Learn about the positions we have available as well as what to expect from your summer with Summit Lake Lodge. If you really want to work in Alaska and be a part of the best lodge in the state, then get your application in ASAP!
Why Work in Alaska?
Thousands of people each year, from all areas of the world, choose to travel to Alaska to spend a few cherished vacation days. This shows just how exciting this state is. For some of our employees, a summer in Alaska is the first step towards a career working and living in this unique land. For others it is a step on the road to careers and different places. The actual work you will be doing if hired by Summit Lake Lodge will be similar to that of any summer tourist center; restaurant, bar, gift shop, or ice cream parlor anywhere in the country. The excitement of living in Alaska for a summer, and of meeting the variety of travelers that visit, is something that one cannot match anywhere in the world.
Summit Lake Lodge, located on the Seward highway, is eighty miles south of Anchorage on the Kenai Peninsula. We are in the heart of the Chugach National Forest on the only highway that accesses the towns on the peninsula. The Kenai Peninsula is world-renowned for its world-class fishing, hunting, easily accessed glaciers, and abundance of hiking trails. We have an ideal location so we are extremely busy during the peak season. Summit Lake Lodge is a log structure constructed in 1950. It consists of a full service restaurant with a capacity of eighty-five, a small bar, a small motel, and a gift shop/ ice-cream parlor. It is on the north shore of Upper Summit Lake and the nearest communities are 17 miles south.
These communities do not have a mall, not even a stop sign. You might consider them a wide spot in the road. Summit Lake Lodge does have cell phone service. Summit Lake Lodge has no telephone hard lines, only cell phone service, in which only ACS ( an Anchorage company) and service from Verizon will work at the Summit Lake Lodge. While we are located on the only highway, it is very isolated. You have to be a person that is comfortable with yourself and having down time.
Positions Available and Hours Worked
Each season is different. The busiest time for Summit Lake Lodge is June1 through September 15 and we must have a full staff during this period. We pay overtime in accordance with Alaska state law. Employees may be assigned to work any day of the week. Shifts may vary from day to day and split shifts are possible. Salaried supervisors are expected to work as needed to complete their assigned jobs.
Paychecks are distributed on a bi-monthly basis on the 5th and 20th. Work weeks can change for employees to accommodate influxes in business. Schedules are posted on Friday for the following week. The work week is Monday thru Sunday. Each persons contract is a crucial part of our scheduling. We have each person on a prediction of the seasons tourist influx. We try not to over heir to allow our employees to get the hours they desire, so your commitment to your contract is very important.
| Position | Min. Age | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Bartender* | 21 | $8.00 |
| Cashier/ Gift Shop | 18 | $8.00 |
| Line Cook* | 18 | $9.00 - 14.00 |
| Prep Cook | 18 | $8.00 - 9.00 |
| Dish Washer | 18 | $7.75 |
| Ice Cream Server | 18 | $7.75 |
| Host/Hostess | 18 | $7.75 |
| Wait Staff* | 21 | $7.75 |
*experience required
What We will Expect of You
Summit Lake Lodge is committed to giving first class service with that "little something extra" in all of its facilities. In order to accomplish this, we look for employees who are willing to make that same commitment to excellence in their own standards and work habits. We are looking not only for employees with previous experience in the restaurant industry, but also those who may have little job related experience. Above all, we are looking for people who are willing to work hard, enjoy working with and for people, and who take pride in a job well done. A summer job at Summit Lake Lodge offers many rewards. We are looking for the type of employee whose satisfaction comes from the knowledge that he/she has made a special contribution towards the success of a guest’s "once in a lifetime" vacation trip. The privileges of living and working in the spectacular scenery of this great land and the opportunity to form lifetime friendships are bonuses that will create memories to last a lifetime. We want to treat our customers as if they were a guest in our own home, seeing to their every need, because they are a guest. Too many people in hospitality have the attitude that they are doing the customer a favor by waiting on them, when in reality the customer is doing us a favor by choosing us to serve them.
Basic Employment Requirements
Availability Dates: Our busiest season begins in Memorial Day to Labor Day. Summer positions start as early as April. Your employment chances improve if you can arrive early and work through September or later. Be realistic and specific when you decide your dates of availability. These will become part of your employment agreement. These dates will become part of your work contract not your travel days.
Age: All out of state employees must be 18 or over upon reporting for work. All service personnel must be 21 or over to serve alcohol. Federal immigration regulations require all employees to provide positive identification and proof of legal residency or work visa.
Appearance Standards: Summit Lake Lodge considers personal appearance to be of great importance. Our employees represent Summit Lake Lodge and their appearance forms a significant part of the impression created for our guests. Employees have direct contact with the customers. For these reasons, all employees must be willing to accept the following as basic conditions of employment: Hairstyles must be neat and well groomed at all times and appropriate according to Summit Lake Lodge policy. Male employees hair must be neatly trimmed and not extend below the bottom of the collar in length. Mustaches are the only acceptable facial hair. Beards or go tees are not allowed. Mustaches should be kept closely cropped and neat in appearance. Any jewelry worn by employees on the job must be conservative, in good taste, appropriate to working attire, and not in conflict with any job related safety standards. It is Summit Lake Lodge policy that no kitchen staff wears exposed watches or jewelry for safety.
Standards of Conduct: Summit Lake Lodge expects their employees to maintain a high standard of performance on any assigned job responsibilities. We consider each position to be of vital importance in helping to provide the services that Summit Lake Lodge customers have come to expect. At times, employees will perform duties in areas that were not initially assigned to them. Teamwork in all areas ensures our expected level of excellence is achieved. No job is insignificant or unimportant. Our employees help to make the difference between an ordinary vacation for our guests and a truly memorable one. We live and work in a remote location. We need people that are flexible and can adjust to what ever situation may arise. We like to think it adds to the Alaskan adventure. We expect our employees conduct to reflect a high standard consistent with living and working at Summit Lake Lodge whether on or off duty. Summit Lake Lodge practices a non-smoking policy for "on duty" employees. Smoking is only allowed while you are on a punched out break.
Health: Summit Lake Lodge is in a remote area without any medical facilities. The nearest medical facilities are 45 miles from Summit Lake Lodge. There is a volunteer ambulance service in Cooper landing and Moose Pass 20 miles from the Lodge. Anchorage has the best medical services and is 80 miles from the lodge.
Uniform Requirements
Wait staff: Clean and pressed; white short sleeve dress shirt, men or women's broadcloth button down front and collar. Black cotton twill pants; jeans, stretch, sweat, corduroy, or knit pants are not acceptable. Black socks & black laced, closed toe shoes. Men’s fun print tie and a smile. Nametags & 1/2 apron will be provided.
Hostess/host: Clean and pressed; white short sleeve dress shirt, men or women's broadcloth button down front and collar. Black cotton twill pants; jeans, stretch, sweat, corduroy or knit pants are not acceptable. Black socks & black laced, closed toe shoes. Men’s fun print tie and a smile. Nametag and full apron will be provided.
Dishwashers: clean and pressed; white short sleeve dress shirt, men or women's broadcloth button down front and collar. Black cotton twill pants; jeans, stretch, sweat, corduroy, or knit pants are not acceptable. Black socks & black laced, closed toe shoes. Apron will be provided.
Ice Cream: Clean and pressed; white short sleeve dress shirt, men or women's broadcloth button down front and collar. Black cotton twill pants; jeans, stretch, sweat, corduroy, or knit pants are not acceptable. Black socks & black laced, closed toe shoes. Nametag & apron will be provided.
Bartenders: White short sleeve dress shirt, men or women's broadcloth button down front and collar. Black cotton twill pants; jeans, stretch, sweat, corduroy or knit pants are not acceptable. Black socks & black laced, closed toe shoes. Men’s fun print tie and a smile. Nametag & apron will be provided.
Gift shop: Clean and pressed; white short sleeve dress shirt, men or women's broadcloth button down front and collar. Black cotton twill pants; jeans, stretch, sweat, corduroy, or knit pants are not acceptable. Black socks & black laced, closed toe shoes. Nametag & apron will be provided.
All Cooks: Clean and pressed; black cotton twill pants; jeans, stretch, sweat, corduroy, or knit pants are not acceptable. black socks & black laced, closed toe shoes. White t-shirts. Chef's coat, hat & 4-way apron will be provided.
Staff Quarters and Accomodations
Each employee housing building houses 4 employees. There is a common area just for the employees that has a kitchen, restrooms, and game area. It is a place to hang out, get to know the other employees and relax.
Online Employment Application Form
Please fill out the application completely. When you are finished click on the submit button located at the bottom of the form. Be sure to include an email address or a phone number where we can contact you BE SURE TO ONLY HIT "SUBMIT" WHEN YOU ARE DONE.
Our Employees at Work and Play

Summit Lake Lodge is central to some of the greatest fishing rivers and lakes on the Kenai Peninsula. We also have access to some of the best guides in the business.

Enjoy kayaking? It doesn't get any better than kayaking on Summit Lake, or any one of the nearby lakes or rivers.

With its unsurpassed beauty, Summit Lake Lodge has become a landmark for many over the years. There are ample hiking trails, kayaking, fishing; plus snow-mobiling and cross-country skiing in winter. The mountains surrounding the Lake and Lodge are so numerous they remain un-named. Moose, brown and black bear, caribou, eagles, beaver and many other wild animals inhabit the area.

Summit Lake Lodge has employee people from all over the lower 48 US States and world! We have had employees from Bulgaria, Romania, New Zealand and many parts of Europe.

Summit Lake Lodge Rocks! I have meet some of the nicest people that I will remain friends with for the rest of my life. I can not wait to come back again next year. Jeff - Wisconsin

I just loved working at Summit Lake Lodge, the other employees were great, the surroundings fantastic. I did a lot of hiking, fishing and exploring the many towns near by. I loved it.
Jennifer - Oregon