Further Info

More on working and playing in the USA!

Read below to find out more on application criteria, working visas and accomodation in Lake Tahoe. We also recommend you download the Program Handbook which contains all the infomation you need to know to apply.

Am I Eligible To Take Part?

Age
The minimum age to participate in the program is 18 years of age at the time your job placements commences. There is no upper age limit.

Note: You DO NOT need to be a University Student; placements are open to those of all stages of life.

Country of Residence
We accept applications from all countries including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and South America. If you are a resident of the United States or hold an US Green card or a US Passport you will probably not require a work visa. Please contact us for more information if this applies to you.

Experience
Prior experience is NOT needed but it is a bonus if you do have some! Let us know what you have experience in and we will see if we can organise a job in your field.

When do you have to apply?
Applications should be made (at the very latest) before the 1st of September for Snow Jobs and before the 1st of February for Summer Jobs. This will also give you time to apply for a visa. As there are limited placements available we recommend you submit your application well in advance of these dates.

Work Visas - Tell Me More…

To obtain a work visa you have two options:

1. An H-2B Work Visa:

• This is organised in conjunction with your employer
• This visa is available to anybody 18 years of age or older
• Allows you to work for your hiring employer only (you cannot get a second job)
• Allows you to work for the duration for employment contract
• Your employer may charge a small processing fee of (between US$0-250) which may or may not be refunded at the end of your employment

2. A J-1 Student Work Visa:

• These are available through organisation such as BUNAC, CCUSA, IEP and CIEE
• This visa is only available to students enrolled a tertiary course and allows you to work for the duration of the University Holidays
• There is also a 12 month J1 visa available to Australian or New Zealand students in their last year of study or who have been in tertiary study in the last year.
• You are able to obtain a second job with this visa
• You can stay for part of the season
• This visa is usually more expensive ($500 upwards)

Visa Approvals

Once your visa application has been approved you will be issued with an H-2B, I-797 Notice of Action or a J-1 DS2190 approval form. This allows you to visit the US Consulate in your home country and obtain your visa. Everybody applying for a USA Work visa is required to attend an interview at your local US Consulate.

Important Employment and Visa Information

As part of our program we guarantee you will receive an Offer of Employment. Where we are not able to secure you an Offer of Employment we will refund any payments made to us. It is your responsibility to accept and agree to the terms as outlined in your Offer of Employment and any subsequent Employment Contract.

To commence employment you may be required to obtain a work visa. We CANNOT guarantee you will receive a visa as this is subject to factors outside our control such as laws, regulations, immigration, and customs procedures of the USA. In the event that you do NOT obtain a visa you will receive a refund of payments made to us less any non refundable payments we have made to our suppliers on your behalf and an administration fee of US$200.

We also recommend that until the US Consulate in your home country has issued your visa, you do not book accommodation, insurance, or flights; or you arrange flights that allow date changes. You may also consider purchasing cancellation insurance to cover you in the event you are not able to go due to medical reasons.

Employment Information – Tell Me More…

One of the key benefits of our program is that we organise your job placement prior to leaving home so you will have a job on arrival.

Commitments
If you are working on a J-1 Student Visa you will only be able to work for the duration of your visa. If you are working on an employer sponsored H-2B visa your employer will likely require you work until the finish of the winter or summer season but may release you prior to this time based on demand. If you cannot work for the duration of the season you should discuss your availability with us and also your resort during the interview stage.

Hours
During the winter and summer seasons there are some very busy periods such as Christmas-New Year, Martin Luther King Weekend (January), Presidents Holiday Week in February, Spring Break in March and Easter and the main school holidays around the 4 th of July. During these times resorts are very busy and you may be required to work 6-7 days per week. Workflow during other times can vary which allows you the flexibility to take extra time off for travel and play. On average over the season you can expect to work 5 days per week… and more or less as you choose. You should however discuss work hours with your resort during the interview stage.

Pay
The rate of pay will be between US$8-10 per hour. You may also receive bonuses and incentives based on meeting targets and fulfilling your employment obligations. On average expect to earn between US$6400-8000 over the entire season. The income you earn in the United States is more than enough to live off and have a good time… if you are diligent and work hard you should also cover the above cost of getting there.

Tips
In most jobs you have direct contact with customers so will you also earn money from tips which can vary dramatically depending on your hard work, luck, and good looks. Make the most of this… the American dollars are waiting for you!

Benefits
As an employee you will often receive resort benefits such as:

• Free resort season pass / activities at your employing resort
• Free or discounted passes for nearby resorts
• Free or discounted use of resort equipment (including rental gear)
• Free and discounted lessons (such as sailing or skiing)
• Free or discounted resort passes / activities for immediate family
• Discounts in retail shops
• Discounted food

Where Do I Live?

Finding accommodation can often take some hard work but rest assured no one goes without a place to live. We are here to help.

Several months prior to leaving for the USA we will provide you with the names of other candidates taking part in the program so you can organise accommodation together. We will also provide you with a list of rental agencies and accommodation options close to the resort where you will be working so you can start researching possible options prior to arriving in the United States.

While the majority of participants actually have accommodation organised prior to stepping foot in the country some choose to organise this on arrival. If you choose to organise on your arrival there are plenty of cheap hotels and youth hostels to tie you over. There is also time during the Lake Tahoe orientation to finalise your arrangements.

Just remember our support team is there to help and guide you through the process!

Click here to read more about our support system.