Snowcat Operator Vail/Beaver Creek

S

speedin

Member
30 years old, just split up with my wife. Sick and tired of living in the midwest and crunching numbers all day in a cubicle. I need a break from the corporate world, working 70 hours a week, and life in general. I was browsing some the jobs on Vail's website, and noticed some openings for beginner snowcat operator. The pay is poor $10.25/hr, but whatever. I figured it would be an awesome job to do over the winter. Work from 4-midnight, so I can ski during the days. I have been looking through some craiglists ads for housing, and found some places that are 400-500 for a room. Obviously the apartment or house would have other roommates. I am not sure about the employee housing, how much it is, or what to expect.

Anyone who has any info or experience with working in Vail/beav, or as snowcat operator, could you please chime in. It would be much appreciated.
 
Only thing I would really tell you is prepare yourself that you won't be building jumps after two weeks of training.

I used to be a park builder, and always dreamt of driving a cat. I even went through my cat operator training... but man pushing a blade of snow and shaping a jump is an extremely difficult task. Probably takes a few years before you'd have that down, and until that point it'll be all trail grooming and learning blade control.

I couldn't handle the nights personally, and kept with the shaping/shovelling side of the gig. Very peaceful and fun to drive a big machine though, I just couldn't handle the nights. My resort had night skiing, so shift didn't start until midnight, which I couldn't hack it.

I personally love Vail, so I definitely hope it works out for ya!
 
I don't expect to be building any jumps. Nor would I feel comfortable even doing so. Working till midnight, is no big deal for me. I don't go to sleep until 1230-1am as it is right now. So I figure that once I'm done working I can go home and go to sleep. It's not like I will be working 3rd shift till 6am in the morning. I am basically looking to get away from where I am now, as there is nothing left for me here in Chicago. It looks very peaceful to be by yourself, alone in the Cat, on the mountain. I am looking for that solitude right now i'm my life. I want to be able to ski almost every day, and clear my mind of all the negativity and pain I have been feeling for years. I am a hard working person, very responsible, and have always had the ability to drive anything from a young age.

I too love vail, soo wide open plenty of space no matter how many people are there on a given day.

Avon has a Walmart, if I can find cheap housing, I think I can get by this winter on the shitty pay.

If I apply for this job, and Vail hires me, when do you think I will have to show up to the mountain for training?

I
 
A little bit. I have operated a bobcat, and tractors on my friends farm back in the day. I have always been a real quick learner when it comes to driving/operating anything.

 
few things can be more frustrating than grooming. but if you're down with a challenge and you get hired take the job. shit pay, but worth it to ski everyday. i've been operating for 3 years now and still learn little tricks all the time which makes it fun. plus being left alone in a cat all night is really nice. just leave a good pass, minimize rookie bumps on your turn arounds and no one can bitch at you.
 
I work in Beaver Creek and live here in the valley, it is truley an amazing place. I have friends that work as snowcat operator both in Beaver Creek and Vail, every year they get paid better and they love it. The main difference is that in Beaver Creek the grooming is fucking perfect (quality over quantity), in Vail is it also top notch but its more quantity over quality.

I personally like BC better to ride. A bunch of ignorant rich gappers that dont shred at all so u have to mountain for your self. The mountain is really fun, fun little park and never has lift lines.

You will love it here, good luck dude!

Employee housing is pretty chill great location, it all really depends on what you pay and who u get to live with or whatever

Employe housing in Beaver Creek: http://www.pinnacleams.com/Tarnes/

Employee housing in Vail (300 ft from gondola): http://www.pinnacleams.com/FirstChair/
 
I'll be helpful on this site for once...

Anything you need to know about groomning, snowcats, getting a job in the field, etc... PM me.
 
in both link i posted they are emplyee housing all the info is there, if u go in the "tab" that says Living spaces, all the pricing is there....

all though i dont really recomend employee housing that much, u can pay about the same or a little more and stay in a baller place. Look in Craigslist.

if u work in the Beav i recomend looking for places in avon, eagle-vail, maybe edwards or midturn...

If u live in Vail stay in either Vail (east to west), midturn or maybe eagle-vail..
 
I think you should go for it. Vail is a sick town once you get used to it, and even their shittiest condos are pretty nice. I think it would be a good switch up for you
 
My mind/heart is shot! I need to reboot my brain. I think being in the mountains, skiing, and alone in the Cat would be good for me. Def the lowest I have ever been in my life.

 
Iv been grooming for a few years at sugarbush, vt. It's an awesome job for sure. The pay does suck. I would also be prepared to be stuck on the graveyard (midnight-8am) shift being a rookie. Good luck to ya! Have some fun pushin
 
Stoked to here youre doing something about it man. A change of environment like that can make such a big difference in one's psyche. Since i moved out to Salt Lake i've been such more stoked on life
 
Willing to help you out man. Still haven't gotten an email from you.

I have worked with tons of snowcat drivers. I have never heard one complain about the job. The cats all have sick sound systems. Riding in one at night feels like flying.

For housing, I would check the VD www.vaildaily.com for roommates. Also, I can try to get the word out with my instructor friends.
 
I've been driving cats for a few years now (PBs and Prinos), and the best advice i can give you is just be super duper keen. Like if you want to learn park building/driving volunteer your own time, come in on days off.

Also when you drive don't listen to music, or do anything else.....just fucking drive. Focus only on that. Just focus on your work and ALWAYS listen to experienced operators ( even if you hate their guts). Your gonna fuck up, and your gonna suck for a while.....but just stick with it. I love this job, and the season is just so awesome. Just always be happy for the work you have, and just stick with it.

Don't really have much more advice right now that I can think about, but PM me if you need some more.
 
Thanks for the advice. I'm a pretty laid back person, and take criticism well without getting my panties in a bunch. I really hope I get the job.

 
You only get one shot at this life. Might as well make this best of it. Spend your whole life when your young being a slave to the wage. For what? Material items? The american dream of owning a house? So you can grow old and retire and old fart and not be able to do anything?Please....been there done that, home ownership isn't all its cracked up to be. These things are not what defines happiness, at least for me. I have learned more in the past 3 years then my whole life combine.

 
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