Specialist Ski Patrol (Keystone, CO, US)

 

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:

At Vail Resorts, our mission is to create the Experience of a Lifetime for our employees so they can, in turn, create the Experience of a Lifetime for our guests. The Avalanche Specialist position is a non-management leadership role within Keystone Ski Patrol. This position falls within the Collective Bargaining Agreement. As an Avalanche Specialist, you will assist Team Leads and sometimes Supervisors, primarily in planning, coordinating, and delivering training programs, and in overseeing day-to-day operations when a Team Lead or Supervisor is not present. You will coordinate with your specific Team Lead and sometimes Supervisor to facilitate the accomplishment of team tasks. Success in this role is measured by your ability to work proactively, with a positive attitude, in a dynamic physical and mental environment that requires emotional awareness, a high degree of physical fitness, embracing change, and holding oneself and others accountable, particularly in the support and development of rookies, while maintaining a continuous focus on training execution, customer service, and the safety of our employees and guests.

 

Job Specifications:

• Starting Wage: $24.00/hr - $28.32/hr + $4.32 Terrain complexity   

• Employment Type: Winter Seasonal 2025/2026  

• Shift Type: Full Time hours available 

• Minimum Age: At least 18 years of age  

• Housing Availability: No  

 

Job Responsibilities:

• Alignment with Vail Resorts’ mission and values
• • Actively participate in maintaining a culture of excellence, equality and collaboration
• Participate in and support daily ski patrol operations
• Maintain all skills of an Advanced Ski Patroller
  • Continue to perform operational ski patrol duties, to include patient assessments, running a toboggan and housekeeping the mountain with a “patroller’s eye” (signage, boo, rope lines, etc.)
• Maintain a current OEC, EMT-B or higher medical certification
• Support the daily operation of the ski patrol department, especially in the absence of Team Lead or Supervisor, and assume leadership role to ensure that all tasks are completed in a timely and satisfactory manner
• Set an example for others to follow
  • Adherence to uniform standards (i.e., cleanliness, appropriate and correct name tags, serviceable with no tears, etc.)
  • Proactive, positive and enthusiastic team player
  • Proactive, solutions-oriented perspective
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Organize control teams and decide what avalanche terrain is open or closed daily.
• Coordinate with other departments when closing terrain for control work or for avalanche hazard.
• Document daily activity, control work, explosive use and inventory
• Evaluate snow stability and avalanche hazard on all ski area avalanche terrain
• Compile daily weather observations and send-out. Coordinate with Keystone Weather Department to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• Adhere to all local, state and federal rules and regulations regarding explosive use and storage
• Maintain the integrity of all Keystone Resort boundaries and avalanche closures
• Train Patrollers in safe practices of explosive use, avalanche control procedures and avalanche rescue skills

Physical Requirements

• Maintain ability to perform all duties of an Advanced Ski Patroller
• Ability to lift and ski with a minimum of 50 lbs.
• Ability to stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl in all weather conditions in a high alpine environment

 

Job Qualifications

• Ability to lead and coordinate – Required
• Avalanche Pro 1, Pro 1 Bridge (or equivalent) certification required. Pro 2 preferred
• Snowmobile level 2 required with ability to achieve level 3 by 3/15/26
• Valid driver’s license – Required
• Current Colorado Blasters Permit – Required
• Excellent written, verbal and electronic communication skills – Required
• Ability to effectively work within a team – Required
• Time Management & organizational skills – Required
• Strong Decision-making skills – Required
• Expert skiing skills – Required
• Competent with Windows based programs; specifically, Microsoft Office – Required
• Current OEC, EMT-B or higher medical certification – Required
• Advanced level patroller - Required

 

The expected pay range is $24.00/hr - $28.32/hr + $4.32 Terrain complexity. 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  513457
Reference Date: 10/19/2025 
Job Code Function: Ski Patrol  

Vail Resorts, Inc. operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates mountain resorts and hotels with ancillary services, primarily including golf courses, ski school, dining, and retail and rental operations, as well as owns, develops, and sells real estate in resort communities. Vail Resorts serves customers worldwide.