Live/Work In Whistler for 12/13 - Aussie

FreeJordie

FreeJordie

Member
Howdy Ya'll,

Australian here and I am planning to do a season in canada for the 12/13 season, and would really like some advice or recommendations for any information to do about it, ie jobs, transport, accomm etc. etc.

I am thinking of instructing, but would also do bar tending whilst I am there.

I am thinking Whistler/Blackcomb.

Thanks everyone!
 
Unless you have a extensive bartending experience don't bank on that.

And just so you know Australians are large in numbers in Whistler. No hate by any means but it might be more difficult to make friends out of the Aussie circle then it would be at other Canadian resorts.

If you want to instruct try and live in staff accom, ski school is rather chill to work for. But I only did it part-time so I could freeski.

 
Ok - awesome. The only reason I was thinking Whistler is that I have skied there before.

Can you recommend any other mountains/resorts?

I do have extensive bar tending experience p/s - however, I would much rather instruct skiers in lessons than bar tend.
 
ya I think it has something to do with both be similar countries so their comfortable traveling to aus.

But what kind of skiing are you after? Whistler is hands down the best park in the country, but there are many other bangin hills; Fernie, Revelstoke, Kicking Horse, Lake Louise/ Sunshine (lots of Aussies there too) and Whitewater are just a few to start a list.

Whistler has more of a developed village and night life compared to the others, but if you're looking for a 'Canadian' experience then I'd suggest looking at the other hills. But if you're just looking for an easy bang for buck good time and are okay with being one of the many Aussies then Whistler will certainly not let you down.
 
Yeah, the reason the two travel between so much is because of the Commonwealth agreement (very easy to get a visa to another Commonwealth nation).

I would love a nightlife - so Whistler seems like the best place to do my first season (there is no telling if I will do another season on another hill somewhere else - only time will tell.

I would just like to know what people recommend in terms of employment?
 
work ski school at base 2 schools group. most chill place to work first year as an instructor. Live at staff housing (on hill and a min walk from work or down in brio in the village with more spacey living).

Bar-tending you just need to know the right people and if you dont you have to start as bar back or something for awhile.

It not just aussies town. I know people from around the globe the live here. I'd say there is more people from Ontario and Quebec since we can stay here forever without visas.
 
be a lifty so you can keep the chairlifts running, not fuck up perfect powder lines, and be too tired to cause shit at the bar.
 
Bartending at a mediocre restaurant perhaps for 10$ an hour, if you're lucky. Bartending at a Bar or Nightclub where you actually make decent tips? Good luck. I worked door at a Night club here in town for 2 years, the Bartenders at the Nightclubs here all work door or bar-back for 2-4 YEARS before making bartender. Also, the new bartenders get the "off" slow night shifts where you may not make tips at all and just be making 10/hour, because the other staff get priority selection for busy nights.

The bartenders that work at nightclubs make a KILLING. They've all been here for years and don't give up those jobs lightly. ie: Miles has been bartending at Tommys for 10+ years, Indian 15+ etc.

Make sure you have a few grand saved ahead of time to make it through slow season (sept-oct-nov) when you wont be working. Make sure you get here in sept or earlier or else you might not find a place to rent, and if you do it will cost 30-50% more per month than you would've been able to lock into monthly in the summer or early fall. (Rooms that you can score for $450 in July will go up to 800$/month by Dec, basic supply and demand principles.)

Working for Whistler Blackcomb will get you a seasons pass which can cost up to ~$1800 before 12% tax. I don't recommend staff accom/housing. Be careful with the partying, drugs and sex. Wear a condom and don't snort your savings/earnings up your nose.

If you find good evening/night work cleaning or working as security, door, bellman or front desk you can still get up early enough to ski. There are also volunteer passes if you do 20+ days of mountain safety or events.

Get here early, save up lots of cash in advance, pay attention to local newspapers (Whistler Question, The Pique) for job hiring fairs and rental units/rooms.
 
+k

so you wouldn't recommend ski instructing ? How much do you think I would need to save to survive through sep/oct/nov?

 
I've never worked as a ski instructor but I think it's probably a pretty good gig, friends who do have been doing it for a while and work privates, which tip quite well. WB Is actually hiring right now for next winter, so it's worth checking out their website and applying. You'll get a free pass, discounts on food and retail.

Not sure about how much you'd want to save, first/last month's rent, damage deposit, 3 months rent, utilities, hydro, food, bus pass, money for anything else (going out partying, drinks are REALLY expensive here in Whis). Some people blow through $50-100 a night no problem. It also depends on how you want to eat, if you're ok with living off of tomato soup and mr. noodles or if you want to eat fresh produce/meats. The cost of living is ridiculous here. I don't think it would be unreasonable to budget for ~$3000-5000 depending on various factors to make it through sept-dec.

Living in White Gold, Whistler Cay, Nesters, Brio, Benchlands are all close to the village and walking distance to resort. Creekside is another good option too. Further away is Emerald/Alpine which will be cheaper rent but you will be busing and the buses are super irregular and the off season schedule sucks. Not to mention it's expensive (2.50 per trip)

Just add it up, rent + food + damage deposit +last months rent + food + bus pases + nights out drinking and add a 10% buffer to be sure. Better safe than sorry.
 
meh, just totally depends on how much you party, I went out once all winter and I managed to survive working 2 days a week for most of the season with very little saved. But you just gotta control your habits and make skiing a priority.
 
I've also seen people get injured and blow through their entire savings at the bar in a matter of months. You never know what will happen. If you arrive in Sept and don't have work til mid December, have to pay first/last months rent and damage deposit, along with utils, decent groceries, and going out twice a week that can easily add up quickly. Average rent at ~$600, first/last/damage and sept/oct/nov/dec would be $3300. Do the math, $3300 doesnt even include utilities, food or booze. (Keep in mind last months rent and your damage deposit is included in that) You'll have to wait 2-3 weeks to get your first work cheque too once you inevitably do start.

Sure, you can do it for less. If you're ok with sharing a broom closet with 2 other people and survive off of eating Mr. Noodles or robbing the food bank from young families that actually need it. I don't think $3000 as a lowball to survive 3-4 months in town while not working/slow season and having to pay rent and go out partying is unrealistic.
 
$5,000 doesn't seem too bad. I am used to Australian prices, so Whistler is still rather cheap!

I think I am going to instruct (obviously won't be privates) but it would be fun, and would be a great experience rather than just working in a bar all night.

I am unqualified, so I would have to do training courses etc. - but I classify myself as an expert skier (haha?).

Does anyone think I should go through a 'program' or just rock up and rock on?

 
You won't get hired without your level one and sometimes experience... It takes a weekend, get it before the season starts here if you want a chance to get hired.
 
Ok,well the Austrlalian season is about to start-i will just get my level one here, get some experience,and will be ready to head over as soon as possible!thanks all for the advice!
 
If you have your level 2 (which is 4 days I think, not exactly certain) you get a pay bump over just having your level 1. Pay rates are based on qualifications, the higher level of certification the more you get paid. You also get paid more if you speak a 2nd language so you can work with international clientele, which is a huge advantage to get private groups or lessons over others.

Working club I've heard is pretty fun as you get to ski/instruct the same kids every weekend. They tend to be pretty good little skiers compared to the once a winter holiday kids and you get to see them progress. Not a bad gig. I could be wrong about details as this is all 2nd hand info.
 
Most of that is pretty accurate, but chances are with your first year instructing you wont be given clubs. You'll probably get minis or something else. As said above, Schools is pretty chill, personally I prefer teaching teenagers over younger children as there is less responsibility.
 
Apparently W/B Reps come down to Australia next month to interview people which cuts out a lot of time!

So Thanks again all for the info!
 
Whistler is pretty fucking awesome.

I've been working at the ski school for the past 2 season, and its a really fun job, as a level 1 and first year staff you're going to get shit work, I'd strongly recommend level 2s (get your 1s in aus, then get your 2s first thing when you get here)

I work at base 2 which has already been mentioned a few times, its a really friendly work environment, the supervisors are probably the coolest people you will ever work with, all the kids are 8 - 18 years old, most can ski. Whatever you do, dont work for the village or creekside, blackcomb is where its at.

Its easy to blow all your money away, but it's also easy to save it if your not blowing $100 a night on beer. I usually work 5 days a week and live at staff housing, this leaves with enough money to live, and buy gear when i need it.

PS. When are the interview in Australia?

 
Bit of a thread jack here, but hopefully someone can help me out. I'm planning on moving to whistler for this season, sometime in november. I'm wondering how much it would cost for the whole season. I'm working right now, and saving, and hope to be able to survive the winter without having to get a job, and get to ride everyday. I'll get a job if this ends up being way to expensive, but how much do you guys think it would cost for a winter season in whister, rent and pass included.
 
do the math; approx. $500/month rent, $50-$100/week food, how often you drink or smoke weed, gear, necessities like toilet paper and soap etc. , and our season is 6 months long.
 
i forgot to mention pass approx. $2000 or work for mountain = free, and youd have to be in town in october at the LATEST or you wont find a place thats not a dump so account for 8 months of survival .
 
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