Self Employed Avalanche Control Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 June 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:

Assist Snow Safety Team in providing maximum access to ski area property and facilities for ski area personnel and guests, while maintaining a necessary high degree of safety from existing or developing avalanche hazard.

Leads first and foremost with the Vail Values: Serve Others, Do Right, Drive Value, Do Good, Be Safe, Have Fun, Be Inclusive. Leads other patrollers by example in serving the team and our guests. Drives a positive patrol culture by coaching and mentoring patrollers in alignment with the performance and behavioral standards of the Company. Positively supports the combined patrol culture by supporting and executing new procedures that work towards this goal. Actively supports behaviors that show respect and inclusivity for others on the team.

Job Specifications: 

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

Job Responsibilities :

• While assisting with snow safety duties, the expectations are to fulfill basic patrol obligations and day to day responsibilities at a specialist level
• Assist in conducting avalanche related and snow-safety activities.
• Assist with avalanche forecasting in and out of the ski area boundary.
• Gathering and recording meteorological data on a daily basis.
• Gathering snowpack data.
• Assist in gathering data for and reporting afternoon weather.
• Assist with maintenance and data collecting of all weather instrumentation.
• Help with computer record keeping and data processing system.
• Closing and opening of any and all ski area boundaries to skiing or other activities due to suspected avalanche hazard.
• Work with Snow Safety Team Lead in coordination of avalanche control work.
• Be familiar with explosive use, storage, and record keeping under ATF regulations.
• Assist with the coordinating and educating Ski Patrol personnel in:
• Explosive assembly, ignition, delivery, and dud procedures.
• Decision making and route finding
• Ski cutting avalanche starting zones.
• Snowpack stability evaluation.
• Self and organized rescue procedures.
• Avalanche Dog handling and transportation.
• Avalanche transceiver use.
• Helicopter safety and rescue.
• Avalanche control radio dispatch
• Coordinating and supervising ski patrol personnel and operations under the Ski Patrol Director.
• Zoning and mapping of avalanche terrain considered for expansion.
• Maintaining a state of the art Avalanche Rescue Plan, Snow Safety Plan, and Avalanche Atlas.
• Coordinate the training and development of Avalanche Dog rescue program.
• Other duties, projects and responsibilities as assigned

Job Requirements:

• Meets all requirements of Advanced patroller.
• Expert skiing ability.
• Familiar with ski area and avalanche related activities.
• Familiar with avalanche control routes, both in area and in surrounding areas.
• Familiar with avalanche zoning in and out of area.
• Must be proficient in use of high explosives and ATF regulations.
• Successful completion of ATF Background clearance.
• Must have working knowledge of all aspects of relevant rescue procedures.
• Formal Education: (the following are preferred)
• National Avalanche School
• American Avalanche Institute, Level II , Professional Rescue, or equivalent
• International Snow Science Workshop
• Wasatch Ski Area’s Annual Blasters Clinic
• Minimum 5 years as route leader and/or minimum 10 years patrol experience at a resort with significant avalanche terrain

Physical Requirements:

• Able to withstand inclement weather conditions for extended periods.
• Frequently be able to lift 75 pounds and carry it 100 yards, with help as necessary
• Frequently be able to hike 300 yards uphill in deep snow, with loaded pack and skis at elevations up to working in a high alpine environment
• Able to ski in all weather and snow surface conditions safely, while bearing weight of toboggans and injured guests safely behind patroller, down the mountain.
• Must be able to stand, walk and ski in boots for entire shift
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; ski; talk; hear; stand; walk on steep slopes in ski boots; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to hike steep slopes, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and smell.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and 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  516142
Reference Date: 07/23/2026 
Job Code Function: Ski Patrol