Steamboat Powdercats is hiring a snowcat skiing guide for the 2026/27 ski season. This is a full-time, seasonal position running from early December to early April.
To some, backcountry ski guiding is more than just a job. It’s a passion, a lifestyle, a dream, and a reality all in one. The opportunity to work in the mountains, searching out fresh lines in a safe but exciting manner, and creating life-changing experiences on a daily basis is a gift that we at Steamboat Powdercats do not take for granted.
Steamboat Powdercats guides are responsible for safely leading groups of up to 10 alpine skiers and snowboarders in the winter backcountry. This role requires a seamless blend of high-level avalanche safety, mechanical operations, and exceptional hospitality.
Core Responsibilities
- Group Leadership: Guide guests through varied, ungroomed backcountry terrain while managing group dynamics, pacing, and excitement.
- Safety & Operations: Perform daily avalanche awareness, forecasting, and weather tracking. Manage emergency medical responses if necessary.
- Logistics & Machinery: Engage in pre and post-trip logistics, and assist with the daily operations of snowmobiles, rescue gear, and snowcats.
- Guest Hospitality: Deliver a safe, educational, entertaining, and high-end customer service experience to a diverse clientele.
- Teamwork: Maintain positive, pleasant, and highly collaborative working relationships with the entire SPC crew and guests.
Specific Requirements
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
- Expert Skier: Must confidently navigate deep powder, tight trees, and varied snow conditions while managing guest safety. At SPC, we only hire skiers for our guide positions due to the deep snow we get and having to break trail, traverse under any circumstance, and hike in flat or uphill terrain.
- Certifications: Current WFR (Wilderness First Responder) and CPR for Healthcare Providers.
- Avalanche Education: Minimum of Pro I or Level II avalanche training.
- Clean driving record.
- Desired: 2+ years of operational guiding or outdoor leadership experience.
Technical Skills & Tools
- Masterful winter backcountry travel, route-finding, and physical fitness.
- Competence using two-way radios, rescue toboggans, transceivers, splints, and backboards.
- Desired: Experience operating snowmobiles and snowcats.
- Bonus: Current AAA or AIARE Instructor certification, search and rescue background, or ski patrol experience.
Work Schedule & Conditions
- Hours: Shifts are typically 11 hours per day.
- Schedule: 4 to 5 days per week. Requires being on-call and working weekends and holidays.
- Environment: Exclusively outdoors. Requires constant exposure to winter weather and cold.
Compensation & Benefits
- Daily Rate: Starting at $200/day, dependent on experience.
- Additional Pay: Daily gratuities are pooled among the crew.
- Perks: Financial benefits including a yearly bonus / profit-sharing incentives, and a 401(k) retirement plan.
- Flexibility: Adaptable seasonal scheduling.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter detailing their guiding philosophy directly to Eric Deering at eric@steamboatpowdercats.com.
Steamboat Powdercats is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
