Snowmaking Operations & Maintenance Supervisor

MOUNTAIN CAPITAL PARTNERS • Durango, CO

9d • $60,000 - $70,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Snowmaking Operations & Maintenance Supervisor is responsible for year-round management of Purgatory Resort’s snowmaking operations, personnel, training and maintenance programs, pumphouse and booster facilities, equipment, and supporting infrastructure. Reporting directly to the Slopes & Terrain Manager, this position leads summer maintenance activities and winter snow production, ensuring systems, employees, and equipment are prepared to meet resort operating goals safely and efficiently.

The supervisor oversees seasonal planning, staffing, training, preventative maintenance, system startup and shutdown, production operations, equipment readiness, repairs, and system improvements. The role requires working knowledge of the resort’s water, air, pumping, control, automation, and distribution systems, and collaboration with the Slopes & Terrain Manager to identify future infrastructure, equipment, maintenance, staffing, and training needs. The position maintains operational readiness, employee development, system reliability, documentation, and accountability across the department.

This is a full-time, year-round position starting 11/15/26; the date may change based on applicant availability and business needs. The role includes a free season pass for the employee and dependents. Work combines office and administrative duties with regular field, shop, pumphouse, and operational responsibilities at elevation. Schedules may include early mornings, nights, weekends, holidays, extended shifts, and emergency response, depending on operational needs.

Requirements

• Strong technical, mechanical, organizational, financial, and leadership skills, with extensive knowledge of snowmaking operations, maintenance, and supporting infrastructure.
• Experience managing personnel, maintenance programs, and seasonal operations.
• Advanced working knowledge of snowmaking systems, including water and compressed-air distribution, pumps, compressors, hydrants, valves, equipment, and related infrastructure.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot pumping, compressed-air, electrical, control, automation, and other system issues.
• Thorough understanding of snowmaking production, weather conditions, snow placement, trail coverage, grooming, and mountain operations.
• Ability to develop and manage preventive and corrective maintenance programs, seasonal startup and shutdown procedures, inspections, and system readiness.
• Understanding of safe operating practices, employee training and qualification standards, equipment accountability, and operational documentation.
• Ability to plan staffing, equipment, supplies, inventory, and maintenance needs for winter operations and year-round maintenance.
• Strong budgeting, purchasing, cost-tracking, and resource-management skills.
• Ability to identify system deficiencies and develop improvement recommendations, cost justifications, and supporting documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and sound operational judgment under changing conditions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to coordinate with employees, management, manufacturers, contractors, vendors, and resort departments.
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, spreadsheets, snowmaking control systems, digital records, and related operational software.
• High attention to detail, documentation accuracy, accountability, and follow-through.
• Ability to work independently, delegate, prioritize competing needs, and maintain department operations in a changing mountain environment.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in snowmaking operations, maintenance, or related mountain operations.
• Previous supervisory or management experience, including leading snowmaking crews or technical maintenance teams.
• Demonstrated experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting snowmaking equipment and supporting water, air, pumping, or distribution systems.
• Ability to regularly lift up to 50 pounds and assist with heavier items using appropriate personnel or mechanical assistance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with automated snowmaking systems, pump and compressor controls, VFDs, PLC-based controls, or similar industrial systems.
• Experience with snowmaking infrastructure construction, pipeline installation, system expansion, or capital improvement projects.
• Experience developing SOPs, technical documentation, maintenance procedures, training programs, or operator qualification systems.
• Experience working with snowmaking manufacturers, technical representatives, contractors, and specialized service providers.
• Familiarity with digital mapping, infrastructure mapping, GPS, or similar project and asset-management tools.
• Manufacturer-specific or industry training or certification related to snowmaking systems, equipment, pumps, compressors, controls, automation, or system maintenance.
• Technical education, apprenticeship, or specialized training or certification in mechanical systems, electrical systems, industrial maintenance, utilities, construction, or related trades.
• OSHA or other applicable occupational safety training or certification.
• Heavy equipment, snowcat, snowmobile, or equipment-specific operational and safety training or certification.
• First Aid/CPR/AED training or certification.
• Other advanced or specialized training or certifications related to snowmaking, mechanical systems, utilities, maintenance, construction, or mountain operations.
• College degree in resort operations, ski area management, engineering, applied sciences, business, construction management, or a related field.
• Equivalent combinations of formal education and substantial relevant professional experience may be considered.
• Experience and familiarity with pumphouse operations, pumps, compressors, controls, automation, or other industrial mechanical systems.

Responsibilities

• Directly manage snowmaking operations and maintenance personnel, including foremen, crew leads, winter and summer crews, and pumphouse staff.
• Develop seasonal staffing plans, schedules, training priorities, production goals, and maintenance objectives.
• Lead winter snowmaking production, including startup strategy, system operation, crew deployment, production priorities, weather response, equipment use, and coordination with other Mountain Operations departments.
• Use knowledge of mountain conditions, coverage, production capabilities, and grooming needs to prioritize snow placement, trail building, and resources.
• Manage the transition from winter production to year-round maintenance while maintaining appropriate staffing and readiness for changing seasonal needs.
• Develop and execute preventive and corrective maintenance programs for snowmaking equipment, pumphouse and booster equipment, compressors, cooling systems, controls, automation, and related infrastructure.
• Use post-season and shoulder-season periods for system evaluation, testing, training, documentation, upgrades, and operational improvements.
• Coordinate seasonal testing, contracting, startup, shutdown, winterization, inspections, and documentation.
• Oversee pumphouse and booster operations, including pumps, compressors, cooling and chemical systems, electrical controls, automation, and related mechanical infrastructure.
• Troubleshoot system, pumping, compressed-air, mechanical, electrical, and control issues; coordinate repairs, technical support, training, parts, and improvements with internal and external parties.
• Assist with developing and maintaining SOPs, training materials, operator qualifications, maintenance procedures, inspection standards, and department documentation.
• Ensure employees are trained and qualified for assigned duties, emphasizing safe practices, technical competency, equipment care, and professional development.
• Monitor equipment condition, maintenance history, failures, spare parts, consumables, and inventory; plan and coordinate purchases to maintain readiness and reduce downtime.
• Coordinate equipment installations, replacements, relocations, upgrades, automation improvements, and other system modifications.
• Assist with planning infrastructure expansions, system upgrades, capital projects, equipment purchases, and long-range improvements.
• Maintain accurate records of production, equipment status, system issues, repairs, inspections, training, inventory, and seasonal accomplishments.
• Work with the Slopes & Terrain Manager on annual operating, labor, maintenance, and capital budgets; manage the approved budget, track expenditures, and prepare purchase requests and orders as needed.
• Identify recurring issues, inefficiencies, equipment needs, and opportunities to improve production, reliability, safety, efficiency, and cost effectiveness; prepare recommendations and supporting cost justifications.
• Coordinate snowmaking operations and maintenance with other resort departments.
• Participate in Slopes & Terrain and Mountain Operations planning meetings as required.
• Assist with infrastructure inspections, project planning, construction activities, contracting, and system improvements.
• Provide snowmaking personnel, equipment, and technical support to other resort operations when appropriate and feasible.
• Support emergency response, infrastructure failures, unusual weather events, and other significant operational situations.
• Maintain familiarity with snowmaking technologies, equipment, automation, maintenance practices, and industry standards.
• Assist with recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, evaluations, performance management, and development of future snowmaking leaders.
• Support special projects, seasonal transitions, other Mountain Operations needs, and other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Free season pass for the employee and dependents.
• Additional benefits are referenced on the employer’s benefits webpage but are not itemized in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED