While some Colorado ski resorts are facing staffing shortages due to a decline in seasonal foreign workers on J-1 visas, Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. will be nearly fully staffed for the 2025/26 winter season, according to Communications Director Maren Franciosi.

“We’re not anticipating being 100% staffed, but that’s typical,” said Franciosi. “We are at a normal range right now of what we would normally head into a season for.”

Franciosi said the resort is about 95% staffed at around 2,000 employees, with only about 6% of its seasonal employees coming through international work programs on J-1 visas.

A J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows people from other countries to participate in temporary work and education programs in the U.S., with the purpose of promoting cultural exchanges. 

A recent analysis of U.S. Department of State data by Inside Higher Ed found that fewer student visas had been issued this May compared to May of last year, including a 13% decline in J-1 visas.

The National Ski Areas Association — which represents over 300 alpine resorts throughout the U.S. — said fewer J-1 visa issuances would deepen existing workforce shortages across the ski industry, “especially in rural communities that do not have enough local workers to take these seasonal positions during peak season,” in an October statement to the newspaper. 

That could affect ski area operations and guest services and place additional strain on domestic hiring in mountain communities where labor markets are already tight, the association added.

The slowdown in seasonal visa issuances comes as President Donald Trump’s administration continues to crack down on foreign entries, part of its broader effort to restrict immigration to the U.S. 

Franciosi said Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. is aware of the overall decline in J-1 visas issued this year and its effect on the ski industry, but the problem has not made an impact on the resort’s staffing rates for this winter season.

“We don’t have any concerns right now related to these programs, but we have been following and are certainly preparing as needed if that does happen,” said Franciosi. “But no concerns at this time.”

The resort is ready to head into its next winter season with all areas of the company — such as food and beverage, mountain operations and the ski and ride school — nearly fully staffed and “balanced,” Franciosi added.

To keep staffing rates balanced throughout the season, many resort employees are cross-trained, allowing workers to offer support in several areas when needed.

“If we’re needing more support in one area, we can pull people from a different area because they’re trained to do different jobs,” said Franciosi. “That’s a big tactic that we’ve used the last couple of years.”

With Steamboat Resort gearing up to be fully staffed, many employees are taking advantage of the resort’s employee housing options, which house about 25% of its total staff. Each year, the resort’s employee housing quickly fills up, said Franciosi. 

Moving forward, Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. hopes to expand its employee housing, working with its parent company — Alterra Mountain Company — on considering options.

“It’s always something we’re exploring,” said Franciosi. “Alterra has a development lead and focuses on employee housing across all resorts. We tap into that resource and we’re constantly working with them, looking at opportunities available.”