Assistant Manager: Mountain Safety - Hourly

Vail Resorts · United States

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

• Starting Wage: $25.00 - $35.20
• Employment Type: Winter Seasonal 2026/2027
• Shift Type: Full Time hours available
• Minimum Age: At least 18 years of age
• Housing Availability: Yes

• Leadership, Culture & Team Development
• Lead with the Vail Leadership Competencies Re Imagine, Out Front, Drive, Develop, Connect, Passion while exemplifying all Vail Resorts Values: Serve Others, Do Right, Drive Value, Do Good, Be Safe, Have Fun, Be Inclusive.
• Foster a unified, collaborative patrol culture by supporting and promoting new procedures and organizational changes, articulating the purpose behind them, and guiding the team through transitions with clarity and empathy.
• Create an environment where positive behaviors are recognized and celebrated through formal and informal methods, reinforcing alignment with company values and operational excellence.
• Intervene promptly and appropriately to address behavior that does not reflect respect, professionalism, or inclusivity.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with cross departmental leaders to enhance employee engagement and ensure smooth operational coordination.
• Hiring, Staffing & Performance Management
• Conduct interviews and participate in the hiring and selection of Mountain Safety Team applicants, ensuring candidates reflect the values, professionalism, and skill sets required for success.
• Determine appropriate staffing levels daily and weekly based on operational needs weather patterns, guest volume, and terrain openings and creating a schedule based on those factors.
• Lead onboarding and ongoing training for new and returning team members, ensuring comprehension of safety protocols, guest service standards, and patrol expectations.
• Provide direct supervision to Mountain Safety staff, delivering clear expectations, ongoing coaching, and timely performance feedback.
• Hold team members accountable to the Employee Manual, Mountain Safety Patrol Manual, and current Bargaining Agreement, administering corrective or disciplinary action when necessary.
• Conduct comprehensive, timely performance evaluations using a multi-source feedback model, incorporating insights from the Patrol Leadership Team and operational data.
• Safety Operations & Mountain Oversight
• Maintain a strong physical presence on the mountain, ensuring the highest levels of guest and employee safety while skiing/riding or staffing fixed locations often in variable terrain, challenging weather, and high-altitude conditions.
• Oversee and coordinate the daily deployment of MS patrollers to ensure effective coverage of key zones, slow areas, and high traffic corridors.
• Enforce the Skier Responsibility Code and resort policies through both educational interactions, re quired safety class/quiz and, when needed, revocation of lift access for unsafe behavior.
• Read, apply and maintain all team reporting of guest interactions/warnings/suspensions in Guest Connect program
• Actively monitor terrain for hazards; perform hazard mitigation including rope placement, signage installation, snow packing/shoveling, and reporting of maintenance concerns.
• Lead and contribute to small operational projects and safety initiatives that improve departmental performance and the guest experience.
• Prepare and present safety messaging for morning meetings and other forums, reinforcing a proactive safety culture and communicating operational updates.
• Guest & Employee Service Excellence
• Provide exceptional conflict resolution and guest-facing service, including calmly mediating issues, offering guidance, and delivering accurate information about terrain, mountain operations, and resort/town resources.
• Respond to guest inquiries via email and in person communication, ensuring timely, professional, and informative responses.
• Maintain a high level of situational awareness to support both guest enjoyment and compliance with safety protocols.
• Serve as a role model for professional, respectful, and service-oriented behavior under all conditions.

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college degree or relevant coursework preferred.
• Minimum 2-3 years of ski resort, mountain operations, ski patrol, mountain safety, or related leadership experience preferred.
• Previous supervisory, team lead, or leadership experience preferred.
• Expert skiing or snowboarding ability with the capability to safely navigate all open terrain and variable snow conditions while performing job duties.
• Ability to pass a Mountain Safety leadership ski or snowboard assessment.
• Strong knowledge of the Skier Responsibility Code, mountain safety practices, and resort operations.Excellent leadership, communication, coaching, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to make sound decisions in dynamic, fast-paced, and high-pressure environments.Experience providing performance feedback, coaching employees, and addressing performance or conduct concerns.
• Ability to effectively train, mentor, and develop employees.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and adapt to changing operational needs.
• Comfortable using computers and Microsoft Office applications; ability to learn department-specific software such as Guest Connect and scheduling systems.
• Ability to communicate professionally and fluently in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, early mornings, evenings, and extended shifts as operational needs require.
• Must be able to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions, including snow, wind, cold temperatures, and high altitude.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and perform physically demanding tasks, including skiing/riding, hiking, shoveling snow, installing signage, and traversing steep, uneven terrain
• Must meet all employment requirements, including successful completion of any required background screening.