Join ABR Ski Area to
SUSTAIN OUR HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE
and
CREATE OUR FUTURE
After years in the planning, in April 2025 Eric Anderson and Angela Santini officially and GENEROUSLY donated the ABR Ski Area to the community, through the Anderson Bluff and River Trails Foundation.
As the Foundation Board of Directors begins our second year operating the ABRTFoundation Ski Area, we are developing our leadership and core team to grow and sustain Eric and Angela’s vision for generations to come.
Matthew Shruck was our Operations Manager last season and shared our enthusiasm and vision for the future of ABRT. Unfortunately, as Matthew explains on Facebook, they are moving to Rhinelander to help his family. I’m sure you join us as we thank them for their commitment and contribution to ABRT and wish them nothing but the best. Link to their Facebook video: HERE
Many of our highly skilled employees have worked for and contributed to the ski area for many years; so we are being proactive as we look at the total needs for our team the future. (It is worth noting that housing could be part of the compensation package if one of our key employees wants to live in the Anderson family homestead on site.)
If you or someone you know might be interested in learning more about one of these roles, or would be a valuable part of our referral network, please share this with them, or email their contact information to us at [email protected].
We see our leadership needs in three areas: operations management, grooming, and ski shop management. Learn more about each area with these links:
• Operations management.
• Grooming -both management and skilled labor.
• Ski shop management.
We earnestly believe these are among the very best jobs that exist anywhere in the Nordic ski industry. ABRT is committed to sustaining our status as the premier Nordic ski area in the Midwest…our Ironwood, MI, location in the snow belt still gives us reliable snow… truly skilled long-time staff to work with and learn from…over 30 years offering uniquely pristine and perfectly-groomed trails…hundreds of repeat loyal customers…financially strong…a highly dedicated and competent Board.
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT:
We need an Operations Manager who will report to the Board of Directors of the ABRT Foundation and be responsible for all ski area operations. Our ideal candidate will have the skills and desire to grow into the role of General Manager. ABR is known as a high-touch, high service ski area, so the Operations Manager needs to see what needs to be done and do it themselves or get someone else to do it. Much of this job is project management; he/she needs to thrive on prioritizing and executing an ever-changing “to do list,” through everyday ski area operations, as well as special events. They will be responsible to see that the right things are done at the right time by the right people, across our entire operation. While your focus will be “keeping the wheels on the bus” today, you will also actively participate with the board to define and develop opportunities and growth for our future. This is a year-round full-time position, with commensurate salary and benefits. The Operations Manager will obviously work more than full-time in the winter but make up for that with plenty of free time in the summer!
Valued skills:
• Obviously, previous experience managing a ski area would be highly valued.
• Demonstrated ability and energy to juggle many activities, large and small.
• Mechanical, outdoorsman and “handyman” skills;
• Management of skilled and unskilled labor;
• Some skills in grooming or retail management;
• Respected team member and leader.
If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please send your background information to [email protected] Tell us which position(s) you want to discuss and why you are interested. We look forward to hearing from you.
GROOMING:
Eric Anderson’s reputation as an expert groomer is such that over 100 people attended his grooming clinic last winter. With Eric as your mentor, an experienced groomer will have the opportunity to learn from the best and become our Chief Groomer in the near future or as soon as you/they are ready. The Chief Groomer is responsible for the staff and equipment needed to sustain the best-groomed trails in the Midwest. This is a part-time seasonal position and can be expanded for the person whose skills and interests enable contribution beyond grooming, into areas such as equipment maintenance, operations, ski tech, or working in the ski shop.
Valued skills:
• Snow grooming,
• PistenBully or similar equipment operation,
• Mechanical skills to maintain grooming equipment,
• Management of part-time skilled staff,
• Prefers being part of a team-based culture.
We also plan to expand our crew with an experienced groomer who would like to explore part-time seasonal grooming, without management responsibility.
If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please send your background information to [email protected]. Tell us which position(s) you want to discuss and why you are interested. We look forward to hearing from you.
SKI SHOP MANAGEMENT:
We need a full-time seasonal employee with retail management experience to take on complete responsibility for the ski shop. This position offers a lot of autonomy; you will have full responsibility for the ski shop from pre-season purchasing to seasonal closing. We are known for our personal, warm culture and think of the store as our “front door,” so you will enjoy a high level of positive engagement with our loyal skier base.
Valued skills:
• Managing seasonal staff.
• Ordering and selling (Nordic) ski merchandise.
• Ski tech expertise.
• Managing vacation cabin rentals, equipment rentals, ski pass sales and all related customer service.
• Effective team member and leader.
We would also like to connect with people who would be interested in becoming part-time seasonal ski techs and/or clerks for our ski shop.
If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please send your background information to [email protected]. Tell us which position(s) you want to discuss and why you are interested. We look forward to hearing from you.
