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Full Time Avalanche Forecaster Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Eleven Experience

Snow Safety Manager

Crested Butte, CO · On-site

$6.0K/mo

This is a full-time, season position offering a salary of $6,000 per month. The Winter season runs ... Lead avalanche forecasting, assessment, and hazard mitigation efforts * Manage the snow safety ...

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Full Time Avalanche Forecaster information

See salary details

$47K

$65.4K

$113K

How much do full time avalanche forecaster jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for full time avalanche forecaster in the United States is $65,382.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,000.00 and $63,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Full Time Avalanche Forecaster vs Part Time Avalanche Forecaster?

AspectFull Time Avalanche ForecasterPart Time Avalanche Forecaster
CredentialsTypically requires certification in avalanche safety and meteorologyMay require similar certifications but less frequently or part-time
Work EnvironmentFull-time, often in remote mountain or ski resort locationsPart-time, possibly seasonal or on-call in similar environments
Employer & Industry UsageFull-time roles in ski resorts, government agencies, or outdoor safety organizationsPart-time roles in the same sectors, often supplementing other jobs

Full Time Avalanche Forecasters work year-round or seasonally with consistent hours, focusing on ongoing safety assessments. Part Time Avalanche Forecasters typically work during peak seasons or as needed, with flexible hours. Both roles require similar certifications and work in comparable environments, but the commitment level and hours differ.

What does a Full Time Avalanche Forecaster do?

A Full Time Avalanche Forecaster is responsible for assessing snowpack stability, weather conditions, and terrain to predict the likelihood of avalanches in a specific region. They collect and analyze data from the field, issue public avalanche forecasts, and provide safety recommendations for recreationalists, ski resorts, and road management teams. Their work helps prevent accidents and saves lives by informing the public and professionals about avalanche risks. This role often requires fieldwork in challenging mountain conditions and collaboration with other experts.

What are some of the main challenges faced by Full Time Avalanche Forecasters during the winter season?

Full Time Avalanche Forecasters often work in rapidly changing and sometimes hazardous conditions, which can make data collection and analysis challenging. They must interpret complex snowpack, weather, and terrain data to provide timely and accurate forecasts, often under tight deadlines. Additionally, effective communication with ski patrols, rescue teams, and the public is crucial, as their forecasts directly impact safety decisions. Balancing fieldwork with office-based analysis and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of the latest forecasting technologies are also key parts of the role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Full Time Avalanche Forecaster, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Full Time Avalanche Forecaster, you need expertise in snow science, meteorology, and terrain analysis, often supported by a degree in earth sciences or related certifications such as the American Avalanche Association (AAA) Pro Level 2. Familiarity with GIS mapping tools, weather modeling software, and remote sensing equipment is essential for accurate data collection and analysis. Strong situational awareness, communication skills, and the ability to make critical decisions under pressure are vital soft skills. These competencies are crucial for ensuring public safety, providing accurate forecasts, and minimizing avalanche risk for communities and recreationists.
More about Full Time Avalanche Forecaster jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Avalanche Forecaster jobs? The most popular types of Avalanche Forecaster jobs are:
What job categories do people searching Full Time Avalanche Forecaster jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Full Time Avalanche Forecaster jobs are:
Full Time Avalanche Forecaster jobs near you
Infographic showing various Full Time Avalanche Forecaster job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 15% As Needed, 80% Contract, and 4% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,382 per year, or $31.4 per hour.
Snow Safety Manager

Snow Safety Manager

Eleven Experience

Crested Butte, CO • On-site

$6.0K/mo

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

About Us
Eleven is like no other place. We're an adventure travel company with a diverse portfolio of intimate, extraordinary adventure lodges in remote locations around the world. We strive to give every one of our guests the best day of their life everyday, whether heli-skiing near the Arctic Circle in Iceland or casting for bonefish on a remote island in the Bahamas. At each destination our guided backcountry adventures await guests of all ages and skill levels. Our lodges, chalets, and beach houses combine five-star accommodations with incredible cuisine. To our guests we are trusted, down to Earth, smart, innovative, discrete and fun. To our international team, we are a community with genuine camaraderie, and we value creativity, work ethic, kindness, and strong communication. Our success is dependent on our employees' well being, and we continue to evolve more programs and benefits to support work life balance, and remain open to ideas, feedback, and new sustainable approaches. We take pride in promoting employees from within who prove to be committed, valuable, and have a genuine desire to grow.
Position Summary
Irwin Backcountry Guides is seeking an experienced Snow Safety Manager to lead avalanche mitigation and snow safety operations in Crested Butte, Colorado. This role is responsible for developing and executing snow safety programs, monitoring weather and snowpack conditions, managing hazard mitigation activities, and helping ensure the safety of guests, staff, and operations in mountain environments. The ideal candidate has strong avalanche knowledge, leadership experience, sound judgment, and the ability to perform in dynamic winter conditions. This is a full-time, season position offering a salary of $6,000 per month. The Winter season runs mid-November through mid-April.
Position Purpose
The Snow Safety Manager is a member of the Irwin Guides leadership team with primary responsibilities focused on avalanche forecasting, assessment, mitigation, training, and documentation. The Snow Safety manager supports the Mountain Manager and Guide Manager with operations supervisor and guiding duties as needed.
Responsibilities/Duties/Functions/Tasks
Daily
  • Lead avalanche forecasting, assessment, and hazard mitigation efforts
    • Manage the snow safety portion of AM & PM guide meetings.
    • Manage all run openings and closings
  • Work as a certified Blaster-in-Charge during avalanche mitigation
  • Perform operations manager and/or guiding duties as required

Ongoing
  • Oversee weather, snowpack, and avalanche database entry
  • Oversee daily observations submission
  • Collaborate on snow safety scheduling
  • Produce avalanche incident documentation
  • Purchase, store, and document explosive usage per Colorado and ATF requirements
    • Maintain current State and Federal explosives permits and licenses.
    • Serve as an ATF Responsible Person

Seasonal
  • Develop and manage the explosives training program
  • Develop and manage snow safety mentorship and training programs
  • Manage the boot packing program
  • Create the snow safety portion of the End of Season Report
  • Oversee revisions of Avalanche Rescue and Snow Safety Operating Plans

Preferred Qualifications
  • Pro 2 Avalanche Certification or equivalent.
  • Minimum Wilderness First Responder & CPR Certification.
  • Colorado Type 1 Explosives Permit or the ability to obtain one
  • Minimum of 5 years ski industry supervisory experience
  • Minimum of 10 years professional snow safety experience
  • High level operational weather and avalanche forecasting skills
  • High level operational risk management skills
  • Strong organization and communication skills
  • Strong work ethic, teamwork, and dynamic decision making skills.
  • High level self and social awareness
  • Experience with professional mentoring and training

Special Position Requirements
  • Must be comfortable traveling in complex avalanche terrain
  • Must be comfortable transporting, storing, assembling, and detonating explosives

Work Requirements
  • Expert skiing skills
  • Must be able to snowmobile to/from Irwin in all conditions
  • Must be able to work all day in a high elevation extreme winter weather environment
  • Must be able to lift 50+ pounds repeatedly.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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