Team Solitude Coach

JOB TITLE: Team Solitude Coach

DIVISION: Solitude Ski & Ride School  

REPORTS TO: Teams Manager  

LOCATION: Solitude Ski & Ride School  

CLASSIFICATION: Part-Time/Seasonal/Hourly  

COMPENSATION: $20.00 – $35 per hour 

POSITION:  

The Team Solitude Coach will mentor and coach athletes in one of four Team Solitude programs: Race, Freeride, All Mountain, or Junior Development. Across all disciplines, the coach will help athletes set and achieve goals in advanced skiing and snowboarding techniques while prioritizing safety, inspiring lifelong mountain knowledge, and promoting enjoyment in the sport and success in competitions. Coaching staff apply the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alpine and Freeski Training Systems, SkillsQuest, IFSA, and PSIA/AASI methodologies as appropriate to their program. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Conduct daily on-snow training sessions for athletes, as directed by the Head Coach or Program Manager.  

• Lead athlete goal-setting meetings at the start of the season and review progress throughout the season.  

• Provide personalized feedback to athletes and submit written year-end evaluations.  

• Utilize video analysis to help athletes refine their techniques and strategies.  

• Mentor and help train newer coaches and staff members. 

• Maintain high safety standards in all training environments.  

• Ensure all training facilities and equipment are properly maintained, stored, and utilized.  

• Effectively communicate with athletes, parents, other coaches, mountain employees, and guests.  

• Participate in coaches' meetings, briefings, and other professional functions as directed by leadership.  

• Communicate any needs or concerns to leadership to ensure optimal job performance. 

• Travel to competitions to support and prepare athletes. Be responsible for on-hill coaching duties during competitions and training sessions. 

• Advanced skiing or riding skills and knowledge, demonstrated to the Head Coach or leadership team.  

• Willingness to work with children and youth (ages 7–18, depending on program).  

• Strong people skills for effective communication with various stakeholders.  

• At least one year of experience as a ski school instructor or seasonal program coach is desirable.  

• A minimum of one season in an organized competitive, freeride, or development program is preferred.  

• Competition experience at IFSA, US Ski and Snowboard, and/or FIS levels is a plus. 

• Work primarily takes place in an outdoor mountain environment, requiring tolerance of exposure to cold, snow, wind, rain, sun, high altitude, extreme heights, and terrain.  

• Maintain excellent physical fitness, including the ability to ski or ride in various snow conditions and hike challenging terrain with equipment.  

• Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs.  

• Ability to work with little supervision after daily assignments are made. 

• Be punctual and equipped for all scheduled shifts. 

PAY RATES BY CERTIFICATION LEVEL: 

• Uncertified / Entry Coach: Starting at $20.00 per hour No formal coaching certification; demonstrated advanced skiing or riding ability and a willingness to learn. 

• Level 100 (IFSA 100 / USSA 100 / PSIA-AASI Level 1): Starting at $23.56 per hour Entry-level certification in the relevant discipline. 

• Level 200 (IFSA 200 / USSA 200 / PSIA-AASI Level 2): Starting at $26.78 per hour Intermediate certification with demonstrated coaching competency. 

• Level 300 (IFSA 300 / USSA 300 / PSIA-AASI Level 3): Starting at $30.90 per hour Advanced/expert certification with proven high-level coaching and athlete development. 

• Level 400 (IFSA 400 / USSA 400 / PSIA-AASI Trainer or Education Staff): Starting at $34.99 per hour Advanced/expert certification with proven high-level coaching and athlete development. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM: 

Race Coach (athletes ages 8–17, U10–U18):  

• Strong understanding of gate training, line selection, and timing-based competition, including the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alpine Training System and SkillsQuest.  

• Assist as needed with the setup and breakdown of courses, timing systems, and other necessary equipment. 

• Capable of confident, dynamic skiing on steep and variable race terrain.  

• Preferred certifications: USSA Level 100–400 (Alpine), PSIA Level 1–3. Competition experience at US Ski and Snowboard and/or FIS levels strongly preferred. 

Freeride Coach (athletes ages 10–18):  

• Strong understanding of big mountain skiing/riding, line choice, cliff and air progression, and judged IFSA competition criteria.  

• Comfortable coaching and demonstrating on steep, technical, and variable terrain, including double black, extreme terrain, and terrain park/freestyle features.  

• Avalanche safety education/certification preferred but not .  

• Preferred certifications: IFSA Level 100–400, PSIA/AASI Level 1–3, Coaching Fundamentals course with US Ski and Snowboard.  

• Competition experience at IFSA regional and national events strongly preferred. 

All Mountain Coach (athletes ages 12–18; non-competitive program):  

• Strong understanding of versatile, all-terrain skiing/riding spanning carving, big mountain, freestyle, bumps, trees, Nordic, and off-piste conditions.  

• Capable of skiing or riding a wide range of terrain confidently to demonstrate across disciplines.  

• Ability to coach a range of skills and adapt to athletes of varying ages and goals in a recreational, non-competitive format (athletes are not expected to compete in USSA or IFSA events).  

• Preferred certifications: PSIA/AASI Level 1–3, IFSA Level 100–200, and/or USSA Level 100–200. 

Junior Development Coach (athletes ages 7–11):  

• Strong understanding of age-appropriate skill progression and fundamentals for younger and newer athletes.  

• Ability to build foundational technique while keeping training fun, safe, and engaging.  

• Ability to help athletes develop a pathway toward the Race and Freeride teams.  

• Preferred certifications: PSIA/AASI Level 1–2, IFSA Level 100, USSA Level 100, Coaching Fundamentals course with US Ski and Snowboard. 

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.