Compensation Amount:

68,000.00 USD Annual

Job Summary:

The Mountain Operations Manager oversees the daily operations, maintenance, and safety of the mountain at Giants Ridge. This position manages all aspects of lift operations, lift maintenance, snowmaking, grooming, trail maintenance, vehicle and equipment maintenance. The Mountain Operations Manager works closely with other Directors and Managers across the facility to ensure a safe, efficient, and guest-focused mountain environment. This position reports directly to the Director of Mountain Operations.

Job Description:

Essential Functions

Develops, implements, and maintains maintenance plans and logs for all Mountain Operations areas.Ensures seasonal maintenance is completed well before operational start dates.Provides supervisors and managers with resources, tools, and staffing needed to meet operational goals.Prepares, monitors, and manages operational and long-range capital budgets.Recruits, hires, trains, schedules, and evaluates year-round and seasonal Mountain Operations staff.Coordinates with accounting to purchase equipment, materials, and supplies in alignment with budget guidelines.Review and approves payroll for accuracy and timely submission.Oversees employee safety compliance and partners with Risk Management to ensure guest safety across all mountain areas.Collaborates with contractors, municipalities, trail organizations, and other public entities as needed.Participates in industry training, conferences, and events to maintain current knowledge and best practices.Works with the Director of Mountain Operations to plan and manage capital improvement projects.Partners with the Director of Recreation to ensure facilities and terrain are prepared for both daily guests and special events.Serves as Manager on Duty, as scheduled.All other duties as assigned.

Skill and Knowledge Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university; or three (3) to five (5) years related experience and/or training related to snowmaking, fleet maintenance, lift maintenance, grooming and mountain safety; or equivalent combination of education and experience.  Graduated from an accredited Ski Area Management Program, preferred.Three (3) years supervisory experience in mountain operations or related field.Proven leadership skills in the area of staff development, organization and collaboration. Reading and writing work-related documents in English.  Ability to read and understand technical manuals, diagrams and instructions. Extensive knowledge of detachable and fixed grip chair lifts.Industry qualification including but not limited to Cutter Camp and Lift Maintenance Certification.Experience with OSHA compliance as well as extensive mountain safety experience.Knowledge of mountain bike park maintenance and operation.General construction experience.Basic computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Suite.  Ability to learn and implement new computer program systems. Excellent written and oral communication skills.Ability to lead people, manage time and accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals.Ability to effective present information and respond to question from groups of supervisors, clients, guests and the general public.Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid State of Minnesota Class D Driver’s License.Self-motivated and able to work outdoors in all types of weather. 

Physical Requirements

Must be able to work extended hours outdoors in adverse weather conditions, including extreme cold and heat.Must have the ability to walk, hike, stand, climb and balance on variable, uneven terrain.Ability to safely operate snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles on difficult, uneven terrain.Lifting, carrying and pushing up to twenty-five (25) pounds regularly, thirty (30) to fifty (50) pounds frequently, and up to seventy-five (75) pounds occasionally.Ability to work days, evenings, overnights, weekends and holidays as business needs dictate.Physical presence at the job site is essential to perform job duties. 

Equipment Used

Mechanical ToolsTelephoneTwo-way radioCompany Vehicle(s)Snowmobile and ATVPool safety and rescue equipmentVarious office equipment including computersSpecialized electronics and related software.

Giants Ridge, managed by Guest Services, Inc., is Minnesota’s premier year-round recreation destination, offering world-class skiing, golfing, and outdoor adventure in the heart of the Iron Range.  We’re seeking an experienced Mountain Operations Manager to oversee the daily operations, maintenance, and safety of our mountain environment year-round.  This leadership role is central to delivering exceptional guest experiences while ensuring our lifts, snowmaking, grooming, trails, vehicles and equipment run smoothly and safely.  As part of our dedicated team, you’ll directly shape guest experiences, contribute to operational excellence, and have opportunities for industry training, conferences, and professional development.

If you’re ready to lead with skill, safety, and passion for the outdoors, apply today!

This is a $68,000 - $72,000 salaried position commensurate with experience. 

What We’re Looking For:

3-5 years of mountain operations experience (snowmaking, lift maintenance, grooming, fleet maintenance, safety).At least 3 years in a supervisory role within mountain operations or a related field.Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience (Ski Area Management Program graduates encouraged to apply).Knowledge of detachable and fixed grip chair lifts, OSHA compliance, and mountain safety standards.Strong leadership, organization, and communication skills.Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions and during weekends, holidays and variable shifts.

Why Work at Giants Ridge?

Comprehensive Health Coverage – Stay covered with medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, plus access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for additional support.  We also offer HSAs, FSAs and more to help you manage healthcare costs.Retirement Savings – Play for your future with our 401(k)-retirement plan, featuring a company match to help you build financial security.  Paid Time Off – Take time to rest, relax and recharge with generous PTO.Mountain Perks – Enjoy free employee passes and discounts for your family so you can hit the slopes and trails all season long!Exclusive Golf Privileges – Hit the greens with complimentary golfing at our two championship golf courses.Exclusive Discounts – Save on delicious food, stylish apparel and must-have accessories while working at Giants Ridge.  Work with Friends – Join a fun, supportive team where every day feels like an adventure.Flexible Scheduling – We offer flexible schedules to fit your lifestyle, but some evening, weekend and holiday shifts are required to keep up with the excitement at Giants Ridge. And More! – Additional perks and surprises that make Giants Ridge a great place to work!

Giants Ridge is the #1-rated family vacation destination in Minnesota.  Located just north of Duluth in the heart of Minnesota’s Superior National Forest, Giants Ridge is a four-season family-oriented resort offering fun and adventure for every level of outdoor enthusiast.  Summer is filled with world-class golf, plus mountain biking, water recreation and more.  Winter brings incredible skiing, snowboarding, fat tire biking and endless miles of snowmobile trails to explore, plus dining, shopping and much more.  Spring and fall seasons are the perfect transitions to the next season of outdoor adventure. 

Founded in 1917, Guest Services has worked tirelessly to earn the reputation as the premier hospitality management company and National Park Service concessionaire in the United States. Guest Services takes great care and pride in providing best-in-class services across a wide variety of client sites including luxury communities, hotels, resorts, government and business dining facilities, full-service restaurants, state and national parks, outdoor recreation, boathouses, marinas, museums, conference centers, senior living communities, health care systems, school and university dining facilities, and specialty retail stores.

Guest Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and promotion without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION: We embrace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the richness it brings to our company. Our commitment is to provide an inclusive workplace where individuals can bring their whole selves to work, enabling them to provide the best level of service to our diverse customer base.