Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Mount Washington Observatory!

As a nonprofit, member-supported institution, volunteers are an important part of our operations. Volunteer opportunities are available at our weather station on top of Mount Washington, and at our administrative offices located in downtown North Conway, New Hampshire. We also occasionally need volunteers to assist with tasks in the field and at offsite events.

Volunteers support our administrative staff in a variety of ways. In the office, volunteers help with mailings and other administrative tasks. Outside, volunteers help us with landscaping and maintaining our remote instrument sites throughout the White Mountains. Volunteers also provide support at local and regional events. If you would like to offer your time and talent, we invite you to complete a valley volunteer program application.

For more information about the program, email volunteer@mountwashington.org

Thank you for your interest in returning as a summit volunteer for the winter season. Winter shift eligibility requires that you’ve previously completed at least one summer summit volunteer shift.

We’re grateful for the time and energy you’ve already shared with us, and for your willingness to take on the unique challenges of winter hospitality volunteering! Winter shifts are active and hospitality-focused, with multiple guest trips scheduled each week from January through early April, as winter conditions often linger at the summit well into spring. Priority scheduling is given to returning winter volunteers and summit staff requests. Application deadline is September 30, 2026.

Each week, two volunteers serve at the summit. Volunteers typically prepare dinner for the crew and three meals a day for overnight groups, which can include up to 17 guests. The winter season is the busiest time for educational and climbing trips, with overnight groups visiting once or twice a week, along with day trips.

We receive more applications than available shifts, so placement cannot be guaranteed. However, cancellations do occur, and if you do not receive an assignment initially, you may be contacted during the season to fill a last-minute opening—so don’t be discouraged.

Note: When you click on application link below, there is a delay for the form to appear so give the application a minute to load onto the page.

To apply, visit this link:
2027 Winter Summit Hospitality Volunteer Application.

If you are a returning summit volunteer and would like to be on the volunteer fill-in list, please email volunteer@mountwashington.org.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering to be a Summer Summit Volunteer.

The 2026 season applications are now closed.

We will be posting the 2027 summer season applications in January 2027.

Email volunteer@mountwashington.org if you are a returning summit volunteer and would like to be on the volunteer fill-in list.

Every year, Seek the Peak brings together outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and supporters of Mount Washington Observatory for a day of challenge, camaraderie, and community in July. Volunteers are essential to making this event successful, helping participants enjoy a memorable experience while supporting our mission to advance weather and climate science.

The 27th Annual Seek the Peak will be held on July 17, 2027 at Wildcat Mountain. The volunteer application will be added to this page in spring 2027.

We’re grateful for the enthusiasm and support of our volunteers, who make this event possible each year.

The Mount Washington Observatory is now accepting applications for Summit Museum Retail Support Volunteers.

The Summit Retail Support Volunteers assist with customer service in the Mount Washington Observatory’s retail gift shop on select summer weekends (July and August). This role focuses on retail support and is not a museum docent or education-focused volunteer position. Volunteers serve on a Saturday and/or Sunday (weekend days only) to help support the Museum Assistant during busy weekends. There may be an option to stay overnight for people who commit to multiple shifts.
Primary responsibilities include:
This role is well suited for volunteers who enjoy customer service, are comfortable interacting with the public, and have some basic retail experience. No Observatory transport is available for this position at this time.
Note: When you click an application link below, there may be a brief delay before the form loads. Please allow a moment for it to appear. 

To apply, visit:

Summit Museum Retail Support Volunteer

The 2026 Museum Docent applications are now closed.

We will be posting the 2027 season applications in January 2027.

Thank you for your interest.