International Students Take Time Out to Work at Colorado Ski Resort

Eldora Mountain Resort is located in the Colorado Rocky Mountains near the historic mountain town of Nederland, 21 miles northwest of the city of Boulder, home to the University of Colorado. Eldora attracts students from around the globe seeking ski resort work during time out from university studies. I recently interviewed two students, one from Brazil, and one from South Africa, who opted to work at Eldora and travel in the US. Emma and Estevao discussed their reasons for choosing Eldora and how they obtained work visas. Note: The student exchange organizations that provided their visas also assist US students wishing to work, volunteer and travel overseas.

Estevao is from Brazil, studying English at UFMG- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, in the city of Belo Horizonte. He is visiting on a J1 visa allowing limited work and travel. The J1 visa is only issued to university students who are currently attending their home university and who are also enrolled for the following year. Estevao obtained his visa through CCUSA, a leading international working adventure specialist that helps students find work and travel options in the US.

Estevao chose Eldora because of its close proximity, and easy access to the cities of Denver-Boulder. Eldora is located high on the East side of the spectacular Continental Divide, yet close by to the urban area of Colorado’s Front Range cities. Boulder is a thriving college town of about 100,000 people just 30 minutes from Eldora, and the state’s capitol city of Denver, is just over an hour’s drive. Larger Colorado ski resorts like Vail, Breckenridge and Keystone are located 2 hours or more into the central Rockies west of Denver-Boulder.

Eldora also appealed to Estevao because the ski area provides a free season pass, employee housing, free rental equipment, and cafeteria discounts. On a personal level, Estevao's work experience is helping him improve his fluency in the English language. Most resort positions involve a high level of customer interaction. Opportunities include: Lift Operations, Tickets, Rentals, Nordic and Food and Beverage Departments. Estevao is hopeful that his work experience will help prepare him to meet the academic requirements of his English degree, and build his resume with valuable international work experience.

Emma is from South Africa, studying Human Resource Management at the University of Stellenbosch. Like Estevao, she is here on a J-1 visa, but she obtained hers through BUNAC, an international student exchange organization based offering work, travel and teaching adventures in the US. Emma chose Eldora because she wanted a skiing experience in Colorado and was also attracted by the free season pass and employee housing. Emma plans to have fun working and skiing, making new friends, and traveling during her stay in Colorado. She hopes to return to South Africa refreshed and ready to complete her final semester at university.

A strong command of the English language and proven customer service skills are a prerequisite for landing a job at Eldora Mountain Resort. Apply early, as the resort receives hundreds of applications annually from students around the world seeking seasonal work from December to March. Eldora offers an exceptional ski resort work experience, an ideal location, and a supportive environment for international students taking time out to work and travel in the US. CLICK HERE to learn more about Eldora's work opportunities for international students.