Lead Bartender

Vail Resorts; Colorado; On-site; USD 16,531 - 23,419; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free passes for employees

Discounted lift tickets for friends &/

Free ski lessons

40% retail discounts

Wellness benefits

Job summary

Vail Resorts in Colorado is hiring for winter seasonal roles including cooks, drivers, instructors and bartenders and more. Seasonal work offers competitive pay, free passes, ski lessons, lodging discounts, and training through Epic Service to grow your skills.

Starting wages range from $12.14 to $16.79 per hour, with full‑time hours available. All season staff join a team devoted to guest experiences while following health and safety standards.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent – required.
• Minimum of 1 year server/waitstaff experience in a high‑volume restaurant/hotel/resort – preferred.
• Current TIPS certification for responsible service of alcohol – required.
• Familiarity with computers – required.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English, both written and verbal – required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a professional and gracious demeanor while enhancing the dining experience through outstanding service skills.
• Take food and beverage orders from guests and enter them in the POS system with complete accuracy.
• Demonstrate exceptional food and beverage knowledge with an ability to upsell to ensure guest satisfaction.
• Always be ready to assist fellow servers and ensure smooth operation of the dining room.
• Adhere to brand standards and health regulations while training others on service best practices.

Skills

English communication

Customer service

Multitasking

Standing/walking

Education

High School diploma

Tools

POS system

Computers

Job description

Now hiring for winter 2026/27 – Cooks, Drivers, Instructors & more. Apply today!

Come work and play in the mountains! Whether it’s your first‑time seeing snow or you were born on the slopes, joining our team means discovering (or re‑discovering!) a passion for the outdoors while building lifelong connections with teammates and guests from around the world.

With 40+ resorts across 3 continents, you can join our team for a season or stay to build a career. From day one, you'll receive some of the highest compensation rates in the industry, free pass(es) along with free ski and snowboard lessons, 40% retail discounts, the chance to grow through Epic Service – our leading training and development experience, and wellness benefits to fuel your success.

Hiring for our seasonal positions occurs on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted until December 15th or until the positions are filled (whichever is first).

Employee Benefits

• Free passes for employees, discounted lift tickets for friends and family, and free ski lessons.
• Additional employee discounts on lodging, food, gear, and mountain shuttles.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Excellent training and professional development.
• Referral Program.

Job Summary

Are you seeking fun and adventurous employment opportunities in the world’s best mountain resorts? Come join the resort by becoming a bartender at one of our operations. If you enjoy building cocktails and serving fantastic wines and cold beer, this is the job for you. By joining the team, you will develop new and varied skills in a dynamic work environment. Regardless of your specific job, you will help deliver an Experience of a Lifetime for our guests and fellow employees by living our core values: Serve Others, Do Right, Drive Value, Do Good, Be Safe, and Have Fun!

Job Specifications

• Starting Wage: $12.14/hr – $16.79/hr
• Employment Type: Winter Seasonal 2026/2027
• Shift Type: Full Time hours available
• Minimum Age: 18 years
• Housing Availability: Yes

Job Responsibilities

• Maintain a professional and gracious demeanor while enhancing the dining experience through outstanding service skills.
• Complete side work such as stocking, polishing silver, glass and dishware, tray sweep, trash and recycling removal, expediting food, serving food and drinks, etc.
• Consistently follow and train IRD servers on the steps of the service cycle as outlined in the brand standards and ensure timing and flow of service is correctly paced.
• Demonstrate exceptional food and beverage knowledge with an ability to upsell to ensure guest satisfaction.
• Take food and beverage orders from guests and enter them in the point‑of‑sale system with complete accuracy.
• Answer questions about food, beverages and other restaurant functions and services.
• Provide relevant management feedback on policies, procedures, training and daily operations.
• Always be ready and willing to assist fellow servers and bus persons with clearing and resetting tables.
• Be available to fill in as needed to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the restaurant as directed by the restaurant manager or immediate supervision.
• Exhibit a mastery level of menu and beverage/wine knowledge and train IRD servers to exhibit and have this knowledge.
• Consistently direct and train IRD servers on all best practices and continuously improve these practices.
• Adhere to all state health regulations and all state liquor laws.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent – required.
• Minimum of 1 year server/waitstaff experience in a high‑volume restaurant/hotel/resort – preferred.
• Current TIPS certification for responsible service of alcohol – required.
• Familiarity with computers – required.
• Previous experience using POS system – preferred.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and tactfully in English, both written and verbal – required.
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time and move quickly throughout the dining room – required.
• Excellent guest service skills: professionalism, attention to detail and timeliness.
• Capable of multi‑tasking – required.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. – required.

The expected pay range is $12.14/hr – $16.79/hr. Individual compensation decisions are based on a variety of factors.

In completing this application, and when submitting related documentation, applicants may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, and/or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

We follow all federal, state, and local laws including restrictions on child/minor labor. Minors hired into this position will not be asked or permitted to engage in any activities restricted to adult workers.

Vail Resorts is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

Requisition ID 515592
Reference Date: 07/14/2026
Job Code Function: Front of House

Nearest Major Market: Denver