Mountain Operations Director (aka: The Unicorn We’ve Been Looking For) Private Ski Club – Naples, NY (Finger Lakes) Let’s be honest, this isn’t a desk job.
This is a sunburn-to-frostbite, boots-on-the-ground, fix-it-before-first-chair kind of role.
A Western New York private Ski Club is looking for a Mountain Operations Director who can run the mountain and isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty doing it. If you’ve got experience across lifts, snowmaking, grooming—and you actually like being outside in unpredictable weather—we want to talk.
What You’ll Actually Be Doing You’re the person who keeps the mountain running. Period.
Lifts: Own lift operations and maintenance; safety is non-negotiable, uptime is the goal
Snowmaking: Chase weather windows, build base, and make the call when it matters
Grooming: Lead grooming operations, and hop in the cab when needed
Mountain + Grounds: Trails, drainage, lighting, repairs… if it’s on the hill, it’s yours
Team Leadership: Lead a small, tight crew that takes pride in doing things right
This role is part strategist, part operator, part firefighter and all-in when the mountain needs you.
Who This Is For You’re not just experienced, you’re versatile.
You’ve worked in ski area operations (lifts, grooming, snowmaking—some or all)
You can troubleshoot mechanical/electrical systems without blinking
You’re comfortable running equipment, fixing things, and figuring it out when it breaks
You lead by example, not from behind a desk
You can interact with members and staff with professionalism (this is a private club)
You’re built for Western NY winters (and everything that comes with them)
Don’t check every box? That’s okay. If you’re strong in key areas and can learn the rest, we want to hear from you.
Why this ski club? This is where the role stands out.
Tight-Knit Community: Private club feel, you’ll know the people you’re building the mountain for
Hands-On Ownership: Real impact, real responsibility; no hiding behind layers of management
Year-Round Stability: Full-time role with benefits
Finger Lakes Lifestyle: Fishing, hiking, lake life, and a top-rated school district in Naples
Compensation + Perks
$82,000 – $97,000 salary
Full benefits (health, 401k + match, PTO, etc.)
Flexible scheduling
Relocation assistance (up to $4,500)
The Reality Check This job is:
Early mornings
Long days during peak season
Cold, wet, physical work
A million moving parts that all depend on you
And if that excites you—not scares you—you might be exactly who we’re looking for