Snowbird
Salt Lake City · Utah · USA
988m
Vertical Drop
169
Runs
14
Lifts
1,011 ha
Skiable Area
1,300 cm
Avg Snowfall
Nov 2026 – May 2027
Season
Nearby town
Where workers live near Snowbird
Closest first — click to see jobs & living info.
About
Steep, deep-powder resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon, 45 minutes from Salt Lake City and 30 minutes from the international airport. 2,500 acres dominated by expert terrain — Snowbird's reputation for relentless steeps, narrow chutes, and 'the greatest snow on earth' draws hardcore skiers from around the world. Connected to neighbouring Alta via the Mineral Basin link (single-resort pass available). Long season usually runs well into May. Owned by the Cumming family.
Terrain & Mountain Profile
Run Breakdown
Summit
3,353m
Base
2,365m
Vertical Drop
988m
Lift Breakdown
1
Gondolas
11
Chairlifts
2
Surface Lifts
Employment & Recruitment
Estimated Seasonal Staff
1,200–1,800
Main Employers
- Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort
- Cliff Lodge & Spa
- The Lodge at Snowbird
- The Inn at Snowbird
- Iron Blosam Lodge
- Snowbird Ski School
- On-mountain F&B (multiple restaurants and bars)
Common Seasonal Jobs
Languages Required
- Visa Requirements
- International workers usually arrive on J-1 Exchange Visitor visas (Work & Travel) for 4-month seasonal roles, or H-2B for longer-term hires. Snowbird participates in J-1 programs through agencies like CIEE, InterExchange, and CCUSA. Australians can also apply for E-3 visas; PSIA-certified instructors sometimes sponsored on H-2B.
- Recruitment Timeline
- Snowbird begins hiring in August for the November opening. J-1 placement agencies match candidates from June–September. Most lift, F&B, and housekeeping roles fill by October. Instructors require PSIA / AASI certification. Apply through Snowbird's careers page.
Worker Amenities & Living
Staff Housing Available
- Cost of Living
- USD $300–$500 (Salt Lake City prices for off-mountain workers)
- Public Transport
- UTA Ski Bus runs from Salt Lake City to Snowbird daily during winter. Free Cottonwood Canyon shuttles between Snowbird base areas. The canyon road requires traction-controlled tires or chains during heavy snow; UDOT periodically closes the canyon for avalanche control. Most staff live in Salt Lake City or in Snowbird employee housing.
Staff Perks
- Free season pass (Snowbird + Alta on certain pass tiers)
- Staff meals at on-mountain F&B
- Pro deals on gear
- Discounted lodging for friends & family
- Free yoga and gym access at Cliff Spa
- Reciprocal benefits at partner resorts
Local Life & Community
- Après & Nightlife
- The Tram Club and El Chanate at the Cliff Lodge are après-ski staples. The General Gritts hotel deli and Forklift restaurant are popular post-ski. Salt Lake City (45 min) has a robust nightlife scene — staff often head into town for bigger nights. Utah's beer/liquor laws are quirky but don't stop the scene.
- Healthcare
- Snowbird Medical Clinic on-mountain during ski season. Intermountain Medical Center in Murray (45 min) for major emergencies. University of Utah Hospital in SLC (45 min). Pharmacies in Cottonwood Heights and SLC.
- Shops & Services
- On-mountain shops cover essentials (small market, gear retail, ski tuning). Cottonwood Heights and Sandy (40 min down-canyon) for full-service supermarkets, pharmacies, banks. Salt Lake City (45 min) for everything.
- International Community
- Medium-large — strong J-1 international community, particularly from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, the UK, Australia, and Eastern Europe. Tight-knit on-mountain staff scene and a bigger international community in Salt Lake City. English is the working language.
Outdoor Activities (Non-Ski)
Nearby Towns
Salt Lake City
40 km awayA full-sized city with four major ski areas within an hour — Snowbird is ~40km up Little Cottonwood Canyon. The big-city option: real rents, real jobs, and the UTA Ski Bus straight up the canyon.
Open Positions
No jobs posted yet for this resort. Check back soon or sign up for alerts.
Browse all jobs at Snowbird →Season
Nov 2026 – May 2027
Climate & Snow
- Winter Temps
- -10°C to -2°C
- Snow Reliability
- high
- Snowmaking
- 5% of runs
- Avg Snowfall
- 1,300 cm/yr
Location
40.5820°N, -111.6560°W
Nearest town: Salt Lake City