Fernie Wilderness Adventures is looking for a Lead Guide to join our backcountry cat ski operation this winter.
As an experienced and certified ski guide, you will guide clients through our terrain while managing hazards and risks for FWA, our guests, and our staff.
To be successful in this role you will need to provide exceptional guest experience on the mountain and at the lodge. Your responsibilities will include assisting with the supervision, training, and mentoring of our mountain team to ensure they demonstrate effective risk management while meeting expectations surrounding the guest experience and safety. Working closely with the mountain team and the operations manager you will be expected to assist with leading the day-to-day operations.
General Responsibilities:
· Minimizing risks in the mountains while maximizing the guest experience
· Organize, lead, and assist with managing the daily cat ski program
· Demonstrate excellent communication and teamwork skills involved with guiding, management, and all FWA staff
· Take an active role in facilitating and leading guide meetings
· Ability to exercise sound risk management skills with safe decision-making
· Interacting with guests in a respectful, friendly, and courteous way, ensuring their safety, comfort, enjoyment, and individual needs are met
· Assist with supervising, training, and developing the mountain team
· Confident in delivering clear instructions to guests and co-workers in a positive and effective manner
· Maintain equipment as necessary to ensure functionality, treat equipment issued to you with due care and return when requested
· Able to familiarize yourself with the terrain by asking questions during guide meetings and by studying maps and winter/summer run photos
· Come prepared for meetings to provide knowledgeable, appropriate, and focused feedback to help the guiding team analyze and effectively manage hazards and risk, and to provide a suitable and enjoyable ski program. Exercise authority, at any time, to veto any decision which, in your judgment, may compromise safety
· Have a thorough working knowledge and competence in all technical systems associated with the operation. Participate in annual trainings to refresh and upgrade these skills
· Be physically fit and mentally well prepared to be able to effectively perform the duties of a guide
Minimum Qualifications:
· ACMG Ski guide or IFMGA Mountain Guide or CSGA Level 3
· Current 80-hour First Aid ticket
· Minimum 5 years of experience as a guide
· CAA Operations Level 2
· WCB Avalanche Control Blaster’s Certification, preferred
· Experience with ski programs that involve snowcats, preferred
Other Requirements and Qualities:
· Able to prioritize tasks and responsibilities in a complex and fast-paced environment with workload fluctuations and changing priorities
· Demonstrates integrity, discretion, critical thinking, adaptability, and effective problem-solving
· Drivers licenses and means of transportation
· Able to lift, carry, or otherwise move and position up to 40 pounds on a regular basis
· This position is required to work on weekends and holidays, based on the needs of the business
Hours:
· 10-hour days, up to full-time December through end of March
· Hours are dependent on bookings and weather
Wage:
· $400-$475 – depending on experience
· gratuities
Benefits:
· Lunch included in daily shift
· Employer-paid training in key areas of the role
· First aid course reimbursement for employees that meet our seasonal commitment requirement
· Cat skiing opportunities
· Potential for staff accommodation
Work Location: In person
