Vail Resorts

Manager: Ski Patrol

Vail Resorts • $80K — $84K *
Hospitality & Recreation
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of Ski Patrol experience
  • Current OEC certification
  • Expert skiing or riding ability
  • Strong knowledge of ski area operations and mountain safety practices
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
  • Minimum ICS-100 certification
  • Valid Driver's License

Responsibilities

  • Lead financial management of the Ski Patrol department
  • Oversee day-to-day Ski Patrol operations
  • Manage team culture, reinforcing accountability and professionalism
  • Champion guest service and safety across the department
  • Ensure effective daily staff meetings and compliance with safety standards
  • Strengthen collaboration with internal and external agencies
  • Manage seasonal mountain setup and comprehensive condition monitoring
  • Oversee training programs and lead candidate/apprentice initiatives

Benefits

  • Opportunity for annual bonuses
  • Year-round employment
  • Full-time hours available
  • Collaboration with a dedicated and professional team
  • Participation in leadership development programs
Full Job Description
Job Summary:

At Vail Resorts, our mission is to create an Experience of a Lifetime for our employees so they can, in turn, provide an Experience of a Lifetime for our guests.

As the Ski Patrol Manager at Stevens Pass, you will provide strategic leadership for all ski patrol operations, ensuring top-tier safety for both guests and employees. This dynamic role oversees all aspects of the Professional and Volunteer Ski Patrol. This includes staffing, training, budgeting, scheduling, interdepartmental relations, guest service, emergency medical response, incident management, risk mitigation, rope rescue, lift evacuation, and mountain rescue. In addition, the job requires overseeing summertime first aid operations, capital projects, and a variety of summer maintenance projects. You will lead and inspire a professional team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and leadership development. The job requires strong leadership qualities, and creative problem-solving.

In this position, you will collaborate closely with Mountain Operations, risk management, Environmental Health & Safety, and external emergency agencies to maintain operational excellence. Your success will be measured by strong safety performance, high employee engagement, regulatory compliance, and exceptional guest service.

Job Specifications:
  • Starting Wage: $80,168.40 - $84,757.00 + 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:
  • Lead overall financial management of the Ski Patrol department, including labor and operating budgets
  • Oversee day to day Ski Patrol operations in partnership with Patrol leadership to ensure safe, efficient, and consistent mountain operations
  • Actively manage and shape the culture of the Ski Patrol team, reinforcing accountability, teamwork, professionalism, and alignment with company values
  • Champion a strong culture of guest service, safety, and professionalism across the department
  • Ensure effective daily staff meetings, reinforce safety standards, and participate in Vail wide Ski Patrol COE initiatives
  • Strengthen intra and interdepartmental collaboration; support relationships with external agencies, including the DEC and/or applicable State entities.
  • Manage winter mountain setup and spring teardown; oversee daily condition monitoring, trail openings/closures, signage, ropes, and padding
  • Oversee departmental training programs, including schedules, content, and training safety standards
  • Lead the candidate/apprentice program, including staffing levels, budgets, testing, and forecasting future patrol staffing needs
  • Collaborate with Snow Surfaces and Grooming leadership to establish daily grooming priorities
  • Actively participate in Resort Leadership Team meetings and daily operational calls
  • Provide direct oversight of the Accident Investigation team, including hiring, training, and coordination with Health & Safety
  • Engage in company wide leadership development programs


Job Requirements:
  • 5+ years of Patrol experience
  • Current OEC certification
  • Expert skiing or riding ability
  • Strong knowledge of ski area operations and mountain safety practices
  • Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and decision-making skills
  • Minimum ICS-100 certification
  • Valid Driver's License
  • Microsoft Office and Teams proficiency
  • Must be able to speak, read, and write fluently in English
  • High School diploma or equivalent

Preferred:
  • EMT or higher medical certification
  • National Ski Patrol senior or certified alpine certification
  • 3-4 years of Patrol supervisory experience
  • Experience managing large operational teams
  • Experience managing budgets and labor resources
  • Experience with emergency management planning and incident command
  • Snowmobile, UTV experience
  • Associate or bachelor's degree in emergency management, risk management, public safety, business, recreation management or related fields.


The expected pay range is $80,168.40 - $84,757.00 + 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.

Requisition ID 517525
Reference Date: 09/12/2026
Job Code Function: Ski Patrol

About Vail Resorts

Vail Resorts is a mountain resort company that operates ski resorts and hotels in North America. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado. Vail Resorts' ski resorts include Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe, Okemo, Mount Sunapee, and Whistler Blackcomb. The company also operates hotels and other lodging properties in these locations. Vail Resorts has a market capitalization of over $10 billion and generated over $2 billion in revenue in 2020.
Learn more about Vail Resorts
Size
6,100 employees
Market Cap
$9.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$7 million
Founded
1992
5 Year Trend
+5.8%
Revenue
$1.5 billion
NASDAQ

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