Snowmaker
Seat: Snowmaker
Department: Snow Surfaces
Reports To: Snow Surfaces Manager
Status: Seasonal
Regular Schedule: Weather-dependent shifts including days, nights, weekends, and holidays
Compensation: $22-$25per hour - pending experience
Seat Summary
Snowmakers are the team that makes winter possible. Working across the mountain in changing weather and terrain conditions, Snowmakers operate and monitor the equipment responsible for building the snow base that supports skiing and riding throughout the season.
Seat Purpose
Safely operate and monitor snowmaking equipment to produce consistent, high-quality snow while maximizing production opportunities and supporting terrain coverage goals.
Core Accountabilities
- Snowmaking Operations: Set up, operate, monitor, adjust, move, and shut down snowmaking guns, hoses, hydrants, and related equipment according to the snowmaking plan.
- Snow Quality & Production: Monitor weather and snow conditions and make equipment adjustments as directed to maintain snow quality, coverage, and efficient production.
- Equipment Movement & Terrain Access: Safely transport and position snowmaking equipment across variable mountain terrain using approved vehicles and equipment.
- Equipment Care & Readiness: Conduct routine equipment inspections, maintain clean and organized equipment and work areas, and support basic upkeep to keep snowmaking operations ready for production.
- Inspection & Reporting: Identify and promptly communicate equipment malfunctions, system issues, changing conditions, hazards, and other concerns to the Snowmaking Shift Lead.
- Safety & Team Execution: Follow snowmaking, vehicle, and mountain safety procedures while maintaining clear communication and working collaboratively with the crew to complete assigned production goals.
Qualifications & Competencies
Required
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Ability to safely perform physically demanding outdoor work for extended periods.
- Ability to understand and follow operating procedures, safety requirements, and supervisor direction.
- Ability to communicate effectively by radio and work as part of a coordinated mountain operations team.
- Ability to work independently in low-light, nighttime, and changing mountain conditions.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule based on snowmaking conditions, including days, nights, weekends, holidays, and extended production periods.
- Ability to work outdoors in cold, wet, windy, snowy, and other changing weather conditions.
- Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record when operation of company vehicles or equipment is required.
Preferred
- Previous snowmaking, ski resort, outdoor operations, construction, mechanical, agricultural, or heavy equipment experience.
- Experience operating snowmobiles, ATVs, UTVs, trucks, or similar equipment.
- Familiarity with basic mechanical systems, tools, hoses, pumps, or pressurized systems.
- Skiing or snowboarding ability sufficient to safely navigate mountain terrain where required.
Physical & Work Environment Expectations
This position performs physically demanding work in an outdoor mountain environment and regularly works around snowmaking equipment, pressurized water and air systems, vehicles, moving equipment, and variable terrain.
Team members must be able to:
- Frequently stand, walk, bend, reach, crouch, kneel, climb, push, and pull throughout the shift.
- Navigate steep, uneven, snowy, icy, wet, and slippery terrain.
- Regularly lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Push, pull, move, or assist with equipment and materials weighing up to 100 pounds.
- Enter and exit vehicles and equipment repeatedly throughout the shift.
- Work for extended periods in cold, wet, windy, snowy, and low-visibility conditions.
- Wear required personal protective equipment and weather-appropriate apparel.
- Safely work around moving mechanical equipment and active snowmaking systems.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.
Schedule Expectations
Snowmaking is weather-dependent and operates when conditions provide the best opportunities for snow production. Schedules may therefore vary significantly based on temperature, humidity, weather patterns, terrain needs, and operational priorities.
Snowmakers must be available for a flexible schedule that may include day or overnight shifts, weekends, holidays, and periods of sustained snowmaking activity. Consistent attendance and reliability during snowmaking windows are essential to the success of the team.
The primary snowmaking season typically runs from late October through mid-to- late January. Opportunities may be available to transition into another resort department following the primary snowmaking season based on business needs, qualifications, and available positions.
Disclaimer: The statements above describe the general nature of the seat, but they are not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or skills required.
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities as needed. In addition, as we are a recreational business, availability on peak holiday timeframes and weekends is required.
