Live and work where you love to be, on the edge of Minnesota's BWCA canoe country

This is the dream life, to live and work where you love to be, on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness in far northern Minnesota. See a moose outside your window; listen to loon calls at night; spend your free time swimming in Johnson Falls, photographing the northern lights, or paddling to a remote campsite. 

Since 1925 Bearskin Lodge has been a destination for guests who appreciate the solitude of Minnesota's canoe country. Bearskin Lodge is a beautiful, edge-of-the-wilderness resort with a very loyal following of guests who return year after year, decade after decade. In the summer we are one of Minnesota's best-known family resorts, while in the winter Bearskin is a top-ranked cross-country ski destination. 

If you love the Northwoods, this is a contented place to live and work. Our permanent employees are "living the dream," and tend to stay in their jobs for a long time. Our  employees make memories and deep connections to Bearskin that they talk about forever.

All Bearskin employees do all jobs. One morning you might be helping with housekeeping, later in the day you might teach a class, help out at the front desk, or get paddles for a canoe trip. This is a great job for people who like variety and who have the skills/personality to fit into a variety of roles.  

Bearskin guests love getting to know our employees, so if you work here it is important that you have good interpersonal interaction skills.  There is no such thing as a "back-of-house" employee at Bearskin; sooner or later everyone who works here will interact professionally with guests. You need good communication skills, and the ability to dress and act professionally when interacting with guests, no matter which job you do.

All of our staff members live a healthy lifestyle. We have great trail running around the resort in the summer, an extensive mountain bike trail system, and 80K of top-notch cross-country skiing in the winter. You have direct access to paddling in the BWCA through EP #64, right out your front door. 

Our housing is non-smoking and drug-free. Grand Marais is an arts community and consequently, we often have staff members who are engaged in creative pursuits. We may be able to sell your work in our gift shop and we will support your art however we can.

Are you a Nordic skier or a mountain bike racer? Tell us more and we will try to be supportive of your passion.

Our ideal job applicant enjoys the outdoors and will be happy living far from shopping and cities. Many candidates put down that they "love to hunt and fish" as their primary job skill, but that generally won't get you the interview. Much more is required here. Our employees are detail-oriented, drama-free, and organized. They present well when they meet other people, they have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and they are very responsible. They have good references from previous employment. They love a healthy, outdoor lifestyle and they want to experience life on the Gunflint Trail.

If you are a good worker and you want to be here, we can teach you the skills you need. If you already come with previous knowledge about front desk work, guest services, maintenance, or especially housekeeping, that's even better!

Now the fine print:  are you just looking for a job, any job, because employment opportunities are weaker in your area?  This is probably not for you. If you don't love the woods, if you are not an "outside person," if you don't have a hobby like biking, skiing, running, photography, writing or something that ties you to the outdoor lifestyle then this will not be for you. You've got to love it to be happy living it.

Staff housing is at the west end of the lake, with a beautiful BWCA lake view. All employees have their own house or apartment. You do not share your space unless you choose to live with a spouse or partner. There is a private employee dock where you can bask in the sun on your days off, and you have free access to canoes and gear when available. Rent is $150/month, which is deducted bi-monthly from your check. You do not pay for electricity or heat, but there is a small monthly fee if you want internet access.

We have recently done a great deal of remodeling on our staff housing units. This is a nice place to live. Our staff has gardens and outdoor space of their own.  We have high expectations for how nice you will keep your little home.

Our staff housing is smoke-free and drug-free. You will be happiest here if you are someone who already chooses to live a healthy lifestyle.  

Best employee perk:  you can leave from your front door and paddle, ski, bike, or hike into the Superior National Forest or the BWCA anytime you want to go there. You can use our canoes and gear for free, based on availability, of course. We want you to have fun while you work here.

Do your shopping in our gift shop at a discounted rate. Will you miss your family if you're living this far north? During some times of the year, your immediate family may stay in a cabin at a discounted rate, or for free in the off-season (you do the cleaning). We want you to be happy here; sometimes a visit from family is a highlight. 

You need a car in order to live here. We no longer hire anyone who does not have their own transportation. 

 Bearskin is 26 miles from the nearest grocery store and almost three hours from a major city. Medical care is a minimum of 26 miles away, or 3 hours away for anything serious.  Most of the fun hikes and activities along the Gunflint Trail are a 10 - 30 minute drive from Bearskin. This is not a good place to live without a vehicle. We often get applicants who say they will take uber or public transportation. This is clue to us that you have not researched the Gunflint Trail very well, as we are literally hundreds of miles from any type of public transport. You do need a vehicle here.

All employees need to have a driver's license in order to drive company vehicles on site.

Canoe, kayak, camp, hike, bike, cross-country ski, snowshoe -- if you enjoy the outdoors, you're going to love being here.  If you came to shop, well ... this isn't the place for you. The people who are happiest here have a passion for being outdoors in all the Minnesota seasons.

This is a photographer's paradise, and we'll help you make the most of your skill, whether you're experienced or a beginner.  We've had painters, potters, woodworkers, photographers, and weavers on staff. This is a beautiful place to create and we are happy to help you expand your talents.