Where to do a season in Europe??

Nanny is definitely a bad idea thanks for bringing that to my attention.. dont plan to visit scotland at this stage but who knows i still have alot of planning to do.. do alot of people on the mountains speak english does anyone know?? or whats like one of the most popular snow fields you would go to??

You'll find English is common in all the main chalet resorts - Meribel, Courchevel, La Plagne, Val D'Isere, Tignes (these are the main Tarantaise resorts)and also in Verbier, Zermatt and St Anton which also have quite a few chalets. Chalet operators typically employ cooks/chefs, cleaners, drivers, odd job people, reps (language essential). Some with chalet hotels may also employ bar staff.
Visit www.aito.co.uk - it is the Association of Independent Tour Operators for some ideas. There are also independent resort websites that will give you an idea of some of the really small specialist chalet companies (eg www.merinet.com for Meribel).

Working in a ski resort is one thing, but you need to have abit of cash in your pocket to let your hair down properly. France is fantastic skiing but bars and eating out are rediculously expensive. I am slightly biased but you could do alot worse than trying Austria, numerous resorts to mention, but if there is one you like there are plenty on here that can give you information.

Resort staff don't always pay the same price as the punters SF!!

Take a look at www.natives.co.uk ,a very useful site for ski season jobs. Meribel in France would be an obvious choice, this is a popular resort with the British market.
I would not be too concerned about the money issue. Despite low wages in many of the resort jobs, there are a number of positions that include accommodation, meals and lift passes.

Speaking anecdotally (sp???)

In Austria as a ski/snowboard instructor you wage will be about 1000 Euro a month, maybe pay 75-100 towards accomodation, lunch is paid by clients as are a few apres ski cheekies. The rest is up to you. No tax unless you are anal.

Sounds great to me.

Working for a TO is never going to pay enormous wages, but you do get lift passes, accommodation and food so any money you earn is beer money.

I did my first season in Chamonix in 1989 and got paid a measly £30 a week, however I still managed to go out every single night and stay out til dawn. Although I was a bit of a mine sweeper and obviously things were a lot cheaper 20 years ago.

I did my last season in 1999 and was getting paid £100 a week. There are ways and means when you're working in a ski resort to getting things on the cheap or for free, the seasoners all stick together like glue and will help each other out.

Obviously the more you earn the better, and if you don't get a job before you go you will need to take enough cash with you to see you through a few months, just in case.

Whatever you do, you'll have a great time. I don't regret any of my time in the mountains.

for any aussies looking at possibly doing a season in austria and wondering about visa's a really good website set up by a sydney guy is http://han.chung.name/ basically saying that u need a sponsor to get a work permit for ausrtria but then employers want a work permit before they hire u.. catch 22.. the way to go sounds like applying thru the uk companies to get work there. thanks everyone who responded its really put me on track... cheers