowcats, loaders, excavators, tractors, and other heavy equipment safely and efficiently.
  
• Monitor weather conditions, snow quality, and slope conditions to support operational planning and guest experience objectives.
  
• Ensure all snowmaking, grooming, terrain park, and equipment operations are completed in accordance with company policies and safety standards.
  
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, and performance management of Snow Surfaces team members.
  
• Mentor employees and support leadership development within the department.
  
• Maintain accurate operational records, equipment inspections, maintenance logs, and departmental reports.
  
• Support fleet maintenance activities, including equipment inspections, preventative maintenance schedules, and operational readiness.
  
• Coordinate effectively with Lift Experience, Lift Maintenance, Ski Patrol, and other resort departments.
  
• Assist with department budgeting, inventory control, purchasing, and resource planning.
  
• Participate in incident investigations and implement corrective actions when necessary.
  
• Promote and model a strong safety culture, ensuring compliance with OSHA, company, and industry safety standards.
  
• Serve as the acting Mountain Operations leader in the absence of the Mountain Operations Manager.
  
• Respond to operational emergencies, weather events, and changing mountain conditions as needed.
  
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned. 

Job Requirements

• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record required.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
  
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
  
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
  
• Ability to safely operate multiple types of heavy equipment in challenging mountain and winter conditions.
  
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English fluently.
  
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
  
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in varying mountain weather conditions, including snow, ice, wind, and extreme temperatures.
  
• Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during storms and peak operational periods.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in ski resort operations or snowmaking operations.
  
• Experience with CAT, Pisten bully, SMI, or similar heavy equipment.
  
• Knowledge of winter operations, snow removal planning, and alpine work environments.
  
• Experience leading teams, coaching employees, and fostering a positive safety culture.
  
• Physical Requirements
  
• Ability to safely climb into and out of heavy equipment multiple times per shift.
  
• Ability to walk on uneven, snowy, icy, and steep terrain.
  
• Ability to sit for extended periods while operating heavy equipment. 

The expected pay range is $52,000.00 - $64,064.00. 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  516908
Reference Date: 08/27/2026 
Job Code Function: Leadership - Mtn Ops