Best JOB on/near the mountains (+karma)

Rice

Rice

Member
Hey so I graduate from high school mid november, which is basically right before resorts start to open.

I'll be 18 by then and with a few mates, we were thinking of heading to Whis to spend at least 2-3 months there.

NS what do you reckon is the best job on mountain/or near the mountain?

I basically want to maximise my skiing there so I'll probably want to only work 3-4 days a week, probably in the afternoon.

I'm thinking of working for the resort as this means I can get staff accomodation/free pass but i'm pretty unsure of what i specifically want to apply for.

Or is it more flexible to work outside like at a restaurant or something? Cheers NS
 
Go for park crew if you ski park. It involves a lot of hard work at times, but it's super rewarding when you ride it. And sometimes you get some laps in while working. Over all I would say it's a super great job, but I think it might be a tough one to get out there. I work park in Ontario and lots of people want it.
 
I'd for sure recommend being a ski instructor, resorts always need them since you have to have to take a course first ( well at least in my experience, 1rst job as soon as I said I'd be willing to take the course they hired me on the spot, same thing once I had it at a different place, hired on the spot) and if you're just a level 1 then it's usual part timish, I had like two regular classes to teach during the week, then another two during the weekend. And if you decide to keep going with it and moving up the levels then you can make a decent career out of it (for a ski bum) oh but you gotta be willing to put up with little kids, who will be too cold the instant their outside, and will fall over and be unable to get up like 30 times a class. But I still had plenty of fun with it, and it is pretty cool when you actually help them progress, and see them go from barely being able to stand up on the bunny hill to following behind you on a regular run. Ooh and you might get tips from parents if you're good enough and the kids like you. My secret move to make em happy was busting out some dance moves. And yus the free pass is awesome, god I can't even imagine how awesome when you're at a big mountain and you get a usually like 1000$ pass for free.
 
I worked park crew a long time ago and it was the shit. But some places don't allow park crew to hit the features on the clock.

Security is a good job to try to get, you work afternoons and nights and you're basically just busting sledders and people being loud.
 
As a first year go rental tech. You will get loads of time to ride as shops do a lot of business in the evenings. Working in shops will also give you. Glance to get pro deals on brands so cheap kit. The pay is not the best but if skiing is the priority it will be good
 
In whistler apply everywhere and accept the first job you get. Its brutal out there. My buddy worked in a meat shop for 3 years because his hours were 2-10pm so he would ski all morning and work the afternoons
 
13787221:SKRockies said:
In whistler apply everywhere and accept the first job you get. Its brutal out there. My buddy worked in a meat shop for 3 years because his hours were 2-10pm so he would ski all morning and work the afternoons
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so that means I guess I should confirm a job before I leave for canada right?

If I just go over there, and apply once I'm in town, do you reckon that's too late? It'll be around november.
 
There's literally tons of jobs going in Whis, everyone I know got multiple offers in their first week.

Accomodation is your problem.

Serving is by far the best pay, and then you can work evenings and ski in the day often too.
 
Job as an instructor - free pass, on snow job, not always working.

Lessons are a hit or miss depending on the day and how many instructors show up. lessons usually aren't all day either so you get breaks to ski between lessons. Also they usually hire everyone that applies for the job and goes through the clinics. Both mountains I've worked at hired everyone who showed up for new hire basically. Also if kids aren't your thing, there's usually the option to teach adults. I taught kids for 7 years... Switched to adults this year and it's a whole new world.

Definitely lots of down time to ski - and opportunities to grow as a skier yourself.
 
mtn ops like bumping chairs, instructing, park crew, etc. free pass + ride breaks plus your days off you get (try and get a four 10 hour schedule making for like 3 days of week of just fuckin off).

always could wait tables or rock the dishpit/cook line. typical high-demand times are after skiing and in the evenings when all the tourists wanna go to dinner. probably wont work until at least 2:30/3pm.

hotel work isn't bad either. I do lodging/property management stuff for ski in/out properties and ski an ungodly amount. don't work till 2pm, lost count of how many times ive skied fresh lines before work this year, get to park at mid-mountain, can be eligible for insurance and other benefits even though its seasonal.

most people I meet that run things at the resort I work at started off doing something low level like bumping chairs, front desk/bellman stuff, etc., and have fruitful 15+ year careers. you never know if you fall in love.
 
Just specific to Whis, working for the mountain is great for lift pass etc, but you don't get to ski anywhere near as much as other jobs (your always working during the ski day, almost all jobs are 5 days a week)

Arriving in November accomodation would definitely be a problem, so working for the mountain and guarenteeing accom that way (which is also really cheap) would be good.

A couple of other places give their staff accomodation guarenteed and cheap and a lift pass free or discounted though. Off the top of my head, the Fairmont, and Gnarly Roots pizza. I would reccomend the fairmont, can get decent money through tips and tons of time to ski with evening shifts etc and 3/4 days off a week.
 
topic:Rice said:
Hey so I graduate from high school mid november, which is basically right before resorts start to open.

I'll be 18 by then and with a few mates, we were thinking of heading to Whis to spend at least 2-3 months there.

NS what do you reckon is the best job on mountain/or near the mountain?

I basically want to maximise my skiing there so I'll probably want to only work 3-4 days a week, probably in the afternoon.

I'm thinking of working for the resort as this means I can get staff accomodation/free pass but i'm pretty unsure of what i specifically want to apply for.

Or is it more flexible to work outside like at a restaurant or something? Cheers NS
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In my mind, park staff is the best job ever.

Its really hard to get on park crews most of the time though, but it was my favourite job I've ever worked.
 
I def agree with the park crew idea tho - shoot for that. They're just super competitive spots cause everyone wants that job

Also I notice a lot of park crews favor snowboarders
 
13788495:Rice said:
so that means I guess I should confirm a job before I leave for canada right?

If I just go over there, and apply once I'm in town, do you reckon that's too late? It'll be around november.
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I have no idea what immigration laws are coming into Canada for seasonal workers but I imagine you'll need to sort out a working holiday visa. Pretty sure if I rolled up the US border and said I was moving to Colorado to look for work without a visa I'd never get into the country.

That aside, I worked as a ski instructor for 2 years and wasn't a huge fan. One day out of the week I had a fun freeride group who could actually shred the mountain but the rest of the time I was a glorified baby sitter. My recommendation would be to try to get restaurant work. With tips you can actually make decent money and you usually have your whole day to ski. You also get to hang out with hot waitresses all night. Plus if you're working till midnight every night you won't have as much time to go waste all your money at the bar.
 
Work for a ski delivery rental service! You will meet lots of other skiers, hang out in the shop with friends, mostly work evenings, and get to ski way more than most other jobs. Honestly best job on the mountian.

Look at Black tie skis.
 
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