Whats the best way to do a season in the U.S?

[Camboselecta]

Im from London and usually do my seasons in the French Alpes. Im very interested in skiing the world, I would love to do a season in Mamoth or some places like that.

Whats the best way?

I know its hard to get a working visa.

Anyone got any clues??

Nice one.

[XtrPickels]

search for Paedde... he just pulled a 2 month vacation here from Europe. If anyone has the knowledge, it'd be him.
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45284&highlight=safari

[Arno]

Have you tried:

www.natives.co.uk (season workers' site with a forum)

or

BUNAC (might be able to sort you out with a working VISA if you meet their requirements)?

[Camboselecta]

Cheers Gents, Ive asked Paedde and Ive been on to Natives but I'll go again.

I think Im gonna have a look at Canada as well then on to Japan.

[Sinecure]

It used to be pretty easy. You could just come on a 3 month tourist visa, overstay your visa and go home whenever you want with little or no penalty. Thanks to 9/11 and W, we've made things a lot harder to overstay a visa. That said, each time you leave and return, you get a new visa so that may be an option. You can just go up to Canada and come back to accomplish the Visa thing.

As for working here. Its pretty much the same situation as if we came to Europe. There are a number of ski areas (many in Tahoe) who arrange for special season-long work / exchange visas for temporary workers. In Tahoe many of these folks come from Brazil, Chile, Argentina and NZ. You might check out www.skialpine.com and get in touch with the HR person to see what the details of that program are. Jobs vary from doing janitorial work in the lodge to being a liftie to teaching skiing/boarding. However, if you don't get on one of those programs, you have to look for illegal jobs. As anyone in California knows, there are tons of those. Waiting tables, bartending and other jobs that pay cash are the likely candidates. That's what I did when I was a ski bum in France.

I hope that helps.

Oh, your accent will help you get laid a lot. Regardless of your sexual preference.

[Camboselecta]

Nice one thats alot of help. What resort do you think would be good to try in? Wheres the best snow and action at?

[beb42000]

vail has a huge exchange program with people from all over the world...alot from NZ, AUsTRALIA, and CAN. Great town and lots of snow

[h20ski76]

I was talking to the good folks at Copper Mountain Human Resources, I was told they give great assistance in getting a work visa, not to mention its the best place to ski in Summit County. Give them a call or check out their website. If you get a chance head up to Wyoming and ski jackson hole, you won't regret it.

[The Dude]

Winter Park hires a lot of international workers as well, this past season we had about half a dozen snowboard instructors from the UK. Just have to apply online and they'll help out with the paperwork for you to work here for the season if you are hired.

[Below Zero]

Copper Mountain.....not to mention its the best place to ski in Summit County.

Bwahahaha! No, come on now, seriously! :biggrin:

[addict]

Canada is very basic to get a working visa for a commonwealther like you (age dependant). I have done this in the past and skied a good 8 or 9 hills there. The exchange rate is also very good, you could eat caviar daily. The snow can be very deep there too.