**Please reach out this fall/winter if you are interested in 2026 Employment! Please complete a job application using the 2026 Chugach Adventures Job Application LINK.
Out-of-State (ALASKA) Inquiries – We have an Alaska Local Hire Policy, and most guides are strongly connected to Alaska. We only hire 1-3 out-of-state employees per season.
More About Us…
Chugach Adventures is the leading summer Adventure Guide Service in Southcentral, Alaska, based in Girdwood, Alaska. We offer a variety of Guided Adventures, including scenic glacier rafting, kayaking, remote glacier salmon bakes, glacier trekking, helicopter hiking tours, and more. We are based in Girdwood, AK, and our tours occur in the Chugach National Forest. We are a unique guide service, operating most of our tours from the AK Railroad Glacier Discovery and Coastal Classic Trains. We are the only guide service in Alaska with guides who work by raft, kayak, glacier trek, & helicopter all in the same week. We were the original founding guide company that partnered with the AK Railroad and pioneered the Spencer Glacier Area starting in 2001. We have operated for over 20 years in the Chugach & Kenai Mountains. We hire both experienced professional guides and new “green” guides.
Please review the available positions listed below.
The open positions are listed below. Please read the job descriptions and familiarize yourself with our company website and culture before submitting your application.
We were the only guide service in Girdwood, Alaska, that remained open in 2020 during the pandemic. Every season since then has been our busiest yet. We are looking for new guides, office staff, and adventure kitchen help to join our team in 2025. We are seeking 8-10+ new employees for the 2026 Season. Our guide team has approximately 20 Full-Time Guides each season, with supplemental roles in kitchen and office positions to provide full-time work for all of our new hires.
We are a seasonal employer operating from May to September. We offer full-time and part-time employment opportunities to our staff, aiming to be as flexible as possible to meet their needs. We pay hourly based on experience level & certification levels and allow OT.
PLEASE COMPLETE THIS QUICK JOB APPLICATION IF INTERESTED IN EMPLOYMENT WITH CHUGACH ADVENTURES ASAP: 2026 Chugach Adventures Job Application LINK. Applications are accepted anytime. Interviews for 2026 positions will take place from December 2025 to March 2026.
Positions Available:
Kitchen Staff
We aim to provide the best Adventure Meals in Alaska Tourism and have one of Alaska’s best culinary adventure kitchens. Spencer Glacier Salmon Bake and Portage Scenic Float & Salmon Bake. Our commercial kitchen is located in Girdwood, Alaska.
No experience is necessary to start this position, and many of our new employees seeking guide work start in our kitchen to supplement their hours.
A food handler’s card and attention to detail are all required.
- Flexible Schedule to fit your needs. Part-time or Full-Time work is available.
- Seasonal Work Dates: May through September
Description:
- Line Cook Duties (no experience required)
- Sandwiches & lunches for day tours
- Salmon bake basic prep
- Salmon Baking
- Expediting to Anchorage
- Pay: $15 – 20 / HR DOE
Office Reservationist
We are looking for an office reservation person(s) to join our team at Chugach Adventures and help run the Portage Depot. Full-time work is available May – September 2026. The work environment is fun, fast-paced, & dynamic. The position is 3 to 5 days per week, depending on the season.
Office duties include answering phones and emails, making and processing reservations, handling basic accounting tasks, and manifesting and selling AK Railroad train tickets.
This is an excellent opportunity to get into the tourism industry in Alaska, and we are willing to train the right person.
This position is for someone with excellent customer service skills, good communication, a great attitude, basic computer proficiency, and a willingness to learn.
Job Description: This position is designed for guides/adventurers with experience( at least 1 season) guiding sea kayaking or rafting on Class I+ rivers or a commensurate experience level. A Wilderness First Responder course or equivalent is required. This position is for an individual with work experience and expertise to lead trips in the wilderness and at remote locations. Starting Pay: $18 – $ 21/Hr. DOE + Tips.
Responsibilities
- Work shifts and tours that start as early as 7 AM and can last a full 10+ hour day.
- Work in a variety of inclement weather conditions.
- Study and learn the area’s historical, geologic, and natural history, as well as its geographic knowledge.
- Conduct safety-oriented, informative, and fun day tours.
- Enthusiasm to meet new people from different nationalities and backgrounds, and share your local knowledge and expertise with them
- Ability to lift heavy items without constraint
- Kayak Guide Specific
- Guest outfitting and sizing with paddling gear
- Knowledge of the Beaufort Sea Scale
- Kayak proficiency
- Ability to perform Self Rescue and Client Rescue
- Ability to perform a client tow set-up
- Ability to hike a minimum of 3 miles
- Guests gear up, including orientation, a safety talk, and outfitting in all necessary gear.
- Daily organization & cleaning of gear
- Ability to effectively communicate with other lead guides
- Ability to use a GARMIN IN-Reach
Requirements
- Ability to communicate clearly and lead a group
- Engaging informative guide personality
- Possess all required professional gear
- A detailed list is supplied post-hire
- Pro-Deal program access upon hire
- Minimum of 1 season of previous guiding experience
- Minimum of WFR, OEC, or EMT certifications
- Ability to react calmly and in control in dynamic situations
- Experience hiking and traveling in remote landscapes
Entry Level – Assistant Guide
Job Description: This position is designed for an individual interested in working for an adventure company and becoming a guide. No prior work experience is necessary. Pay: $15 – 17 DOE + tips.
Responsibilities
- Work shifts and tours that start as early as 7 AM and can last a full day
- Work in a variety of inclement weather conditions.
- Study and learn the area’s historical, geologic, natural history, and geographic knowledge.
- Conduct safety-oriented, informative, and fun day tours.
- Enthusiasm to meet new people from different nationalities and backgrounds, and share your local knowledge and expertise with them
- Ability to lift heavy items without constraint
- Shuttle driving, AK Railroad train greeting.
- Catering Food and helping with food packaging for trips
- Organizing gear and keeping all gear clean daily
Requirements
- Ability to communicate clearly
- Quick learner
- Ability to become technically proficient as a rafting and kayaking assistant guide
- New Kayak Guides are required to take an ACA Trip Leader Sea Kayak Course.
- New Raft Guides are taught in-house by Chugach Adventures’ Returning Guides.
- Engaging informative guide personality
- Possess all required professional gear.
- A detailed list is supplied post-hire
- Pro-Deal program access upon hire
- No experience necessary
- Minimum of CPR and First Aid certifications, with a strong recommendation for a Wilderness First Aid Course or WFR- Wilderness First Responder course