Moving to Whistler?

Holidazed · #1 (**permalink**) Aug 27, 04

ok so I'm planning to move up to Whistler in October to work there this winter (and ride lots of course)...but I need to find a job first.

What are the good jobs to get up there? I want something with deccent pay that allows me to still have part of my days free to ride. Anyone use to live there? or know someone that does now?

I want to hear your Whis stories, do's and don't, advice, etc.

thanks!!

**MC Hammered** · #2 (**permalink**) Aug 27, 04

I would suggest applying for a lift services position in October (when they do recruiting) and explain your situation and you should land a job of sometype.

If you can try applying at Intrawest and see if you score that way.

If you work for Intrawest you get free riding priviledges on any mountain in the company as part of your incentive package.

Holidazed · #3 (**permalink**) Aug 27, 04

yah i thought about being a lifty but I think i'd rather work indoors part of the day in a hotel or something and then ride the rest of time before and after work. lifties dont get paid well.

oh, and i dont want to work with food either. bar tending would be fun but I have 0 experience (except for the countless drinks i have made for myself and friends at parties).

jesse gill · #4 (**permalink**) Aug 27, 04

my cusion lives up in whistler... and hes cominng back down to abby soon.... he used to be a snowboard instrusctor. and when there was no work on the mountain hed work at 7 11...

harmeet_05 · #5 (**permalink**) Aug 27, 04

hey my cuzin lives up in Whistler and he's a snowboard instructor, he sayz that there's nothin much to do out there other than try to find a job with one of teh mountain companies like work at the main office or sumthin.....or u can just get a job as a bouncer......bartendingz not that bad at all there's courses u can do i think i guess u dont hav that much time

Holidazed · #6 (**permalink**) Aug 27, 04

^ snowboard instructor would be sweet but I'd need to take the training course 1st. I might do that later this year so i can teach next year.

harmeet_05 · #7 (**permalink**) Aug 27, 04

o shyt yea that's another one of my cuzins.....thats weird....jesse just shuhtup...lolllllllim tryin to help the guy man

Holidazed · #8 (**permalink**) Aug 27, 04

how about the hotel industry guest servies? is it hard to get into without experience?

I have computer/design/office experience but I dont really want another office job. i'm moving up there to get away fromt hat

**MC Hammered** · #9 (**permalink**) Aug 27, 04

If you want a desk job then try applying at Intrawest in gastown and then try transferring to the Whistler office.

OOPS! Typed that before I read your reply... anyway...

I have friends in the hotel industry and they got in ages ago before you need a certificate to land a job there. You might get a backroom job cleaning and stuff but landing a job as a bellboy or desk clerk probably won't be too attainable without the training.

But what do I know... I'm a snowboard instrcutor.

jesse gill · #10 (**permalink**) Aug 27, 04

try being a snowboard instructor dude.... my cuzion went up there with no experiance at all and i dont know how he landed that job.. lol...

jesse gill · #11 (**permalink**) Aug 27, 04

were are u a snow board instructor?

Holidazed · #12 (**permalink**) Aug 27, 04

mc hammered: what sort of prior training do i nered for a hotel job?

and what training do i need to be a level 1 snowboard instructor? u have any instructor connections up in whis?

**MC Hammered** · #13 (**permalink**) Aug 27, 04

I applied at Whistler and Cypress each year for 3 years after I got my cert.

But every year BEFORE I got interviewed I would injure myself riding the first week Blackcomb opens (like really stupid injuries like dislocating your shoulder) so no job teaching for me.

I ended up teaching private lessons so I get to keep all of the money instead of just my hourly wage, the student gets a much better lesson as it is 1 on 1 or a max group of 4 and I can teach when I want.

**MC Hammered** · #14 (**permalink**) Aug 27, 04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holidazed

mc hammered: what sort of prior training do i nered for a hotel job?

I don't know exactly but I have friends who have gone through formal training at BCIT and Langara in order to work in that industry. So it is not as easy as just walking in and applying for one of the nicer positions.

You could probably get one of the more 'labour intensive' spots without formal training though. Best bet is to call a prospective hotel and ask them and I am sure they would be happy to let you know what qualifications are required.

Quote:

and what training do i need to be a level 1 snowboard instructor? u have any instructor connections up in whis?

You just have to pay the cost of the 3 day course and pass the riding and teaching test at the end and you get your level 1 cert. I have no connections at Whistler as everyone I do get hooked up with is usually an Aussie and they go home after the season and don't come back. :(

desiRAWR · #15 (**permalink**) Aug 27, 04

If you can't find work right up in Whistler there's always Pemberton...it's about 45 minutes past Whistler and I KNOW there's places hiring there. Maybe try the PemHo? (pemberton hotel). I know this because my sisters live up there and all the places up there have a hard time finding reliable employees...It's worth a try.

Lisa_Lovely · #16 (**permalink**) Aug 27, 04

Quote:

Originally Posted by MC Hammered

I would suggest applying for a lift services position in October (when they do recruiting) and explain your situation and you should land a job of sometype.

If you can try applying at Intrawest and see if you score that way.

If you work for Intrawest you get free riding priviledges on any mountain in the company as part of your incentive package.

if you apply to be a lift guy you will never have time to ride. get a job where you work splits or night shifts. My bro has been there for 5 years and he works for a restuarant...he says the people that work for Intrawest get free passes but they can't use them 5 days a week because they work too much. I guess it depends how hardcore you are into boarding. My bro hits blackcomb over 100 times a year. Also, most companies give you year pass discounts and payment plan options.

Holidazed · #17 (**permalink**) Aug 28, 04

Lisa_Lovely: yah thats exactly the reason i don't want a lifty job. I'll be in the snow all day but not riding. i would preffer to work afternoon shifts and evenings so i can ride all morning every day. 100+ days a year is what i'd love. lasy year i hit about 50 at seymour, whis and cypress.

krisamata · #18 (**permalink**) Aug 28, 04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holidazed

yah i thought about being a lifty but I think i'd rather work indoors part of the day in a hotel or something and then ride the rest of time before and after work. lifties dont get paid well.

oh, and i dont want to work with food either. bar tending would be fun but I have 0 experience (except for the countless drinks i have made for myself and friends at parties).

i dont feel like rading all the other posts so if its repetitive dont mind it ok?!

the chateau whistler should be doing their hiring for the winter season anytime now...put in a resume and they'll phone you for a couple of telephone interviews...they provide housing for something like 12 bucks a day...

and u make 13/hr for a dishwasher

but i was told this is the best time to apply if you want to be a server or something like that!

Holidazed · #19 (**permalink**) Sep 11, 04

well I found a nice house up there last weekend so i dont need to worry about a job that provides houseing, but a seasons pass would be great.

I've been applying at a few places but need to send out alot more resumes. prefferably through connections up there. My new landlord is the General MAnager for Food and Beverage for Intrawerst/whistler but i dont really want to work with food if i can help it.