Behind the Scenes of Snow Making at a Top U.S. Ski Resort

Background

Most of us can only dream of controlling the weather. However, for Kate Schifani, it’s an everyday superpower.

As the snowmaking manager at Vail Mountain in Vail, Colorado, Schifani, a year-round Vail resident, has quite the role, and her path to this position was anything but ordinary.

Career Trajectory

“I was fortunate enough to know I’d have a job leaving the Air Force Academy in 2007, selecting aircraft maintenance as my career field because I love leading people,” Schifani explains.

While working in aircraft maintenance, Schifani worked on B-52 airplanes before being deployed as a counterterrorism advisor. She transitioned to reserves in 2014, stationed at Peterson AFB and later reassigned to Hill in 2021, where she still serves as Commander of the 419 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. However, this wasn’t enough for Schifani.

After her active duty, Schifani joined Beaver Creek, starting as a member of the Race Crew for the 2015 Alpine World Ski Championships, which she describes as a “total blast.” In 2016, she moved to Vail Mountain to work in mountain safety and later transitioned to a managerial position as a health and safety coordinator, enhancing her understanding of mountain operations.

However, like many others in the industry, Schifani was furloughed in 2020 due to the pandemic. There was one shining opportunity — a snowmaking job at Vail. With encouragement from mentors, Schifani pursued the role, discovering it to be the dream job she never knew she wanted.

“If I had to describe my career trajectory, I’d say I’ve been the ‘idiot who said yes’ to every opportunity,” she reflects. “I’m grateful for the people who helped develop me and trusted me.”

The Snowmaking Process

Now, Schifani’s daily duties revolve around managing snow production. “Sometimes — especially at the start of the season — we don’t get the same abundant snowfall we’re used to for the rest of the winter in Colorado. Thus, with a combination of cold weather, water, air, and a process called nucleation, we use equipment to create the snow necessary to enhance early season conditions,” she details. “I’m responsible for the team out on the mountain 24/7 in those early months, moving equipment, checking snow quality, and deciding where to allocate our resources efficiently.”

Meanwhile, snowmaking is a year-round commitment.

“Our production season runs from October to January, while the rest of the winter is spent maintaining equipment that can be accessed on skis, and in the summer we work on the infrastructure,” Schifani adds. “If we perform well, people won’t notice the snowmaking operations, but there is significant infrastructure needed, including underground water pipes, pumps, and compressors that require ongoing maintenance.”

According to Schifani, Vail’s snowmaking team is smaller than most, necessitating that everyone multitasks. “We begin preparing the system to make snow in September, and I become a semi-professional meteorologist during this period,” she explains. Interestingly, she finds similarities between the two realms of snowmaking and aircraft maintenance.

“Both involve a tangible outcome we’re aiming to achieve — skiable snow or an airplane that takes off,” she elaborates. “Resources and time are limited, yet passionate individuals work together to reach the goal. My leadership role in both settings is to ensure that team members are successful, advocate for additional resources, and explore innovative processes to improve outcomes. Skiing is certainly the more enjoyable aspect compared to an airplane taking off.”

Inspiration for Future Snowmakers

Although the day-to-day work of snowmaking may seem monotonous, Schifani emphasizes that this is part of the enchantment. “It’s like putting together a colossal jigsaw puzzle, where each day brings more pieces that may or may not fit, and requires placement for future completion,” she states. “This incredible challenge unfolds behind the scenes, and ideally, we hope no one notices, only to arrive at Vail to enjoy what they consider the best snow in North America.”

For anyone aspiring to enter the snowmaking field, Schifani encourages them to pursue it just as she did. “It’s hard work but also immensely fun,” she concludes. “It’s gratifying to know what you do brings joy and lasting memories to many. If you’re creative, passionate, and ready to work, a world of opportunities awaits.”