Key Takeaways
• Over 11,000 ski resort jobs are filled annually by J-1 and H2-B visa holders, mainly J-1 visa participants.
• An internal April 2025 memo suggests possible elimination of J-1 Exchange Visitor programs, raising industry alarm.
• Loss of J-1 workers could force resorts to cut services, shorten seasons, and hurt local winter economies.
The ski industry in the United States 🇺🇸 is facing strong concern over the fate of the J-1 visa work programs, which help resorts staff their businesses during the busy winter season. These visas are not just helpful—they are critical for keeping lifts running, lodges open, and tourists happy at many resorts dotted across the country’s snowy mountain towns.
For decades, ski resorts have depended on workers arriving from around the world through the J-1 and H2-B visa programs. These workers fill hundreds of roles that might otherwise remain empty, such as running ski lifts, working in hotels, serving food, and cleaning guest rooms. Without this help, many resorts warn that they simply could not open all their services during the height of ski season.
Let’s dig into why J-1 visa workers are so essential, what makes staffing at ski resorts so challenging, and what could happen if these programs are restricted or eliminated. We will also look at different viewpoints about these issues, the possible fallout for local economies, and what might come next for both the ski industry and those who dream of working at a resort on a J-1 visa.
Why the J-1 Visa Matters to the Ski Industry
Each year, about 11,000 jobs at ski resorts in the United States 🇺🇸 are filled through a mix of J-1 and H2-B visa holders. Most of these positions go to J-1 workers. These are usually students or young people from overseas who come to the United States 🇺🇸 for a cultural exchange experience but also fill an important staffing need.
Most ski areas are in rural or remote parts of the country–places with small year-round populations and not enough local workers, especially for short-term winter jobs. The local cost of living in these mountain towns is also high, making it even harder to attract American workers who would have to move just for a temporary position.
Ski resort managers say that, no matter how hard they try, they cannot find enough people from nearby areas or across the country willing or able to work these seasonal jobs. Local teenagers are often in school. Adults might have longer-term, year-round employment elsewhere. With housing in ski towns often expensive and in short supply, those who live outside the area are not keen to move in just for a few months of work.
That’s where the J-1 visa program comes in. It allows resorts to hire international staff for these seasonal roles, filling in the gaps and helping the ski industry function smoothly from late fall through spring.
How J-1 Workers Impact Resort Towns
It’s not just the resorts that benefit from the J-1 visa program. Local economies in these mountain areas also depend on the workers who arrive each winter. When workers earn a paycheck, they spend money at nearby grocery stores, restaurants, shops, and rental units. This helps small businesses beyond the resorts stay open during the coldest months.
Without enough staff, some resorts have had to cut back on services or limit how many visitors they can serve. This in turn reduces the number of tourists who visit and spend money locally, causing a ripple effect through the community. As one ski operator explained, the absence of J-1 workers has, in the past, pushed them to scramble for anyone available or lower the quality of the experience they can offer guests.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that, when resorts are fully staffed, the economic boost reaches well beyond the resort gates. Seasonal staffing helps keep the entire winter economy thriving, especially in places where tourism is the biggest or only industry.
Political Challenges and Uncertain Future
This winter, there is a new and strong sense of worry for those who depend on the J-1 visa. In April 2025, an internal memo from the U.S. Department of State made headlines. The memo suggested that all education and cultural exchange programs operated by the agency—including both the J-1 Work & Travel and J-1 Intern programs—could be eliminated.
If these proposals move forward, they could mean the end of the seasonal staffing lifeline that ski resorts have relied on for years. The changes are not certain yet; they would need approval from other federal agencies and Congress. Still, just the idea of ending these programs has led industry leaders to start thinking about backup plans.
This is not the first time the J-1 and similar visas have faced threats. Over the last several years, both Republican and Democratic administrations have looked at limiting work-exchange visas as part of bigger debates about the country’s immigration policy. Despite this, there has long been support across party lines for keeping these programs, because they are so important for the economy and for small towns in rural areas.
Inside the Debate: Wages, Working Conditions, and Local Labor
Some critics argue that dependence on J-1 visas lets resorts keep pay and work conditions lower than they should be, rather than working harder to attract American workers. They say that, if resorts raised wages and offered better housing or benefits, more Americans might sign up for these seasonal jobs—even in far-off, expensive ski towns.
As one industry source put it:
“If you can’t come close to filling a large bulk of your positions without these visas, it’s probably because wages are not great… In a market where rent is ever climbing… why would somebody work for several dollars an hour less at your ski area than what fast food [and] gas stations…are paying?”
But most resort managers push back. They explain that, even when they offer higher pay and extra perks, there simply aren’t enough people in local communities or willing to travel for a few months’ work. Their view is that you can’t blame low wages alone, especially in places where regular work and affordable housing are both in short supply. Some operators have even built staff housing or raised rates but still find it difficult to fill jobs from within the United States 🇺🇸.
The Numbers: Big Impact, Real Risks
Here’s a closer look at some key data points and facts about the J-1 program’s impact on the ski industry:
- Upwards of 11,000 seasonal jobs at U.S. ski areas are filled through J-1 and H2-B workforce visas every year.
- Resorts say losing access to this labor could be “catastrophic” for winter operations.
- The majority of these important seasonal roles would otherwise go empty, leaving resorts to cut back on services, shorten seasons, or operate well below capacity.
- Many affected towns have only a small year-round population, making it nearly impossible to find enough staff locally—especially for short-term roles during the winter months.
- Every J-1 worker not only makes it possible for tourists to enjoy their ski trip, but also contributes directly to the local economy wherever they spend their earnings.
What Ski Resorts Are Doing in Response
With the threat of changes in J-1 visa policy, the ski industry is taking a hard look at how it recruits and supports its staff. Some resorts are:
- Exploring how to attract more domestic workers, through college outreach or local training programs.
- Looking at ways to build or subsidize employee housing, making it less expensive for staff to live in ski towns where rent can be sky-high.
- Pairing up with local schools and job centers to find people willing to take on seasonal roles in exchange for benefits, discounts, or future job opportunities.
- Considering raising wages, though managers note there are limits to how much they can pay while still keeping lift tickets affordable for customers.
However, most in the industry admit that none of these steps fully solves the staffing crunch. Many say that, while it’s good to diversify sources of labor as a backup, completely replacing the numbers and flexibility offered by the J-1 program is unlikely. For now, keeping access to the J-1 and similar visas remains the top priority.
What Happens If J-1 Visas Go Away?
If changes are approved and the J-1 visa program is scaled back or eliminated, here’s what experts warn could happen:
- Fewer workers available could force resorts to limit hours, reduce services, or close entirely on some days.
- A smaller guest experience means fewer tourists, leading to less money spent both at the resort and in the wider community.
- Ripple effects could reach snow sports shops, restaurants, shuttle services, and even local governments that rely on tourist tax revenue during the winter season.
- Some resorts in remote areas, where seasonal staffing is already stretched thin, may be hit hardest.
The result could be a much smaller winter economy in many popular ski areas, with the impact felt by local businesses and residents alike.
Different Views: Balancing Immigration, Jobs, and Community Needs
The J-1 visa debate is not just about immigration—it’s about the balance between business needs, job opportunities for Americans, and the health of mountain communities. On one side, immigration critics want to protect jobs for U.S. citizens and push for better pay and conditions for seasonal work. On the other, resort operators and many local leaders point to the very real need for outside help in keeping the winter tourist economy afloat.
Congress and the White House, no matter which party is in charge, face a tough decision: how to support local businesses, help communities thrive, but also ensure fair working conditions for everyone involved.
Key Takeaways for Ski Resorts and Workers
If you’re involved in the ski industry, a student thinking about a seasonal job, or simply live in a mountain town, here are the things to watch:
- The fate of the J-1 visa and related work-exchange programs remains undecided. A proposal is on the table but nothing has changed—yet.
- Industry leaders are asking staff and supporters to speak up, showing lawmakers how much these programs matter for local economies.
- Resorts are making backup plans but stress that there is no real alternative that fills the need as well as the J-1 visa program.
- If you’re considering a seasonal job at a resort or want to enroll in a J-1 program, stay informed by checking the U.S. Department of State’s Exchange Visitor Program website for updates on policy and eligibility.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Seasonal Staffing
The next few months could be very important for the future of the ski industry’s workforce and the broader winter tourism economy in the United States 🇺🇸. While the outcome remains uncertain, one thing is clear: without strong seasonal staffing through visa programs like the J-1, many resorts will face big challenges.
Lawmakers in Washington, business owners, community leaders, and workers themselves must all take part in the conversation. The hope for many is a solution that lets resorts keep their snow-packed doors open each winter—while supporting both American workers and international guests who make mountain towns lively and prosperous.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the importance of the J-1 visa program for the ski industry can’t be overstated. Whether you’re a guest enjoying the slopes or a worker keeping the lifts spinning, a stable seasonal staffing solution is at the heart of every successful winter.
With seasons and snow always on the move, the ski industry will keep pushing for policies that let it serve visitors, support local economies, and welcome travelers from all over the world—even if the road ahead has some bumps and turns. The discussion about J-1 visas is not just a story about paperwork or politics—it’s about the future of winter fun, jobs, and the communities that call the mountains home.
Learn Today
J-1 Visa → A U.S. visa for international exchange visitors, allowing temporary work and cultural exchange in the United States.
H2-B Visa → A U.S. visa program that permits employers to hire foreign workers for seasonal or temporary non-agricultural jobs.
Seasonal Staffing → Hiring employees on a short-term basis to cover busy periods, such as the ski season, in specific industries.
Exchange Visitor Program → A U.S. State Department initiative enabling foreigners to work, study, or train in the U.S. temporarily for cultural exchange.
Internal Memo → An official, often confidential, communication within an organization, in this context previewing possible visa program changes.
This Article in a Nutshell
Ski resorts across America depend on J-1 visa workers for vital seasonal staffing. With 11,000 positions filled annually, new policy threats jeopardize winter operations, local economies, and cultural exchanges. Without J-1 visas, many resorts fear closures, reduced services, and rippling financial hardship in mountain towns reliant on tourism revenue.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• J-1 Research Scholars and Academic Training Eligibility
• J-1 Visa Holders: Easier Pathways to H-1B and Green Card
• New J-1 Visa Expansion Targets Specialty Medicine to Fix Workforce Shortages!
• Does B1/B2 Visa Rejection Affect J-1 Visa Approval?
• New J-1 Waiver Program Addresses Primary Care Shortage for International Medical Graduates in Health Professional Shortage Areas
