LIFT OPERATIONS MANAGER

Reports To: General Manager (interim)

Department: Lift Operations

Status: Full Time/Year Round

Date: 07/24/2026

Pay Range: $63,000 - $69,000/year

POSITION SUMMARY: The Lift Operations Manager is responsible for the efficient operation of ariel tramways and conveyors at Granby Ranch within CPTSB and ANSI regulations. This position requires extensive people management skills and experience and is responsible for hiring, on-boarding, training, managing and mentoring approximately 20-25 winter seasonal staff and 5 summer seasonal staff. The successful candidate for this position will also be heavily involved in the Granby Ranch Safety Committee and outside of winter season operation, will be assigned projects by GM.

 ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for interviewing, hiring, training, scheduling, managing and mentoring approximately 20 staff in the winter and 5 staff in the summer. 
• Conducts training of all lift operators including documentation of successful completion of training per CPTSB requirements.
• Ensures completion of daily operational logs & documentation of all operator training.
• Works with and provides leadership and oversight for all daily lift operations including lift opening and closing procedures, daily team meetings, completion and proper filing of daily operational logs for each lift, timely opening and closing of lifts, proper set up and adjustment of lift mazes as needed for business volume, lunch rotations. 
• Works with Ski Patrol and Mountain Management for necessary closures and shut down of lifts and communicates closures to guests at each lift.
• Establishes positive and productive working relationships with Ski and Ride School, Ski Patrol, Lift Maintenance, and Ticket Scanning departments, fostering a culture of collaboration and open communication and excellent guest experiences.
• Creates and implements staff schedule within labor budget and appropriate for business volumes, making and communicating changes within a work schedule as needed and implementing a request/shift switch policy that is equitable and functional.
• Ensures grouping in lift mazes as business volume dictates ensuring mazes are set up for maximizing uphill capacity, appropriate grouping, and efficient, smooth loading.
• Maintains organized, clean, and functional lift shacks stocked with necessary items, ensuring trash and lost and found items are handled appropriately daily and items to be ordered are communicated.
• Ensures all staff is trained and has the tools necessary to maintain proper load and unload ramps during winter months.
• Maintains personal and staff ski/snowboard equipment in good condition, ensures all staff completes ski/ride tests.
• Skis/rides under control, observes mountain safety rules as an example to the public and holds all staff accountable to the same.
• Operates snowmobiles in accordance with Company policy as needed for pre-operational procedures. Use of snowmobiles during operating hours is very limited, skiing/snowboarding is required for moving around the ski area.
• Completes accident investigations and incident reporting in accordance with Company policy.
• Holds lift operations staff accountable to Company uniform, grooming, and attendance guidelines.
• Actively participates in Manager Meetings and Safety Committee Meetings.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Acts as a positive, professional role model, adhering to the company’s hospitality standards.
• Maintains an exceptional level of guest service in all interaction with guests, fellow employees and other department managers.
• Assists and supports other departments for races, events and high-volume days.
• Other duties as assigned

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge and ability to operate top and bottom stations for all lifts at Granby Ranch.
• Monitors/assesses performance of lift operations staff and communicates to team members regularly about their performance and opportunities for growth and improvements; will require documented corrective action as needed. 
• Must be able to ski/ride at intermediate level with the ability to navigate intermediate trails at Granby Ranch.
• Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
• Strong administrative, communication, and organizational skills.
• Speak, read, write in English fluently.
• Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Strong computer skills required, including a working knowledge of MS Office programs especially Work, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, with the ability to learn new software programs.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Working knowledge of CPTSB and ANSI standards for the operation of aerial tramways and conveyors.
• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in Lift Operations or Lift Maintenance.
• Minimum 3 years' experience in a leadership role.
• Valid Driver’s License and ability to pass MVR check to company insurance standards.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Must be physically capable of working outdoors at 8,000-9,000 feet in all types of weather conditions including extreme cold, wind, blizzard, or heat up to 90 degrees in the summer.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs.
• Dexterity for utilizing tools including but not limited to shovel, rake, ice chipper, drill, scanning gun, computer keyboard, lift control buttons and switches.
• Verbal and auditory abilities necessary for communication with others.
• Provide own ski/ride equipment, clothing and accessories necessary for work outdoors in high alpine winter environment.
• Ski/ride at intermediate level.
• Skiing/Snowboarding, Walking, Kneeling, Squatting, Climbing (ladders), Reaching, Lifting.

 This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job. 

Granby Ranch is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

All employees earn paid sick time and qualify for a free Granby Ranch season pass, free skiing and riding at 15 other Colorado resorts, and discounts on in-house food & beverage, rentals, lessons, and retail.  Positions classified as year-round/full-time qualify for health benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability), retirement benefits and two-weeks paid time off per year.

Granby Ranch is located in Granby, Colorado (90 miles northwest of Denver) and all jobs are performed on site. Employee housing is available for full-time seasonal and year-round employees.

A criminal background check will be conducted after an employment offer is accepted and must be successfully completed prior to starting work. The background check will be completed in accordance with standards enacted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.