Snowboarding Seasons in Canada or the US

[Adrenalinmonkey]

i should currently be revising for my finals at cardiff, but all i can think about at the moment is the lack of plans i have after i graduate in just over a month, and my craving for the white stuff (snow:p ) I was wondering if any urbanites have done ski or snowboard seasons in the states or canada, and if so, does anyone know which resorts are the most fun, both boarding and partying, and about getting jobs/visas/workpermits out there. i just inherited 3 grand, but looking at doing instructors courses, it seems i need about double that to do one, although i am up for just about any form of work if it lets me ride for at least a couple of hours a day. is it better to find a job or acomadation before i go, or should i just get out there and chance it in a resort? finaly, i think, what sort of time of year is best to get out there?
as is probably clear i havnt a clue, so please please, someone help me!
now back to thomas pogge on morral and political obligations to global poverty....
cheers,
Adrenalinmonkey

[D]

Whistler/Blackcomb was my personal favorite back in the day (and it's in British Columbia, making it a heckuva lot less expensive than most US resorts).

And, yes, there are plenty of those sort of work exchange/temp work visa doo-dads (though primarily for Australians and South Africans, if memory serves). Lift op, hospitality stuff, etc.

[Adrenalinmonkey]

cheers for that, how does the whole ausie and south african thing work, do the job aplications have "southern hemisphere only need apply?
no privilage for the british in british columbia then?

[D]

cheers for that, how does the whole ausie and south african thing work, do the job aplications have "southern hemisphere only need apply?
no privilage for the british in british columbia then?

I dunno - I'm not British/South African/Australian...I just know I met a ton of Australians, in particular, on temp work visas there. And I didn't meet any British people. I don't know what the actual rules and regs are, I just remember that I met loads of Australians.

I can't remember the name, but there's a thing/organization that does 6 month visas for US nationals in the UK and vice versa. The work placements all tend to be service jobs, so I imagine working at a ski/snowboard resort would fit in well with that. I'm sure you can figure out what the name is if you do a google search.

Vail is a fantastic, gorgeous resort; but it's also one of the most expensive. I liked Squaw Valley in CA as well, but I haven't been there in years and years and they got rid of the hostel/budget accommodations there...so I don't know if the whole place has become more 'upscale'.

[Adrenalinmonkey]

not too sure about upscale myself, ie heard sunshine vally in banff is one to do before you die sorta good... any experience? im just about to stop being a student, but im not ready to stop living like one, so i recon i should try and hit a resort with a certain amount of scummy hostel acomidditon, so i dont get too homesick :P