Snow Safety Technician - Ski Patrol

Job Title: Snow Safety Technician 

Department:  Ski Patrol    

Contact for Questions: [email protected]
Reports To: Snow Safety Director   

Oversees:  Snow Safety, Emergency Care, Mtn. Safety & Rescue 
Starting Pay Rate: $17+ DOE

Summary of Job Purpose

Ski Patrol is a team-oriented department responsible for risk management, emergency response, and customer service on the mountain. Snow safety technicians will be responsible for writing a daily avalanche forecast, recording weather and snow observations, and implementing mitigation strategies. They will also be responsible for training patrollers in organized and companion avalanche rescue and assisting with avalanche dog training exercises.

Job Duties and Responsibilities 

The list below best represents the majority of the tasks you will be asked to perform during your employment at Silver Mountain. 

It is not intended to represent all of the tasks that may be part of your job.  We will never ask you to perform a task that is inherently unsafe or that you are not adequately trained to perform. 

• Maintain a safe ski area, and its associated facilities, recognizing and mitigating natural and human made hazards
• Maintain signage, boundary markings, and hazard markings to allow guests to easily navigate the resort
• Provide medical care to injured guests
• Document medical care given to injured guests in a professional manner 
• Respond to emergency situations that may arise during operation of the ski resort such as search and rescue, chairlift evacuation, and gondola evacuation
• Assess and mitigate avalanche hazard
• Writing a daily avalanche forecast
• Recording snow and weather data
• Developing and implementing mitigation strategies 
• Training and evaluating fellow patrollers in companion rescue
• Working with avalanche rescue dogs

Work Schedules 

As a resort business, hours will fluctuate throughout the season based on snowfall, holidays, and the number of guests. Weekend and holiday work may be required.  

Working Conditions

At any time during the ski season, Silver Mountain employees are often required to perform their tasks in high winds, heavy snowfall, low visibility, rain, and extremely cold or warm temperatures. 

Uniform and Required Items 

• Watch
• Sunglasses
• Goggles
• Gloves (provided)
• Ski Helmet
• Ski Pants (provided)
• Backpack, hip pack, or patrol vest to carry required emergency equipment (provided)
• Sturdy hiking or work boots
• Skis, ski boots, and releasable ski bindings

Job Qualifications 

• EMT and/or OEC and CPR/AED certification.
• Professional Level 1 Avalanche certification
• The ability to pass a BATF-E background check
• Advanced skiing ability.  The ability to safely and skillfully ski and transport a guest in a toboggan down expert terrain in an expeditious manner, (within the ski area boundaries).
• Ability to read and to write legibly and effectively to complete records and report forms.
• Must be aware of the ski areas terrain and facilities.
• Must be well groomed and present a good public image.
• Good physical condition as this position requires skiing/boarding, hiking, shoveling, lifting and carrying.
• Willingness to work during extreme weather conditions.