DENVER (AP) — U.S. ski resort owners are seeking to stave off cuts to a visa program that serves as a pipeline for the industry's seasonal workforce.
The Denver Post reports that resorts have become reliant on J-1 Summer Work Travel visa workers in the past five years.
They're worried the White House could scale back or eliminate J-1 visas as part of President Donald Trump's "Buy American, Hire American" executive order. The issue has become more urgent amid low unemployment rates for Western states as ski season approaches.
Dave Byrd with the National Ski Areas Association says resorts across the U.S. have been contacting him about their need for workers with J-1 visas.