Terrain Park Groomer I

Sugar Bowl Resort is looking for a Terrain Park Groomer I to help with the nightly grooming and maintenance of all terrain parks and features, in coordination with the department’s daily plan and day-crew communications. This is an entry-level, apprentice-style position - no prior park-building or snowcat experience required. We’ll train you on snowcat operation and terrain park maintenance fundamentals from the ground up. This role plays a key part in keeping every element of the terrain park in great shape, so our guests get the best possible park experience, every day.

Why Sugar Bowl?

Sugar Bowl Resort has been proudly independent for over 80 years and is one of the oldest ski resorts in California. Situated atop beautiful Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl has a storied past with ties to Austrian ski culture, Hollywood and Walt Disney. This special community helped bring skiing to “sunny California” since December 1939. Since then, it continues to attract adventurous winter sports enthusiasts alike.

Who You Are:

• Prior cat experience, terrain park building, or heavy equipment experience is a plus
• A self-starter and hard worker, comfortable learning to work on steep mountain terrain under guidance
• Comfortable following direction and building sound judgment over time
• A genuine interest in learning risk management basics as they apply to terrain park operations
• Comfortable in a guest service environment, professional at all times
• A positive, friendly attitude in all internal and external interactions
• Open to learning new skills and supporting other departments as needed; a versatile, team-first mindset

What You’ll do:

· Learn to construct and maintain terrain park features using a snowcat, under the direction of the Terrain Park Grooming Supervisor

· Assist with nightly grooming of all terrain parks and park features

· Learn reshaping and rebuilding trails, and pushing snow from fences and snow drifts

· Learn to remove excess snow from around lift stations, cover creeks/rocks/obstacles, spread man-made snow, and pack fresh powder

· Become familiar with natural terrain and snow depth indicators

· Learn safe snowcat operation across varied terrain and conditions, including steep uphill and downhill sections

· Assist with digging out and moving jibbing elements alongside nighttime Park Rangers

· Communicate nightly grooming results to the AM day crew

· Work outside of the snowcat in inclement and adverse weather conditions as needed

· Complete grooming forms and company equipment/vehicle forms nightly

· Attend snowmobile training

· Participate in safety meetings and accept diverse assignments as part of the team

· Maintain a positive, friendly, professional demeanor in all guest and team interactions

· Cross-train and lend a hand in other departments as needed, building a broader understanding of resort operations

· Cross-train and lend a hand in other departments as needed, building a broader understanding of resort operations.

· Take advantage of opportunities to learn new skills across the resort, supporting a well-rounded, team-first approach to the guest experience.

Physical Requirements:

· Comfortable sitting for extended periods while operating a snowcat, with frequent climbing on and off the machine

· Capable of working outdoors in extreme, cold winter weather conditions, often during late evening and early morning hours

· Able to shovel and clear snow, including heavy, wet snow, as needed

· Steady footing and balance for navigating steep, icy, or uneven terrain on and off equipment

· Comfortable working in proximity to moving mechanical parts and heavy machinery

· Manual dexterity for equipment inspection, basic maintenance checks, and machinery operation

· Sufficient visual and auditory acuity to safely operate machinery and monitor changing weather and trail conditions

Winter Benefits:

· Employer sponsored 401k plan after 1,000 worked hours and one (1) year of service

· Paid sick time

· Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

· Professional development opportunities  

· Free ski and tubing passes for employees 

· Free ski passes for dependents 

· 50% off food at our restaurants

· Free group ski and snowboard lessons for employees 

· Employee discounted lift tickets for family and friends 

· Lift ticket discounts at multiple resorts including 24 Mountain Collective destinations

· Hotel discounts

· Employee ski reciprocal programs 

Sugar Bowl Resort believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants because of race, color, hair, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender orientation, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, citizenship, veteran status, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including recruitment, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination.