Working at a snow resort in the US :)

So I've been lurking these forums for a while (last year when i first discovered snowboarding), and after really enjoying the sport me and a mate are applying to head up to the USA to work for 3 months at a snow resort.

(We're applying through a program, so visas and the rest of the process is not a problem).

From the threads I've been reading it sounds like the Colorado and Utah areas are the places to head for, and so far I've put Telluride, Breckenridge and a mate who had been before suggested Vail but from the sounds of it Vail isn't all too snowboarder friendly?

I guess we'd mostly be just free-riding but we'd enjoy having the ability to mess around in a decent park if possible.

Anyway if theres any advice or suggestions as to where to go, it'd be great

[chupacabraman]

I'm guessing you're coming from Australia? (mate)
Just because I'm from Canada and have been looking into working at a US ski resort for a season. I'm just wondering how you went about it, and what program you are talking about.
From the contact I've had with a few resorts, it seems like my chances are slim-to-none. I've been told that "because of the recession there is no demand for foreign workers so we can't hire you"

How come it's so damn easy for people from outside North America to come work in Canada/US but Canadians/Americans have so much difficulty working in each others country?

I'm going through CCUSA (Summer Camp Jobs & Work and Travel Abroad with CCUSA), who are organising my VISA and kind of guiding me through the process... But I was told we'd have to definitely start looking for jobs ASAP to make sure we could be employed.

Not sure about the effects of recession making jobs unavailable though, I was only told it would be more difficult than previous years but still achievable...

...Maybe it's because we're all such strapping aussie blokes haha


Anyway still looking for snow resort suggestions, especially since it'd be for 3 months

[Milo303]

Curious what would make you think Vail isn't boarder friendly? TONS of people ride Vail ( =

I would personally recommend working either Vail or Breck... Both have the hottest "cities" in Summit County if you ask me. So when you're not working, or riding, you can easily go out and live a little.

Another good thing about Summit County in Colorado is that theres a free shuttle bus that runs allllll the time from city to city. So if you can't drive, which I'm assuming you can't, you may want to take that into consideration.

Also, keep me informed if you do come up, I would love to show ya around our beautiful state.

[DiscoStu]

Originally Posted by chupacabraman

How come it's so damn easy for people from outside North America to come work in Canada/US but Canadians/Americans have so much difficulty working in each others country?

It's not that simple (I'm Australian) - unless you're a student or less than 12 months out of uni, its hard as f*** to get a job in the U.S without being sponsored. Canada is a diff story. Canada/Aus changed their visa agreement a couple of years ago so you can get a two-year working visa, as many times as you like, until you're 30, so it's easy as piss to get a gig there. Think it's the same for NZers (could be wrong?)

On the plus side for Canadians, they can come to Aus on the same agreement. Cept, of course, our snowfields suck. Not so much of a win for you guys

Yip same for NZ... was easy to get a visa for canada and a job though a holiday program. US of A looked alot harder though

Yeah I'm a University student, which is why i'm able to go through the program at the moment.. hooray!

Haha, but to address the Vail question (why I think it's not snowboarder friendly) I was browsing through these threads on this forum and there was a story about how Vail was really coming down hard on snowboarders?

Although that said, if Vail is one of the best places to ride I'll definitely apply and try to get a spot up there?

So it's Vail and Breck which I should be aiming for then I guess? Telluride not really as good in comparison?

[Milo303]

Well, I can say that if your doing something you shouldn't be at any resort in CO you risk the chance of getting in trouble.

Everytime I ride at Vail I'm always out of bounds and such. I suppose someday I will get in trouble for it.... The only other thing I can think of is getting busted for going to fast in a slow zone, in really when your around a tight area with a bunch of little kids, I suppose you should slow down ( =

Yeah i've applied for Vail and Breck, sent an email to Telluride?

Not sure about any other places? Was thinking of applying to Aspen but I'm not too sure...

Also does anyone know if its okay to have mates sleep in the employee housing accommodation (given that you have your own unit/apartment) or even rented accommodation?

[killclimbz]

Terrain wise I think Telluride is going to be better. They have actual challenging steeps. A remote location, and less crowds. Plus it's a real ski town.

Vail inbounds doesn't really have that. Fantastic tree runs, big wide open bowls, fun cruisers yes, but Vail is not steep. You can get steeps there but that's out of bounds using the East Vail Gate. Which means you need to know how to travel safely in avalanche terrain, have the gear, and a partner in case it goes south and you need to do a rescue. Two years ago two people died back there in avalanches and both were dug up quickly. So it's serious biz. Not very many safe ways out of there if the conditions are dangerous.

Beaver Creek is just down the road and Summit county resorts are 15-30 minutes away depending on which resort you want to hit. At Telluride, that ski area is really all you get. Silverton is probably close enough for a day trip, but it's a couple of hour drive at least.

Aspen is the party town and with great mountains. Ajax, Snowmass, and Highlands are all great hills. Best scene this side of Whistler. The problem is that it's mega expensive to live there. I know people who rented a one room apartment and one of the beds was in a closet.