Host/Hostess
Welcome Guests to the Doorstep of Denali
Imagine starting your shift with a view of North America’s tallest mountain rising above the spruce forest. At HAP Mt McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge in Denali State Park, Trapper Creek, Alaska, you won’t just be working a summer job — you’ll be living inside one of the most breathtaking landscapes on the planet. As a Host/Hostess, you’re the first smile every guest sees after their journey into the Alaskan wild.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Warmly welcoming and greeting guests as they arrive at the lodge restaurant
- Managing the seating chart, waitlists and reservations during busy dinner rushes
- Escorting guests to their tables, presenting menus and answering questions about the lodge
- Keeping the host stand, entrance and dining areas clean, organized and inviting
- Communicating smoothly with servers, kitchen staff and management to keep service flowing
- Sharing local tips about hikes, wildlife viewing and Denali views with curious travelers
- Assisting with light side duties such as resetting tables, rolling silverware and menu upkeep
Why Denali State Park?
Trapper Creek sits along the Parks Highway, surrounded by 325,000 acres of protected wilderness. On clear days, the lodge offers some of the finest views of Denali (Mt. McKinley) anywhere in Alaska. Your days off can include hiking the Curry Ridge Trail, spotting moose and bears, riverboat trips, flightseeing over glaciers, and endless summer daylight that lets you explore until midnight. This is the Alaska you’ve seen in documentaries — and you’ll be calling it home.
What You’ll Earn & Enjoy
- $16.00 per hour with approximately 42 hours per week
- Opportunity for overtime during the busy summer-to-fall season
- On-site employee housing and dining options typical of remote Alaskan lodges
- An international team of students and seasonal workers from around the world
- Employee activities, staff excursions and access to a true wilderness lifestyle
- Valuable international hospitality experience for your CV
Who We’re Looking For
- University students aged 18–25 on the Work & Travel USA program
- Conversational to good English communication skills — you’ll be talking to guests all day
- A friendly, outgoing personality and genuine hospitality mindset
- Ability to stand and move for extended periods during shifts
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and holidays
- Comfort with living and working in a remote location without big-city conveniences
- Previous customer service experience is a plus, but a great attitude matters most
Season Details
Position runs from summer through fall — the peak of Alaska’s tourist season, when the lodge buzzes with travelers from across the globe. Arrive in the endless daylight of June and finish as the tundra turns gold and red in early autumn.
Spots at Alaskan wilderness lodges fill fast. If you want a summer story nobody else at university will have, apply today and start your Denali adventure.
About Alaska
Alaska is the ultimate Work & Travel adventure - glaciers, Denali, midnight sun and untouched wilderness. Most students work in remote lodges, national-park resorts and on tour boats, earning some of the highest summer wages in the country.
