Majority of the companies that aid you with visas will have an affiliation with STA. I used CCUSA two years ago, then IEP last year, really not much difference between the two. As long as you're a student, then USA is pretty easy to go for(as long as you meet the requirements for a J1), but the program fees are a bit of a killer. Im heading to canada for a season this year because I cant be arsed organising an H2B until next winter and because the visa is easier and cheaper (and i need a change).
Ive been at aspen, CO for those seasons. I think it's pretty bloody awesome, but employee housing was hard to get and you're locked into a 5 month minimum lease with the ski co which is not fun to pay if you're planning on only staying 3-4 months and heading back to uni (which i think is the new requirement of the J1- cant defer, but that only changed last year and can be dodged). At the same time though, alot of resorts will have a big housing shortage. I paid for 1-2 months rent for my unit that i wasnt there for anyway. Basically, get in early/find some mates to rent a house. Live like a bum and share a house with 13 others.... it's the only way to do a season. Pretty much anywhere you go will have a good expat community, so it's really up to what you're looking for in an employer. Copper has good employee housing ive heard too.
I havent worked as an instructor, but friends who have gone over the first year to a resort to do so usually have to find themselves a second job since the more full time work tends to go to the seasoned instructors (but im sure you knew that already), but you get works in the busy times. Second job wise, go anything that tips, avoid lifty at all costs.
Um, well, that's all i can think of for now.
[Edited by lolas_hula on 5/22/2007 at 3:06 AM]
