Grooming Manager - Year Round

Company: Winter Park Resort
Location: Winter Park
Posted on: December 1, 2025

Job Description:

Please note, this position is located at Winter Park Resort in Winter Park, CO. Year Round Who We Are: At 67 miles away, Winter Park is the closest ski resort to Denver. With easy access to 765,000 acres of public land, Winter Park is home to endless adventures. Whether you are looking to have your first taste of a winter season or to build a long-term career, we have something for everyone. Perks & Benefits: Free season pass to Winter Park and all Alterra Resorts Discounted friends & family tickets Medical, dental, vision, life, paid parental leave and more for eligible employees 401(k) plan with 100% company match - up to 4% Mental health resources for all employees Food & beverage and retail discounts Onsite employee childcare based on availability Discounted equipment rentals, pro-deals, and more POSITION SUMMARY: The Grooming Manager oversees the summer and winter staff and operates Winter Park heavy construction equipment and/or snow grading equipment with attachments and accomplishes assigned job requests with minimal direct supervision. This person understands objectives of job functions, knows capability of equipment and completes assignments in a safe, efficient and acceptable manner. Additionally, the Grooming Manager is responsible for assisting the Senior Manager of Slope & vehicle Maintenance in all functions and quality control of grooming, budgeting, and summer operations. The Grooming Manager maintains the Winter Park Resort trail system during year-round operations of the mountain; they oversee mountain trails, manage environmental impacts, assist in timber management, keep up brush cutting on slopes and travel routes, monitor groomed conditions in winter and monitor and mitigate conditions of summer roads and trails. Duties include daily equipment reporting, compiling daily grooming reports (winter), scheduling personnel to accommodate daily work requirements; schedule equipment as needed and managing day-today operations of Slope Maintenance in the absence of the Senior Manager. The Grooming Manager works closely with construction leads around the ski area to coordinate various projects. The person in this position will assist in preparing budgets for projects, the annual operations budget, and capital budgets. The Grooming Manager also works very closely with the Vehicle Maintenance Manager and the Snowmaking Manager to ensure communication and consistent and smooth operations of the shop and equipment at Slope. The person in this position operates equipment as needed to fill in on special events and projects and ensures operation within budgetary requirements. This person is responsible to certify that all personnel are wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the particular job. They carry a radio and cell phone at all times in order to be accessible as a key operative in the Mountain Operations organization. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. WAGE: The base salary range below represents the low and high end of Winter Park Resort's salary range for this position. Actual pay will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to experience, education, training, location, merit system, quantity or quality of production, responsibilities, and regular and/or necessary travel. The range listed is just one component of Winter Park Resort's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include many region-specific benefits. Salary pay range: $72,500 to $78,000 ESSENTIAL DUTIES: Lead and manage the five Slope Maintenance Supervisors. Lead and/or advise Supervisors in daily meetings for projects and planned tasks. Anticipate and identify new grooming projects, plans, etc. Oversee special events course builds. Oversee nightly projects to ensure highest quality of work product Complete annual evaluations of direct reports, and review quality of Supervisor's evaluation. Take leadership on hiring/rehiring of new/existing positions. Perform all disciplinary actions including but not limited to - documentation, in-person meetings, communication with HR Assist Senior Manager in creating annual budgets Evaluate monthly budgets to ensure budget targets are being considered Schedule staff according to weekly needs of the work group. Prepare nightly grooming schedule that support departments through the resort including: Patrol, Lift Maintenance, Lift Operations, F&B, Grounds, base operations, etc. Inform Senior Manager of scheduled jobs not completed. Inform mechanics of necessary repairs and/or service needed on snowcats or other necessary equipment/machinery. Problem solves with Senior Manager about ideas for improving operations and culture Provide leadership in training of all slope/grooming operators. Review snowcat diagnostics on a weekly basis and more frequent if necessary. Provide feedback on snowcat diagnostics and surface quality. Provides proactive feedback on how to improve operations, grooming, or to better utilize slope assets. Provide clear instructions for every shift. Transport proper equipment with attachments to job site. Operate snowcats to support crew and manage workload Operate machinery to skid, doze, dig, excavate, and grade construction sites and mountain roads. Train staff to perform required work in a reasonably safe and efficient manner. Train staff to secure work site nightly in a reasonably safe manner, i.e. holes marked, equipment keys removed. Make daily in-field observations to assess work quality and needs. Assist with snow removal when necessary. Maintain accurate EAM database and support efforts. Maintain a friendly, congenial, and helpful attitude while effectively dealing with the guests and other employees as well as mechanics. Report and correct unsafe conditions regarding equipment and area of work or elsewhere on the area. Encourage and oversee employee recognition efforts weekly. Perform other duties as directed. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Possess a valid, non-restricted motor vehicle license. Strong skills in Microsoft Office software Able to work irregular hours and to maintain a high level of caution and common sense while performing duties. Standard first aid - preferred. Active skier/snowboarder Heavy equipment mechanical knowledge - preferred. Have reliable transportation to work. EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: Education: High school diploma or GED Experience: 5 or more years in apprentice/journeyman program or equivalent in the operation of equipment involved in job function and trail maintenance. 2 or more years in a leadership role within operations Experience as snowmaking/skiing trail crew. Possess strong knowledge of Winter Park trails and ski runs for optimal grooming - preferred. Flexibility with schedule and shifts. CDL license required (or willingness to obtain within 90 days of hire date). 4 or more years in all heavy equipment machines. Knowledge of transporting various types of equipment and freight. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, talk, see, hear, and operate a computer and other office productivity machinery. WORKING CONDITIONS: Indoor/Outdoor: While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to harsh and varying outside weather conditions. Hazardous Materials/Noise: The noise level in the workplace is usually moderate. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Winter Park Resort is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity in any term, condition, or privilege of employment. Application Deadline: Recruiting timelines vary by position, however, all Winter Park Resort positions accept applications for a minimum of 3 business days from the posting date listed above. This position is open and still accepting applications.

Keywords: Winter Park Resort, Denver , Grooming Manager - Year Round, Construction - Building Trades , Winter Park, Colorado