Huge difference between US and Euro resorts, if you're a Brit, the visas are a pain in the States. If you recently finished uni though, you might be ok.
In Euro resorts bartenders don't make much, as the tips aren't the same as the States, in the States it's hard to walk straight into a bartending job too.
Ski instructing is the best job ever, you just have to be good at it, and work in a decent place.
For just one season, for a brit, being a chalet host works out pretty well, if you get your job dialled, you ski most of the day, most days, and booze loads.