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Last Updated: 05/03/2024 06:54 PM
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mountain
& passes
& rentals
& real estate
sugar bowl
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Sugar Bowl is closed for the 2023/24 season. |
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Road Conditions | ||
I-80 | Visit dot.ca.gov for details | |
Highway 40 (I-80 - Sugar Bowl) | Open - Carry Chains | |
Highway 40 (Truckee - Sugar Bowl) | Open - Carry Chains |
mountain
& passes
& rentals
& real estate
sugar bowl
tubing
gorge xc
Mtn. Conditions | Base | Summit | ||
Currently | ° | -° | ||
MPH Winds | - | |||
Base | -" | -" | ||
24 Hour Snow | -" | -" | ||
Overnight Snow | -" | -" | ||
Daytime Snow | -" | -" |
Resort Status | ||
Hours of Operation: | ||
Sugar Bowl is closed for the 2023/24 season. |
Mtn. Report | |
Open Runs | 0 |
Groomed Runs | 0 |
Scheduled Lifts | 0 |
Open Lifts | 0 |
Road Conditions | ||
I-80 | Visit dot.ca.gov for details | |
Highway 40 (I-80 - Sugar Bowl) | Open - Carry Chains | |
Highway 40 (Truckee - Sugar Bowl) | Open - Carry Chains |
UP HERE,
YOU'RE FAMILY
Sugar Bowl remains family-owned and independent, making us one of the best spots to work in the region. Whether you're searching for a seasonal job, or a career in the mountains, we have a position suited for you.
SEASONAL
EMPLOYMENT
Hourly wages starting at $20 for most positions
Comfortable & affordable housing available*
*Housing on a first-come, first-served basis
Plus more perks, employee parties, & benefits
And of course, free skiing & riding!
SEASONAL
POSITIONS
Comfortable & affordable housing (first-come, first-served)
Employee parties, & benefits
Free skiing & riding, of course!
MOUNTAIN
CAREERS
Industry-leading compensation for management
Great coverage for health, dental, vision & life insurance
Company matched 401K up to 100% of the first 3%
Affordable manager-specific housing available
Free skiing & riding, of course!
MOUNTAIN
CAREERS
Great insurance coverage
Company matched 401K
Affordable housing available
Free skiing & riding, of course!
TAKE PRIDE IN WHERE YOU WORK
Earn at Every Turn
Skiing and riding are free for employees but that's just the beginning of what a job at Sugar Bowl has to offer. Seasonal roles are available for indoor and outdoor positions, day and night. Whether you are seeking a full-time opportunity or part-time hours, we have a path for you. Our family of seasonal staff is an integral part of bringing this proudly independent resort to life. From delivering the warm-friendly service we are known for to educating our guests about the resort's sustainability mission at Sugar Bowl our team is the key to success.
Why Work at 'The Bowl':
- More employee housing than any other resort in the region. All seasonal-employee housing is 3 miles from the resort or closer, saving you gas and time in addition to the affordable rent. Housing is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Wages starting at $20/hour for most positions including lift operations, housekeeping, gondola attendant and more.
- Lift ticket discounts at tons of resorts including 24 destinations thanks to the Mountain Collective
- Proudly independent and family-owned resort, since 1939.
- We appreciate you...for you. We work at a ski area, not a corporate office so bring on the tattoos, piercings, and hair with flair.
- Advancement opportunities: We love to hire from within for management and career positions.
- Multiple employee parties throughout the year, including exclusive ski/ride sessions.
- Enjoy Uncrowded: Our guests are not the only ones who get to enjoy uncrowded slopes.
- Is Sugar Bowl the Right Place for you? Take the Quiz
Perks and Benefits
Free skiing for you & qualified dependents.
That’s right– free skiing & riding for you AND your qualified dependents. Both full and part-time Sugar Bowl employees can take advantage of this privilege, potentially saving your family thousands of dollars in season pass fees. Employees and their dependents are issued our highest tier unrestricted pass, which has no blackout dates. We think sliding on snow is much more fun with your favorite adventure buddies.If you are scratching your head about who “qualifies,” think spouse, domestic partner, kids, etc. and reach out to human resources for more information.
*Some restrictions apply based on hours worked and age of dependents.
Be the hero. Hook up friends and family with a huge discount.
Trust us, when your friends and family find out you work at Sugar Bowl, they are going to ask you if you can get them a lift ticket. We got you! Each employee earns a stack of $20 ticket vouchers to share. It’s as easy as logging in to your employee account and emailing them directly to your crew. The best part is that each season you work at Sugar Bowl you earn more $20 vouchers. Spread the love!And there aren't just any resorts...try 24 of the top destinations across the globe.
Sugar Bowl is part of the Mountain Collective, which means our employees get treated like royalty when visiting other Mountain Collective resorts. The list of resorts is pretty amazing and includes bucket-list stops like Aspen, Jackson Hole, Snowbird, Taos and even Chamonix. Our team members get 50% off at each of these resorts, but please check with the visiting resort prior to arrival for redemption information.Get geared up for the winter.
Our local shop, Village Ski & Sports, carries the latest in hard goods from Volkl, Nordica and Giro plus soft goods from Patagonia, Helly Hansen, Arc'teryx, and more. It’s the only place to purchase our limited-edition Sugar Bowl merch, and you’ll score it at a fraction of the cost. Your employee discount knocks a hefty 20%-40% off (depending on position) everything at the shop.Even More Deals: Sugar Bowl and ExpertVoice have collaborated to offer team members huge deals with brands like Oakley, SMITH, 686, Flylow and Dakine, and tons more.
If free swag is more your style, be sure to attend our employee appreciation parties hosted throughout the season– there’s usually a great raffle!
Affordable and convenient employee housing available.
If you work at Sugar Bowl you qualify to live in our employee housing. Over 150 beds are located 1-3 miles from the resort, and some are even slopeside. The resort-subsidized rent makes living in the region affordable for all our team members, from seasonal employees to supervisors & managers. Learn more about our affordable employee housing.Full time or part-time, day or night? We have a role for you.
Sugar Bowl has a variety of part-time and full-time positions available, both indoors and outdoors. Would you rather work the evenings, so you won’t miss a single powder day? Have the opportunity to skin up the mountain at 6am before starting work each day? Squeeze in 3 hot laps on your lunch break? Or maybe choose a job that IS skiing, like patrol or ski & board school. Reach out to a recruiter and Sugar Bowl will try to find a position to match your schedule needs.Let the mountain be your office.
Perched atop of Donner Summit, our work environment is like no other. Take lunch and head out for a 30-minute ski break every day for the best “office view” around. The surrounding Sierra are a sight to behold – from the jagged Palisades, to the jewel of Donner Lake, to the exposed ridge of the Pacific Crest stretching off into the distance– it’s a lot to take in!Our guests are not the only ones enjoying uncrowded slopes.
Chances are that you have some idea about how crowded resorts and roadways can get in Tahoe (or any major mountain town for that matter.) At Sugar Bowl, we do things a little differently to prevent the mountain from becoming overcrowded. We choose to limit our season pass sales every season and our lift ticket sales every day. That means less traffic getting here, less people in line, and less skiers on the mountain. That means more fun for you– a better experience at work and while commuting to and from work. We won’t lie, traveling to any mountain resort in Tahoe can be challenging in the winter, but at least you won’t be stuck on 267 or 89 in endless traffic backed up to the parking lots.Read more about how we keep the slopes uncrowded in our blog post Escape to Uncrowded.
Have the mountain to yourself for a bit.
We mentioned our legendary employee parties earlier but we have to circle back. During the winter months, we host a few employee parties where we spin the lifts outside of normal operating hours exclusively for employees. Imagine ripping around a private mountain with your coworkers, capping it off with free dinner and beverages on the sundeck. It’s an all-time good time.Get the resources needed to progress on the slopes.
Just getting started with snow sports? We can hook you up with free rental skis, snowboards, and/or boots. You also have access to group lessons at our renowned ski & board school on midweek days during non-holiday periods*. We all started somewhere, and we’re excited to welcome you to the sport! *Subject to availability.Close & Convenient Employee Housing
Close & Convenient Employee Housing
Mark B. - Village Services
Dana D. - Tickets
Garrett B. - Shipping & Receiving
Joel C. - Tickets & Retails
Maggie E. - Marketing
Parker G. - Terrain Parks
Madi M. - Human Resources
Joe M. - Gondola Operations
Sarah D. - Food & Beverage
Darrin S. - Gondola Manager
ABOUT SUGAR BOWL
A Place with Character
Sugar Bowl has a wholly unique vibe. Our character is built upon our authenticity, independence, and historic charm while our massive annual snowfall and legendary terrain sets us apart. At the same time, our resort is family-friendly and there's plenty of beginner and intermediate terrain to explore. All this comes together and makes Sugar Bowl a special place to experience and a great place to work. (Learn more about Sugar Bowl's History)
The Employee Experience
Being an employee at Sugar Bowl is the epitome of "work hard play hard", which means that in addition to the duties of your job, there's also often a lot of FUN going around here too! For starters, you'll be joining a community of passionate and hardy mountain-loving individuals– hello new ski buddies. Next, you have the opportunity for great ski and ride breaks during your shift– yep, best lunch break ever. And finally, there's tons of events going on around the resort. Watch out for great events like our Banked Slalom, the legendary Tiki Pond Skim, an uphill ski touring race, a poker-themed scavenger hunt, and terrain park and big mountain competitions. We also host local musicians and bands just about every weekend throughout the season– because yes, après is that important!
The Sugar Bowl Values
Our mission is to ensure the spirit of Sugar Bowl lives on, every day, for everyone, forever.
- We are real
- We have a golden heritage that grounds us and inspires who we are. This is our inherent strength and what makes this place classically cool and charming. We always act with the utmost integrity, honestly and respect for each other. We are inclusive, generous and always welcoming. We balance positivity and friendliness with hard work and resilience. We pride ourselves on having being emotionally smart and understand the importance of relationships. We listen carefully to our environment and respond appropriately. We’re upfront and down-to-earth, a place where we can be the best versions of ourselves.
- We are all part of this community
- We’re proud to be part of a dynamic community of owners, staff, guests and partners. We work as a team to give everyone the consideration and respect they deserve. We build capability, trust and confidence in each other – always stronger together and conscious of everyone we connect with. Good people looking after good people and it comes from the heart. Sugar Bowl is a special place and the way we treat each other; our owners and guests reflects that. We ensure that everyone's experience with us is truly memorable and in some magical way, enriches their life.
- We are guardians
- We are deeply connected to this place and its people, proud guardians of our environment, heritage and the wellbeing of everyone around us. We’re highly respectful of the legacy we’ve inherited and give our all to protect and enhance the special spirit of Sugar Bowl for generations to come.
- We love it
- We’re high energy people who love Sugar Bowl and what we do – it’s why we’re here. We feel the same sense of awe and excitement our villagers and guests feel, enjoying this amazing experience, working hard to keep it special and taking real pride in what we create and share. We take ownership and responsibility of our behavior and actions. We know how this affects those around us and especially how it can bring out the best in us.
- We make it magical
- We bring our best to Sugar Bowl | Royal Gorge every single day. We strive for excellence and make sure we achieve it through constant improvement, focusing on what is of value, high performance targets and measurable results. We are always curious, open to all ideas, seeking ways to innovate and especially understanding what is uniquely possible for us. We embrace the responsibility and privilege of creating magical moments and genuine happiness every day, keeping the true spirit of Sugar Bowl alive and humming for all to enjoy.
Sugar Bowl puts the "Home" in Home Mountain
The legendary terrain and plentiful snowfall alone would make Sugar Bowl a good place to work, but it's the authentic alpine spirit, our old school charm, the company values, and our fun-forward atmosphere that make it a truly special place to work. Now that you've gotten to know us a little bit, it's clear to say that we've got plenty of character to go around. We hope you'll consider becoming a part of our community by joining the team.
AVAILABLE POSITIONS
- Both indoor and outdoor positions are available now!
- If you’re ready to work outdoors this winter, check out available positions in lift operations, ski & board school, snowmaking, village services, snow removal and more.
- Looking for a job based inside the lodge? Explore openings in food & beverage, tickets, marketing, human resources, IT, rentals, retail and more.
- Hours are flexible to fit your schedule.
- Choose a full-time role or a part-time job; both have great benefits.
- Plenty of day shift options are available as well as swing shift or night shift options.
Working Here
About The Team:
There are a lot of jobs out there, so what makes someone choose Sugar Bowl? There’s something special about working at this quirky independent resort perched on Donner Summit. Wanna know what it is? You’re in luck, we’ve compiled our top 5 favorite reasons to be a part of the team.
Change is the air, and we’re not just referring to the snowflakes. Bridget Legnavsky is the new CEO at Sugar Bowl. Bridget hails from New Zealand, where she was the CEO for RealNZ, which manages Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone Ski Resort, where Bridget has been General Manager since 2014.
Our team is continuing to grow with exceptional talent! We have recently welcomed a new Executive Chef to the team, Jason Landas. Read about his culinary background and his aspirations for Sugar Bowl’s F&B future.
5 Reasons to Work at Sugar Bowl
There are a lot of jobs out there, so what makes someone choose Sugar Bowl? There’s something special about working at this quirky independent resort perched on Donner Summit… (Hint: it’s not just our massive snowfall or legendary terrain.) Wanna know what it is? You’re in luck, we’ve compiled our top 5 favorite reasons to be a part of the team.
1. Skiers first, professionals second
Nearly every day of the season, employees have an opportunity to get out and ski or ride during their work day. Their manager will often be the one telling them to take lunch and get out for a few laps. If it’s a powder day, don’t be surprised to hear “stop typing and get your boots on.” Working at Sugar Bowl is a way to integrate a passion for winter sports into a job.
2. Expansive terrain across four mighty peaks, all on your lunch break.
The terrain at Sugar Bowl is legendary and it’s fun to ride all season, in all conditions. If an employee wants to max out a quick lunch, they can often squeeze in 3 hot laps on Disney in 30 minutes. If it’s a powder day, they might venture over to scope out some big honkin’ lines between Sugar Bowl and the Palisades. In the spring, wide open groomers and perfect corn are the name of the game… All this and we didn’t even spill the beans on our staff favorite secret zones to ski!
3. There’s an opportunity for impact at an independent mid-sized resort.
Our base of operations is right here at Sugar Bowl, not at a high-rise office building in another state. The people who run this resort are here at the mountain nearly every day.
We think Sugar Bowl is a Goldilocks-sized company– We’re not too big, not too small. We’re small enough that our employees can directly see and feel the impact of the work they contribute to the resort. At the same time, we’re big enough that, if we channel our resources, we have enough manpower to meet and exceed our goals.
4. Plus tons of perks to sweeten the Sugar Bowl deal.
Where do we start? Employees and their qualified dependents are issued free unrestricted season passes. Additionally, all employees are granted a bundle of $20 friends and family day ticket vouchers to share. Wages have recently increased and now start at $20/hour for most positions. Sugar Bowl has more employee housing than any resort in the region, plus, it’s affordable and fun. The cherry on the cake has got to be our epic employee parties, where a few times a season, we stay open outside of operating hours and run the lifts for the staff to enjoy the mountain privately.
5. Of course we’re a team, but we’re also a community
What happens when you bring together a group of passionate mountain-loving individuals? In our experience, it builds one truly special community. From first-year seasonal staff to year-round employees with decades of experience, everyone on team Sugar Bowl is part of building up our resort’s character.
What really sets Sugar Bowl apart from other resorts is our great team. We are known for regularly going above and beyond for our guests, for our genuine, friendly employees, and our desire to help guests create lasting memories. These elements are at the core of our brand and our culture. We call it “Plus One Service,” a commitment to ensuring we exceed our guests’ expectations.
The Sugar Bowl community is welcoming and full of opportunities for growth. The best way to describe being an employee here is “work hard play hard” which means that in addition to the duties of the job, there’s also often a lot of FUN going around here too!
Direct from our Employees
Speaking of community, let’s bring our staff into the conversation. We asked employees from a range of departments to explain why they choose to work at Sugar Bowl. Trigger warning, their answers might give you the warm-and-fuzzies, or is that just us?
Parker G, Terrain Parks Manager
“Sugar Bowl is independent and family-oriented. It’s definitely not a small mountain but it still has that small-mountain community feel. I have a young family and it’s the kind of place I would want my kid to learn to ski.”
Sarah Duffy, Special Events & Weddings Coordinator
“I have met so many lifelong friends at Sugar Bowl, when I started here I hardly skied and I didn’t know many people in the area. After two years here I am confidently ripping down the mountain with endless ski pals! Plus- it doesn’t get much better than skiing on your lunch break!”
Dave Eastwood, Royal Gorge General Manager
“I work at Sugar Bowl for two reasons – the staff and my love of the outdoors. The staff is like a family and we all work as a team to make Sugar Bowl the best resort in the Sierra. The local outdoor scene is fantastic in summer and winter. Whether it’s cycling, trail running, hiking, skiing or riding, the Donner Summit area has something for everyone.”
Mark Beevor, Executive Director of Hospitality
“I stumbled across Sugar Bowl by accident and have found it combines my passion for hospitality and my love of the mountains. One of our values is that we celebrate resilience. When it is time to come together because of big events or big snow no one misses a beat. We are a community first and our employees go out of their way to help each other, homeowners and visitors. This is not something that is taught but rather is at the very core of everyone that works here and that’s why I love it.”
Joel C, Skier Services Manager
“Having worked at both large, corporate ski resorts and small, independent ski areas over the past 25 years, I can confidently say that Sugar Bowl is the best of both worlds. Being an employee here makes you a part of the Sugar Bowl family. We care about each other, our mountain, our community, and we love to ski and ride!”
Well there you have it, 5 reasons (and then some) to work at Sugar Bowl. Apply today for an opportunity to learn what else is great about our work environment. We can’t wait to show you around.
Bridget Legnavsky – Our New President & CEO
We have big news — and the dusting of snow across the mountain tops is the perfect backdrop for an exciting announcement. Change is the air, and we’re not just referring to the snowflakes. We have a new President and CEO at Sugar Bowl, Bridget Legnavsky.
Bridget hails from New Zealand, where she was the Chief Experience Officer for RealNZ, a tourism company that manages multiple outdoor adventure operations. Two operations under RealNZ are Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone Ski Resort, where Bridget has been General Manager since 2014.
Bridget has recently relocated to Sugar Bowl along with her husband (Peter) and two kids (Gustav, 17 and Zora, 12). As a family, they are all about snowsports; Peter is an Olympic ski coach for their son Gustav, an Olympic freeskier in the halfpipe. Their daughter, Zora, is focused on ski racing and will attend the Sugar Bowl Academy this winter.
Are you as excited to get to know Bridget as we are? You’re in luck, because we recently sat down with Bridget for a one-on-one. Check out the interview to get a sense of Bridget’s enthusiasm to lead team Sugar Bowl.
Q: How is your family feeling about moving to the United States?
“The kids are super excited. Zora especially. She thinks it’s going to be an adventure. This kind of thing can be really hard— We’ve been in Wanaka for 30 years and we have lots of connections here, but the way we look at it, this is a great opportunity to go on a family adventure and do something really different, so we don’t end up doing the same thing our whole lives.”
Q: What is something that is different about skiing and riding in New Zealand that people, like myself, who have only ever skied in North America, might not know?
“One of the things that’s unique to Cardrona, is the number of Olympic athletes that congregate there during September. It’s quite an environment. That’s how New Zealand become well-known, due to its results on the world stage in ski racing and park.
The most interesting thing, if you’ve never been to New Zealand, is that you don’t live in the snow. Every day you drive from the town, which is literally always green. In the evenings after skiing, you play golf, go mountain biking, and sometimes in the springtime, you water ski, similar to what it would be like living around Tahoe in the summer.
Since we don’t live in the snow, when you want to go to the mountain, you drive for about 45 minutes up a dirt road. Oftentimes you’ll put on chains, since the roads can be quite difficult. Truckee would be similar to Wanaka, but imagine it always being as green as summertime and then you drive up to Sugar Bowl to come skiing. In New Zealand, we don’t have the same kind of full immersion snow experience as you do in California during winter.”
Q: Is there any jargon that gets used in New Zealand ski culture that we don’t use in North America?
“I don’t know but I’m going to find out really soon. I will probably say something, and people will look at me like, “what is she talking about?” That’s when I’ll start to work out if there is or isn’t jargon.
I notice in ski culture, especially around brand voice, that it’s a lot to do with generation. There’s a lot of words out there like “froth” and all the words that young people are using. One thing that I’ve found is that if you try too hard, you come across like a dork.”
Q: I heard a rumor that you speak Maori, so I was wondering how you say, “Do you want to go skiing tomorrow” in Maori?
“Kei te pirangi koe, ki te haere retireti apopo?”
And how do I say yes, I’ll go skiing with you tomorrow?
You just go, “Hoake.”
Q: Are you a skier or snowboarder?
“I’m a skier, long time skier. I did snowboard a bit back when I was about 20 and working in Japan. It was back in the day when snowboarding was banned from certain areas, so we were only allowed to snowboard on the beginner slopes. I had Sorels that I put my ski boot liners in because that’s how we started snowboarding.”
Q: Can you describe your best powder day of all time?
“I think I’m about to have it at Sugar Bowl this winter!”
Good answer [laughing]
“Yeah, it was on my birthday, and we went heli skiing with my family. The four of us went together but we can only just keep up with the kids now. We spent the whole day heli skiing in the Harris Mountains and that was pretty special. It’s not always just about the powder. It’s more around the environment that you’re in and the people that you’re with that make it really special.”
Q: What is it that inspires you to come to Sugar Bowl and lead the team?
“It was a little bit of stars aligning. Someone contacted me and told me about it. After COVID, the idea of coming over to an American resort to have a look around was really attractive. I was like, “Oh hell yeah, I’m going for a trip.” When I got here, what inspired me the most was the people and the place. People and place, that’s always what inspires me.
I’m blown away by the commitment and resilience of the executive team. Their absolute love for Sugar Bowl — I’ve seen that before — I know you need that. You just can’t run a ski resort like Sugar Bowl without it. It’s never a one-person game, you have to have a talented and experienced team around you and I see that here.
Then, of course, I’m attracted to the style of resort as independent, small, capable of moving fast, and with quite a lot of autonomy. I love what the Sugar Bowl Academy stands for and I love what the villagers stand for.”
Q: What would you say is your approach to building a strong team?
“Getting the right people into the right jobs is really important. You bring together the right skill sets and the talent, and it’s about how you slot together to build the strongest pillar that you possibly can. I’m a strong believer that when people are in a space where they are happy and positive, they are more open and willing to learn, and have the opportunity to be playful, creative and innovative — that’s when the magic happens.
Sometimes we forget what’s important. Make sure you go out for a ski every day. Make sure you go out for a ride. Do something, no matter how busy you are. Get out and remind yourself why you’re here. Stay passionate.”
Q: At Sugar Bowl, is there anything that you are excited to create?
“I don’t want to jump to any conclusions. I’m going to start by listening to what’s going on and react. The resort has to keep moving forward so people want to keep coming back. That will be in the kind of experience they have on the hill, the way our staff treat people, the type of events we run, the food and beverage, the music — everything that makes them want to come back. I don’t think there’s anything mind-blowing there, but I think making sure we maintain relevancy by keeping Sugar Bowl cool is what we’re all about.”
Q: What do you think your biggest challenge will be coming into your new role?
“Well, my challenge is definitely going to be cultural since I come from a different country. I’ve run ski resorts for a long time in New Zealand but I’m going to walk into a completely different culture and different legislation system in a different community. So, as you can imagine, over my time in New Zealand I’ve built up a strong network of people that support me in my staff and the community. Now at Sugar Bowl I’m going to be relying on the team around me to jump in and help. Also, obviously legislation will be completely different in the US than it was in New Zealand, so those are some of my biggest challenges. I’m going to rely deeply on the team around me to help get through those ones.”
Q: Outside of skiing and riding, what would you say that you’re most passionate about?
“It kind of surprises people until they really get to know me — because I can come across as quite resilient and quite strong because I, you know, have grown up in a world of ski area operations — But I love fashion.
And if you saw the number of boxes that I was boxing out now with clothes, it’s absolutely ridiculous. I was sitting there with my daughter before going, thinking — I can’t leave all these here because I just need to be able to wear them. I have got a lot of clothes and I absolutely love fashion. I started up a retail chain in New Zealand and had a few stores in my off time — I just love it.”
Q: That is such a fun fact! I can’t wait to see what fun outfits you wear this winter.
[laughing] “I’m just trying to decide whether to box my gold moon boots or pack them and carry them with me because I don’t know how desperate I would be for them when I arrive.”
Q: Should the community at Sugar Bowl expect any changes this season when you begin your role?
“Absolutely not straight away because the team’s doing a wonderful job. I think where I’d like to start is hearing from the community. We will be reaching out and listening. I will be out and about — they will see a lot of me because I love to ski and I love to eat. So I’ll be around.
I can’t wait to meet everyone and hear what they think. I will definitely be looking at opportunities around environmental sustainability because it’s a real passion for me. I’ll be interested in the resort taking on a stronger position around climate. The team is already moving on that — I think it’s great.
But first and foremost, to get there, we must deliver incredible guest experiences. In order to focus on the guest, we must focus on the frontline staff. I’m a real believer in focusing on how the frontline staff feel about themselves in order to deliver amazing experiences to our guests.”
Q: Last question, and this one involves a little bit of imagination — We’re all eager for opening day, what do you picture opening day at Sugar Bowl looking like?
“I imagine standing at the first lift that opens with champagne, saying hello to everyone, high fiving everyone. The piece that I love the most is watching people’s faces as they get their skis on. You can see it — It’s the feeling that you get under your feet when you ski. So when you watch people go and do their first runs of the season, it’s just so good. I’m looking forward to watching our team lift to it and also to going and doing some runs myself!”
Serving Up Change With Jason Landas
Our team is continuing to grow with exceptional talent! We would like to introduce our new Executive Chef, Jason Landas. Jason has been working in kitchens for the last 14 years, including 3 Michelin Star restaurants, one of which he helped get its first star rating. He and his family just moved to the Tahoe area and are eager to put down roots in their new mountain home. Jason’s culinary expertise and leadership have elevated the entire food & beverage program at Sugar Bowl. Over the past couple of months, Jason has revamped dining experiences for Sugar Bowl patrons across every venue at the Resort, from the Belt Room to the Sunset Grill.
How did you get into the food and beverage industry?
I played a lot of sports growing up. Then after high school, when I didn’t have a sports team to be a part of anymore it really left this hole in my life. My roommate at the time in college was working at a kitchen down in Santa Barbara. He told me to come down and check it out, explaining that being in a kitchen was the closest thing to being on a sports team that you can get. I went in one day and the moment service started, I was hooked. The way they worked together as a team, the intensity, the controlled chaos, the comradery, the way we spoke to each other, everyone working together towards a common goal, all of it really filled that aspect that I felt like I was missing.
At first, I was helping with prep in the kitchen. I had experience bartending and serving before that. But I got hooked on working in the kitchen so I shifted to the back of the house. I really just started helping where I was needed so I could learn and grow my foundation. And now I’ve been doing it for about 14 years.
Do you think if your friend hadn’t ever invited you to come work in that kitchen that you would’ve ended up in the kitchen?
I don’t know, I really don’t think so. I was originally in school to be a history teacher. I wanted to be a teacher and coach sports. So I don’t think so.
What made you choose to come to Sugar Bowl?
For me, my wife is from a small town and we have a daughter who is almost 4 years old and about to start preschool. Before we were living in San Francisco and we just didn’t want to raise her in the city. We wanted to be a part of a smaller community. After moving up to Truckee and being introduced to Sugar Bowl, this was the first spot out of all the places I interviewed where I saw a great range of potential. There’s a rich history at Sugar Bowl with an opportunity to elevate the guest experience and the food program, to truly leave a mark. That’s what intrigued me. In sports, being a leader was an important role for me so this opportunity felt right, it felt like I could make an impact here.
How is this job different from other restaurant jobs you’ve had?
Besides the beautiful environment and scenery of being up on top of a mountain? This will be my first time living in the snow and weather.
And then there’s the opportunity to run multiple food outlets sprinkled throughout the resort, that’s really cool. For me, my challenge is to make sure that after they have a great experience skiing, no matter where they sit down to eat after, they continue that great experience.
Excited to get some skiing/ snowboarding in this season?
I haven’t skied since 2004 so I’m excited to get back into it. I’ve dabbled in both skiing and snowboarding but I think I’ll probably start out skiing.
Do you have a cuisine preference when you’re cooking at home?
I’m hyper-seasonal. I love whatever is going to be delicious for that time of year. When I’m at home I usually cook with whatever I can find at the farmers market.
You go out for a wonderful day of skiing and then you and your friends/ family go to hit apres after, what is your favorite post-ski meal?
Probably a big ol’ bowl of spaghetti and meat sauce. With a nice hot toddy, I love a nice hot drink with a splash of alcohol in there when it’s cold out.
There are a lot of changes coming to Sugar Bowl this year and while you’re new here, is there anything in particular you’re looking forward to seeing in action?
Honestly, I am just excited about the guest experience and the elevated food experience we are offering. I’m starting to see a taste of it this summer with the Belt Room and the wine dinners at Lake Mary. I’m looking forward to getting the team nailed down and cultivating a shared respect and enthusiasm amongst the staff for the food we are providing, no matter what outlet it is.
I also look forward to cultivating a shared respect and enthusiasm amongst the staff for the food we are providing no matter what outlet it is at.
What are some future goals you have for Sugar Bowl and your department here?
I want people to come to the Belt Room or The Dining Room not because they are staying here, but because they’ve heard the food is so incredibly good. It would be a huge accomplishment in my eyes if we could get folks from outside the resort to come dine here, whether they want to bring their family or spend a date night here.
Any memorable moments so far in your short time here at Sugar Bowl?
I spoke with someone who said they haven’t dined much at Sugar Bowl the last 4 years because the food hasn’t been what she wanted. So as soon as she said that, I said “challenge accepted.” I accommodated her dietary requests and brought out a few special plates from the kitchen. At the end, she told me that she couldn’t remember the last time she had had a meal like this and that I had changed her mind about eating at Sugar Bowl. That was a very reaffirming experience for me that made me excited to progress up here. I’m going to continue to add more color and texture to our menus and I can’t wait to show our guests what we have to offer this winter in our Food & Beverage program.
SOME CALL US PROFESSIONAL SKI BUMS
Where a Career & Passion Come Together
If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. Well, how could you not love what you are doing when it involves playing in the snow?
Sugar Bowl has many career opportunities, including the ones you may think of, such as a Ski School Director or Ski Patroller. But there are many other roles powering the resort behind the scenes, from Accountants and IT Professionals to Vehicle Mechanics and Master Plumbers. No matter what direction your career has taken you thus far, we probably have a position suited for you. (unless you are an astronaut, then we may not be the right fit.)
Why Choose a Career Here:
- Professional-level housing available at affordable rates
- Industry-leading wages for hourly & salaried careers
- Great coverage for health, dental and vision
- Company matched 401K up to 100% of the first 3% contributed, 50% of the next 2%
- In the summertime, every weekend is a 3-day weekend
- Proudly independent and family-owned since 1939
- No stuffy corporate headquarters. Your office is at the mountain…or on the mountain
- Advancement opportunities: We are growing through a multi-year master plan and need a team who can grow with us
- Enjoy Uncrowded: Our guests are not the only ones who get to enjoy uncrowded slopes
- Lift ticket discounts at tons of resorts including 24 destinations thanks to the Mountain Collective
- And of course, FREE skiing and riding
- Is Sugar Bowl the Right Place for you? Take the Quiz
Perks and Benefits
You don’t work in the ski industry to sit in an office all day!
What does work/life balance mean to you? At Sugar Bowl, it means the opportunity to ski and ride seamlessly fits into your regular workday. Some of our career-track employees opt for the lunch-time hot lap approach: bang out a few hours of work in the morning, reward yourself with a midday ski break (we bet you can squeeze in 3 laps on Disney in 30 minutes) and finish out the workday in the afternoon. Other career-track employees will jump at the opportunity to skin up the mountain at 6am before starting work each day. Either way, we support integrating your passion for winter sports into your career.The sweet “offices” of Sugar Bowl.
Choose a Sugar Bowl career that’s based out of a slopeside office steps from the lifts. Or, perhaps you’re more interested in an outdoor career where your “office” is the seat of a snowmobile or the inside of a snowcat? Either way, at Sugar Bowl, we have a great work environment filled with amazing fun-loving outdoorsy people. We all work right here on the mountain, not in some high-rise office building out of state. Sugar Bowl is hands down the sweetest “office” around.Extend your free skiing benefit to your family.
That’s right– free skiing & riding for you AND your qualified dependents, which potentially saves your family thousands of dollars in season pass fees. Employees and their dependents are issued our highest tier unrestricted pass, which has no blackout dates. We think sliding on snow is a lot more fun with your favorite adventure buddies.Who qualifies? Your spouse, domestic partner, kids, etc. Please reach out to human resources for more information.
Plus $20 vouchers to share with everyone else
Trust us, when your friends and family find out you work at Sugar Bowl, they are going to ask you if you can get them a lift ticket. We got you! Each employee earns a stack of $20 ticket vouchers to share. It’s as easy as logging in to your employee account and emailing them directly to your crew. The best part is that each season you work at Sugar Bowl, you earn more $20 vouchers. Spread the love!And there aren't just any resorts...try 24 of the top destinations across the globe.
Sugar Bowl is part of the Mountain Collective, which means our employees get treated like royalty when visiting other Mountain Collective resorts. The list of resorts is pretty amazing and includes bucket-list stops like Aspen, Jackson Hole, Snowbird, Taos and even Chamonix. Our team members get 50% off at each of these resorts, but please check with the visiting resort prior to arrival for redemption information.Affordable and convenient employee housing available.
If you work at Sugar Bowl you qualify to live in our employee housing. Over 150 beds are located close to the resort, including Kingvale Lodge, a management-specific housing option with more professional accommodations. The resort-subsidized rent makes living in the region affordable for all our team members, from seasonal employees to supervisors & managers. Learn more about our affordable employee housing.Gear up for less.
Our local shop, Village Ski & Sports, carries the latest in hard goods from Volkl, Nordica, and Giro plus soft goods from Patagonia, Helly Hansen, Arc'teryx, and more. It’s the only place to purchase our limited-edition Sugar Bowl merch, and you’ll score it at a fraction of the cost. Your employee discount knocks a hefty 20%-40%* off everything at the shop.Even More Deals: Sugar Bowl and ExpertVoice have collaborated to offer team members huge deals with brands like Oakley, SMITH, 686, Flylow and Dakine, and tons more. If free swag is more your style, be sure to attend our employee appreciation parties hosted throughout the season– there’s usually a great raffle!
*Discount varies based on position
Lift lines? No crowds, no problem.
Chances are that you have some idea about how crowded resorts and roadways can get in Tahoe (or any major mountain town for that matter.) At Sugar Bowl, we do things a little differently to prevent the mountain from becoming overcrowded. We choose to limit our season pass sales every season and our lift ticket sales every day. That means less traffic getting here, less people in line, and less skiers on the mountain. That means more fun for you– a better experience at work and while commuting to and from work. We won’t lie, traveling to any mountain resort in Tahoe can be challenging in the winter, but at least you won’t be stuck on 267 or 89 in endless traffic backed up to the parking lots.Read more about how we keep the slopes uncrowded in our blog post Escape to Uncrowded.
Private ski & ride sessions for employees.
We’re all about celebrating our hardworking team, so every couple of months we get together for a round of well-deserved fun. During the winter months, we host a few employee parties where we spin the lifts outside of normal operating hours exclusively for employees. Imagine ripping around a private mountain with your coworkers, capping it off with free dinner and beverages on the sundeck.Check out other resorts in the region, on the cheap.
If you have a thing for authentic, independent ski resorts like we do, then you’ll love this one– Sugar Bowl partners with several like-minded resorts around the region and the US for you to score free or discounted tickets Reach out by Human Resources for the most up-to-date details.Close & Convenient Employee Housing
Close & Convenient Employee Housing
Mark B. - Village Services
Dana D. - Tickets
Garrett B. - Shipping & Receiving
Joel C. - Tickets & Retails
Maggie E. - Marketing
Parker G. - Terrain Parks
Madi M. - Human Resources
Joe M. - Gondola Operations
Sarah D. - Food & Beverage
Darrin S. - Gondola Manager
ABOUT SUGAR BOWL
A Place with Character
Founded in 1939, we are one of the oldest ski areas in California. Our terrain stretches over 1650 skiable acres across four peaks, varying between steep tree skiing, infamous couloirs, wide open groomers, terrain parks, and beginner-friendly zones. (Learn more about Sugar Bowl's History)
The Deepest Snow in Tahoe
Sugar Bowl is located on an ideal high elevation band along Donner Summit, where time and time again, every Sierra snowstorm raging westward hits us first and hardest. It’s no secret that our snowpack is the deepest in Tahoe. Our annual snowfall averages over 500 inches.
The Sugar Bowl Values
Our mission is to ensure the spirit of Sugar Bowl lives on, every day, for everyone, forever.
- We are real
- We have a golden heritage that grounds us and inspires who we are. This is our inherent strength and what makes this place classically cool and charming. We always act with the utmost integrity, honestly and respect for each other. We are inclusive, generous and always welcoming. We balance positivity and friendliness with hard work and resilience. We pride ourselves on having being emotionally smart and understand the importance of relationships. We listen carefully to our environment and respond appropriately. We’re upfront and down-to-earth, a place where we can be the best versions of ourselves.
- We are all part of this community
- We’re proud to be part of a dynamic community of owners, staff, guests and partners. We work as a team to give everyone the consideration and respect they deserve. We build capability, trust and confidence in each other – always stronger together and conscious of everyone we connect with. Good people looking after good people and it comes from the heart. Sugar Bowl is a special place and the way we treat each other; our owners and guests reflects that. We ensure that everyone's experience with us is truly memorable and in some magical way, enriches their life.
- We are guardians
- We are deeply connected to this place and its people, proud guardians of our environment, heritage and the wellbeing of everyone around us. We’re highly respectful of the legacy we’ve inherited and give our all to protect and enhance the special spirit of Sugar Bowl for generations to come.
- We love it
- We’re high energy people who love Sugar Bowl and what we do – it’s why we’re here. We feel the same sense of awe and excitement our villagers and guests feel, enjoying this amazing experience, working hard to keep it special and taking real pride in what we create and share. We take ownership and responsibility of our behavior and actions. We know how this affects those around us and especially how it can bring out the best in us.
- We make it magical
- We bring our best to Sugar Bowl | Royal Gorge every single day. We strive for excellence and make sure we achieve it through constant improvement, focusing on what is of value, high performance targets and measurable results. We are always curious, open to all ideas, seeking ways to innovate and especially understanding what is uniquely possible for us. We embrace the responsibility and privilege of creating magical moments and genuine happiness every day, keeping the true spirit of Sugar Bowl alive and humming for all to enjoy.
Less is More
Sugar Bowl follows a simple, yet radical, rule. Each season, we choose a specific number of season passes to sell, and we just stop selling ‘em when we hit that number. On top of that, we also limit lift tickets each day to preserve the on-mountain experience.
Less traffic getting here, less people in line, and less skiers on the mountain. That means more fun for you. Our proudly independent resort has been operating since 1939, and our team cares deeply about continuing our legacy of authentic alpine experience. We believe that requires managing how many skiers and riders come to enjoy our resort, every single day of the season. Come see how we do things a little differently around here.
AVAILABLE POSITIONS
- Ski Patrol - Gain new skills and certifications in a dynamic and face-paced outdoor work environment.
- Heavy-Machinery Mechanic - If you think tinkering with motors is fun, just wait until you get to work with a gigantic state-of-the-art snow cat.
- Marketing - Here’s your opportunity to shout from the mountain tops- Sugar Bowl rules!
- Accounting and Administrative - Help steer the ship with a position on our leadership team.
- Information Technologies - Let your technical computer skills shine alongside your passion for the mountains.
- Human Resources - You’ll be the backbone of our business, providing organizational structure to our entire operation and helping to manage our team of stellar employees.
- Mountain Operations - Choose a career where your “office” is the seat of a snowmobile and your “direct line” is a handheld radio.
Working Here
About The Team:
There are a lot of jobs out there, so what makes someone choose Sugar Bowl? There’s something special about working at this quirky independent resort perched on Donner Summit. Wanna know what it is? You’re in luck, we’ve compiled our top 5 favorite reasons to be a part of the team.
Change is the air, and we’re not just referring to the snowflakes. Bridget Legnavsky is the new CEO at Sugar Bowl. Bridget hails from New Zealand, where she was the CEO for RealNZ, which manages Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone Ski Resort, where Bridget has been General Manager since 2014.
Our team is continuing to grow with exceptional talent! We have recently welcomed a new Executive Chef to the team, Jason Landas. Read about his culinary background and his aspirations for Sugar Bowl’s F&B future.
5 Reasons to Work at Sugar Bowl
There are a lot of jobs out there, so what makes someone choose Sugar Bowl? There’s something special about working at this quirky independent resort perched on Donner Summit… (Hint: it’s not just our massive snowfall or legendary terrain.) Wanna know what it is? You’re in luck, we’ve compiled our top 5 favorite reasons to be a part of the team.
1. Skiers first, professionals second
Nearly every day of the season, employees have an opportunity to get out and ski or ride during their work day. Their manager will often be the one telling them to take lunch and get out for a few laps. If it’s a powder day, don’t be surprised to hear “stop typing and get your boots on.” Working at Sugar Bowl is a way to integrate a passion for winter sports into a job.
2. Expansive terrain across four mighty peaks, all on your lunch break.
The terrain at Sugar Bowl is legendary and it’s fun to ride all season, in all conditions. If an employee wants to max out a quick lunch, they can often squeeze in 3 hot laps on Disney in 30 minutes. If it’s a powder day, they might venture over to scope out some big honkin’ lines between Sugar Bowl and the Palisades. In the spring, wide open groomers and perfect corn are the name of the game… All this and we didn’t even spill the beans on our staff favorite secret zones to ski!
3. There’s an opportunity for impact at an independent mid-sized resort.
Our base of operations is right here at Sugar Bowl, not at a high-rise office building in another state. The people who run this resort are here at the mountain nearly every day.
We think Sugar Bowl is a Goldilocks-sized company– We’re not too big, not too small. We’re small enough that our employees can directly see and feel the impact of the work they contribute to the resort. At the same time, we’re big enough that, if we channel our resources, we have enough manpower to meet and exceed our goals.
4. Plus tons of perks to sweeten the Sugar Bowl deal.
Where do we start? Employees and their qualified dependents are issued free unrestricted season passes. Additionally, all employees are granted a bundle of $20 friends and family day ticket vouchers to share. Wages have recently increased and now start at $20/hour for most positions. Sugar Bowl has more employee housing than any resort in the region, plus, it’s affordable and fun. The cherry on the cake has got to be our epic employee parties, where a few times a season, we stay open outside of operating hours and run the lifts for the staff to enjoy the mountain privately.
5. Of course we’re a team, but we’re also a community
What happens when you bring together a group of passionate mountain-loving individuals? In our experience, it builds one truly special community. From first-year seasonal staff to year-round employees with decades of experience, everyone on team Sugar Bowl is part of building up our resort’s character.
What really sets Sugar Bowl apart from other resorts is our great team. We are known for regularly going above and beyond for our guests, for our genuine, friendly employees, and our desire to help guests create lasting memories. These elements are at the core of our brand and our culture. We call it “Plus One Service,” a commitment to ensuring we exceed our guests’ expectations.
The Sugar Bowl community is welcoming and full of opportunities for growth. The best way to describe being an employee here is “work hard play hard” which means that in addition to the duties of the job, there’s also often a lot of FUN going around here too!
Direct from our Employees
Speaking of community, let’s bring our staff into the conversation. We asked employees from a range of departments to explain why they choose to work at Sugar Bowl. Trigger warning, their answers might give you the warm-and-fuzzies, or is that just us?
Parker G, Terrain Parks Manager
“Sugar Bowl is independent and family-oriented. It’s definitely not a small mountain but it still has that small-mountain community feel. I have a young family and it’s the kind of place I would want my kid to learn to ski.”
Sarah Duffy, Special Events & Weddings Coordinator
“I have met so many lifelong friends at Sugar Bowl, when I started here I hardly skied and I didn’t know many people in the area. After two years here I am confidently ripping down the mountain with endless ski pals! Plus- it doesn’t get much better than skiing on your lunch break!”
Dave Eastwood, Royal Gorge General Manager
“I work at Sugar Bowl for two reasons – the staff and my love of the outdoors. The staff is like a family and we all work as a team to make Sugar Bowl the best resort in the Sierra. The local outdoor scene is fantastic in summer and winter. Whether it’s cycling, trail running, hiking, skiing or riding, the Donner Summit area has something for everyone.”
Mark Beevor, Executive Director of Hospitality
“I stumbled across Sugar Bowl by accident and have found it combines my passion for hospitality and my love of the mountains. One of our values is that we celebrate resilience. When it is time to come together because of big events or big snow no one misses a beat. We are a community first and our employees go out of their way to help each other, homeowners and visitors. This is not something that is taught but rather is at the very core of everyone that works here and that’s why I love it.”
Joel C, Skier Services Manager
“Having worked at both large, corporate ski resorts and small, independent ski areas over the past 25 years, I can confidently say that Sugar Bowl is the best of both worlds. Being an employee here makes you a part of the Sugar Bowl family. We care about each other, our mountain, our community, and we love to ski and ride!”
Well there you have it, 5 reasons (and then some) to work at Sugar Bowl. Apply today for an opportunity to learn what else is great about our work environment. We can’t wait to show you around.
Bridget Legnavsky – Our New President & CEO
We have big news — and the dusting of snow across the mountain tops is the perfect backdrop for an exciting announcement. Change is the air, and we’re not just referring to the snowflakes. We have a new President and CEO at Sugar Bowl, Bridget Legnavsky.
Bridget hails from New Zealand, where she was the Chief Experience Officer for RealNZ, a tourism company that manages multiple outdoor adventure operations. Two operations under RealNZ are Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone Ski Resort, where Bridget has been General Manager since 2014.
Bridget has recently relocated to Sugar Bowl along with her husband (Peter) and two kids (Gustav, 17 and Zora, 12). As a family, they are all about snowsports; Peter is an Olympic ski coach for their son Gustav, an Olympic freeskier in the halfpipe. Their daughter, Zora, is focused on ski racing and will attend the Sugar Bowl Academy this winter.
Are you as excited to get to know Bridget as we are? You’re in luck, because we recently sat down with Bridget for a one-on-one. Check out the interview to get a sense of Bridget’s enthusiasm to lead team Sugar Bowl.
Q: How is your family feeling about moving to the United States?
“The kids are super excited. Zora especially. She thinks it’s going to be an adventure. This kind of thing can be really hard— We’ve been in Wanaka for 30 years and we have lots of connections here, but the way we look at it, this is a great opportunity to go on a family adventure and do something really different, so we don’t end up doing the same thing our whole lives.”
Q: What is something that is different about skiing and riding in New Zealand that people, like myself, who have only ever skied in North America, might not know?
“One of the things that’s unique to Cardrona, is the number of Olympic athletes that congregate there during September. It’s quite an environment. That’s how New Zealand become well-known, due to its results on the world stage in ski racing and park.
The most interesting thing, if you’ve never been to New Zealand, is that you don’t live in the snow. Every day you drive from the town, which is literally always green. In the evenings after skiing, you play golf, go mountain biking, and sometimes in the springtime, you water ski, similar to what it would be like living around Tahoe in the summer.
Since we don’t live in the snow, when you want to go to the mountain, you drive for about 45 minutes up a dirt road. Oftentimes you’ll put on chains, since the roads can be quite difficult. Truckee would be similar to Wanaka, but imagine it always being as green as summertime and then you drive up to Sugar Bowl to come skiing. In New Zealand, we don’t have the same kind of full immersion snow experience as you do in California during winter.”
Q: Is there any jargon that gets used in New Zealand ski culture that we don’t use in North America?
“I don’t know but I’m going to find out really soon. I will probably say something, and people will look at me like, “what is she talking about?” That’s when I’ll start to work out if there is or isn’t jargon.
I notice in ski culture, especially around brand voice, that it’s a lot to do with generation. There’s a lot of words out there like “froth” and all the words that young people are using. One thing that I’ve found is that if you try too hard, you come across like a dork.”
Q: I heard a rumor that you speak Maori, so I was wondering how you say, “Do you want to go skiing tomorrow” in Maori?
“Kei te pirangi koe, ki te haere retireti apopo?”
And how do I say yes, I’ll go skiing with you tomorrow?
You just go, “Hoake.”
Q: Are you a skier or snowboarder?
“I’m a skier, long time skier. I did snowboard a bit back when I was about 20 and working in Japan. It was back in the day when snowboarding was banned from certain areas, so we were only allowed to snowboard on the beginner slopes. I had Sorels that I put my ski boot liners in because that’s how we started snowboarding.”
Q: Can you describe your best powder day of all time?
“I think I’m about to have it at Sugar Bowl this winter!”
Good answer [laughing]
“Yeah, it was on my birthday, and we went heli skiing with my family. The four of us went together but we can only just keep up with the kids now. We spent the whole day heli skiing in the Harris Mountains and that was pretty special. It’s not always just about the powder. It’s more around the environment that you’re in and the people that you’re with that make it really special.”
Q: What is it that inspires you to come to Sugar Bowl and lead the team?
“It was a little bit of stars aligning. Someone contacted me and told me about it. After COVID, the idea of coming over to an American resort to have a look around was really attractive. I was like, “Oh hell yeah, I’m going for a trip.” When I got here, what inspired me the most was the people and the place. People and place, that’s always what inspires me.
I’m blown away by the commitment and resilience of the executive team. Their absolute love for Sugar Bowl — I’ve seen that before — I know you need that. You just can’t run a ski resort like Sugar Bowl without it. It’s never a one-person game, you have to have a talented and experienced team around you and I see that here.
Then, of course, I’m attracted to the style of resort as independent, small, capable of moving fast, and with quite a lot of autonomy. I love what the Sugar Bowl Academy stands for and I love what the villagers stand for.”
Q: What would you say is your approach to building a strong team?
“Getting the right people into the right jobs is really important. You bring together the right skill sets and the talent, and it’s about how you slot together to build the strongest pillar that you possibly can. I’m a strong believer that when people are in a space where they are happy and positive, they are more open and willing to learn, and have the opportunity to be playful, creative and innovative — that’s when the magic happens.
Sometimes we forget what’s important. Make sure you go out for a ski every day. Make sure you go out for a ride. Do something, no matter how busy you are. Get out and remind yourself why you’re here. Stay passionate.”
Q: At Sugar Bowl, is there anything that you are excited to create?
“I don’t want to jump to any conclusions. I’m going to start by listening to what’s going on and react. The resort has to keep moving forward so people want to keep coming back. That will be in the kind of experience they have on the hill, the way our staff treat people, the type of events we run, the food and beverage, the music — everything that makes them want to come back. I don’t think there’s anything mind-blowing there, but I think making sure we maintain relevancy by keeping Sugar Bowl cool is what we’re all about.”
Q: What do you think your biggest challenge will be coming into your new role?
“Well, my challenge is definitely going to be cultural since I come from a different country. I’ve run ski resorts for a long time in New Zealand but I’m going to walk into a completely different culture and different legislation system in a different community. So, as you can imagine, over my time in New Zealand I’ve built up a strong network of people that support me in my staff and the community. Now at Sugar Bowl I’m going to be relying on the team around me to jump in and help. Also, obviously legislation will be completely different in the US than it was in New Zealand, so those are some of my biggest challenges. I’m going to rely deeply on the team around me to help get through those ones.”
Q: Outside of skiing and riding, what would you say that you’re most passionate about?
“It kind of surprises people until they really get to know me — because I can come across as quite resilient and quite strong because I, you know, have grown up in a world of ski area operations — But I love fashion.
And if you saw the number of boxes that I was boxing out now with clothes, it’s absolutely ridiculous. I was sitting there with my daughter before going, thinking — I can’t leave all these here because I just need to be able to wear them. I have got a lot of clothes and I absolutely love fashion. I started up a retail chain in New Zealand and had a few stores in my off time — I just love it.”
Q: That is such a fun fact! I can’t wait to see what fun outfits you wear this winter.
[laughing] “I’m just trying to decide whether to box my gold moon boots or pack them and carry them with me because I don’t know how desperate I would be for them when I arrive.”
Q: Should the community at Sugar Bowl expect any changes this season when you begin your role?
“Absolutely not straight away because the team’s doing a wonderful job. I think where I’d like to start is hearing from the community. We will be reaching out and listening. I will be out and about — they will see a lot of me because I love to ski and I love to eat. So I’ll be around.
I can’t wait to meet everyone and hear what they think. I will definitely be looking at opportunities around environmental sustainability because it’s a real passion for me. I’ll be interested in the resort taking on a stronger position around climate. The team is already moving on that — I think it’s great.
But first and foremost, to get there, we must deliver incredible guest experiences. In order to focus on the guest, we must focus on the frontline staff. I’m a real believer in focusing on how the frontline staff feel about themselves in order to deliver amazing experiences to our guests.”
Q: Last question, and this one involves a little bit of imagination — We’re all eager for opening day, what do you picture opening day at Sugar Bowl looking like?
“I imagine standing at the first lift that opens with champagne, saying hello to everyone, high fiving everyone. The piece that I love the most is watching people’s faces as they get their skis on. You can see it — It’s the feeling that you get under your feet when you ski. So when you watch people go and do their first runs of the season, it’s just so good. I’m looking forward to watching our team lift to it and also to going and doing some runs myself!”
Serving Up Change With Jason Landas
Our team is continuing to grow with exceptional talent! We would like to introduce our new Executive Chef, Jason Landas. Jason has been working in kitchens for the last 14 years, including 3 Michelin Star restaurants, one of which he helped get its first star rating. He and his family just moved to the Tahoe area and are eager to put down roots in their new mountain home. Jason’s culinary expertise and leadership have elevated the entire food & beverage program at Sugar Bowl. Over the past couple of months, Jason has revamped dining experiences for Sugar Bowl patrons across every venue at the Resort, from the Belt Room to the Sunset Grill.
How did you get into the food and beverage industry?
I played a lot of sports growing up. Then after high school, when I didn’t have a sports team to be a part of anymore it really left this hole in my life. My roommate at the time in college was working at a kitchen down in Santa Barbara. He told me to come down and check it out, explaining that being in a kitchen was the closest thing to being on a sports team that you can get. I went in one day and the moment service started, I was hooked. The way they worked together as a team, the intensity, the controlled chaos, the comradery, the way we spoke to each other, everyone working together towards a common goal, all of it really filled that aspect that I felt like I was missing.
At first, I was helping with prep in the kitchen. I had experience bartending and serving before that. But I got hooked on working in the kitchen so I shifted to the back of the house. I really just started helping where I was needed so I could learn and grow my foundation. And now I’ve been doing it for about 14 years.
Do you think if your friend hadn’t ever invited you to come work in that kitchen that you would’ve ended up in the kitchen?
I don’t know, I really don’t think so. I was originally in school to be a history teacher. I wanted to be a teacher and coach sports. So I don’t think so.
What made you choose to come to Sugar Bowl?
For me, my wife is from a small town and we have a daughter who is almost 4 years old and about to start preschool. Before we were living in San Francisco and we just didn’t want to raise her in the city. We wanted to be a part of a smaller community. After moving up to Truckee and being introduced to Sugar Bowl, this was the first spot out of all the places I interviewed where I saw a great range of potential. There’s a rich history at Sugar Bowl with an opportunity to elevate the guest experience and the food program, to truly leave a mark. That’s what intrigued me. In sports, being a leader was an important role for me so this opportunity felt right, it felt like I could make an impact here.
How is this job different from other restaurant jobs you’ve had?
Besides the beautiful environment and scenery of being up on top of a mountain? This will be my first time living in the snow and weather.
And then there’s the opportunity to run multiple food outlets sprinkled throughout the resort, that’s really cool. For me, my challenge is to make sure that after they have a great experience skiing, no matter where they sit down to eat after, they continue that great experience.
Excited to get some skiing/ snowboarding in this season?
I haven’t skied since 2004 so I’m excited to get back into it. I’ve dabbled in both skiing and snowboarding but I think I’ll probably start out skiing.
Do you have a cuisine preference when you’re cooking at home?
I’m hyper-seasonal. I love whatever is going to be delicious for that time of year. When I’m at home I usually cook with whatever I can find at the farmers market.
You go out for a wonderful day of skiing and then you and your friends/ family go to hit apres after, what is your favorite post-ski meal?
Probably a big ol’ bowl of spaghetti and meat sauce. With a nice hot toddy, I love a nice hot drink with a splash of alcohol in there when it’s cold out.
There are a lot of changes coming to Sugar Bowl this year and while you’re new here, is there anything in particular you’re looking forward to seeing in action?
Honestly, I am just excited about the guest experience and the elevated food experience we are offering. I’m starting to see a taste of it this summer with the Belt Room and the wine dinners at Lake Mary. I’m looking forward to getting the team nailed down and cultivating a shared respect and enthusiasm amongst the staff for the food we are providing, no matter what outlet it is.
I also look forward to cultivating a shared respect and enthusiasm amongst the staff for the food we are providing no matter what outlet it is at.
What are some future goals you have for Sugar Bowl and your department here?
I want people to come to the Belt Room or The Dining Room not because they are staying here, but because they’ve heard the food is so incredibly good. It would be a huge accomplishment in my eyes if we could get folks from outside the resort to come dine here, whether they want to bring their family or spend a date night here.
Any memorable moments so far in your short time here at Sugar Bowl?
I spoke with someone who said they haven’t dined much at Sugar Bowl the last 4 years because the food hasn’t been what she wanted. So as soon as she said that, I said “challenge accepted.” I accommodated her dietary requests and brought out a few special plates from the kitchen. At the end, she told me that she couldn’t remember the last time she had had a meal like this and that I had changed her mind about eating at Sugar Bowl. That was a very reaffirming experience for me that made me excited to progress up here. I’m going to continue to add more color and texture to our menus and I can’t wait to show our guests what we have to offer this winter in our Food & Beverage program.
Perks of The Job
Great benefits are available for both seasonal and career positions including:
- Industry-leading compensation for hourly and salary
- Great insurance coverage for year-round staff
- Affordable and convenient employee housing
- $20 lift ticket vouchers to share with friends & family
- Discounts around the resort on gear, food and more
- Free skiing and riding, of course!
Equal Opportunity Employer
Sugar Bowl Resort believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants because of race, color, hair, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender orientation, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, citizenship, veteran status, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including recruitment, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination.
Getting to Know Sugar Bowl
Where is Sugar Bowl located? Royal Gorge?
Sugar Bowl and Royal Gorge Cross Country are located atop Donner Summit near Truckee, California. Both are located about 30 mi/48 km from Lake Tahoe and the nearest city is Reno, Nevada about 48mi/77 km away on highway I-80. Both are located within 3-4 hours of the Bay Area.
The town of Truckee has most services available. Truckee is down the hill on Old 40, about 25 mi/24 km east. There is a post office, grocery stores, and several convenience stores, clothing stores, hardware, etc. Donner Summit has its own general store and post office, about 3.7m/6 km from Sugar Bowl.
Sugar Bowl has affordable employee housing on Donner Summit including both single-occupancy manager-specific units as well as dorm-style 2-3-person units. If employee housing is full, or an employee prefers to look for housing offsite, we recommend using the following resources: Facebook Groups like North Tahoe/Truckee Jobs, Truckee Tahoe People (original) and Truckee/Tahoe People, Craigslist, and Landing Locals.
Many full time employees live in Truckee, Donner Lake, Serene Lakes/Donner Summit. Other travel a bit further from Reno, Grass Valley, Nevada City, Cisco and Colfax.
If you plan to commute to Sugar Bowl for work, a four-wheel drive vehicle with snow tires is strongly recommended. Two-wheel drive vehicles, and/or vehicles without snow tires, are required to put chains on whenever there is a big storm in the Sierra. If you live in employee housing, walking to work is an option. Many employees choose to carpool with coworkers.
Two things set Sugar Bowl apart, our snowpack and our authentic alpine vibe.
- Snowpack: Sugar Bowl is located on an ideal high elevation band along Donner Summit, where time and time again, every Sierra snowstorm raging westward hits us first and hardest. It’s no secret that our snowpack is the deepest in Tahoe, averaging over 500 inches each year.
- Vibe: Our proudly independent resort has been operating since 1939, and our team cares deeply about continuing our legacy of authentic alpine experience. We believe that requires managing how many skiers and riders come to enjoy our resort, every single day of the season. Each season, we choose a specific number of season passes to sell, and we just stop selling ‘em when we hit that number. On top of that, we also limit lift tickets each day to preserve the on-mountain experience. Less traffic getting here, less people in line, and less skiers on the mountain. That means more fun for you.
Sweet Perks
What are starting wages?
Working Here
I don't want to work outside all day. What indoors-based positions exist at Sugar Bowl?
Connect With Us
Our Human Resources team is available to answer any questions you might have, guide you through the hiring process and discuss the perks of working at Sugar Bowl. Please reach out.
Email: hr@sugarbowl.com
Phone: 530-426-6731
Schedule a Meeting: Request a Recruiter Contact You
SKI THE WORLD'S BEST, MOUNTAIN AFTER MOUNTAIN
The Mountain Collective Destinations
629 Sugar Bowl Rd.
Norden, CA 95724