How to hire a ski patrol

How to hire a ski patrol, step by step

Here's a step-by-step ski patrol hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a ski patrol job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new ski patrol
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the ski patrol you need to hire. Certain ski patrol roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect ski patrol also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of ski patrols and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Ski Patrol	Description	Hourly rate
   Ski Patrol		$11-20
   Ocean Lifeguard	An Ocean Lifeguard maintains continuous surveillance of people in the area of a beach. They supervise swimmers to ensure that they are swimming in accordance with safety protocols.	$11-17
   Lifeguard/Swim Instructor	The primary job of lifeguards and swimming instructors is to keep an eye and teach swimmers at both private and public beaches, pools, private resorts, public parks, and summer camps. They implement local laws and regulations of the facility and provide help to swimmers who are in need... Show more	$10-16

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patrol
   • Trail Maintenance
   • First-Aid
   • CPR
   • Guest Service
   • Medical Care
   • Patient Care
   • EMT-B
   • Guest Safety
   • Medical Emergencies
   • Patients
   • Risk Management
   • Medical Assistance
   • EMS

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage surveillance of DUI traffic offenders in Jacksonville
   • Certify first responder and CPR.
   • Attend both ALS and BLS patient transport calls.
   • Respond to all medical emergencies and assist EMT's in response to the call with siren transport.
   • Obtain USAR technician level certifications and pump operator certifications.Skills UsedSupervisory skills, prehospital skills, FTO and preceptor skills.
   • Manage surveillance of DUI traffic offenders in Jacksonville

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your ski patrol job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A ski patrol salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, ski patrols' average salary in georgia is 49% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level ski patrols earn 44% less than senior-level ski patrols.
   • Certifications. A ski patrol with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a ski patrol's salary.

   Average ski patrol salary

   $15.76hourly

   $32,774 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level ski patrol salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 22, 2026

4. Writing a ski patrol job description

   A ski patrol job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a ski patrol job description:

   Ski patrol job description example

   Royal Gorge is looking for Ski Patrollers to ensure the overall safety of the ski area and guests. Ski Patrol provides first aid and emergency transportation to injured skiers, grooms and maintains all snow shoe trails. Keeps ski trails clear of obstacles, e.g. down trees, limbs, and brush. Ski Patrol maintains ski trail signage, marks hazards and detours. The Ski Patroller educates the guests and employees about ski safety awareness and control, maintains proper safety equipment and signage at the ski area and facilitates correction of safety problems.
   Health benefits now offered to seasonal employees.
   
   QUALIFICATIONS:
   
   * To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily
   * One year certificate from college or technical school; or three to six months related experience and/or training as a ski patroller; or equivalent combination of education and experience
   * Requires possession of valid Class C Driver License with a driving record meeting the minimum standards required by Sugar Bowl Corp's insurance carrier
   * Requires current Winter Emergency Care (WEC) certification and/or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 1A certification or greater. Requires current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid certifications
   * Ability to perform the duties of the job while exposed to extreme High Sierra weather conditions
   
   DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:
   
   * Provide excellent customer service to customers, employees and business partners
   * Maintain current knowledge of, implement and enforce Sugar Bowl policies, procedures, rules and regulations
   * Evaluate the ski area emergency procedures related to, but not limited to, trail and slope evacuations, fire evacuation procedures and participates in training for such an emergency event
   * Provide first aid to guests and staff. Provides emergency transportation to injured skiers
   * Experience operating a Snow Mobile and associated implements
   * Groom and maintain all snow shoe trails, including tree, brush removal and signage
   * Inspect and mark hazards on the slopes, trails or lodge in accordance with safety policy and procedures
   * Keep ski trails clear of obstacles, natural or man-made
   * Know how to use chain saw, pole saw, hand saw, ax, loppers and general hand tools to accomplish bullet point above
   * Welcome and check customers for trail pass and season pass holders
   * Evaluate and implement safety programs for employees and skiing guests designed to reduce work-related accidents and liability exposure
   * Assist with snow removal, including shoveling and cleaning snow from walkways, stairs, equipment, and other areas as needed
   * Complete reports and other paperwork related to incidents and injury accidents for all public skiers and assigned personnel. Coordinates accident investigations for the ski area. Reports all incidents to the Manager and Assistant Manager
   * Monitor the ski area for safety hazards or incidents. Develop and maintain a positive, professional, and balanced rapport with all employees, management, and guests of Royal Gorge regarding safety issues
   * Maintain expert ski level and handle rescue sleds, drive snowmobiles and coordinate search and rescue operations at the ski area
   * Help with parking on the weekends
   
   Pay Dependent on Experience. Sugar Bowl is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right ski patrol for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your ski patrol job on Zippia to find and recruit ski patrol candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with ski patrol candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new ski patrol

   Once you've selected the best ski patrol candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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