Volunteer Line Skis Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ski Cooper is seeking a champion for independent skiing to guide "The Heart of Skiing in the Heart of the Rockies" into its next era. If you are a passionate leader who thrives on developing and coaching high-performing teams, solving dynamic challenges, guiding an authentic underdog through its next phase of growth, and blending time-tested ski industry traditions with forward-thinking strategies, all while building strong community and interagency relationships, you may be our next President & General Manager.

Ski Cooper

Ski Cooper stands proudly as the antithesis of the megaresort. Its origins trace back to the brave men of the 10th Mountain Division who skied the first slopes on Cooper Hill to train and prepare to fight on skis and secure victory in the breakthrough Battle of Mount Belvedere in World War II, successfully breaking the German line and opening the path to the Po Valley. Through its long-term lease agreement with Lake County spanning decades, Ski Cooper has retained an authentic skiing-centric, no-nonsense mission ever since.

Straddling the Continental Divide just outside of America's highest city, Leadville, CO, the mountain's high elevation guarantees superior snow quality, while its approachable, down-to-earth atmosphere make it the ideal learning experience for new skiers, and simultaneously a welcome retreat for skiers of all abilities who prefer shorter lines, uncrowded slopes, and accessible prices.

Topping out at 11,700' elevation, Ski Cooper offers 64 trails served by 5 lifts, spanning 480 lift-served acres. And that's just the beginning. The 2025 Ski Cooper Master Development Plan, currently in review by the United States Forest Service, guides the way to organic and thoughtful growth true to the mountain's character, opening the door to $40 Million in improvements including multiple new lifts, major terrain expansion, and significant base area upgrades.

Your Opportunity at Ski Cooper

You have the opportunity to lead a successful 501(c)4 organization at an exciting time of growth. You'll have ownership of all operations, administration, and management of the ski area, reporting to the Cooper Hill Ski Area, Inc. volunteer Board of Directors.

You'll confidently navigate the complexities of the day-to-day leadership of the company, while partnering with the Board to ensure long-term strategic and financial goals are achieved.

You'll develop and coach your team to excellence so you can focus on executive leadership, strategy, growth, and fostering community/interagency relationships, while still maintaining a visible presence around the mountain.

You'll also be responsible for the next chapter: championing the Ski Cooper Master Development Plan and the strategies and financial planning needed to bring it to fruition.

Compensation, Benefits, and Perks

Anticipated Salary Range: $135,000 - $190,000 annually DOE, plus bonus opportunities

Job Type: Full-Time Year-Round, onsite

Benefits: 100% Employer-Paid Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Supplemental Insurance options, Paid Time Off (PTO), Profit Sharing Retirement Plan

Perks: Free season pass for you and your dependents, Reciprocal Skiing Privileges at many resorts, Complimentary Ski/Snowboard Lessons, On-Premises Discounts

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

Develop and coach a high-performing team to successfully operate the ski area to high standards of guest satisfaction, safety, and operational excellence

Identify opportunities to improve organizational structure

Forge a culture of resilience, high performance, accountability, and teamwork

Lead and guide succession plans for key roles

Maintain strong relationships with insurance carriers, industry organizations (NSAA, CPTSB, CSCUSA), and industry peers

Guide and monitor capital projects from conception to completion

Model integrity, safety, passion, judgment, and accountability to your team

Financial Stewardship

Own top-level budgeting and forecasting

Identify and execute new revenue opportunities

Analyze Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and develop strategies to improve operational efficiency and maximize revenue opportunities

Nurture vendor and supplier relationships

Ensure meticulous financial statements, fully compliant with relevant tax law and GAAP standards

Strategy

Hone and own the long-term vision and strategic plan true to brand and mission

Collaborate with stakeholders to address emerging opportunities and challenges

Apply experience and judgment in prioritizing opportunities and tackling challenges with creative solutions

Steward the Master Development Plan and its phased execution

Operations

Provide visible leadership ensuring that all ski area operations are optimized for safety, guest experience, and efficiency, and continuous improvement

Uphold a culture sensitive to the ever-changing landscape of ski area Risk Management, maintaining current knowledge of emerging risk and compliance topics in the industry

Ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations, including but not limited to: Labor Law, ANSI B77.1, CPTSB, OSHA

Maintain compliance with all terms of the USFS Special Use Permit and BOCC Lease Agreement

Guest Experience

Foster a guest-centric culture across the ski area's services

Engage with guests directly and maintain a personal awareness of the guest experience

Leverage guest feedback to identify opportunities for revenue growth and operational/experiential improvement

Board Accountability

Maintain strong, proactive communication with the Board of Directors

Collaborate with the Board, Subcommittees, or individual Board Members as needed on special tasks or initiatives

Community and Interagency Relations

Engage with local community interests and needs, developing a strong personal connection with the Lake County community as the face and voice of Ski Cooper

Foster an effective working relationship with the Leadville Ranger District of the United States Forest Service Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands

Collaborate with the Lake County Board of County Commissioners to understand and address BOCC priorities

Qualifications and Experience

Seasoned ski resort leadership experience across multiple domains with multi-department responsibility

Readiness to operate at the General Manager level navigating complex environments (interagency relations, capital development, community engagement, etc.)

Comfort moving between strategic and operational environments

Strong proficiency in written and spoken communication, including political and diplomatic acumen for engaging agencies, elected officials, and community stakeholders

Demonstrated fiscal responsibility successfully managing P&L and driving revenue growth

Familiarity with ski industry regulatory environments, including ANSI B77.1, the NEPA process, OSHA, and the evolving risk/compliance environment

Keen capacity for strategic thinking while maintaining disciplined execution

Proven capacity for effective change management

Excellent judgment and problem-solving aptitude

Your First Year

Success in your first year as Ski Cooper's President & General Manager will involve listening, learning, and observing, but you'll take ownership from day one. You'll build rapport with your team, your guests, the County Commissioner Representative to the Board, the local USFS District Ranger, industry colleagues and peers, and other key partners. You'll thoughtfully observe and bolster what is working well, while identifying opportunities for growth and improvement. You'll insist on operational and fiscal excellence and begin developing a clear path into the future. You'll engage with the insights and feedback of your senior team as you craft a vision for Ski Cooper's continued long-term success. And you'll ski: with your team, with your guests.

Working Conditions

The President & General Manager position is primarily indoors, but it also involves outside work with possible exposure to temperature extremes (above 85 degrees and below 20 degrees), sun and wind exposure, inclement weather (rain, ice, snow), and high altitudes (10,500+ feet).

Physical Requirements

Must be able to walk on even/uneven/slippery terrain, climb/descend even/uneven/slippery terrain, climb/descend stairs, stand and/or sit for long periods of time, bend, stoop, reach, pull, lift objects that may be heavy, and be comfortable around and operating heavy equipment.

Other Requirements

Must be 21+ with a current and valid Driver's License

Ski Cooper employment requires legal authorization to work in the U.S.

Combination of education and experience commensurate with job duties

High School Diploma or GED Required

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field highly desired.

Advanced skiing or snowboarding ability

Every application will be reviewed by a real human member of the Ski Cooper team, and will receive a response regarding your candidacy. We believe you deserve the same respect and professionalism we expect from our own team.

Ski Cooper 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.