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Avalanche Control Explosives Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Avalanche Control Explosives information

What explosives are used for avalanche control?

Avalanche control explosives commonly include explosive charges such as explosive cartridges, detonating cords, and specialized explosive devices like explosive charges or explosive shells. These are used by avalanche control specialists to trigger controlled avalanches and prevent larger, uncontrolled ones, often in conjunction with remote detonation tools and safety protocols.

What is the difference between Avalanche Control Explosives vs Avalanche Control Technicians?

AspectAvalanche Control ExplosivesAvalanche Control Technicians
CredentialsExplosive handling certifications, safety trainingExplosive handling certifications, safety training
Work EnvironmentOutdoor, mountainous, remote areasOutdoor, mountainous, remote areas
Industry UsageUsed to trigger controlled avalanchesOperate and deploy explosives for avalanche mitigation

Both roles require similar certifications and work in outdoor mountain environments. Avalanche Control Explosives specialists focus on handling and deploying explosives, while Avalanche Control Technicians may assist in setup and safety procedures. The primary difference lies in the scope of responsibilities related to explosive use and management.

What jobs deal with explosives?

Jobs that involve working with explosives include avalanche control technicians, demolition experts, mining engineers, and military ordnance specialists. These roles require specialized training, safety certifications, and adherence to strict safety protocols due to the inherent risks of handling explosive materials.

How to become an avalanche forecaster?

To become an avalanche forecaster, individuals typically need a background in geology, meteorology, or related fields, along with experience in snowpack analysis and avalanche risk assessment. Certification from organizations such as the American Avalanche Association or equivalent is often required, and field experience in snow conditions and weather patterns is essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Avalanche Control Explosives Technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Avalanche Control Explosives Technician, you need expertise in snow science, avalanche risk assessment, and the safe handling of explosives, often supported by certifications such as Avalanche Level 2 and relevant safety training. Familiarity with specialized tools like hand charges, remote avalanche control systems, and GPS mapping software is essential. Strong decision-making, communication, and teamwork skills are crucial for coordinating with teams and responding quickly to changing mountain conditions. These abilities are vital for ensuring public safety, effective avalanche mitigation, and minimizing risk in hazardous environments.

What are some common challenges faced by Avalanche Control Explosives technicians during their daily operations?

Avalanche Control Explosives technicians often work in remote, mountainous environments under challenging weather conditions, which can include low visibility, cold temperatures, and unstable snowpacks. Coordinating with other team members and ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols are essential, as handling explosives requires precise communication and focus. Additionally, technicians must be prepared to quickly assess changing avalanche risks and adapt their control strategies, often starting work very early in the morning to ensure public safety on ski runs and highways. Collaboration with ski patrol, transportation agencies, and weather experts is also a key part of the role.

What are Avalanche Control Explosives?

Avalanche control explosives are specialized devices used by trained professionals to trigger controlled avalanches in order to prevent larger, more dangerous avalanches from occurring naturally. These explosives are strategically placed and detonated in snow-packed areas prone to avalanches, allowing unstable snow layers to slide safely under controlled conditions. This proactive approach helps protect roads, ski resorts, and mountain communities by reducing avalanche risks. Only certified personnel are authorized to handle and deploy these explosives due to the inherent dangers involved.

How much does an avalanche technician make?

An avalanche technician typically earns between $40,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and location. The role involves working in challenging outdoor environments and often requires specialized training in explosives and safety protocols.
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Infographic showing various Avalanche Control Explosives job openings in Colorado as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, and 30% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Ski Patrol Manager - Training

TSG Ski & Golf, LLC

Telluride, CO

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

Summary: Assist the Ski Patrol Director and Assistant Director in all aspects of management and daily operation of the Ski Patrol.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

  • Assist the Ski Patrol Director and Assistant Director in planning, budget, policy and administrative duties.

  • Coordinate daily patrol operations with Ski Patrol Director and Assistant Director.

  • Creates and disseminates daily work plans for the entire patrol staff.

  • Coordinate snow safety operations with technicians and other departments as needed.

  • Assist in daily staffing, scheduling.

  • Daily reporting including: Trail Report, Labor Report, etc.

  • Oversees all aspects of Patrol training.

  • Monitor and evaluate employee performance.

  • Patrols assigned areas on skis or snowmobile.

  • Rescues injured skiers and renders first aid or transfers them to waiting transportation with toboggan.

  • Ensures that no skiers remain on slopes or trails at end of day or during inclement weather.

  • Visually inspects chair lifts to report safety hazards and evidence of damage or wear.

  • Ski and boot pack, especially early season.

  • Assists guests downhill when necessary.

  • Assists demolition crew to blast for avalanche control.

  • Provide a guest experience that exceeds the guest's expectations.

  • Supports TSG Ski & Golf sustainability initiatives.

  • Adheres to TSG Ski & Golf policies and procedures.

  • Adheres to and enforces the Skier Responsibility Code and Colorado Skier Safety Act.

Training & Compliance Responsibilities: include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

  • Develop and maintain a centralized system for tracking training, certifications, and compliance for all Ski Patrol team members.

  • Ensure all training programs align with National Ski Patrol standards, including OEC and annual refresher requirements.

  • Assist in the planning, coordination, and scheduling of the annual Ski Patrol Refresher Course in accordance with National Ski Patrol guidelines.

  • Support delivery of OEC refreshers, skills assessments, and scenario-based training.

  • Monitor certification status and proactively communicate upcoming expirations to ensure compliance.

  • Maintain accurate training records to support risk management and audit readiness.

  • Assist with onboarding and initial training for new Ski Patrol team members.

  • Support ongoing continuing education and skills development (e.g. avalanche, lift evacuation, rope rescue).

  • Partner with internal teams to ensure consistent training practices and operational readiness.

  • Assist in development and support of patrol instructors and training staff.

Managerial Responsibilities:                                                    

Directly supervises 30-60 Patrollers in the Ski Patrol. Carries out managerial responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, assisting in hiring, training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Education and/or Experience:                                                

One year certificate from college or technical school; or three to six months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills:                                               

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.  Ability to write simple correspondence.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills:                                                     

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability:                                            

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills:                                               

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Internet Explorer, Outlook Internet software, Excel Spreadsheet software and Microsoft Word Processing software.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

       EMT or OEC Certification required.

Other Qualifications:

  • Must be an expert skier.

  • Must have at least 7 years prior Ski Patrol experience and prior supervisory experience.

  • Must be willing and able to be registered with the State of Colorado in the matter of explosive handling and storage.

  • Must be able to function effectively at elevations of 10,000 feet or higher.

  • Must be able to function effectively in inclement weather conditions.

  • Must be able to work nights, weekends, holidays, overtime as job requires.

  • Must have a valid Driver's License.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; explosives and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The salary range for this position is $75,000-$80,000/yr depending on experience and other factors.

FTYR Benefits include Group Health (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & AD&D), 401(K) Match, Flexible Spending, Paid Time Off, Mix of Vacation/Sick Time

Benefits include ski pass, dependent passes (for full-time commitment), discounted lift tickets, lift tickets at other CO resorts, discounted employee shuttles and discounted meals and lodging and ski school discounts