Monarch Mountain is a privately owned, independent ski/snowboard/tubing area located in south-central Colorado in Chaffee County. Within its boundaries, Monarch covers 800 acres of terrain with an additional 1600+ acres of guided back country, with close to 1200 vertical feet. The summit ridge of the mountain runs along the Continental Divide, providing astounding views and abundant snowfall. The base area is just off US Hwy 50 on Monarch Pass.
Twenty miles east is the town of Salida and, although it is considered Monarch’s hometown, there are other small towns in the area, such as Buena Vista, Poncha Springs, Maysville and Garfield, Salida being the largest of these (pop. <6,000). With small-town vibes, copious year-round outdoor activities, and friendly communities, Chaffee County is a gem! In the winter, Monarch employs approximately 375 employees, and about 50 employees during the off season. Our one-of-a-kind staff is passionate, authentic, and has a vibe that is unmatched in the ski industry. There are 18 different departments allowing for flexible job opportunities in a variety of fields at competitive wages with great benefits. Whether you’re interested in learning a new skill, continue developing an existing one, want to work outside or inside, or want fulltime or parttime work, we have the perfect position for you! What are you waiting for?

Seasonal Employees

Why would I want to work at Monarch?
Working for Monarch is like being a part of a large family. Everyone has the same goal in mind (to provide our guests with a quality, personalized mountain experience) and whether you are bumping chairs or wrenching a snowcat, we are all in it together. With 18 different departments, there is a position for everyone to enjoy working in. We are a diverse workforce that strives to make everyone, including our employees, feel welcome, appreciated, and valued.

When does winter season start and end?
Estimated season start is sometime in November and closing around mid-April. We rely on natural snow coverage to operate so if there is minimal early season snow, opening may be delayed or closing may be moved to an earlier or later date.

Does Monarch Mountain operate during summer months?
Currently, Monarch Mountain does not have a summer operation. Year-round and summer-staff work diligently to maintain, refresh, and improve the mountain for the upcoming season. Positions are also staffed to answer phones, assist the occasional walk-in, sell season passes, and operate our retail location in downtown Salida.

When should I apply for winter jobs?
Hiring for winter positions is in full swing August-October with just about all positions available, making it the best time to apply. We continue to post winter jobs throughout the remaining fall and winter months, though certain jobs may become less available once in season.

Do you have in-person job fairs?
Yes! We typically have 1-2 in-person job fairs between October and November. Exact dates will be published in September.

I have submitted my online application, now what?
After you have submitted your online application, it will be reviewed in a timely matter (please be sure your contact information is accurate). If you meet the qualifications, your application will be forwarded to the relevant hiring manager, and they will contact you to setup an interview.

Can I apply to multiple jobs?
Yes! You can even work in multiple departments if you’d like! Please complete an application for each job you would like to be considered for.

Do you have any jobs available for someone under the age of 18?
Yes! Apprentice Instructors can be 14-15 years old. Gate Attendants, Tubing Park Attendants, and Rental Shop Technicians must be a minimum age of 16.

What can I expect for my first season at Monarch?
Welcome to our family – you have landed a dream ski resort job in beautiful Colorado. You will meet a whole lot of family members you didn’t know you had, a supportive team of similar-minded people. Hours may vary in the early season allowing for time for training and ski breaks. It does get exciting during holidays, weekends, and spring break, great for picking up extra hours! Monarch believes that its greatest asset is its employees and values each person and their contribution. You will have the opportunity to make Monarch your greatest asset.

Does Monarch Mountain hire international students?
Yes! We are excited to invite a new group of international students to our family for the 22/23 winter season. We work with the Greenheart Exchange program to hire our J1 applicants from South America. To be eligible, you must apply and contact Greenheart Exchange directly.

Does Monarch Mountain sponsor H2B visas?
Currently, we do not sponsor H1B or H2B visas.