Snowsports Instructor Winter 26/27

Position Summary 

Snowsports Instructors create a safe, positive, and engaging learning environment for guests of all ages and ability levels. Through personalized ski and snowboard instruction, they help students develop skills, confidence, and mountain awareness while delivering exceptional guest experiences. By adapting lessons to individual needs and promoting a fun, supportive atmosphere, instructors foster a lifelong enjoyment of snowsports and create memorable experiences at the ski area.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

Instruction & Guest Experience

• Deliver engaging group and private lessons for guests of all ages, ability levels, and learning styles.
• Implement lesson plans and activities tailored to developmental needs and guest goals.
• Teach skiing/snowboarding fundamentals, including safe lift loading and unloading.
• Adapt teaching methods, pace, and terrain selection to meet individual learning needs and ability levels.
• Observe student performance and provide timely, constructive feedback to support skill progression and confidence.
• Listen to guests’ needs and incorporate feedback to enhance their learning experience.
• Create a welcoming and inclusive learning environment that promotes participation and enjoyment of snowsports.
• Promote and sell future lessons to build strong customer relationships and encourage return visits.

Safety & Supervision

• Maintain a safe learning environment by following all safety procedures and modeling on-mountain safety practices.
• Assess and monitor student progress, making adjustments to ensure skill development and confidence.
• Maintain appropriate supervision of students throughout lessons and ensure participants remain accounted for.
• Identify and proactively address hazards, changing weather conditions, and terrain risks.
• Support lift, learning area, and equipment safety throughout lessons.
• Respond appropriately to accidents, injuries, and emergencies in accordance with ski area policies and procedures.
• Complete required incident reporting and communicate safety concerns to supervisors in a timely manner.
• Model responsible slope etiquette and adherence to the Skier Responsibility Code.

Operations & Support

• Assist with setting up and tearing down lesson areas, moving equipment, and supporting fellow instructors as needed.
• Assist with student check-in, equipment assessments, and lesson group organization as needed.
• Complete required administrative tasks, including student evaluations and training documentation.
• Attend departmental meetings, safety trainings, and staff development sessions.

Professionalism & Teamwork

• Arrive on time, prepared-in uniform and gear-and ready for lessons before scheduled start time.
• Demonstrate professionalism, teamwork, and exceptional guest service at all times.
• Exercise sound judgment, situational awareness, and professionalism in all guest and employee interactions.
• Participate in ongoing training, certification, and professional development opportunities.
• Support a positive and inclusive culture by assisting colleagues and contributing ideas to improve operations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Must be at least 16 years old (work permit required if under 18).
• Two (2) personal reference letters if under 18.
• Must pass a pre-employment background check if over 18.
• PSIA or AASI Level 1 certification encouraged.
• Strong skiing/snowboarding ability; must be able to navigate all runs and terrain.
• Minimum of three years of directly related experience preferred.
• Solid knowledge of lesson planning, curriculum design, and training methods.
• Demonstrated teaching, facilitation, and coaching skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to work effectively with a wide range of students.
• Team-oriented with excellent customer service skills.
• Reliable and adaptable to working in variable outdoor weather conditions.
• Ability to assess training needs, set objectives, and adjust instruction accordingly.

Physical Demands and Work Environment 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Proper cold-weather clothing, protective gear, and adherence to safety procedures are required to ensure personal well-being and maintain safe operations in challenging conditions. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Hilltop Ski Area is an Equal Opportunity Employer, a drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.