Winch Snowcat Operator
About the job
- A high school diploma or GED equivalent is required.
- Three years of experience related to grooming and winch cat operations are required.
- Knowledge of winch cat operation, grooming techniques, and snow feature construction is required.
- Skill in operating various types of snowcats, particularly in steep terrain and jump construction, is required.
- Ability to operate grooming equipment safely, follow written and oral instructions, communicate effectively, and maintain strong working relationships is required.
- A valid State of Colorado driver's license is required.
- Ability to stand, walk, reach, use hands to operate tools and machinery, work on steep and slippery terrain, and occasionally ski or snowboard is required.
- Ability to frequently lift up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift more than 100 pounds with assistance is required.
- Operate winch snowcats safely and in accordance with Parks & Recreation and City Fleet Department standards.
- Build, groom, and maintain all jumps within the ski jump complex so surfaces meet Federation Internationale de Ski standards.
- Perform technical grooming on steep terrain, including the Face of Howelsen Hill and additional runs as needed.
- Move and shape machine-made snow to create skiable surfaces and training features.
- Build freestyle mogul courses, jumps, and additional snow features for training and competition purposes.
- Operate other snowcats to support Alpine and Nordic grooming tasks when required.
- Work daytime, nighttime, weekend, and holiday shifts to support Howelsen Hill operations.
- Assist with general mountain operations, snow management, trail preparation, or event support as assigned.
- Work outdoors in extreme winter weather and around moving mechanical parts, vibration, wet or humid conditions, loud noise, heights, fumes or airborne particles, and electrical hazards.
About the company
Steamboat Springs provides municipal services and supports community programs for residents and visitors through its city departments. City operations are organized into departments that deliver programs for safety, recreation, infrastructure, and economic development, aiming to keep the area safe and welcoming for a year-round mountain lifestyle. It stands out with a strong western heritage, nearly a century of Olympian tradition, and an authentic small-town feel that blends outdoor recreation with community programs. The goal is to maintain a safe, vibrant, and sustainable community that preserves natural resources and heritage while supporting residents, visitors, and local businesses.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Founded
1900
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- July 2026 STR tax collections funded housing, despite a 4.76% sales-tax decline.
- The city won $1.5 million on July 2, 2026 for hybrid buses.
- Home Base Steamboat closed its first assistance deal on August 14, 2026.
What critics are saying
- July 2026 sales and STR taxes missed budget by $173,816 and 23%.
- SST winter ridership fell 11%, and cost per passenger hit $8.63.
- A prolonged tourism slowdown would cut sales tax, freezing transit, housing, and capital spending.
What makes City of Steamboat Springs unique
- Steamboat Springs runs free Yellow Zone microtransit citywide, updated September 8, 2026.
- The city pairs transit with real-time water analytics and AI leak detection.
- Its 2026 budget prioritizes Brown Ranch housing, utilities, and multimodal infrastructure.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Paid Sick Leave
Company News
Steamboat Springs Transit launching improved Yellow Zone app. NewsNews | Aug 31, 2026 Yellow Zone, Steamboat Springs' free door-to-door microtransit service, is launching an updated rider app Tuesday, Sept. 8 to provide a new look and simpler booking experience for users, according to a statement released on Monday. The transit service itself is not changing. Riders will still have access to free, on-demand transportation throughout the Yellow Zone service area during the same hours of operation. The updated app, along with having a refreshed feel, has been designed to make requesting a ride faster and more intuitive. Beginning Sept. 8, current riders will be prompted in the app to update it to its most recent version. "We're always looking for ways to make getting around Steamboat Springs easier," said Steamboat Springs Transit Manager Jonathan Flint in the statement. "This update gives riders a cleaner, more streamlined way to book their trips without changing anything about the free service they already know and rely on." Yellow Zone service operates daily from 7 a.m. to 6:20 p.m., connecting downtown Steamboat Springs with nearby neighborhoods. Transfers are required for trips to West Steamboat, Steamboat Resort and condominium areas. Government Aug 31, 2026
City of Steamboat Springs offers portal to track water usage, leaks. NewsNews | Jul 1, 2026 The city of Steamboat Springs has released a free new online portal for local residents to track water usage and identify potential issues before they become expensive problems, according to a statement released on Wednesday. Through the portal - accessible from a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer - users can view water consumption data in near-real time, track trends over time and get notifications when unusual water use may signal a leak. Portal features also include AI-powered insights, including personalized water-saving recommendations and usage comparisons, as well as utility notifications and downloadable reports. The portal is meant to be accessible for all users, with language options in English, Spanish and French and accessibility tools for those with visual impairments. "Understanding how and when water is being used gives customers the information they need to make smarter decisions," said Distribution and Collection Manager Michelle Carr in the statement. "This portal helps residents quickly identify leaks, monitor consumption patterns and find opportunities to conserve water," Carr continued. "By putting real-time usage data directly in customers' hands, we're helping protect a valuable community resource while potentially saving customers money on their utility bills." Environment Jul 2, 2026
Trail counter report 2025. TrafX trail counters process data on the quantity of users throughout the season and provide valuable information to land management partners, helping make decisions related to focus areas and priorities. Trail counter data is best used to understand trends over time rather than exact totals. Year-to-year comparisons focus on relative changes, seasonal patterns, and system-wide use rather than precise counts. The counter program is funded by the City of Steamboat in partnership with Routt County Riders. Counters began being placed in 2014, installed on a rolling basis as trail inventory increases and its usage patterns require new or updated monitoring. In 2025, RCR placed and monitored 26 trail counters: 20 infrared and 6 magnetic.
City of Steamboat Springs receives $1.5M for new hybrid buses. The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded 13 Colorado projects more than $60 million. Colorado Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper said in a news release that the funds from the federal transportation department's buses program and low- or no-emission program established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will benefit mountain communities. "I am grateful to see that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is still bringing positive changes to Colorado," Bennet said in a statement. "This funding will continue and build upon the work we've done to ensure Colorado's public transit system is cleaner and greener." The low- or no-emission program provides grants to purchase zero- or low-emission buses for public transportation. The buses program provides grants for replacing, rehabilitating or purchasing buses. "Safer commutes. Cleaner air," Hickenlooper said in a statement. "Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law keeps delivering big wins for Colorado." The following projects are among those in Colorado mountain communities to receive funding: Steamboat Springs will receive $1.5 million to buy new hybrid buses to increase capacity. The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority will receive about $10.5 million to buy buses, including hybrid buses, to replace older buses. The Eagle Valley Transportation Authority will receive $1 million in funding to construct new bus shelters at rural transit stops where none currently exist. Winter Park will receive about $1 million to rehabilitate its Winter Park Transit Maintenance Facility. The Gunnison Valley Transportation Authority will receive about $750,000 to buy a commuter bus to replace an older bus.
The City of Steamboat has received a $100,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation.