I just got home from a short ski vacation at Vail and Beaver Creek ski resorts in Colorado. I was walking by the area where the instructors meet their clients yesterday and was shocked! Almost all of the instructors that were standing and waiting for clients were FOREIGNERS and almost all the instructors waiting for work including several wearing the full teacher certification badge were AMERICANS! (they all wear name tags with their home country on them)
The Denver paper had an article about all the foreigners who were allowed in on “Q-1” Visa last Dec. but I had no idea it was that bad.
Here is the article:
“Resorts try new tactic to get foreign workers” - The Denver PostOct 28, 2008 ... Vail Resorts Inc.’s Q-1 visas are being used for ski instructors, ... Elizabeth Aguilera: 303-954-1372 or eaguilera@denverpost.com ...
www.denverpost.com/tourism/ci_10831408 - 128k
I called a close friend at the resort and asked her what was going on. She said there was a meeting last week talking about the status of the foreign instructors on the Q-1 visas. She said even though there was not enough work for the Americans the foreigners were being kept for the rest of the season and that anyone who didn’t like it could leave. She also said that anyone caught talking to ANYBODY about this issue would be fired!
Then she sent me this:
Hello Gang, There will be a 2009-2010 visa information meeting on Wed. February 25. Where: Children’s Ski and Snowboard School downstairs Time: 4:30pm Please see Rob Mahan with questions or concerns.