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 Senior Manager of Mountain Operations has complete oversight, leadership, and management to the following Mountain Operations & Base Experience departments; Lift Experience, Lift Maintenance, Building Maintenance, Vehicle Maintenance, Grooming, Snowmaking, Terrain Park, Ambassadors, and PSS. This position will help ensure the overall success of the mountain in terms of the following: safety performance, staff development, daily operations, project management and future on mountain planning and strategies that will drive the guest and employee experience.

The Right Candidate Will:

Demonstrate strong learning agility. Enjoys and excels in environments where they must tackle and solve new and increasingly complex strategic business challenges and issues—incorporating the newest ideas, technologies, and approaches to business.

Be a brave, ambitious, and passionate leader who is comfortable in their own skin while also demonstrating a high level of emotional intelligence and self-awareness.

Job Specifications:

Starting Wage: $79,086.00 - $112,981.00 +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:

Oversee the management and administration of operations to produce an exceptional guest and employee experience

Strong collaboration between mountain operations peers within Vail Resorts

Successfully recruit, hire, coach, motivate and develop a high-performing management team. Ensure management team and subordinates are aligned with Vail Resorts goals, values and core competencies. Develop leaders within the scope of this position’s responsibility to improve leadership within current roles and prepare them for increased responsibility/accountability.

Improve safety culture and performance within mountain operations with the goal of reducing/eliminating worker and guest injury. Coordinate closely with Health & Safety regarding the same.

Accountable for mountain operations goals while contributing to overall resort, corporate goals and initiatives

Create and oversee departmental budgets while tracking performance to expectations

Create a positive work culture that has an unwavering commitment to providing an Experience of a Lifetime for each and every guest, constant improvement, and where every employee is proud to work for Afton and Vail Resorts.

Build strong, positive relationships with key managers outside the scope of direct reports

Maintain an “expert level” status of mountain operations functions, being proactive with industry trends within Vail Resorts and within the industry as a whole. Bringing those trends forward for a possible fit for Afton Alps.

Actively participate in assigned best practice groups.

Lead departments with capital planning, implementation and project management.

Prioritize and adapt in a constantly changing business and environmental setting

Increase operational efficiency and effectiveness through on-going communication and cooperation with mountain operations departments

Ensure company and employee communications are provided on a regular basis

Job Requirements:

Minimum 5 years experience in mountain operations or senior leadership team experience

3 years or more experience in a leadership role managing multiple departments

Valid driver’s license

Strong knowledge of desktop computer and applications – Microsoft office applications

Strong communication skills including verbal & written

Strong financial management, strong communication, leadership and team-building skills, advanced skiing/riding ability, must be able to work in extreme weather conditions (winter/summer)

Positive, solutions-oriented leadership

High school education or equivalent, some college preferred

The expected pay range is $79,086.00 - $112,981.00 +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 518693 Reference Date: 11/03/2026 Job Code Function: Leadership - Mtn Ops