Certified Ski/Snowboard Instructor/Coach

Sugar Bowl Resort is seeking passionate, skilled, and guest-centered Certified Ski and Snowboard Instructors and Coaches to join our Snowsports School team for the upcoming winter season. This is a role for people who love snow, love people, and love the craft of teaching - those who find as much joy in helping a nervous first-timer find their footing as they do carving a perfect turn themselves.

Whether you're an experienced instructor looking to grow your career or an up-and-coming coach ready to take your teaching to the next level, Sugar Bowl's Snowsports School is one of the best places in California to do it. Our season-long training programs, supportive team culture, and stunning Donner Summit terrain make this more than a job - it's a community.

Note: Experience level and corresponding compensation will be determined by management based on certifications, experience, and demonstrated skill.

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

You hold a current ski or snowboard instructor certification and bring the technical skill, energy, and warmth to match. You connect easily with people of all ages and abilities, from a wide-eyed four-year-old on their first lesson to an adult guest finally conquering a fear. You're organized, safety-conscious, and adaptable, and you bring a growth mindset to your teaching every day.

Experience & Qualifications:

·         Current ski instructor certification required (PSIA, AASI, or equivalent); snowboard instructors must also be able to ski and teach skiing

·         Strong intermediate skiing ability or higher required to apply; advanced ability preferred

·         Creative, innovative, and able to manage groups of guests in an organized and safe manner

·         Excellent communication skills with the ability to connect with guests of all ages, backgrounds, and ability levels - including children and families

·         Desire and demonstrated ability to continue developing personally and professionally within the mountain resort industry

·         Ability to build positive working relationships across departments and contribute to a collaborative team environment

·         Punctual, reliable, and committed to showing up dressed, equipped, and ready to go by your scheduled start time - assignments may begin as early as 8:00 AM 

What you will do

Instruction & Coaching

·         Deliver high-quality group lessons, private lessons, and/or coaching sessions as assigned by Snowsports School management

·         Participate in and contribute to our Seasonal Shredders program and other specialty coaching tracks

·         Apply progressive, guest-centered teaching methodology that meets guests where they are and moves them forward

·         Maintain a safe, organized, and engaging learning environment at all times

·         Participate actively in our season-long instructor training and professional development program to continuously sharpen your craft

Guest Experience & Team Culture

·         Deliver a warm, professional, and memorable experience for every guest - from first contact to final run

·         Communicate effectively and positively with guests, families, homeowners, and fellow resort staff

·         Serve as a living example of Sugar Bowl's core values in every interaction

·         Foster a spirit of collaboration and mutual support with fellow instructors and other resort departments

·         Assist with cleaning assignments shared by Snowsports School staff

·         Perform snow shoveling as necessary to maintain safe, accessible work areas

·         Support other resort departments as operationally needed 

Application questions (please have this information ready)

• Which disciple are you able to teach?
• What PSIA/AASI or other industry certifications you hold?

Physical Requirements

This is a physically demanding, outdoor role performed entirely on the mountain in Sierra Nevada winter conditions. Candidates must be able to meet the following requirements:

·         Prolonged physical activity on snow including skiing, snowboarding, walking in ski boots, and standing on varied terrain

·         Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions typical of Donner Summit, including heavy snowfall, high winds, freezing temperatures, ice, flat light, and reduced visibility - full days, every scheduled shift

·         Ability to lift, carry, and assist with equipment and materials weighing up to 50 pounds

·         Ability to perform snow shoveling and general physical maintenance tasks as assigned

·         Visual acuity to navigate mountain terrain and monitor guests in varying light and weather conditions

·         Must be able to tolerate sustained exposure to heavy winter weather

Winter Benefits

• Seasonal training opportunity
• Tiered equipment reimbursement based on qualifying hours, available upon return the following season
• Certification reimbursement, available upon return the following season
• Additional $20.00/hr for private requests
• Employer sponsored 401k plan after 1000hrs (and 1-yr)  
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Free ski and tubing passes for employees  
• Free ski passes for dependents  
• 50% off food at our cafeterias
• Free group ski and snowboard lessons for employees  
• Excellent discounts on competitive and non-competitive Snow Sports Programs
• Employee discounted lift tickets for family and friends  
• Lift ticket discounts at tons of resorts including 24 destinations thanks to the Mountain Collective  
• Hotel discounts 
• Employee ski reciprocal programs  
• Discounted group lesson for dependents
• Access to free technical performance & teach methodology training throughout the season

Sugar Bowl Resort believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants because of race, color, hair, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender orientation, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, citizenship, veteran status, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including recruitment, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination. 

Salary : $20