Professional Ski Patroller
Big Sky, MT · On-site
Duties include: morning trail checks, avalanche mitigation, patrolling assigned areas, mountain maintenance, rescuing injured skiers, providing first aid, performing search and rescue, and closing ...
Professional Ski Patroller
Big Sky, MT · On-site
Duties include: morning trail checks, avalanche mitigation, patrolling assigned areas, mountain maintenance, rescuing injured skiers, providing first aid, performing search and rescue, and closing ...
Professional Ski Patroller
Big Sky, MT · On-site
Duties include: morning trail checks, avalanche mitigation, patrolling assigned areas, mountain maintenance, rescuing injured skiers, providing first aid, performing search and rescue, and closing ...
Professional Ski Patroller
Big Sky, MT · On-site
Duties include: morning trail checks, avalanche mitigation, patrolling assigned areas, mountain maintenance, rescuing injured skiers, providing first aid, performing search and rescue, and closing ...
9-1-1 Dispatcher
Polson, MT · On-site
$22.17/hr
... rescue teams, and members of the public. A 911 Dispatcher's job is much more than answering 911 ... The County is known for its beautiful scenery, amazing mountain ranges, endless outdoor activities ...
9-1-1 Dispatcher
Polson, MT · On-site
$22.17/hr
... rescue teams, and members of the public. A 911 Dispatcher's job is much more than answering 911 ... The County is known for its beautiful scenery, amazing mountain ranges, endless outdoor activities ...
9-1-1 Dispatcher
$22.17/hr
... rescue teams, and members of the public. A 911 Dispatcher's job is much more than answering 911 ... The County is known for its beautiful scenery, amazing mountain ranges, endless outdoor activities ...
9-1-1 Dispatcher
$22.17/hr
... rescue teams, and members of the public. A 911 Dispatcher's job is much more than answering 911 ... The County is known for its beautiful scenery, amazing mountain ranges, endless outdoor activities ...
9-1-1 Dispatcher
Polson, MT · On-site
$22.17/hr
... rescue teams, and members of the public. A 911 Dispatcher's job is much more than answering 911 ... The County is known for its beautiful scenery, amazing mountain ranges, endless outdoor activities ...
Quick apply
9-1-1 Dispatcher
Polson, MT · On-site
$22.17/hr
... rescue teams, and members of the public. A 911 Dispatcher's job is much more than answering 911 ... The County is known for its beautiful scenery, amazing mountain ranges, endless outdoor activities ...
Emergency Services Operator (Training)
Billings, MT · On-site
$23.64/hr
City/County Communications Center Opening Date: 08/18/2026 Closing Date: 9/8/2026 5:00 PM Mountain ... and rescue breathing to callers. * Provide routine information to callers in non-emergency ...
Emergency Services Operator (Training)
Billings, MT · On-site
$23.64/hr
City/County Communications Center Opening Date: 08/18/2026 Closing Date: 9/8/2026 5:00 PM Mountain ... and rescue breathing to callers. * Provide routine information to callers in non-emergency ...
Lateral Police Officer
Great Falls, MT · On-site
$90K - $91K/yr
Police Opening Date: 08/27/2026 Closing Date: 10/8/2026 5:00 PM Mountain Union Classification ... Responds to calls involving domestic disputes, rescue efforts, accident scenes, and potential ...
Lateral Police Officer
Great Falls, MT · On-site
$90K - $91K/yr
Police Opening Date: 08/27/2026 Closing Date: 10/8/2026 5:00 PM Mountain Union Classification ... Responds to calls involving domestic disputes, rescue efforts, accident scenes, and potential ...
Mountain Rescue information
See Montana salary details
$14.38 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$9.71 - $14.68
27% of jobs
$14.68 - $19.66
0% of jobs
$19.66 - $24.63
19% of jobs
The median wage is $26.16 / hr.
$24.63 - $29.61
14% of jobs
$29.61 - $34.58
4% of jobs
$34.58 - $39.55
0% of jobs
$39.55 - $44.53
0% of jobs
$44.53 - $49.50
0% of jobs
$54.25 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$49.50 - $54.48
12% of jobs
$54.48 - $59.45
6% of jobs
$59.45 - $64.43
18% of jobs
$9
$36
$64
How much do mountain rescue jobs pay per hour?
As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for mountain rescue in Montana is $36.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.10 and $58.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What is mountain rescue?
Mountain rescue refers to the specialized search and rescue operations performed in mountainous or difficult terrain. Teams are typically made up of highly trained volunteers or professionals who respond to emergencies such as injured hikers, lost climbers, avalanches, or severe weather incidents. These rescuers use advanced skills in navigation, first aid, climbing, and sometimes helicopter operations to reach and assist people in distress. Their work is often physically demanding and requires quick decision-making in challenging environments.
What are mountain rescue jobs?
Mountain rescue jobs involve helping people who get lost or experience an injury on a mountain. You search for the climber and provide relief by stabilizing them and getting them to a healthcare facility. Your responsibilities include working as a team to safely complete an expedition, maintaining your gear and equipment, and navigating treacherous terrain to find and remove people who need help. You typically perform your duties on an on-call basis since people can experience issues on a mountain at any time. Therefore, you have to be ready at all times to perform your duties.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a mountain rescue professional, and why are they important?
To thrive as a Mountain Rescue professional, you need expertise in outdoor survival, first aid and emergency medical care, mountaineering techniques, and typically relevant certifications such as Wilderness First Responder or Mountain Rescue Association accreditation. Familiarity with GPS devices, radio communication systems, and specialized rescue equipment like ropes and stretchers is crucial. Strong teamwork, calm decision-making under pressure, and effective communication skills help coordinate complex rescue operations. These abilities are essential for ensuring the safety of both rescuers and victims in challenging, high-risk environments.
What are some common challenges faced by mountain rescue professionals during operations?
Mountain rescue professionals often encounter rapidly changing weather, difficult terrain, and limited visibility, which can make locating and assisting individuals challenging. Team members must be prepared to carry heavy gear and perform physically demanding tasks, sometimes for extended periods. Effective communication and coordination with other rescue team members and external agencies are crucial, especially in high-stress situations. Additionally, mountain rescue work frequently requires quick decision-making to ensure both the safety of the team and those being rescued.
What is the difference between Mountain Rescue vs Search and Rescue Technician?
| Aspect | Mountain Rescue | Search and Rescue Technician |
|---|---|---|
| Certifications | Wilderness First Responder, Rope Rescue, Avalanche Training | Wilderness First Responder, Rope Rescue, Search Techniques |
| Work Environment | Mountain terrains, remote outdoor areas | Varied environments including urban, wilderness, and disaster sites |
| Employer & Industry | Volunteer and professional rescue teams, outdoor organizations | Government agencies, emergency services, military |
Mountain Rescue and Search and Rescue Technician roles share many certifications like Wilderness First Responder and Rope Rescue. However, Mountain Rescue focuses specifically on remote mountain terrains and outdoor environments, while Search and Rescue Technicians operate in diverse settings including urban and disaster zones. Both roles are vital in emergency response but differ mainly in work environment and scope.
Does mountain rescue get paid?
Mountain rescue personnel can be paid or volunteer, depending on the organization and region. Paid positions often require specialized skills, certifications, and availability for on-call duties, with compensation varying widely based on the agency and location.
How do you become a mountain rescue worker?
To become a mountain rescue worker, candidates typically need relevant outdoor skills, physical fitness, and emergency response training. Many organizations require certifications such as first aid, CPR, and specialized rescue training, along with experience in mountaineering or outdoor activities.
What do mountain rescue personnel do?
Mountain rescue personnel are trained to locate, assist, and extract individuals in distress in mountainous or remote terrain. They often work in challenging environments, using specialized skills, equipment, and sometimes helicopters to perform rescues safely and efficiently.
What training is needed for mountain rescue?
Mountain rescue personnel typically require specialized training in first aid, technical rope rescue, navigation, and survival skills. Certification programs such as Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or equivalent are often necessary, along with ongoing physical fitness and experience in outdoor environments.
More about Mountain Rescue jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Mountain Rescue jobs in Montana?
The most popular types of Mountain Rescue jobs in Montana are:
What are popular job titles related to Mountain Rescue jobs in Montana?
For Mountain Rescue jobs in Montana, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Mountain Rescue jobs in Montana look for?
The top searched job categories for Mountain Rescue jobs in Montana are:
Professional Ski Patroller
Big Sky, MT • On-site
Boyne Resorts •
Traveler Accommodation • 5 - 10K employees5,001 - 10,000 employees
7.4
Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
9th of 108 rated hotels
People enjoy working here
Good employer
Recommended by students
Paid breaks
Respectful managers
Full-time
PTO
Re-posted 2 days ago
Job description
Overview
Professional Ski Patrollers are responsible for providing safety and emergency services to Big Sky Resort guests. They are the first ones on the mountain and the last ones off each day. Duties include: morning trail checks, avalanche mitigation, patrolling assigned areas, mountain maintenance, rescuing injured skiers, providing first aid, performing search and rescue, and closing the mountain at the end of the day.
**Due to the high volume of inquiries, please do not submit an application unless you have all the below required skills and qualifications**
Responsibilities
Qualifications
All full time seasonal employment at Big Sky Resort includes:
Professional Ski Patrollers are responsible for providing safety and emergency services to Big Sky Resort guests. They are the first ones on the mountain and the last ones off each day. Duties include: morning trail checks, avalanche mitigation, patrolling assigned areas, mountain maintenance, rescuing injured skiers, providing first aid, performing search and rescue, and closing the mountain at the end of the day.
**Due to the high volume of inquiries, please do not submit an application unless you have all the below required skills and qualifications**
Responsibilities
- Ability to ski/walk/sit for hours each day
- Ability to work long hours (shifts generally run 10 hours/day, 4 days/week)
- Ability to hike with skis and a pack
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
- Ability to carry up to 40 lbs
- Positive attitude and ability to work on a team
- Willingness and ability to learn new job-related skills
Qualifications
- Current NREMT and BLS Provider CPR certification. New certifications must be completed by October 15th.
- Montana State EMT license
- Ability to attend required preseason training beginning 11/10/26
- Expert skiing and mountaineering skills. Patrolling on snowboard is not accepted at Big Sky Resort
All full time seasonal employment at Big Sky Resort includes:
- FREE All Mountain Ski Pass and eligibility for Free or Discounted Tickets to other Montana Mountains and Boyne Resort properties
- Discounted vouchers for skiing at Big Sky Resort for friends and family
- Discounted ski/snowboard rentals with a free Team Member lesson
- 25%-50% off F&B and Retail at all Boyne outlets
- Eligibility for affordable Team Member Housing
- Lodging discounts for friends and family
- Discounted Lone Mountain Ranch Cross Country Ski Trail Pass
- Wellness Day and Eligibility for PTO
- Monthly Team Member events
About Boyne Resorts
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Boyne Resorts, headquartered in Boyne Falls, Michigan, US, is a renowned leader in the resort industry. Offering a wide array of recreational, real estate, and retail products, Boyne specialises in providing memorable vacation and lifestyle experiences. The company's expansive portfolio includes ski and golf resorts, real estate developments, and other leisure-based businesses across North America. Founded in 1947 by Everett Kircher, it represents one of the most successful, privately-owned, multi-resort companies in the history of the leisure industry. Boyne Resorts is deeply committed to providing exceptional guest experiences, underpinned by values including innovation, integrity, passion, perseverance, and stewardship.
Industry
Traveler accommodation
Company size
5,001 - 10,000 Employees
Headquarters location
Boyne Falls, MI, US
Year founded
1947
Website
What Boyne Resorts employees say
Pay
Benefits
Hours and flexibility
Workplace
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