The 5 Best Places To Work (More Than 20 Employees) Around Summit County

Large employers can create career paths that simply are not possible in a smaller workplace. More departments mean more specialties, more opportunities to move into new roles and, in many cases, benefits designed to support employees beyond the workday. That matters in Summit County, where housing, transportation and the seasonal nature of the mountain economy can all influence working life. The Best of Summit recognizes organizations with more than 20 employees whose teams keep resorts, businesses and local government operating throughout the year.

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area builds its employee culture around teamwork, open communication, inclusion and opportunities for people to develop within the organization. The ski area says coworkers are the No. 1 reason employees continue working there, and its staff spans departments including mountain operations, lift operations, food and beverage, rentals, guest services, snow sports and administration. Eligible employees can receive health insurance, a 401(k), paid time off and housing for certain positions. Winter and year-round employees receive an A-Basin season pass for themselves and their dependents, along with access to complimentary or discounted skiing at participating Colorado resorts. Other benefits include employee discounts, wellness resources, recognition programs and department-specific training.

Copper Mountain Resort

Copper Mountain Resort employs people across a broad collection of mountain operations, lodging, food and beverage, guest services, retail, recreation and administrative roles. Its career programs are designed to give employees opportunities to develop skills and move into new positions, with internal training, coaching and advancement resources available. Benefits vary according to employment status but can include medical coverage, dental and vision options, paid time off and a 401(k) plan that matches 100% of the first 5% an eligible employee contributes, with immediate vesting of employer contributions. Full- and part-time seasonal employees receive free athletic club memberships, while winter employees can receive a free season pass and discounted dependent passes.

The Pinnacle Companies

The Pinnacle Companies brings several related businesses under one Summit County organization, creating jobs across construction, architecture, interior design, property management, vacation rentals, hospitality, marketing, accounting and operations. Established in 2005, the company includes Pinnacle Mountain Homes, Collective Design, Pinnacle Lodging and VisitBreck. Its employment philosophy places character and culture first when hiring, followed by a candidate’s passion and potential and then experience and education. Pinnacle describes its approach as identifying where an employee’s interests and skills become strengths and then aligning those strengths with the right role. Its stated organizational values include gratitude, trust, happiness, integrity, community, compassion and courage.

Breckenridge Grand Vacations

Breckenridge Grand Vacations operates at a scale that creates jobs across many sides of the hospitality industry. Its resort portfolio includes Grand Colorado on Peak 8, Grand Lodge on Peak 7, Grand Timber Lodge and Gold Point Resort, bringing together positions in lodging, guest services, housekeeping, maintenance, food and beverage, spa operations, sales, marketing and administration. The locally rooted company has built its business around vacation ownership and resort management in Breckenridge, so employees work within an organization whose properties and operations are closely tied to the town’s tourism economy. The range of departments creates different entry points for employees with hospitality, technical, customer-service and business backgrounds.

Summit County Government

Summit County Government brings together a workforce responsible for many of the public services that keep a mountain county functioning. Employees work across departments whose responsibilities range from public health, human services and planning to roads, emergency management, open space, recycling and other county operations. That variety creates positions for people with administrative, technical, professional and field-based skills, while the work itself connects directly to residents and the community. County government also operates in an environment with challenges particular to the High Country, including winter transportation, wildfire preparedness, housing pressures, environmental stewardship and the demands created by a large visitor population. Employees therefore have opportunities to apply their specialties to issues with a direct local impact.

Town of Silverthorne

The Town of Silverthorne employs a multidisciplinary team across public works, police, finance, community development, administration, recreation, parks, arts, events and other municipal services. The town describes itself as a small, tightly knit and progressive organization, giving employees opportunities to work directly on the programs and infrastructure used by residents and visitors. Full-time benefits include medical coverage, dental and vision options, 22 days of personal time for new employees and 12 holidays, including four floating holidays. Its 401(a) retirement plan combines a 7.5% employee contribution with a 10.5% town contribution, with employees vested from their first day. Staff also receive free passes to the Silverthorne Recreation Center and Art Spot, and eligible employees can apply for housing purchase or rental assistance. Other programs include wellness activities, an employee assistance program, paid family and medical leave and a lifestyle spending account.

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