Your New Home in the West Starts Here.
Employment at Vista Verde
Spend a season, a year, or build a career creating unforgettable experiences in the Colorado Rockies. At Vista Verde Ranch, our team is the heart of everything we do, bringing genuine hospitality, a spirit of adventure, and a commitment to making each guest feel at home. No matter what your job title is, whether you stay for one season or many years, you will find meaningful work, lasting relationships, and the chance to be in a close-knit community in an extraordinary mountain setting.
“Find your place at Vista Verde.”
Job Opportunities
Now Hiring Winter 2026 – 2027 Staff
Winter & Summer
Dining Room Servers
Steamboat Springs
$15.20 / hour + tips
Serving:
Servers ensure that guests have a positive experience during happy hour, meal times, and food related activities such as wine tasting and cooking class.
Winter & Summer
Dishwasher
Steamboat Springs
$15.20 / hour + tips
Dishwashers are responsible for cleaning dishes to ensure that the kitchen has a steady supply of clean equipment to produce meals for guests and staff. In addition to washing dishes, this position will help the kitchen prep food and maintain staff room cleanliness. This role is a great place to start if there is interest in the culinary arts as the dishwasher will be working alongside highly skilled chefs and a tight knit team.
Dishwashers have free food, in addition to the already free housing perks!
Winter & Summer
Housekeepers
Steamboat Springs
$15.20 / hour + tips
Housekeepers are responsible for the cleanliness of guest accommodations and public spaces on the ranch. Duties include daily cleaning of guest cabins and public spaces, laundry, nightly turndowns, and weekly turnovers of all cabins.
Summer and Fall
Line Cook
Steamboat Springs
$15.20 / hour + tips
Seeking professional kitchen staff with previous experience and the ability to work in all areas of the kitchen. Would be responsible for food prep, proper sanitation practices, line work, as well as effectively working with the culinary team. Must have a willingness to serve and positively interact with staff and guests.
Kitchen staff have 50% off Food, in addition to the already free housing!
Winter & Summer
Ranch Hand
Steamboat Springs
$15.20 / hour + tips
Ranch Hands oversee general ranch maintenance and transportation. Ranch hands must be 21 years or older with a valid driver’s license and clean driving record. The position can be physically demanding in both summer and winter weather as duties include snow removal, landscaping and grounds keeping, pool and hot tub care, vehicle care, helping guests with luggage, and other daily and seasonal tasks.
Winter
Winter Guide – Backcountry Ski & Snowshoe, Ice Fishing, Snowmobiling
Steamboat Springs
$15.20 / hour + tips
Guides need to be knowledgeable in the outdoors, physically fit, and provide a safe and compelling trip while being attentive to the guest’s needs and requests. Guides are expected to jump into other guiding roles as needed to support all guiding out of the Adventure Center which includes our sister company the Steamboat Lake Outpost.
Candidates must be 21 or older, hold a current up-to-date CPR/First Aid certification, and have a clean driving record.
Backcountry Ski and Snowshoe: A basic knowledge of the Nordic ski sports along with experience in the backcountry.
Ice Fishing: Knowledgeable in ice fishing techniques and ice quality.
Snowmobiling: Experience with snow machine handling and backcountry terrain.
Fat Tire Biking / 3D Archery Course / Tubing
Winter & Summer
Wrangler
Steamboat Springs
$15.20 / hour + tips
Wranglers prepare for and lead trail rides, offer riding instruction, and are responsible for the care and well-being of our herd of 100+ horses. It is essential wranglers have considerable equine experience, as they are responsible for the safety of both our guests and our animals.
Applicants need strong interpersonal skills, and must be willing to work with both adults and children.
Candidates must be 21 or older and hold current up-to-date CPR/First Aid certification.
Summer Wranglers: AM/PM Trail Rides, Breakfast Ride, Steak Ride, Kids Program Support & Rodeo, Wagon Rides, Clinics, Feeding and Chores, Basic First Aid and Care, etc.
Winter Guides: AM/PM Trail Rides, Sleigh Rides, Clinics, Feeding and Chores, Basic First Aid and Care, etc.
APPLY NOW
Our Staff Philosophy and Culture
Life at Vista Verde is unlike any job you’ve held before. From shared meals with guests and coworkers to barn dances, music nights, and mornings in the saddle, every day here is intentional. We don’t just show up and clock out. We bring people together.
Our community is built on western values, authentic relationships, and healthy living. That means our team learns guests’ names, engages in real conversation, and creates experiences that genuinely change people. It means showing up with hard work, kindness, gratitude, and a service mindset on and off the clock.
Whether you’re exploring the National Forest on your time off, catching a summer rodeo in Steamboat Springs, or carving fresh lines at Steamboat Resort during the winter, you’re never far from something extraordinary. This is how we live at Vista Verde–doing work that matters, surrounded by a community that lasts, in a place you’re proud to call home.
More Than Just a Job
We’re building something rare here: a team of people who care deeply about their craft, the guests, and each other. Whether you’re wrangling horses at sunrise, plating a three-course dinner, guiding a backcountry snowshoe excursion, or helping a family find their footing on a mountain bike trail, the work you do here leaves an impact.
We hire motivated, service-driven individuals who are ready to bring their best every single day. Some of our staff work for one season; others build careers here that span years and in different departments. Whatever path brought you to us, you’ll find that a position at Vista Verde offers something most jobs simply can’t–a sense of purpose, a tight-knit community, and a backdrop that has to be seen to be believed.
Browse our current openings, or submit a general application and let us know who you are.
Departments
Every department at Vista Verde works toward the same goal: delivering an exceptional, guest-first experience that keeps families coming back year after year. Our teams include:
- Guest Services – The face of the Ranch, ensuring every guest feels welcomed, known, and genuinely cared for from arrival to departure.
- Culinary – From preparing multi-course luxury dinners to serving a wine list recognized by the Wine Spectator, our culinary team is made up of chefs, line cooks, and servers who all bring creativity and craft to every meal.
- Outdoor Adventure – Our adventure guides lead all things outdoor activities-wise, helping you appreciate Colorado’s terrain with trips for fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and backcountry skiing across the mountains.
- Horse Program – Our wranglers are responsible for the health of our 100+ herd of horses and bring the authentic dude ranch experience to life for guests of every level of horsemanship experience.
- Ranch Operations – The backbone of the Ranch, keeping the property safe, maintained, and running smoothly for guests and staff alike.
- Office – Handling the frontline communications with guests by coordinating reservations, daily activities, and the behind-the-scenes logistics that make every stay seamless and high-touch.
- Leadership & Admin – Experienced managers, directors, and professionals who oversee special areas of the Ranch and develop the team that makes Vista Verde what it is.
Across every role, we hold ourselves to the same standard: excellence, consistency, and a genuine spirit of service.
Seasons of Operation
Vista Verde primarily operates in seasons, with select year-round positions available for specific roles.
Summer & Fall: Runs from mid-May through early November. Our longest and most active season, packed with energy, with ranch life at its peak. Full-season availability is preferred; select shorter commitments through August may be available for certain roles.
Winter: Spans Christmas week through mid-March, offering a quieter but equally rewarding experience. Winter staff enjoy access to world-class skiing at Steamboat Resort, snowshoeing through pristine backcountry, and the close community that comes with a smaller seasonal crew.
Year-Round: Some opportunities exist across select departments for individuals ready to put down roots and grow with the team across multiple seasons.
When applying, please note your dates of availability, as candidates whose schedules align with our full season needs are given preference.
Is VVR Right For You?
We are looking for driven, service-minded individuals who are ready to fully commit to a community and an experience unlike anything else.
Here’s what life at VVR looks like:
- You’ll live on the ranch. Staff housing is provided, and you’ll share meals, spaces, and days with your coworkers. Community isn’t optional here; it’s the foundation.
- You’ll work a full schedule. Guest seasons are active and demanding. We lean on every member of our team to bring their best, and in return, we invest in yours.
- Age requirements vary by role. Most positions are 21+, though some roles are open to those 18 and older. Certain positions also require a valid driver’s license, current CPR/First Aid certification, or relevant specialty experience. Requirements are listed with each posting.
- We maintain clear professional standards. Vista Verde is a drug-free, marijuana-free, and tobacco-restricted workplace. Our policies support a safe and respectful environment for both staff and guests. Full details are provided during the hiring process.
If you thrive on meaningful work, crave real adventure, and want to be part of something bigger than a job title, you’ll feel right at home here.
Staff Testimonials
The best way to understand life at Vista Verde is to hear it from the people who’ve lived it. From unexpected career pivots to seasons that turned into multi-year commitments, each of our team members has a unique story to share. These are just a few testimonies from current and past staff members, and how Vista Verde impacted them.
Emily – From Corporate to Dude Ranching
Emily spent years in real estate finance in Los Angeles, but horses have always been a part of her heart. A trip to a Wyoming dude ranch in 2023 changed everything for her.
She left the corporate world behind and started as a wrangler out West, eventually landing at Vista Verde as our very first content creator.
After a year of storytelling, Emily realized it wasn’t quite scratching the itch, so she made it simple: she went back to the barn full-time as a wrangler at VVR. Her story is proof that sometimes the life you were meant to live is the one you almost talked yourself out of.
Siera – Sharing Her Love For Animals
Siera grew up right in our neighborhood of Clark, Colorado, with a deep love for animals that led her to a pre-veterinary degree at Montana State and straight into vet school at Kansas State.
After her first year, she came home and spent a season working with our herd.
For Siera, Vista Verde wasn’t a detour from her long-term goals; it was a chance to keep doing what she loves while building the hands-on experience that defines the veterinarian she is becoming.
Tommy – From Server to Certified Sommelier
Tommy first came to Vista Verde as a server on a winter break from his interior design path. There was no long-term plan; just an opportunity to try something new.
Then one wine tasting with Chef Jonathon changed everything. After Tommy’s time at the Ranch, he went home, earned his Certified Sommerlier credential through the Court of Master Sommerliers, and is now managing the wine program at an acclaimed Italian restaurant in Denver while continuing to pursue a WSET Diploma.
In Tommy’s words: “Vista Verde was a seasonal opportunity that ended up being the spark to my current career.”
Giving Back to Those Who Inspire
The Elk River Kipper Scholarship was established in honor of Charlie “Kipper” Cammer, a beloved Vista Verde staff member whose legacy of mentorship, generosity, and investment in the people around him left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.
In keeping with Charlie’s legacy, each year, we award staff with a scholarship to support their education and personal growth. Because, just like Charlie did, we believe in giving back to the people who give so much to this place.
This scholarship is open to current and former Vista Verde staff who exemplify the spirit of service, leadership, and community that Charlie embodied. It’s one of the ways we continue to say “thank you” to those who invested so much themselves.
Employment FAQs
What’s included when I work at VVR - Housing, Meals, Benefits?
Housing is provided for most seasonal positions, and you’ll live right on the ranch in a shared community environment. Meals are included during designated meal times at a subsidized bi-weekly employee deduction–so you get to enjoy 5-star cuisine along with our guests. Beyond the basics, staff also have access to 1.1 million acres of surrounding National Forest and, pending availability, certain ranch activities like hiking and horseback riding on days off. Once hired, you’ll receive new-hire paperwork covering the dress code and anything specific we recommend bringing, but the essentials (housing, bed, bedding, and meals) are all taken care of.
Do I need a car?
Many of our staff get by just fine without one. Most of what you need day-to-day is right here on the ranch, including housing and meals. If you do want to explore Steamboat Springs or travel farther, you’re responsible for arranging your own transportation, but you’ll likely find plenty of people happy to share the ride.
Can I bring a pet?
Unfortunately, no. Due to our staff housing setup and the ranch environment, personal pets cannot be accommodated.
How old do I need to be?
Age requirements vary by position. Most roles require applicants to be 21 or older based on job responsibilities, housing arrangements, and driving requirements. Any position-specific age requirements are noted in the job description.
Can couples apply together?
Couples are welcome to apply, but each person must submit an individual application and be considered for an available role on their own merits. Employment for one applicant does not guarantee a position for the other.
Do I need ranch or horse experience?
Some horsemanship and outdoor adventure roles require specific experience or certifications. Many other positions do not require a ranch background. What we value across every role: a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn, genuine hospitality, and the ability to be a positive presence on the team.
Can I take time off during the season?
We run on a lean staff and maintain a full guest schedule throughout the season. Time off is generally not available during your first 100 days unless specific dates were approved in advance or a unique situation arises. We’re always willing to discuss individual circumstances openly.
Do staff have access to ranch activities?
Yes. Pending guest numbers and guide availability, staff are welcome to enjoy certain ranch activities, such as hiking or horseback riding, on their days off. You’ll just need prior approval from the manager of that department.
What happens after I apply, and when will I hear back?
Our team reviews every application thoughtfully, looking at your experience, availability, and overall fit for the position and season. We receive thousands of applications each year and give preference to candidates whose dates of availability align with our season needs. If your background and availability are a strong match, we’ll be in touch about next steps, which may include an interview. Hiring timelines vary by department and time of year, so response times can differ. If offered a position, you’ll receive everything you need before your start date: arrival details, housing, what to bring, time-off policy, transportation, and staff access to ranch activities.
Find Your Home Here
@vista.verde.ranch It’s a full house in the barn! #wrangler #horses #duderanch #colorado #fyp ♬ original sound - 🤔
@vista.verde.ranch Never a dull moment with Jake #flyfishing #adventure #colorado #duderanch #fyp ♬ original sound - Vista Verde Guest Ranch
@vista.verde.ranch On this episode of Cooking with K Dawgs #duderanch #kitchen #cooking #fyp ♬ Hilarious banjo solo, bluegrass(889158) - 2strings
