PSA Lead Snowcat Operator

PSA Lead Snowcat Operator

General Purpose:

The lead snowcat operator at PSA serves as the primary snowcat operator driving the passenger snowcat on guided ski days, driving the snowcat to various specific drop off and pick up locations along constructed snowcat roads. The operator is also responsible for constructing and maintaining the road networks used by PSA for guided skiing. Many of the snowcat road routes do not coincide with maintained summer roads; therefore building the snowcat roads at the beginning of the season and maintaining them after each significant snowfall requires advanced skills in operating a snowcat, as well as an ability to recognize terrain features and landmarks in order to efficiently put roads in the correct places. 

This position often puts the operator to work in fairly remote areas, with somewhat limited communication to the ski area and sometimes on their own. This requires the operator to have thoughtful decision making skills, some basic avalanche awareness, winter backcountry travel skills, and to carry equipment required to travel over snow on foot if necessary. Given that this position involves working with heavy equipment in remote areas, it is also preferred if the operator also has some ability to diagnose and repair basic mechanical problems that might arise in the backcountry. 

This 4-5 days per week position involves work both within and outside of the ski area boundary. The schedule is often variable, as it is mostly dependent on weather and guest bookings for guided ski days. This requires flexibility, commitment, and reliability with no expectation of a standardized schedule throughout the season. 

This is a seasonal position from December 15 to April 15. Dates are subject to change based on the availability of the applicant and needs of the business. This role comes with a free season pass for you and your dependents. For a full list of benefits visit https://www.purgatory.ski/employee-benefits/ 

Job Posting Deadline: Applications are review on a rolling basis. This position will remain open until filled. 

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:  

Road Building and Maintenance:

• Operating a push cat to construct and maintain roads with the goal of making travel with a passenger cat viable and reliable. 
• Building roads across slopes and following natural paths of least resistance such as gullies, creek beds, and open areas through forested terrain. 
• Pushing and manipulating large amounts of snow to set up for winch cat operations on specific roads. 
• Learning the road networks and memorizing routes to make both building and maintaining the roads as efficient and safe as possible. 
• Establishing familiarity with the capabilities and limitations of a snowcat on slopes in an unmanicured backcountry setting with often unsupportable and variable snow. 
• Ability to operate in a backcountry winter environment regardless of most weather conditions.

Passenger Snowcat Operation:

• Ability to learn snowcat road networks in order to efficiently transport skiers to maximize the ski experience for guests.
• Confidence in smoothly operating the passenger cat on constructed roads and maintaining the primary focus of safely transporting guests.
• Addressing guests about snowcat safety and rules.
• Helping the guide crew with making sure all passengers are safely loaded and unloaded.
• Assisting in loading and unloading guest ski and snowboard equipment onto and off of the snowcat. 
• Ability to assist in unloading emergency/medical equipment from the snowcat. 
• Assisting guide team in facilitating medical evacuations. 
• Providing friendly customer service to improve guest experience.

Overseeing Condition of Machinery:

• Perform thorough and thoughtful inspections of the snowcats utilized by PSA before and after each operational use. 
• Maintain clear communication with the Lead Guide, Business Manager, and Vehicle Maintenance about mechanical problems with machinery and about repairs that need to be made. 
• Conduct basic maintenance and repairs on the snowcats, keep them clean, and ensure all functions are in proper working order. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 

**Required**

• Advanced skills and abilities in operating a snowcat and/or other heavy machinery.
• Ability to learn quickly, especially concerning navigation and learning routes. 
• Good interpersonal skills to interact in a friendly and professional manner with guests, coworkers, and other ski area personnel. 
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with other members of PSA staff. 
• Good communication skills with other staff members about machinery condition, mechanical issues, and providing observations from the backcountry that are pertinent to operational plans. 
• Eagerness to learn and willingness to adapt. 
• Physical ability to lift and lower skis, snowboards, and rescue equipment onto and off of the snowcat. 
• Physical ability to travel over snow on foot.

**Preferred**

• Strong mechanical skillset in order to diagnose and fix various problems that might arise with machinery in a remote setting. 
• Ability to ride a snowmobile on snowcat roads and in powder. 
• Knowledge of local terrain and mountain geography.

Education and Experience: 

**Required**

• Experience operating a snowcat 
• Experience working in a winter backcountry environment with harsh weather conditions. 
• Clean criminal record and ability to pass background check
• Highschool Diploma or GED 
• Valid Driver’s License (Colorado or ability to obtain)
• First Aid and CPR certifications

**Preferred**

• Experience operating a snowcat for purposes that go beyond basic ski area grooming, such as pushing out snowmaking whales, building terrain parks, etc.
• Experience operating a snowcat on a backcountry snowpack.
• Experience operating a winch cat.
• Experience backcountry skiing.
• Experience guiding in outdoor activities.
• AIARE Recreation 1, 2, or Pro 1 certification
• AIARE Companion Avalanche Rescue 
• Wilderness First Responder and/or EMT

Working Environment/Physical Activities:

Work days are generally 8-12 hours long with 10 hour days being most common. Mornings often start at 7:00 or 7:30 AM. While much of the time for this position will be spent inside a snowcat, time spent outside in a winter backcountry environment is also part of every day. The workplace is often a remote backcountry setting with potential for harsh winter weather conditions. On guided ski days the operator will frequently be getting in and out of the snowcat while helping to load and unload equipment.