Where to do a season in Europe??

Hey, a friend and i are looking into working a season next year..
We are 2 aussie girls who only speak english.. we want to know where the best chance of getting work is, if we know where we are going obiviously we'd do a crash course in that home language but where do we have to best chance of having a fun time and being able to get somework over ther? we are not really bothered by which nation just so long as we get good snow and jobs and friendly people..
any advise would be great x

I know you specified Europe, but had you thought of the USA instead? When I was skiing in Tahoe (Heavenly, Squaw Valley etc) there were a lot of US and foreign young people working for the lift company and as guides/instructors. I chatted to a few and they seemed to be on a reasonable deal i.e. they were rotated around the shop, lifts, ski patrol, etc so they didn't get bored, and had reasonable acomodation. In the US they also seem to have opportunities for ski guides and unqualified instructors whereas in Europe - especially France - this is a cartel / closed shop involving only highly-qualified instructors. Go to the Heavenly website and I think there's a link there for seasonal workers.

If you can cook, apply to the numerous chalet companies - there are hundred of chalets in the Tarantaise resorts, plus other resorts such as Verbier, Zermatt and St Anton - you'll soon get to know loads of people and probably end up in some of the best ski resorts in the world. Go for the specialist operators and avoid the mass market ones (large guest to staff ratios).

The resort of Fernie in Canada was virtually run by Australians on my two visits. Indeed, if you shut your eyes and just listened, you could have been in Randwick or Illawara!

If you have the right visa you could work for a UK company, this would give you your accommodation, food, lift pass for the season etc, but its worth it if you want to make life simple (ie, get to the UK and they'll ship you out there so you can start work).

I worked in Mayrhofen (Austria) for a couple of years and that was full of Aussies, not much need to speak German there either, although obviously if you have a few phrases that helps, but most of the people there are english speaking anyway.

Good luck, let us know what you decide.

wow thanks great advise..
im doing a summer europe of travelling so i thought i might as well stay over there and do a season.. but if its too hard and looks like i wouldnt get work id try get to canada.. i wish i could cook but sadly i suck.. ive been told to get a nannying job as that pay alright and there is a demand in europe but i figure i'd have to nanny to english speaking children.. nelly do u know which visa id need to get if i was to work with the uk company?? ive looked into austria but im not sure if the visas are easy to get there for aussie but if u say they worked their ill take another look.. ill be travelling thru austria in august so maybe i could apply then.. have any of u been to livingo italy??? ive heard thats ok and the duty free makes it a little cheaper to live in.. is Austria expensive?? cheers for all the responses

If you want to ski, do not get a job as a nanny - you'll be lucky to get one day on the slopes a week!

If you are over as early as May, visit Scotland!

In fact, just visit Scotland anyway :lol: