Lift Operator (Whitefish Mountain Resort) - Winter

JOB DESCRIPTION
Whitefish Mountain Resort (Winter Sports, Inc.)

Title: Lift Operator
Department: Lift Operations Department
Status: Full-Time or Part-Time Seasonal, Hourly
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Updated: August 2026

Job Summary:
 The Lift Operator executes the proper, efficient, and courteous loading and unloading of guests. They inspect, record, and report the condition of lift machinery, maintain proper snow levels throughout the lift station area, create a positive and courteous atmosphere, and check tickets at every lift location. The Lift Operations Department offices and Lift Operations locker rooms are located in the Operations/Events Building in the upper village area, adjacent to the Alder parking lot.

Job Relationships:
• Reports to: Lift Manager, Assistant Manager, Supervisors, and Crew Leader
• Interrelationships: Works closely and communicates effectively with all Lift Operations department employees, Ski School, Patrol, Groomers, Lift Maintenance, guests, and other mountain personnel.

Job Specifications:
 • Minimum two years of high school, trade school, or equivalent.
 • Skill in operating basic machinery.
 • Ability to provide accurate information and maintain a good attitude during stressful situations.
 • Ability to speak clearly and communicate thoroughly with customers and co-workers.
 • Willing to work overtime, holidays, night skiing shifts, and weekends as requested by the Manager.
 • Willing to work a variety of assignments, including but not limited to bottom and top stations of fixed-grip, detachable, and surface lifts.
 • Skiing/snowboarding skills are required for most positions.
 • Must be at least 18 years of age.
 • Willing to be trained in how to properly drive a snowmobile to access certain locations in the morning and at the end of the day (not everyone is qualified for this training).

Specific Duties:
 • Execute the daily operations and closing procedures. Ensure that the proper and efficient information and materials are completed and that lift corral areas are maintained throughout the day.
 • Knowledgeably and efficiently administer emergency procedures such as lift breakdowns, fire, accident reporting, high winds, lightning, etc.
 • Execute the daily pre-operational inspection of lift machinery to complete a legal lift log document. Report any irregularities to Patrol Dispatch.
 • Maintain proper ramp height and condition on a continual basis to ensure proper loading and unloading of guests and to prevent lift wear and tear. Remove and/or add snow daily at the top and bottom lift stations as conditions change, utilizing the measuring tool provided.
 • Notify the supervisor of any safety concerns or required maintenance or grooming.
 • Build corrals using diagrams according to predicted skier visits and tear corrals down each evening.
 • Inspect and scan each guest ticket or season pass every time. The ticket scanner is responsible for verifying that each guest has a valid ticket.
 • Responsible for completing Lift Incident Reports and/or calling the supervisor for assistance.
 • Actively direct the proper and efficient loading and unloading of guests of all ability levels through communication, awareness, and decision-making.

Work Environment:
 • Able to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
 • Able to work while standing for extended periods of time up to 7–8 hours.
 • Able to engage in repetitive body motion involving upper body torque during the loading of guests onto chairs and while shoveling snow at the job site.
 • Able to work under varying weather conditions, often extreme in nature.

Safety & Wellness:
 • Support and actively promote the success of the Winter Sports, Inc. Health & Safety Process, including participation in ongoing programs.
 • Follow and comply with OSHA standards as defined by company policy and procedures.
 • Report any injury and/or unsafe working conditions to the Crew Leader, Supervisor, or Manager ASAP.

All team members must be on constant alert for any unsafe conditions and work behaviors. This will involve, but not be limited to, periodic inspections of work and public areas. Follow-up notification will be done to correct the condition or practice at the earliest possible opportunity.

This job description is to be considered a general outline of the duties and responsibilities of this position and is subject to changes and revisions by Winter Sports, Inc. management at any time. Responsibilities are listed as guidelines only, and the job is not necessarily limited to these specifications.