Ski Season in the USA

Student and Graduate Roles: Ski Resorts in the USA

Love skiing or snowboarding? Wanting a gap year but need some money and work experience too? Then consider a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work in a ski resort in the USA!

International Working Holidays is looking for people to work in exclusive, luxury ski-in, ski-out resorts in Montana and Utah. Contrary to popular belief, it’s actually pretty easy to secure a visa for the USA - and IWH is here to help you every step of the way.

But this truly is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, as the relevant visa is only available to current students or recent graduates (within 12 months). So make the most while the time is right, and don’t miss out!

This is a great opportunity for those also considering ski seasons in Canada and Japan - go to the USA with a pre-arranged job and accommodation, get a season under your belt, and set your CV up with epic experience to land whatever job you want in whatever location you want next winter.

Roles are available in two resorts: Pendry Park City, Utah, and Montage Big Sky, Montana.

Locations

Pendry Park City is a ski-in, ski-out resort based in Park City, Utah. It has a gondola right outside the front door, and is in the heart of Park City, which is often described as a bigger, more bustling Queenstown. It has a rooftop pool and a cosy apres ski scene. Park City is an awesome town to be based in and Park City Mountain resort is the largest ski resort in the USA. It will be home to the 2034 Winter Olympics. In summer it is famous for its mountain biking trails, hiking and activities like fly fishing and ziplining.

Montage Big Sky is a luxury, year-round mountain resort in Big Sky. It also offers ski-in, ski-out access in winter to the Big Sky Resort. Due to its location amongst the Spanish Mountains, it is famous for its outdoor activities including fly fishing, tours to nearby Yellowstone National Park, hiking, axe throwing, riflery, golf and Nordic skiing (in addition to skiing in winter). It is also famous for its spa facilities, with twelve treatment rooms and a number of spas, pools and fitness centre. It is 45 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, for those nature enthusiasts. Celebrities and high-profile guests frequent this resort.

Roles

Roles available range from recreation (helping with rentals, activities, guiding guests on the mountains) to hospitality to concierge and front desk, with everything in between. Our programme advisor, Chloe, will chat to you about your experience and goals to match you with the best role for you. Due to the variety of the roles, no specific experience is required, just a willingness to get stuck in, learn fast and be open to new opportunities.

If you’re wanting to develop your career as well as having an epic gap year, speak to Chloe about sales, guest relations and consultant roles, where you’ll learn sales skills and get exposed to the corporate world.

Benefits and inclusions

These resorts are exclusive, luxury and high-end, so you’re getting to experience the way the other half live. They have a wide range of activities available in both winter and summer, from hiking and mountain biking to fly fishing, falconry and rafting.

They’re both ski-in and ski-out, offering a unique way to experience the snow and unparalleled access to the mountains.

Staff accommodation is available on site, so you can make the most of resort life. Financial assistance is also available to help cover the cost of fees, visa, insurance, flights and other costs associated with getting set up. Each resort also offers staff discounts on merchandise, meals in its restaurants, and activities.

You’re likely to work around 40 hours a week, depending on business needs.

Eligibility

You must be a current student or graduate who completed their study within 12 months of departure. You must hold a NZ or Australian Passport.

How will I get there, and do I need to pay anything?

There are costs involved, including flights, insurance and programme fees. However, we offer an interest free financial assistance programme to help cover the majority of these costs if you are unable to pay up front.

How this works is rather than paying the fees and flights before you leave, the costs can be deducted from your wages each week. This programme is optional, with no hidden catches.

We will also organise your flights and transportation to the resort via our travel agent if you so wish!

Costs breakdown

The fees cover your job placement, visa sponsorship processing, visa paperwork,  insurance, pre-departure preparation and ongoing support in the USA. Flights are booked separately. Both the Programme Fee and flights can be covered by the financial assistance programme.

Application Fee - NZD $350

Insurance - NZD $600

Programme Fee - USD $2,150

Mates Rates promo

We also know that once-in-a-lifetime experiences like this are better shared with friends. For each friend you bring, receive an additional 10% off your Application Fee. Two of you means you both get 20% off the fee, three means 30% off, four means 40% off, and five mates gets you all 50% off your Application Fee. Just tell us when applying who your friends are so we can ensure the discount is applied.

Timing

Key departure dates:

• May - these are for 12 month roles that begin in summer and transition to ski roles when the snow falls
• November - for 6 month roles for the winter season only

Interested in a once-in-a lifetime ski season? Apply now!