Hello there,

 

Basically I am looking to do a working ski season 2012-2013. I am going to be honest and say I genuinely have no idea where to start and would appreciate any help and advice you guys can give!

 

So I 18 and am currently in my last year of sixth form and when I finished am looking to do something (A ski season). I won’t have much money but could probably scrape together £2000 or so by working over summer. Ideally I would love to go to Whistler, Canada. Main reasons being the language barrier is not an issue and well I just love Whistler. Now the best-case scenario would be to get a job package that includes accommodation, ski pass maybe even flights. Whether or not these job prospects are around I do not know? Also what is the best way to go about getting a Visa and when would I need to apply for one?

 

So I am looking really for any advice, own experiences of people doing seasons in whistler. Links to websites would be very much appreciated! Anything to help a newbie really (:

 

Summer.

I am toying with the idea of staying on through the summer to do mountain biking; I understand that the same job is unlikely to be available but would look for another perhaps in a bike shop, bar anything really. So again really if any of you have done this, would be great to hear any of your feedback and advice!

 

Many thanks in advance for any feedback.

Cheers, Will.

Edited by WillAtkins261 - 19 January 2012 at 10:58

Haha, Yeah sure.. I have a better idea now after doing a lot of personal research. Have looked at oyster. Also want to look in to working for the mountain, and applying through the whistler blackcomb website but i don't believe they have their 2012/13 season jobs posted there yet! 

Firstly thank you so much for your reply! very informative and I now feel far more clued up on what I need to do for my season! 
You mentioned working for the mountain, I have been on the WBC website and there are no apparent listings for season jobs 2012/13? Is this correct? and if so when will the listings be put up? 
Another thing, when it comes to accomodation (I am yet to look in to my options), is there likely to be Wi-fi in the majority? as this is a necessity for me! 

Thanks, Will 
 

Hi Will,

If you book one of our shared rooms (huge rooms with two queen beds) with us it works out about $930p.m. - or you can have a spacious private room for $1,166per month. Our prices include all bills, bed linen & towels, weekly cleaner, household cleaning products, high speed WiFi, free international phone calls, sauna, gas fire, 42inch flatscreens & Apple TV, monthly events, etc. Basically you only need to budget for your grocery bill once you're staying with us!

WB staff accommodation is the cheapest deal in town - as low as $315p.m. for bed in a small bunk room. I lived there in my 1st year and survived... it was a great time, but definitely not for people who like personal space! There are three main locations you can be put into - Glacier Lane (up on Blackcomb mountain), Brio (the best option in my opinion, 10mins walk from village) or Westside (out in Creekside - couples tend to get put here).

If you are looking for the cheapest option for a season then working for WB is almost definitely it - you have to rough it a little if you go for staff housing, and they are the worst paying employer in town, but they can be really good to their staff in other ways! An interesting point to note is that a free seasons pass is worth about $1p.h. in wages over a season.

You'll get such kind of benefits from a ski resort job if you will have a high position, free flights? I think that would be too much as a freebie or benefits. Have you been to this ski resort before? if not you can check more info about it in this Whistler Blackcomb article

Hi Becky,

Staff housing have a limited number of private rooms available (building 5 I think, its been awhile!) but they get snapped up quickly! You can request it when you apply - the earlier you get into town the better your chances of sneaking into one of them are (arrive in the summer or at least early October). It is very close living up in staff, but it can be alot of fun too. Only Whistler Blackcomb (WB) employees can live in staff housing in the winter.

BC minimum wage will go up to $10.25 this May (or $9 if you work in a restaurant/bar). Most WB jobs will pay minimum wage, whilst other employers in town may offer a couple of dollars more ph.

If you want to find private, better value accommodation then you should head out as early as you can - end of the summer, first week of October at the latest. October/November is when the majority of winter season people will arrive, creating a very competitive environment for housing and jobs. Saying that, alot of employers won't start hiring until November, so you could be in town without work for a while if you get here early.

Hope that helped.

Hi Becky
Sounds good! I didn't realise that the visa deadline was so close so i am applying today....I looked at BUNAC last night and also another company called CCUSA...The CCUSA people do offer jobs before you go but it is slightly more expensive than BUNAC and they don't offer group flights... so i am torn between the two may post somewhere else on the website to see if people have had any experience with CCUSA. I have heard of BUNAC before as all my friends have travelled with them and they seem great!....so many decisions! hope your visa application goes well!

Alex

I will! I asked the company 'bunac' and they told me! You should be fine getting it all done in time! Just as long as they receive your application by the 31st :) I did my police certificate thing the quickest way possible and it was back in about 3 days
Becky

Hey future Whistler-ites,