Specialist Ski Patrol

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:
Service is the foundation of everything we stand for at Vail Resorts and our Ski Patrol team is no exception to ensuring this experience of a lifetime. Responsible for safety and security of staff and guests on the mountain, Ski Patrol are on alert and dependable professionals focused on prevention with the ability to remain calm in crisis when incidents arise.

Job Specifications:

• Starting Wage: $24.64/hr - $35.20/hr
• Employment Type: Winter Seasonal 2026/2027
• Shift Type: Full Time
• Minimum Age: At least 18 years of age   
• Housing Availability: Yes 

Job Responsibilities:

• Supervise and promote guest safety on varied terrain with varying winter weather conditions, including the guest service expectations included for advanced patrollers.
• Assist injured/ill guests on the mountain.
• Transporting injured guests off the mountain using a toboggan or supporting air lift operations.
• Maintain trails, including hazard identification and setting up closures, safety materials, and other impacts from the resort environment.
• Transporting supplies and heavy equipment to areas of need.
• Performing closing procedures at the end of the day to ensure that all guests are safely off the mountain.
• Enforcement of the Skier Responsibility Code and Resort Policies.
• Chairlift and guest evacuation.
• Operating snowmobiles to various areas of the mountain, as needed.
• Demonstrates effective communication skills and strong guest service skills.
• Works consistently with management team to promote the safe, cohesive and efficient operation of the entire ski patrol.
• Coordinates a team of patrollers in daily patrol operations and tasks.
• Identifies and communicates with Team Lead potential AI needs.
• Assists with the training and development of their assigned team. Identify and immediately communicate with Team Lead when patrollers are falling short of their expectations and goals.
• Contributes to the ongoing safety culture by actively supporting safety initiatives.
• Takes a leadership role in contributing to the improvement and optimal functioning of Patrol operations and other special assignments.
• Works with other Patrollers in all aspects of the job.
• Demonstrates a positive example in the workplace through training, initiative, quality and quantity of work.
• Interacts and assists with other departments in a positive and professional manner.
• Communicates team goals, daily expectations and progress to the patrollers on their team, helping to improve the department’s metrics throughout the season.
• Participates in and supports mountain safety programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Demonstrates effective communication skills and strong guest service skills.
• Strong decision-making skills.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships inter/intra departmentally.
• Demonstrate advanced to expert skiing ability and be able to safely negotiate any area of the mountain, whether chairlift or hiking access, in all weather and snow conditions. Patrollers must be able to ski at an advanced level to safely handle a toboggan (with provided training) in any terrain and perform avalanche mitigation duties.
• High School Degree or equivalent.
• Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) Technician Certification – minimum.
• Ability and capability to access and use technology across multiple platforms.
• English speaking, writing and comprehension.
• Must be at least 18+ years of age.
• Must possess valid U.S. Driver’s License.
• Previous patrol experience.
• Must be available to work holidays and weekends. This is a full-time, 5 day a week position.
• Must be able to ski at an advanced to expert skier level in all snow and weather conditions, daily, for two -hours minimum and up to eight hours at a time.
• Be able to lift (and ski with) a minimum of 50 lbs daily, with help as needed.
• Must have frequent ability to lift, stand, walk, sit, and maneuver in all climate conditions on mountain, at high elevation.
• Must have full dexterity of hands and fingers to feel and maneuver in cold temperatures.
• Ability to reach with hands/arms.
• Ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl in all weather conditions at a high elevation.
• Must have good vision (corrected or not corrected) – with ability to see up-close, in the distance, peripheral, depth perception and have the ability to adjust focus. 

The expected pay range is $24.64/hr - $35.20/hr. 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  515710
Reference Date: 07/14/2026 
Job Code Function: Ski Patrol