What I Learned As A Zion Ponderosa Adventure Guide

February 28, 2019
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Zion Ponderosa recreation guides are adventurous and charismatic lovers of life who always find a way to incorporate the outdoors into their daily lives and document their adventures. We caught up with three former adventure guides who are off tackling new goals to find out what their favorite memories are of Zion Ponderosa, and how their experiences here are helping shape their futures.

 East Zion Adventure Guide Mia

“Working at Zion Ponderosa is absolutely one of, if not the most, cherished moments of my life.”

– Mia, 2018 Zion Ponderosa Guide

Mia’s journey to Zion Ponderosa was a happy accident. “In the summer of 2016 my dad and I were just passing through the area and needed a place to pitch our tent for the night, she says. “I never could’ve imagined that the little family-owned ranch resort would change my life forever.” During a canyoneering trip and ATV tour, she learned about opportunities in the outdoors industry from her adventure guide. Today, Mia is at Oregon State University studying Tourism, Recreation, and Adventure Leadership with a focus on Outdoor Recreation Management. Some things are just meant to be.

 

Carina ZP Adventure Guide

“My time at Zion Ponderosa has taught me and given immense opportunities to be an even more relatable employee anywhere I go. And that is a very valuable tool to have!”

Carina, 2018 Zion Ponderosa Intern

Carina interned at Zion Ponderosa in April 2018, starting off as a horse wrangler and then becoming a rec guide. Guiding Jeep tours tops her list of favorite adventures. “Getting to interact with the guests, share information about the national park and the resort’s history, while driving an incredibly rad 4×4 was a treat more than it felt like work!” she says. Her favorite Zion Ponderosa experience was Jeep tour to Radio Tower with fellow staff members to watch the sunset over Zion National Park.

 

Parker Zion Ponderosa Adventure Guide

“I now consider Zion National Park my second home. The friends I made [at Zion Ponderosa] are friends for life.”

–Parker S., 2017 Zion Ponderosa Marketing Intern and Recreation Guide

In the fall of 2017, Parker decided he wanted to go into hospitality management. After being introduced to Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort during a career fair at school, he applied and was accepted as a marketing intern. Soon after, he was excited to add Recreation Guide to his resume. The highlight of his time at Zion Ponderosa was leading ATV tours. “There’s nothing like zooming around ATV trails with panoramic views of Zion National Park! I loved being able to introduce ATVs to guests, and then seeing their confidence rise,” he recalls.

 

Want to work at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort on the east side of Zion National Park? Click here to learn more!

 


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