Year Round About the Job Year Round The Patrol Manager is a senior leadership position within Solitude Ski Patrol and Mountain Operations. Reporting directly to the Director of Patrol, this position oversees daily patrol operations, staffing, training coordination, operational readiness, emergency response, and strategic departmental support for both winter ski patrol and summer bike patrol operations. The Patrol Manager helps lead up to 45 winter patrollers and approximately 20 summer bike patrol employees, including supervisory staff, while fostering a professional, accountable, safety-focused, and guest-service-oriented culture across year-round mountain operations. This role combines field leadership with administrative oversight and requires strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, expert skiing ability, strong downhill mountain biking ability, and the ability to lead effectively within a unionized work environment. The Patrol Manager works closely with the Avalanche Mitigation Department (AMD) Manager and Director of Patrol to coordinate staffing, training, avalanche mitigation support, operational priorities, and emergency response readiness across the mountain. SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS Minimum 8 years of ski patrol experience preferred, with 3-5 years of patrol supervisory or leadership experience preferred. Avalanche Pro 1 certification required ; Avalanche Pro 2 preferred. Avalanche mitigation experience at a Class “A” resort preferred, including route leader-level responsibilities. Current Utah EMT, National EMT, or OEC certification required. Utah EMT licensure required for EMTs. Current BLS CPR certification required. Ability to obtain and maintain an ATF possessor clearance. Valid driver’s license required and must pass an insurance driving history inquiry. Expert skiing ability required, including the ability to safely operate a loaded toboggan in steep and variable terrain. Strong downhill mountain biking ability and proficiency operating in lift-served bike park terrain preferred. Exceptional leadership, communication, coaching, conflict-resolution, guest service, organizational, and decision-making skills. Understanding of ski resort operations, avalanche mitigation, mountain safety, emergency response, risk management, and guest service standards. Proficiency with scheduling, payroll, HR systems, incident documentation, Microsoft Office, budgeting, and operational reporting tools. Ability to prioritize workload effectively and adapt to changing operational demands. Ability to work weekends, holidays, storm cycles, on-call periods, and extended operational hours as required. Must pass criminal history and background checks.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provides daily management, leadership, and operational support for ski patrol and bike patrol staff in alignment with resort values and leadership expectations. In coordination with the Director of Patrol and AMD Manager, assists with hiring, onboarding, scheduling, payroll review, training, evaluations, coaching, retention, accountability conversations, and disciplinary processes. Supports strategic planning, patrol procedures, emergency response planning, training standards, and risk management initiatives. Oversees daily patrol operations including staffing assignments, terrain status, openings and closures, sweeps, operational follow-up, hazard mitigation, and enforcement of resort policies and the skier responsibility code. Coordinates with the AMD Manager and Director of Patrol regarding avalanche mitigation operations, staffing, snow safety, terrain management, rescue readiness, and route leadership responsibilities. Oversees summer bike patrol operations and coordinates with internal departments, public safety partners, and outside agencies to support safe and efficient year-round mountain operations. Leads year-round mountain safety initiatives including speed control, guest education, hazard mitigation, signage, closures, rope lines, fencing, padding, and boundary management. Oversees patrol training, continuing education, scenario-based exercises, CPR instruction, avalanche rescue, bike patrol training, and competency documentation. Performs ski patrol duties at both managerial and functional levels, including emergency medical care, patient transport, guest assistance, mountain safety, incident documentation, and field leadership during routine and complex operations in varied terrain and weather conditions. Coordinates and participates in lift evacuations, avalanche response, search and rescue operations, high-angle rescue, cliff rescue, missing person incidents, night operations, and complex rescue efforts involving Wasatch Backcountry Rescue and other partner agencies as assigned. Participates in incident investigations, documentation review, legal follow-up, and risk management processes in accordance with resort guidelines. Oversees patrol equipment, rescue gear, medical supplies, operational inventories, patrol facilities, and shared workspaces to ensure operational readiness and professionalism. Maintains professional working relationships with employees, union representatives, resort leadership, EMS partners, and outside agencies. Represents Patrol in cross-departmental planning and fills in for the Director of Patrol as assigned.
ADDITIONAL SKILLS:
Ability to mentor employees and support leadership development within the patrol team.
Ability to maintain professionalism and composure during stressful situations.
Proficient understanding of Solitude Mountain Resort terrain, patrol operations, and communication systems preferred.
Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding personnel, operational, medical, and legal matters.
Must be available for year-round operations, preseason training, and required refresher days.
PHYSICAL AND OPERATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Ability to work in severe winter weather and high alpine environments.
Ability to reason and respond effectively in emergency situations under high stress.
Ability to lift, maneuver, and carry at least 50 pounds while skiing, hiking, or biking in variable terrain and conditions.
Ability to hike and travel in steep, exposed terrain with packs weighing approximately 30 -50 pounds.
Proficient and safe skiing ability to operate a loaded rescue toboggan in varying snow conditions and terrain.
Adequate sight, speech, hearing, and manual dexterity to safely perform duties and communicate via radio.
Ability to work extended hours until all guests, staff, and patrollers are safely off the mountain. Job description is not inclusive of all responsibilities and may be modified as deemed necessary by operational needs.
POSITION: Solitude Patrol Manager
DIVISION: Mountain Operations
REPORTS TO: Director of Patrol
LOCATION: Resort Wide Solitude
CLASSIFICATION: Full Time / Year Round
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT:
Solitude Mountain Resort is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the Company to recruit, hire, train, assign, promote, and transfer the best qualified individual for each job opening and provide such employment opportunities without regard to sex, race, religious creed, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, nationality, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, pregnancy, sexual preference, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state or federal law. The Company makes all employment decisions, including selection, training, job assignment, compensation, promotion, transfer, discipline, termination, and access to benefits without regard to these protected statuses. Solitude Mountain Resort also provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during the selection process, please contact Human Resources at HR@solitudemountain.com. Perks of Working Here: Work & Play in the Mountains: Embrace the stunning Wasatch Mountains. Connect with fellow mountain enthusiasts.
Benefits:
Access to select Alterra Mountain Company Destinations. Free Solitude season pass for you and eligible dependents. Discounts on solitude lift tickets for friends and family. Discounts on food, rentals, retail, and lessons. Other Perks: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for eligible employees Pro deals with outdoor brands. Generous 401(k) plan with company match. Free counseling service through Employee Assistance Program.
