Snowmaking Supervisor

Description

• The snowmaking supervisor is the snowmaking manager's primary operational partner and right hand,
• leading the crew on the hill, driving daily snow production, and keeping the operation running through
• whatever the mountain throws at them. Working in close coordination with the manager, they translate
• priorities into action, coordinate with other departments, and hold the team accountable to the
• department's standards for safety, efficiency, and snow quality.
• Beyond daily operations, the supervisor contributes to seasonal planning, resource management, and
• emergency response while actively building a team culture grounded in mentorship, accountability, and
• continuous improvement. Strong leadership, sharp problem-solving skills, and deep knowledge of
• fan-gun-based snowmaking systems are essential.

Job Description

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• ● Supervise snowmaking crews during assigned shifts, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality
• snow production
• ● Lead shift handoffs between day and night crews, communicating production priorities,
• equipment status, and any outstanding issues to ensure seamless continuity
• ● Provide direct supervision and leadership of snowmaking operations during active production
• periods and serve as the acting Snowmaking Manager in the Manager's absence, assuming
• responsibility for operational decision-making, personnel management, safety oversight, and
• departmental priorities.
• ● Operate both automated and manual snowmaking systems independently and proficiently
• ● Interpret weather data, wet-bulb temperatures, and conditions in real time to adjust snowmaking
• strategy and maximize snow quality and output
• ● Assist in planning, setting up, relocating, monitoring, and shutting down snow guns and related
• equipment across the mountain
• ● Demonstrate full knowledge of the mountain's snowmaking system layout, including
• pumphouses, hydrants, valves, electrical boxes, and terrain
• ● Operate and maintain all snowmaking equipment, including snow guns, hoses, compressors,
• tracked vehicles, trucks, UTVs, snowmobiles, and pumps
• ● Conduct daily vehicle inspections and coordinate repairs with Arizona Snowbowl mechanics
• ● Monitor and maintain gun run conditions, including shoveling snow, clearing hoses, and applying
• proper padding
• ● Enforce all snowmaking safety standards, including PPE, lockout/tagout compliance, and resort
• safety programs
• ● Prevent damage to trees, lifts, buildings, vehicles, and environmentally sensitive areas
• ● Train and mentor snowmakers on snow production techniques, safety procedures, and resort
• protocols; provide ongoing real-time coaching and performance feedback
• ● Monitor crew performance and address safety violations and workplace infractions in
• coordination with the snowmaking manager
• ● Collaborate with Grooming, Lift Operations, Terrain Parks, and Ski Patrol to maintain safe and
• effective mountain operations
• ● Assist the snowmaking manager with seasonal planning, resource scheduling, and production
• goal-setting
• ● Promote responsible use of water, fuel, and electricity in line with resort sustainability goals
• ● Maintain accurate daily production, maintenance, and safety documentation
• ● Record time in Paycom at the start and end of every shift, verify entries daily, and confirm your
• timecard at the close of each pay period
• ● Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Job Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Required Qualifications

• ● Must be at least 18 years of age
• ● Valid driver's License with a clean driving record
• ● High School Diploma or equivalent
• ● 3–5 years of on-hill snowmaking experience with demonstrated competence
• ● 2–4 years of hands-on knowledge of pump operations, automated systems (SmartSnow 7 or
• equivalent), and associated snowmaking equipment
• ● Ability to ski or snowboard in all terrain types upon completion of an annual ski/snowboard
• evaluation
• ● Must pass written and driving tests for snowmobiles, ATVs, UTVs, tracked UTVs, and snowcats
• ● Intermediate to advanced mechanical aptitude with the ability to diagnose and troubleshoot minor
• and major equipment malfunctions
• ● Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, able to work effectively with
• snowmaking crews and other mountain operations departments
• ● Knowledge of environmental and energy-efficient snowmaking practices
• ● Ability to work 12-hour shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays; longer shifts may be
• required

Preferred Qualifications

• ● Prior supervisory or crew leadership experience
• ● Experience training or mentoring snowmaking staff
• ● Snowcat or heavy equipment operating experience
• ● Technical training or certifications in mountain operations or equipment maintenance
• ● CPR/First Aid certification

Material and Equipment Directly Used

• Flashlights, radios, 1/2-ton pickup trucks, UTVs, tracked UTVs, snowmaking guns, snow hoses with
• couplers, wrenches, hammers, shovels, picks, digging bars, trailers, confined space rescue equipment, and
• other related industrial tools and supplies.

Working Environment/Physical Activities

• ● The majority of the workday is spent outdoors at night in a mountain environment, in constantly
• changing weather conditions, including extreme cold, snow, and wetness. 25% of the time is
• spent sitting (riding in a tracked vehicle), 55% walking and hiking, and 20% standing. Must have
• the ability to hike for sustained periods of time at a high elevation and in inclement,
• unpredictable, and cold weather conditions at night
• ● Frequently bending, kneeling, handling, reaching, grasping, and performing repetitive motions
• like climbing, balancing, stooping, crouching, handling, operating controls, and feeling objects
• ● Noise levels can reach 100 decibels (without hearing protection) for six hours of the workday.
• With hearing protection, noise levels reach approximately 71 decibels. Wearing ear protection is
• required when making snow on the hill
• ● Frequently using far acuity, depth perception, accommodation, and field of vision
• ● Frequent exposure to mechanical and electrical hazards