Description:

The Snow Safety Supervisor - Lead Avalanche Forecaster directs and maintains the avalanche control operation, minimizing operational interruptions, with the primary emphasis being the forecasting of avalanches within the operational boundary of the Ski Area. Overseeing the operation of the control program, the Lead Avalanche Forecaster is responsible for the health and safety of ski area staff required to enter avalanche terrain, and the safety of all guests who come to enjoy the skiing experience at Sunshine Village. This role will set performance goals and develop training plans for Avalanche Technicians, Ski Patrol Supervisors and senior patrollers.

The Lead Avalanche Forecaster reports to the Senior Supervisor of Public Safety and the Mountain Operations Manager, and works closely with all operational departments and third‑party providers. In their role as the Snow Safety Supervisor, they are responsible for the administration of the Snow Safety department including payroll, performance reviews and training of staff. The Snow Safety Supervisor – Lead Avalanche Forecaster collaborates with the Ski Patrol Supervisors to direct mentoring and identify training needs to help develop route leaders within each shift.

Essential Functions:

- The primary responsibility of this role is to oversee, manage and delegate the daily duties pertaining to avalanche safety, including: performing avalanche control when required; overseeing the timely opening of terrain and ski lifts; providing first aid and managing lift evacuations, where required; and communicating changing weather, closures, and any atypical operating conditions.
- Creating and overseeing public information generated for avalanche forecasting,



reviewing for content, accuracy, and readability.
- Implementing avalanche control strategies – maintaining a safe and enjoyable skiing environment.
- Implementing terrain closures in association with other functional operations managers when avalanche hazard cannot be mitigated.
- Collecting pertinent data including weather, snowpack, and avalanche observations.
- Providing prompt, productive and courteous assessment, treatment and transport to those who require it.
- Extremely knowledgeable about the ski area, its operational boundaries, and nearby backcountry.
- Enforcing ski area policies within the limits of authority.
- Participating in public and staff education on safe skiing and riding at the ski area and elsewhere.
- Communicating changing weather, closures, and atypical operating conditions.
- Professional radio usage, language, and protocols.
- Maintaining signage, equipment, and monitoring the conditions of slopes.
- Implementing the Sunshine Village Emergency Response Plan and all Emergency Response Assistance Plans, including, but not limited to Medical and/or Trauma, Avalanche rescue, Lift and Gondola evacuation, High Angle rescue, Search & Rescue and Security emergencies. Can undertake Scene Commander, Base Commander and/or Incident Commander functions on all types of emergency response.

- Training trainer in lift,



gondola, and self‑evacuation procedures and rope rescue techniques.
- Reviews and develops training programs on an ongoing and annual basis.
- Leading and coordinating avalanche rescue and control operations.

- Documenting all training, explosives use, avalanche control work performed, and completing tasks as part of the Snow Safety competency tracker along with continuing education programs.
- Effectively handling a toboggan, along with operating a snowmobile and other oversnow vehicles within abilities, after initial or recurrent training is completed in accordance with the Snowmobile Training Program.

- Acting as a leader and mentor to Public Safety team members along with other Mountain Operations staff.

- Function within a team environment adhering to all aspects of the Avalanche Safety Plan.
- Creating and maintaining a positive team environment offering support and encouragement to leaders and individual contributors; imparting knowledge, assisting with training, striving to maintain effective communication. Maintaining an environment where constructive feedback is welcomed, heard, and responded to.

- Direct and supervise daily operation of the Snow Safety department. Direct the daily operation of Ski Patrol in the absence of Ski Patrol Supervisors or Assistant Supervisors.

Administrative and Reporting Responsibilities:

- - Timely completion of documentation of avalanche data - weather and avalanche observations and explosives use.
- Maintain an inventory and maintenance record of all equipment that pertains to the avalanche control program; submit work plans and detailed budgets for prevent

📌 Snow Safety Supervisor (Banff)
🏢 Sunshine Village
📍 Banff