Gondola Manager

Why Sugar Bowl?

Sugar Bowl Resort has been proudly independent for over 80 years and is one of the oldest ski resorts in California. Situated atop beautiful Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl has a storied past with ties to Austrian ski culture, Hollywood and Walt Disney. This special community helped bring skiing to “sunny California” since December 1939. Since then, it continues to attract adventurous winter sports enthusiasts alike.

Who You Are

• Previous supervisory or management experience in lift operations, guest transportation, parking or hospitality operations preferred
• Proven ability to hire, train, schedule and lead a seasonal team
• Friendly, clear and concise written and verbal communication skills
• Positive attitude with strong leadership, coaching and motivational skills
• Self-starter who can make quick, sound decisions in a fast-paced and sometimes high-stress environment
• Treats safety and courtesy as top priorities and provides excellent service to all guests at all times
• Works effectively with other departments, including Lift Maintenance, Village Services, Hotel and Dispatch
• Uses available resources to solve problems and create an exceptional guest experience
• Comfortable learning and teaching new equipment, technology and operating procedures
• Basic computer skills for scheduling, logs, reporting and budget tracking
• Able to work early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays, including during and after storms
• Valid driver's license and ability to meet Sugar Bowl's driver eligibility requirements preferred (for alternate transportation)
• Open to learning new skills and supporting other departments as needed; a versatile, team-first mindset

What You’ll do

• Manage the daily operation of the Village Gondola and the gondola parking garage to provide safe and efficient transportation of guests, homeowners, belongings and freight
• Lead the transition from the Emerald Gondola to the new Village Gondola, including learning, implementing and training staff on new Doppelmayr operating procedures, cabin handling and loading practices
• Ensure ADA-accessible loading and unloading procedures are consistently followed and that guests needing assistance are supported with care
• Coordinate the movement of luggage carts, linen carts, freight and equipment on and off the gondola so that resort operations run smoothly without slowing guest traffic
• Oversee garage operations, including guest and homeowner arrivals and departures, vehicle and traffic flow, garage cleanliness, and safe pedestrian access to the terminal
• Porter homeowner and hotel guest luggage and personal items between the garage and the gondola, and assist guests with loading and unloading cabins
• Ensure Gondola staff are on time, in uniform, follow all company policies and fulfill the duties in their job descriptions
• Schedule and assign daily duties for Leads and Operators, including job sharers
• Interview, reference check and hire Gondola and Garage staff
• Develop and conduct pre-season and in-season training, and implement, enforce and audit cabin handling training compliance
• Tour and inspect all operating facilities daily, including cabins, terminals, stairs and the garage, and report maintenance needs
• Conduct regular safety meetings and follow up on on-the-job injuries
• Respond to all gondola and garage incidents and guest relations situations, and ensure proper reports are completed
• Maintain close communication with the Vice President of Mountain Operations, Lift Maintenance Manager and Dispatch regarding problems, repairs and operating status
• Work closely with Village Services and Hotel Management to coordinate guest arrivals, departures and Village logistics
• Oversee snow removal in and around the gondola terminals and garage during and after storms
• Monitor staffing levels and expenses to stay within budget
• Oversee the gratuity program
• Collect and maintain daily checklists, operating logs and records
• Secure and maintain supplies and tools for the department
• Assist with alternate transportation when needed (must be eligible per HR)
• Know Sugar Bowl well and answer guest questions about the resort and Village
• Cross-train and lend a hand in other departments as needed, building a broader understanding of resort operations.
• Take advantage of opportunities to learn new skills across the resort, supporting a well-rounded, team-first approach to the guest experience.

Physical Requirements

• Work outdoors at high elevation (7,000+ ft) in all weather, including snow, wind and cold temperatures
• Stand and walk for extended periods and climb stairs throughout the shift
• Regularly lift, carry, push and pull luggage, carts and equipment weighing up to 50 lbs
• Shovel snow and perform physical work during and after storms
• Bend, stoop, reach and assist guests with loading and unloading cabins
• Communicate clearly by radio and in person in a noisy environment

Winter Benefits

• Employer sponsored 401k plan after 1,000 worked hours and one (1) year of service
• Paid sick time
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development opportunities
• Free ski and tubing passes for employees
• Free ski passes for dependents
• 50% off food at our restaurants
• Free group ski and snowboard lessons for employees
• Employee discounted lift tickets for family and friends
• Lift ticket discounts at multiple resorts including 24 Mountain Collective destinations
• Hotel discounts
• Employee ski reciprocal programs