Snowmaking Operations & Maintenance Supervisor

MOUNTAIN CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC•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, maintenance programs, pumphouse and booster facilities, snowmaking equipment, and supporting infrastructure. Reporting directly to the Slopes & Terrain Manager, this position leads summer maintenance activities and winter snow production, ensuring that the system, personnel, and equipment are prepared to meet resort operating goals safely and efficiently. The Supervisor oversees seasonal planning, staffing, training, preventive maintenance, system startup and shutdown, snowmaking production, equipment readiness, and repairs and 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 infrastructure, equipment, maintenance, staffing, and training needs. The position emphasizes operational readiness, employee development, system reliability, documentation, and accountability. This is a full-time, year-round position at Purgatory Resort in Durango, Colorado. The work combines office and administrative duties with regular field, shop, pumphouse, and operational responsibilities. Field work takes place year-round at elevation and may involve extreme or changing weather, steep and uneven terrain, machinery, and pressurized water and air systems. Schedules may include early mornings, nights, weekends, holidays, extended shifts, and emergency response based on operational needs. The position starts November 15, 2026, subject to change based on applicant availability and business needs. A free season pass for the employee and dependents is offered.

Requirements

Strong technical, mechanical, organizational, financial, and leadership skills, with extensive knowledge of snowmaking operations, maintenance, and supporting infrastructure.
Strong leadership and organizational abilities, including experience managing personnel, maintenance programs, and seasonal operations.
Advanced working knowledge of snowmaking systems, including water and compressed-air distribution, pumps, compressors, hydrants, valves, snowmaking equipment, and related infrastructure.
Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot pumping, compressed-air, electrical, control, automation, and other snowmaking system issues.
Thorough understanding of snowmaking production, weather conditions, snow placement, trail coverage, and coordination with grooming and mountain operations.
Ability to develop and manage preventive and corrective maintenance programs, seasonal startup and shutdown procedures, equipment inspections, and system readiness.
Understanding of safe operating practices, employee training, 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 clear improvement recommendations, cost justifications, and supporting documentation.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and sound operational decision-making under changing weather, production, and equipment conditions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to coordinate with employees, management, manufacturers, contractors, vendors, and other 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 effectively, prioritize competing needs, and maintain reliable 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, specifically 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.
Ability to work in office, field, shop, and pumphouse settings and safely travel by foot, vehicle, snowmobile, skis, or other appropriate means.

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 personnel, including foremen, crew leads, winter crews, summer maintenance 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 utilization, and coordination with other Mountain Operations departments.
Use knowledge of mountain conditions, snowmaking 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 an appropriate core crew and operational readiness.
Develop and execute preventive and corrective maintenance programs for snowmaking equipment, pumphouse and booster equipment, 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 mechanical infrastructure.
Troubleshoot system, pumping, compressed-air, mechanical, electrical, and control issues; coordinate repairs, technical support, training, parts, and improvements with internal teams and external providers.
Assist in 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 safety, technical competency, equipment care, and professional development.
Monitor equipment condition, maintenance history, recurring failures, spare parts, consumables, and inventory; plan and coordinate purchases to maintain readiness and minimize 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 operational and maintenance records, including production data, 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 department budget, track expenditures, and prepare purchase requests and orders as needed.
Identify recurring issues, inefficiencies, equipment needs, and improvement opportunities; develop recommendations, cost justifications, and supporting documentation.
Coordinate snowmaking operations and maintenance with Trails Maintenance, Vehicle Maintenance, Lift Maintenance, Lift Operations, Ski Patrol, Terrain Parks, and other resort departments.
Participate in Slopes & Terrain and Mountain Operations planning meetings as required.
Assist with infrastructure inspections, project planning, construction, 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 evolving snowmaking technologies, equipment, automation, maintenance practices, and industry standards.
Assist with recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, employee evaluations, performance management, and development of future snowmaking leaders.
Support special projects, seasonal transitions, and other Mountain Operations needs; perform other duties as assigned.