Assistant Manager, Surfaces

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 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.

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
• RSP Options (after 12 months or 2000 cumulative hours of service)
• 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 Assistant Manager of Surfaces is responsible for assisting the Sr Surfaces Manager in the oversight of all operations within the Grooming Department, Bike Park Trail Crew, and Summer Trail Crews for operational trail maintenance, as well as capital projects. This includes budget oversight, operating expenses, onboarding new recruits, scheduling, training and compliance, and organizing all departmental safety training for winter grooming and summer operations.

Job Specifications:

• Housing: Not available
• Outlet: Whistler Blackcomb
• Schedule & Shift Availability: Year-Round / Full-Time
• Compensation Range: $52,000 - $71,260

Job Responsibilities

• Support the grooming manager and surfaces Sr manager as required by providing direction, leadership and expertise to the entire Whistler Blackcomb surfaces teams for summer and winter operations.
• Partner with the leadership team to recruit, hire, onboard, train, schedule, and supervise performance management / evaluations of all staff.
• Receive guidance from the Mtn Ops leadership team to understand, organize, and communicate priorities with Team Leads and crews, understanding that they are dependent on the time of season. This includes helping to develop and construct daily project lists, specific tasks, and special events.
• Attends any / all mountain operations meetings for a better understanding of the bigger picture in order to prioritize department needs, including filling in for the Grooming Manager and Snow Surfaces Sr Manager as needed.
• Foster relationships between the team and leadership by being in the present in the field, listen, learn and react to the needs of the team when appropriate.
• Help to create, manage, and share all required documents for the department. This includes prompt execution of grooming Reports and Lumiplay Lightboards in winter, maintain the Microsoft Teams Pages for each group, support Glint Survey completion, compiling data and operators KPI's.
• Support the department both locally and enterprise wide, when launching new initiatives within grooming and summer trail teams
• Support the vision of the department by navigating and analyzing all data, daily with the goal of communicating these learnings to the crews to help drive change in efficiency, production, machine wear and fuel usage.
• Maintain an excellent working relationship with all associated departments at Whistler Blackcomb. Especially Snowmaking, Fleet Maintenance, Patrol, Lift Operations, Snow School, Events, WMSC and Freestyle Clubs & Be comfortable working with outside contractors and agencies.
• Partner with the Surfaces Sr Manager to ensure compliance with all mandated company and department policies and procedures including safety guidelines. Understand VRI Company policies with regard to property loss, Workers Compensation, and VRI equipment operation.
• Communicate all department related issues to the Grooming Manager and Snow Surfaces Sr Manager in a timely fashion as well as assist to maintain departmental oversight and budget.
• Assist the Grooming Manager and Sr. Surfaces Manager to manage personnel, equipment assignments, projects, timelines, digging locates, safety training, preseason training, storm water management practices, and schedules for the summer Trail Maintenance operation.
• Others duties as assigned as required.

Job Qualifications:

• High School education or equivalent
• Excellent Administrative Skills
• Previous experience with heavy or light equipment preferred.
• Previous knowledge of Whistler Blackcomb Mountain preferred.
• 3-5 years' experience in managing and leading staff.
• Valid driver's license.
• Advanced computer skills (Microsoft Office, SNOWsat, Peoplesoft, and other software platforms).
• Excellent communication skills. Must be able to communicate verbal directions over the radio, phone, text and email.
• Ability to work long hours in all conditions and work weekends/holidays including working at least 5 days a week, year-round.
• Must be able ski/ride daily for up to 8 hours at a time, in all conditions.

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.

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 507970
Reference Date: 04/09/2025
Job Code Function: Grooming