Hill Operations (Snowmakers and Lift Operators)

Hill Operations (Snowmakers and Lift Operators)

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Posting Date: Oct 12, 2026

Location

Cypress Hills - Hidden Valley , AB

Company

Government of Alberta

Job Information

Job Title: Hill Operations (Snowmakers and Lift Operators)

Job Requisition ID: 86029

Ministry: Forestry and Parks

Location: Cypress Hills – Hidden Valley Ski Hill

Full or Part-Time: Full-Time

Hours of Work: 40 hours per week

Permanent/Temporary/Wage: Wage Seasonal Positions

Scope: Open Competition

Closing Date: Open until suitable candidates are selected

Classification: Maintenance Service Worker 1 (MSW1)

Salary: ​$23.81 to $26.78 per hour

Wage Benefits

In addition to regular wages, regular Wage employees receive 11.6% in lieu of benefits and vacation leave:

• 5.6 percent of regular wage earnings instead of paid holidays.
• 6 percent of regular wage earnings instead of annual vacation pay.

In addition to the regular wages and the additional pay in lieu of benefits and vacation, regular wage employees are entitled to shift premium pay:

• $3.25 per hour for weekends and holidays
• $2.75 per hour for evenings
• $5.00 per hour for nights

Provincial Parks are essential to the quality of life that Albertans enjoy. They conserve our natural landscapes and wildlife habitat and offer a broad range of nature-based outdoor recreational opportunities. Alberta’s parks inspire people to discover, value, protect, and enjoy the natural world and the benefits it provides for current and future generations.

For more information on Park locations visit : https://albertaparks.ca/

Hidden Valley Ski Resort is located in Cypress Hills Provincial Park , (also known as Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park). The Park spans the Southeast corner of Alberta and the Southwest corner of Saskatchewan. The unique landscape of the area contrasts the surrounding prairie landscapes, making it an exciting destination for winter recreation opportunities.

The Ski Resort is located on the Alberta side of the park, 10 minutes from the town site of Elkwater, AB and 40 minutes from Medicine Hat, AB. For more information about Hidden Valley Ski Resort, visit https://albertaparks.ca/hiddenvalley .

Role Responsibilities

Do you enjoy winter outdoor work? Are you interested in supporting the snowmaking program or the skill hill lift operations at the Hidden Valley Ski Resort in Southern Alberta? We are looking to hire Hills Operations Staff (Snowmakers and Lift Operations) for the 2026 - 2027 ski and snowboard season.

As a Snowmaker , your duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Operating snowmaking equipment for creating manufactured snow from water resources.
• Producing quality snow through the use of air, water, and fan equipment.
• Constantly relocating guns and hoses to various areas around the mountain.
• Adjusting, turning or moving snow guns, sometimes by hand, to maintain snowmaking efficiency.
• Adjusting the water and/or air flow to snow guns.
• Changing nozzles on snow guns when necessary to maintain efficiency.
• Conducting regular maintenance checks on equipment, including checking water pipes, fluid levels and volume, temperature controls, energy consumption, and diesel fuel systems.
• Documenting and reporting mechanical/safety issues, completing maintenance logs and checklists.
• Performing light maintenance or repairs on equipment.
• Shoveling snow, removing snow around snowmaking equipment and other areas around the resort as needed.
• Maintaining all safety barriers, padding, and guards around snowmaking equipment.
• Working safely in close proximity to heavy equipment, high voltage, and high water pressures.
• Performing other duties as assigned while waiting for optimum snowmaking weather.
• Testing the quality of snow as it is made, reporting findings and conditions to the supervisor.
• Driving snowmobiles, trucks and ATVs as necessary.

Continued Role Responsibilities

As a Lift Operator within the Hills Operations role, your duties will include but are not limited to:

• Setting up lift area for public use, including putting up signs, maze equipment, garbage and cleanup of the area at the end of the day.
• Providing excellent customer service and creating positive memories for the guests.
• Checking guest tickets or passes ensuring they are current and valid.
• Operating the assigned lift safely and efficiently according to regulations and guidelines.
• Providing physical assistance to guests as required.
• Safely and efficiently helping guests load and unload the lifts while following all safe work procedures.
• Completing daily safety checks and record on lift logs.
• Constant snow removal and snow work. This includes sweeping, shoveling, ice chipping, and raking.
• May be required to assist in other departments as needed.

This position primarily works outdoors in variable winter weather conditions and cold temperatures and requires you to have great physical stamina. You will be required to work days, nights and evenings as scheduled by the supervisor. Working across departments may be required to fulfil operational needs.

Maintenance Workers may encounter emotionally challenging situations, participate in conflict resolution, interact with irritated or difficult visitors or provide support during emergencies events or incidents. Applicants should be prepared to manage these circumstances with composure, sound judgment, and effective communication skills. Support resources are available through our employee assistance programs.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

How Competencies will apply to this role

Agility : Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.

Build Collaborative Environments : Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.

Systems Thinking : Understands how the work done is part of a larger integrated environment. Looks beyond own area and considers how own work impacts the work and success of others.

Creative Problem-Solving : Ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Develop Self and Others : A commitment to learning and the desire to invest in the development of the capability of yourself and others.

Qualifications

Required

• Some high school education. High School Diploma is an asset but not required.
• Prior to hire, recognized current Intermediate Standard First Aid and CPR Level “C”/AED Certificates are needed, and must be maintained as current for the entire period of hire by the employee.
• WHMIS 2015 Certificate.

Additional Assets to be successful in the role

• Ability to stand for long periods of time; ability to lift 35 kg.
• Experience operating and maintaining equipment, including snowmaking equipment, snowmobiles, UTV’s as well as general ski hill experience.
• Knowledge of park facilities/services, especially Hidden Valley Ski Resort or at least familiarity with ski hill operations.
• Mechanical skills to assist with maintaining lifts or equipment.
• Good judgment and ability to work well as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification .

Notes

Terms of employment

• These positions will require outdoor work in a variety of weather conditions.
• Shifts are 8 hours a day, up to 40 hours a week (days, nights and evenings as scheduled by the supervisor).
• Candidates must be willing to work weekends and holidays, varying start dates from October 2026 until Marc