Jobs and Accommodation Options
Jobs
Working in a Ski Resort will be one of the most fun, enjoyable and amazing things you will ever do in your life. There are so many fantastic jobs out there and you can easily combine your work, social and ski life!
Pay Rates will vary from job to job. The average wage in Canada is around the CAD$6-14 margin but you will find jobs that do pay more. Tipping also helps the old wage and you can sometimes bring home a small fortune in tips – as long as you provide the best service of course!!
Some companies will include a SKI pass and other's will provide staff accommodation. Shop around for the best job that suits you and one that you will enjoy – you have to way up how much skiing/snowboarding/mountain biking you want to do as to what hours you would like. There are plenty of night time jobs so you can have the best of both worlds.
The 'ski season' generally runs from November to mid May depending on the snowfall. The last few seasons have been fantastic and snow has been at record levels BUT jobs in whistler are not just limited to the Ski Season. Summertime is also a great time to work– it's another beautiful time of the year to live and work in Whistler. There are some great outdoor jobs and you might be lucky enough to find one with a bit of adventure mixed in!
To work in whistler your new boss will probably ask for a copy of your working visa and they will also need your tax number otherwise known as a SIN number (social insurance number). SIN's are easy to obtain and can be done on arrival in Vancouver. It's a relatively quick and easy process and can be done 1888 246 7712 – they can tell you exactly what you have to do and where to go.
Maurice 'Season 05/06'
'I worked for a local carpentry business. I was paid really well and had weekends off. He was a great boss and it was good to work in an industry I had experience with'
Laura 05/06/07
'In the summer I became a Skyline Guide for Cougar Mountain Adventures. It was the most amazing and fun job I have ever done and something I would never do in Australia. It was a fantastic company and we had a great team. It was the best summer job ever had'
Check out jobs and accommodation options on our blog page
Employers – Get an Aussie Now!! Make your add stand out – contact us for advertising space
Aussies – vote for 'business of the month'. Tell us why they are so good to work for and we will advertise their business on our site free for a month.
Got a question – send it in on our contact page - we are here to answer your questions.
Whistler Business of the month:
Feel at home and have a pie – the fantastic staff at Pit Stop Pitta and Pies (formerly known as Four N Twenty) can help you with your homesickness by offering some of the best bakes pies in Canada as well as some delicious pittas. Open to 3am every day they are a great stop on the way home or after a hard day on the mountain!
Near the Telus Conference Centre and above the RBC bank.
Accommodation
There are so many options in whistler but we recommend that you do get in early, come the middle of winter you will find it really hard to get anything affordable.
There are a number of little suburbs that make up 'whistler'. Most of them are all accessible by the local bus transport system. When you get to whistler grab a map from the tourist centre so you can get an idea of the different areas – it makes it easier when you are house hunting!
Accommodation options include
- Staff accommodation eg Whistler Blackcomb have 3 staff housing areas – they have shared rooms and private rooms some with private kitchen facilities others with share.
- General Rental Units / Houses - these are run by private owners. Most of the time they are fully furnished and all you need to bring is yourself. Rents and bonds vary and some will include facilities with the monthly rent. Some of the units are underneath or above the owners own houses so you will see a lot of your land lord! During the summer you can get some great properties right in the heart of the village as landlords drop their rental rights right down during the summer.
Don't get ripped off – shop around for accommodation. Ask the right questions look for the right things – Are utilities included? Is a bond required? Are their laundry facilities? Are you close to local transport? How many people are living there? Are you sharing a room with someone?
Stay tuned for accommodation options on this page.
Landlords – Get an Aussie Now!! Make your add stand out – contact us now for advertising space.
Aussies – looking for a flat mate? Use our blog to put the word out there.