Lone Mountain Ranch (LMR), situated on 148 acres in beautiful Big Sky, Montana, was first homesteaded in 1915 and has long been recognized as one of the premier guest ranch resorts in the country. The property consists of 30 rooms located within 24 unique cabins as well as the Horn & Cantle Restaurant and Saloon, the Ranch Hall, the Outpost, equestrian facilities, event venues and meeting spaces. A National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World, LMR is listed on the National Registry of the Historic Places, a member of the Dude Rancher’s Association, and once voted the #1 Nordic Ski Resort in North America by Cross Country Skier Magazine, LMR offers authentic luxury accommodations, genuine Montana cuisine, exceptional service, and a stunning array of outdoor recreational pursuits. Combine these attributes with proximity to Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky Resort, as well as Bozeman Airport, and we believe the LMR guest experience is unlike any other in the American West.
LMR VISION
Lone Mountain Ranch is a destination where guests disconnect from the world, while connecting with others through unforgettable adventures in a natural setting. Moments are crafted through discovery, exceptional people, fun activities, and a breathtaking environment.
SUMMARY
The Wrangler at Lone Mountain Ranch plays a key role in providing guests with unforgettable experiences in the scenic Montana landscape. This hands-on position involves guiding guests on memorable trail rides, ensuring their safety, and delivering exceptional hospitality with every interaction. In addition to leading trail rides, Wranglers are responsible for the care and grooming of horses, as well as maintaining the barn, fences, and other equestrian facilities. A focus on professionalism, safety, and thorough training is paramount to ensuring a seamless and memorable guest experience.
The ideal candidate will be passionate about horsemanship and outdoor activities, with a strong ability to connect with guests in a friendly and professional manner. A dedication to safety and the well-being of both guests and animals is essential. Previous experience with horses, trail riding, and basic equine care, along with a commitment to maintaining a pristine, organized work environment, is highly preferred. The Wrangler should possess excellent communication skills, be adaptable, and have a natural ability to work within a team while maintaining a high level of professionalism.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work with a herd of up to 120 horses, saddling up to 60 horses per day, and spending up to 10 hours in the saddle daily.
- Lead guests on trail rides, ensuring safety and enjoyment for all skill levels, and customize routes based on guests’ abilities and interests, with a maximum of 6 guests per ride.
- Conduct safety briefings before rides, covering proper riding techniques, equipment usage, and trail etiquette, while monitoring guest safety during the ride.
- Create a welcoming and engaging environment for guests, offering insights into local wildlife, the ranch, and surrounding wilderness.
- Care for and groom horses daily, including saddling, feeding, and checking for signs of illness or injury.
- Maintain and organize the barn, tack rooms, and surrounding areas to ensure cleanliness and safety.
- Monitor and repair fences, gates, and other equestrian infrastructure as needed to keep the environment secure for both horses and guests.
- Teach guests basic horsemanship, including riding techniques, horse care, and local knowledge during trail rides.
- Assist in training ranch horses to ensure readiness for guest rides, and work with team members to evaluate their progress.
- Inspect, maintain, and repair tack and riding equipment to ensure safety and readiness for each ride.
- Lead and manage group dynamics during rides, ensuring guests stay engaged, safe, and enjoy the experience.
- Respond to emergencies involving guests or horses, administering first aid or escalating to medical or veterinary professionals as needed.
- Stay alert to weather and trail conditions, adjusting routes or plans to ensure safety and comfort for all riders.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in horseback riding, trail rides, and basic horse care.
- Proven ability to handle horses in various settings and a strong understanding of equine behavior.
- Experience leading trail rides and guiding guests, preferably in a hospitality or outdoor setting.
- Strong communication skills with a friendly, professional demeanor when interacting with guests.
- Ability to perform minor repairs to fences, barns, and equestrian equipment.
- Experience in a customer-facing role with a focus on exceptional service.
- Certification in first aid and CPR is required.
- Comfortable working independently and within a team in an outdoor environment.
- Comfort working in varying weather conditions and physically demanding tasks.
- Comfortable driving a large truck and tractor driving experience.
- Experience hauling a truck and trailer with livestock.
- Ability to drive a team of horses.
- Experience working with green-broke stock.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Comfortable working with a herd of up to 120 horses, saddling up to 60 horses per day, and spending up to 10 hours in the saddle daily.
- Outdoor work in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and snow.
- Ability to lift and carry heavy items (up to 50 lbs), and remain on horseback for extended periods.
- Endurance to perform physically demanding tasks like mucking out barns and repairing fences.
- Fine motor skills required for handling reins, saddles, and performing repairs on equipment.
- Strong teamwork and communication required for coordinating with staff and guests.
- Attention to safety for both guests and horses at all times.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time or without notice.
Seasonal employees are hired to work for a pre-determined period of less than 12 months. At the end of the temporary period, employment is terminated. If a seasonal employee wishes to be considered for future employment, they may reapply but will be considered a new employee for all purposes.
HOURLY EMPLOYEE & SEASONAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
In addition to a great hourly wage, we think Lone Mountain Ranch offers more opportunities than most!
- Seasonal Bonus Program:
- All hourly employees will be able to participate in our seasonal bonus program. Each hourly employee will receive $1 per hour worked per season and $1.50 per overtime hour worked. Employees who are terminated or resign from their position before the end of each season, will not be able to participate in this program. If the season is cut short due to business levels, the employee will still participate in this program. Positions that are contracted at a shorter term, like the Outdoor Youth Adventures program, this employee will be able to participate in this program. All hours worked outside of these seasonal ranges will not apply to this bonus program.
- Staff Cafeteria:
- We also want to keep you hydrated and nourished. You will have access to our staff cafeteria which provides 3 meals a day, as well as a large selection of grab and go items to suit anyone’s day.
- Ranch Gratuity:
- In addition to your hourly rate, you will receive a ranch gratuity unique to us.
- Ranch Wide Activities:
- We also understand that every full work week requires a little me time. And what better way to unwind than to take advantage of the many summer activities the ranch has to offer? If there are openings, you have free access to the following in the summer season: horseback riding, Outdoor Youth Adventures Program, Yellowstone National Park Tours, yoga, and mountain biking. During the winter months, you will have access to 50 Miles of world renown cross country ski trails right outside your back door.
- Discounted stay in the cabin at Lone Mountain Ranch:
- If you book a cabin in advance, you will receive 25% off the current best available rate. Alternatively, if you wait until 14 days before your stay, you can book at a special employee rate of $100 per room, per night, meaning a one-bedroom cabin costs $100 per night and a two-bedroom cabin costs $200 per night. Please note, this rate does not include taxes, fees, and gratuities. This discounted rate is exclusively for employees and applies to the Bed & Breakfast package. All requests will be reviewed by Auric Road. Requests will be reviewed Monday - Friday. Once approved, the employee will be contacted, and the booking will be processed with the Lead Sales & Reservation Agent. Requests are based on availability. Blackout dates do apply.
- Arrival
- While we know that we are in one of the most beautiful and sought-after destinations in America, we also know we are a little off the beaten path. The ranch will provide complimentary transportation to and from the airport, should you come to us by air.
- Uniforms:
- Receive free uniforms from the ranch and you’re ready to become a valuable member of the Lone Mountain Ranch team!
- Opportunity to move to Full-Time, Regular Status and receive additional benefits.
- If you remain with us for 1 full year and worked a minimum of 1560 hours during our 12-month lookback period (that takes place at the end of each year), you are eligible to move to full-time status. Full-time status means Vacation and Sick pay, medical, dental, life and vision insurance. This will be effective the first of the month following 30 days of your full-time employment hire date or status. The Ranch will pay for 80% of the premiums for employees and any dependents. Employees will be responsible for paying the remaining 20% of the premiums. Payment is deducted automatically from the employee’s semi- monthly paycheck at a pre-taxed rate.