Snowcat Adventures Office and Trail Guide

General Purpose:

The Purgatory Snowcat Adventures Office and Tail Guide position supports both the daily guest services operation and the backcountry guiding team. This role is responsible for managing daily scenic tour and cat skiing operations from the office, assisting guests with bookings, rentals, safety briefings, and trip preparation, while also serving as a part time tail guide under the direction of the PSA Lead Guide. The ideal candidate is highly organized, guest focused, comfortable working in both an office and backcountry environment, and committed to maintaining a safe and exceptional guest experience.

This is a seasonal position fromDecember 2026 to April 2027. 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 visithttps://www.purgatory.ski/employee-benefits/

Hiring for our seasonal positions occurs on a rolling basis. This position will remain open until filled.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:  

• Manage daily office operations for Purgatory Snowcat Adventures, including scenic tours, cat skiing reservations, and guest inquiries.

• Assist guests with booking questions, scheduling, check in, payments, waivers, and general information regarding PSA products and services.

• Maintain a strong working knowledge of all Purgatory Snowcat Adventures tours, pricing, products, policies, and operational procedures.

• Operate point of sale and reservation systems accurately and efficiently.

• Answer incoming phone calls and emails and provide professional, timely, and accurate information to guests.

• Assist with morning guest preparation, including check in, safety meetings, trip briefings, rental equipment setup, avalanche safety equipment distribution, and lunch preparation.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and professional office and guest staging area throughout the day.

• Maintain radio communication with the backcountry team and remain available to assist guides and operations staff when communication or additional support is needed.

• Communicate clearly with the Lead Guide, General Manager, snowcat operators, guides, and other team members regarding daily operations, guest needs, weather, conditions, and schedule changes.

• Serve as a part time tail guide under the direction and supervision of the PSA Lead Guide.

• Assist the Lead Guide with all aspects of daily backcountry operations as directed, including guest management, equipment preparation, loading and unloading equipment, route preparation, safety procedures, and end of day operations.

• Follow all avalanche safety procedures, emergency response protocols, and instructions provided by the Lead Guide and management team.

• Assist with avalanche rescue equipment checks and ensure assigned safety equipment is properly distributed, functioning, and accounted for.

• Support guest movement through backcountry terrain while maintaining appropriate spacing, group organization, and communication.

• Monitor guests throughout the day for signs of fatigue, ability concerns, injury, or other issues that could affect group safety.

• Assist with identifying and communicating hazards while following all terrain management and risk management decisions made by the Lead Guide.

• Prioritize guest and staff safety at all times and understand that safety decisions take priority over terrain objectives or guest expectations.

• Work cooperatively as part of the guiding team to provide a professional, safe, and memorable backcountry experience.

• Listen closely to and follow the direction of the Lead Guide during all backcountry operations.

• Assist with emergency response situations as trained and directed.

• Help maintain, organize, inspect, and transport skis, snowboards, avalanche equipment, radios, medical equipment, and other operational gear.

• Perform opening and closing duties as assigned.

• Maintain a positive and professional attitude during long operational days and changing mountain conditions.

• Perform additional duties as assigned by the General Manager or Lead Guide.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 

• Strong customer service and interpersonal communication skills.

• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with guests, guides, management, and other resort departments.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.

• Comfortable learning and operating point of sale, reservation, and computer systems.

• Ability to answer phones, manage email communication, and assist guests with booking and trip related questions.

• Strong understanding of professional guest service in a high end outdoor recreation environment.

• Ability to remain calm, professional, and effective during busy operations or changing circumstances.

• Strong skiing or snowboarding ability in advanced and backcountry terrain.

• Knowledge of avalanche awareness, backcountry travel, avalanche rescue equipment, and group safety procedures.

• Ability to follow detailed instructions from the Lead Guide and work effectively within an established guide team structure.

• Sound judgment and a strong commitment to risk management and guest safety.

• Ability to recognize personal limitations and communicate safety concerns appropriately.

• Ability to work effectively in winter weather, deep snow, variable terrain, high elevation, and changing mountain conditions.

• Knowledge of the local San Juan Mountain terrain is strongly preferred.

• Ability to operate and communicate effectively using handheld radios.

• Ability to work long days and maintain a high level of professionalism, awareness, and energy throughout the shift.

• Ability to work independently when managing office responsibilities while also functioning effectively as part of a larger operational team.

Education and Experience: 

• Current avalanche education or certification is required for employees performing tail guide responsibilities. Avalanche Level 1 or higher is preferred.

• Current CPR and First Aid certification is required or must be obtained prior to performing guide duties.

• Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, Outdoor Emergency Care, EMT, or similar medical training is strongly preferred.

• Previous professional guiding, ski patrol, backcountry recreation, outdoor education, mountain operations, or similar experience is preferred.

• Previous customer service, hospitality, reservation, retail, or point of sale experience is preferred.

• Previous experience skiing or snowboarding in backcountry terrain is required for tail guide responsibilities.

• Familiarity with the San Juan Mountains and local winter terrain is strongly preferred.

Working Environment/Physical Activities:

This position is split between an indoor office environment and outdoor backcountry operations. Office responsibilities include extended periods of standing or sitting, computer and point of sale work, answering phones, communicating by radio, assisting guests, preparing equipment, and maintaining a clean and organized workspace.

Tail guiding responsibilities take place in a remote winter backcountry environment at high elevation and may include exposure to deep snow, cold temperatures, wind, snowfall, uneven terrain, changing weather, and avalanche terrain. Employees must be physically capable of skiing or snowboarding advanced terrain for a full operational day while carrying required safety equipment. The position requires frequent lifting, carrying, loading, and moving equipment weighing approximately 40 to 60 pounds or more.

Operational days may be long and can begin early in the morning with guest preparation, equipment setup, lunches, avalanche gear, and safety briefings before transitioning into a full day of backcountry operations. Employees must remain attentive, physically capable, and safety focused throughout the entire shift. This position requires close teamwork, consistent communication, and the ability to respond professionally and effectively to changing operational needs, weather conditions, guest needs, and emergency situations.