10 Winter Seasonal Jobs to Pursue This Year

Are you thinking about looking for winter seasonal jobs this year? There are many reasons why winter jobs could be a great move for everybody, but especially college students.

Winter seasonal jobs are offered anywhere between November to February, and in the case of ski resorts, they even stretch into April. Although figures can vary annually according to projected demand, the biggest companies in retail tend to hire anywhere between 40,000 to 150,000 employees for this short window of time.

Precisely because of their short-term nature, these jobs not only bring in some extra cash but also offer some interesting perks, such as:

• flexible schedules
• building up your resume or filling in gaps
• gaining more experience in your field
• trying out a new career in a different sector

Moreover, there is often urgency to fill these spots so, many seasonal jobs will have little to no requirements and will train you on the job. This makes them perfect jobs for college students over winter break.

Read our tips to get hired for seasonal jobs and start shopping around for the best winter seasonal jobs for you. We’ve pulled together ten of the most popular ones:

1. Retail Sales Associate

Most retail stores like Costco, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, and Macy’s hire for winter seasonal jobs in sales associate positions to help handle demand during the busiest periods, like Black Friday and Christmas.

What you'd do: Sales associates in grocery chains, technology and department stores are responsible for tasks such as greeting customers, assisting them in their buying experience, providing information about products, managing payment transactions, restocking shelves and handling inventory.

What you need: This is just one of the perfect college student winter break jobs you could find, as entry-level sales associate roles usually don’t require a specific education. A high school diploma is generally sufficient, and training is provided on the first day. Bring organization and communication skills, time management and excellent customer service orientation to your retail interview and you’ll be set for success.

What you'd make: The median salary for a retail sales associate is around $14.71 per hour. Many retailers also provide special employee discounts as well.

Find retail sales associate jobs on Monster.

2. Gift Wrapper

Gift wrappers are other examples of typical winter seasonal jobs. They wrap the items people have bought and intend to gift. These workers can be hired by the very same retail stores in which the gifts are purchased, usually in a stand not far from the cashiers, or by private companies and perhaps located within a shopping mall.

What you'd do: Your role as a gift wrapper involves removing price tags from products, offering customers a choice of wrapping papers and ribbons, being able to work with different shaped and sized products, and keeping materials stocked.

What you need: Once again, this is an excellent choice among all the winter jobs for college students. You don’t need a particular education and often times experience on the job is not needed either. Being dexterous, willing to learn and enthusiastic will do the trick.

What you'd make: The median salary for a gift wrapper is $17.36 per hour.

Find gift wrapper jobs on Monster.

3. Ski or Snowboard Instructor

Among the best winter seasonal jobs, we must mention ski and snowboard instructors.

What you'd do: Go for these roles if you’d love to spend all day on the slopes, are an expert skier or snowboarder, and enjoy working with a variety of people. You’ll teach private and group lessons at all levels and ages.

What you need: As with many other sports-related winter jobs, to become a ski or snowboard instructor you’ll need first and foremost to be very experienced on the slopes and have the technical knowledge to teach these sports. Excellent interpersonal skills and patience complete the picture of the ideal candidate. Ski facilities will often also provide specific training courses so you can obtain different levels of teaching certifications.

What you'd make: The salary for a ski/snowboard instructor ranges between $15.16 and $28.87 per hour. You’ll often get a free or reduced ski pass and other discounts at the ski facilities you work at as well.

Find ski instructor jobs on Monster.

4. Ski Lift Operator

Where there are ski instructors, ski lift operators are needed as well. These seasonal winter jobs are an excellent opportunity for those that don’t mind working in the cold, and wish to spend time on the slopes, while also making some money.

What you'd do: Ski lift operators provide instructions to and monitor the safety of passengers getting on and off ski lifts. You’ll ensure optimal chair capacity, manage speed, notify maintenance of any repairs that are needed, and clear snow and ice from lifts.

What you need: These winter seasonal jobs are perfect for those that have a passion for the snow, but don’t necessarily have any particular experience or affinity to teach winter sports. Training is provided on the job. You just need to be able to physically assist guests while loading the lift, take quick decisions to anticipate any safety issues, and spend a long time outdoors.

What you'd make: The median salary of a ski lift operator is $15.07 per hour.

Find ski lift operator jobs on Monster.

5. Ski Patrol

Ski patrols are the crucial winter workers in charge of emergency medical care and rescue services in ski resorts and other mountain areas.

What you'd do: As a ski patrol member, you’ll be the first responder to injured skiers. You’ll make an assessment and provide first aid for their injury before transporting the patient to the local hospital, if necessary, using a toboggan. Ski patrollers are also responsible for checking that the slopes are safe for skiers before the resort opens, as well as promoting safety during their shift.

What you need: Ski patrollers must be excellent skiers who hold a medical certification. The National Ski Patrol’s (NSP) Outdoor Emergency Care certification or the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license are the two most well-known.

What you'd make: The median salary for a ski patrol is around $15.07 per hour.

Find ski patrol jobs on Monster.

6. Waitstaff

One of the most lucrative and easy to obtain jobs for college students over winter break is without a doubt a waiter position. During the holidays, people flock to bars and restaurants to celebrate with family, friends, and colleagues more than the rest of the year, so naturally more staff are needed.

What you'd do: Your job will be to take care of customers during their visit. This means presenting food and drink options, taking and delivering orders, ensuring clients are satisfied with the food, taking payments and bussing tables.

What you need: Although some restaurants might want to see at least a high school diploma in your waiter resume, most places don’t actually have any education. Prior experience is appreciated, but again, often not necessary. Customer service orientation, ability to work well under pressure, attention to detail, and respect for food safety regulations are all that you’ll need for this role.

What you'd make: The median salary of a waiter is $14.00 per hour. Plus, you’ll be surprised how generous tips during the holiday season tend to be.

Find waiter jobs on Monster.

7. Santa Claus or an Elf

If you love Christmas, one of the best winter jobs you could find is playing Santa Claus or one of his elves.

What you'd do: These two strictly winter seasonal jobs work during holiday parades, in theme parks, shopping malls, stores, parties, charity events, and more. You’ll take pictures with kids, listen to their wishes, and spread that holiday cheer.

What you need: Although some Santa Claus schools do exist, you don’t technically need any specific education to play Santa. Excellent interpersonal skills, a natural aptitude to interact with kids and their families, and a hearty and joyful laugh are all you’ll need.

What you'd make: The median salary of a Santa Claus actor is $30 per hour, but those with experience and education can make much more.

Find Santa Claus jobs on Monster.

8. Pet Sitter

They might not be the most obvious winter seasonal jobs, but pet sitters and dog walkers alike are often extremely in-demand during this period, as people travel a lot more to see family or visit holiday destinations.

What you'd do: Your job will be to take care of your clients’ furry friends while they’re away. Tasks include walking, feeding, providing water, cleaning litterboxes, grooming, playing with and giving affection to animals.

What you need: Of all the perfect college student winter break jobs you could choose, this is probably the easiest and most fun if you love animals. Knowing animal behaviors, how to take care of them, being patient, trustworthy and keeping your clients updated are crucial skills for this job. If you want to boost your employability further, you can obtain a certificate like those form the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters.

What you'd make: The median salary of an animal caretaker is $16.12 per hour.

Find pet-sitting jobs on Monster.

9. Warehouse Associate

Warehouse associates are winter seasonal jobs that are in high demand. During the peak seasons of Black Friday and Christmas, people tend to buy more, so companies look for new temporary hires.

What you'd do: In this role, you’ll deal mostly with manual labor such as receiving, moving, and labeling stock, preparing orders, packing, and organizing inventory and warehouse space.

What you need: Your warehouse resume will generally need to include at least a high school diploma for you to access this role. Plus, physical stamina, the ability to work under pressure, and teamwork are all necessary skills you should possess as well.

What you'd make: The median salary of a warehouse worker is $18.29 per hour.

Find warehouse associate jobs on Monster.

10. Ice Skating Rink Staff

In our list of winter seasonal jobs, ice skating rink workers can’t be forgotten. What says “winter has begun” more than an ice-skating rink after all?

What you'd do: In this role, you’ll be in charge of performing various facility operations, as well as taking care of clients’ needs. You’ll keep the facilities clean and neat, organize times to prepare the ice, and signal any repairs needed. Plus, you’ll greet customers, charge admission fees, rent out equipment and process payments.

What you need: entry-level roles at ice skating facilities don’t require specific education and provide training on the job. To be a good fit, though, you must possess an excellent customer service orientation and the ability to work in team.

What you'd make: The median salary for a recreating worker like an ice-skating rink attendant is $15.23 per hour.

Find ice skating rink jobs on Monster.

Discover All the Winter Seasonal Jobs You Can Imagine on Monster

Monster helps you find the winter jobs that match your needs, faster and with no stress. Just set up a free candidate account, upload your resume and tell us what roles you’re after. We’ll keep you posted with all the new job ads as they’re listed, so you’ll never miss an opportunity to apply.