Whistler Blackcomb 2012 / 2013 living expences guide
Hi all,
Was wondering if I can get any input from everyone and anyone in regards to their experiences from Whistler
I’m looking at doing a season for 2012/13 and would like to know how much everyday living cost..
Can be anything.. Milk, beer, pasta, coco pops, club entry, rent, travel etc ....
It would be a great guide I think to work out how much you would need weekly to live comfortably..
I know there are websites out there that tell you this stuff but honestly I would trust this forum based on personal experiences rather than a survey website.
Found this on the interwebby http://www.bctransit.com/regions/whi/fares/default.cfm
Travel expenses
1 way
Adult $2.50CA ($2.37AU)
Student $2.00CA ($1.89AU)
Child free
Adult
Tickets, sheet of 10—$20.00CA ($18.99AU)
Day pass——————- $7.00CA ($6.64AU)
Monthly pass————$65.00CA ($61.73AU)
6 Month pass————$330.00CA ($313.44AU)
12 Month pass———- $585.00CA ($555.63AU)
Student
Tickets, sheet of 10 - $18.00CA ($17.09AU)
Day pass——————- $5.00CA ($4.74AU)
Month pass—————$52.00CA ($49.39AU)
6 Month pass————$260.00CA ($246.94AU)
12 Month pass———- $470.00CA ($446.42AU)
1 AUD = 1.05281 CAD
There was info on stuff like this in the whistler community thread, try that.
hey we just updated our living costs page the other day
http://www.rideonwhistler.com/Whistler_Season_Guide/Living_Costs/
Some useful info on there for you..
Hey Jacobees welcome to bw.
I myself am working the season over in Whistler this season. Living expenses can vary hugely depending on whether or not you’re working for WhistlerBlackcomb, and if so what conditions you are happy to live in.
If you do get a job with WhistlerBlackcomb you receive a range of benefits like staff housing (which can be as cheap as $300 a month), discounts on most food & beverage on the mountain & some stores within the village. They also supply you with your staff pass which saves you buying a season pass. They also run cheap dinner programs within staff housing most nights if you can’t cook.
If you’re looking at working else where for example a pub / hotel in the village then you may get a higher wage rate but you won’t get any of those staff benefits. Therefore you will have to sort out accommodation yourself. Looking through the pique magazine in long term classifieds is usually helpful. (http://classifieds.piquenewsmagazine.com/) I’d say condos / apartments range from $500 - $2,000 a month, it all just depends on your personal “living comfortably” expectation. You will also have to buy your own season pass which is around $1800, maybe cheaper if you get in early.
With food cost per day i’d say the supermarket prices are pretty close to what we have here in aus, maybe a touch more expensive. So depending on how much you eat, (i myself don’t each much when i’m spending all my time snowboarding!) it shouldn’t cost too much more than what you already spend per day here in aus.
Rider26 will hopefully be making a Whistler 2012/13 Community thread soon so make sure you jump on that during the season! Hopefully this is somewhat helpful. 
Looking forward to the 2012/2013 Community thread, but not as much as I’m looking forward to getting over there for the season!
Thanks for the info guys… Some helpful stuff there.. I hope I get this job
Hey jacobees,
Here are some helpful threads you might want to browse through. 
https://www.boardworld.com.au/forums/viewthread/3476/
https://www.boardworld.com.au/forums/viewthread/3053/
https://www.boardworld.com.au/forums/viewthread/5188/
https://www.boardworld.com.au/forums/viewthread/5367/
Let me us know if you have any questions and we will be more than happy to help you.
Unfortunately I won’t be in Whister this season so I will get finney or one of the other guys to start the community blog as the season nears. I’m looking forward to hearing about all the adventures and experiences you guys have this coming season!
How come your not going over this year?
Hi Guys! Feel like a bit of a traitor here being from the UK and planning on skiing during my season in whistler this year! But i hope you’ll be able to brush this aside (;
Anyway… I’m will, 18 and plan on flying out to canada on my own, with BUNAC, on the 31st October to do a working ski season on whistler bc mountain! I obviously have my Visa, Flights booked, Insurance pretty much sorted, have applied for my first job with the mountain and also have a job interview lined up early october in London with four seasons whistler!
Just a few questions really!...
1) What should I make sure that I get done before I leave the UK?
2)What should I make sure I get done before I leave Vancouver for whistler?
3) Is there much chance of a obtaining a full time job with the mountain in the early november whistler job fair?
4) Has anyone had any experience of working with four seasons in whistler? What’s the staff accommodation like? Is it a social atmosphere? do you get a discounted ski pass? Are they a friendly company?
5) In terms of luggage how much should I or more to the point how much am I allowed to take, also how much is any additional over the 20kg? (I am very worried about this as I took 20kg of luggage on a 1 week clubbing holiday in the summer which consisted of mostly shorts and t shirts?!
6) What do you guys suggest the best way of meeting friends is? I’m sure its very easy as everyone says but as I am going out on my own having a good friendship group is a fairly vital part to my experience in Canada!
7) I have no ski gear… It is a while since I have been skiing and would ideally like to get everything new as it will have to last me a season? also I may be a beginner now but I hope to progress fast so how much would you guys say it would cost to get decent ski gear both hard and soft?
Anyway that is enough questions for now! any replies will be greatly appreciated… regards will
How come your not going over this year?
Our reasons… We wanted to have a summer. Michelle wants to see more of Australia. I miss surfing and jetskiing. My body needs to heal from the last two seasons of abuse. We both need to save some money and work hard. To be honest, I’m really stoked to be having a summer in Australia.
Hi Guys! Feel like a bit of a traitor here being from the UK and planning on skiing during my season in whistler this year! But i hope you’ll be able to brush this aside (;
Anyway… I’m will, 18 and plan on flying out to canada on my own, with BUNAC, on the 31st October to do a working ski season on whistler bc mountain! I obviously have my Visa, Flights booked, Insurance pretty much sorted, have applied for my first job with the mountain and also have a job interview lined up early october in London with four seasons whistler!
Just a few questions really!...
1) What should I make sure that I get done before I leave the UK?2)What should I make sure I get done before I leave Vancouver for whistler?
3) Is there much chance of a obtaining a full time job with the mountain in the early november whistler job fair?
4) Has anyone had any experience of working with four seasons in whistler? What’s the staff accommodation like? Is it a social atmosphere? do you get a discounted ski pass? Are they a friendly company?
5) In terms of luggage how much should I or more to the point how much am I allowed to take, also how much is any additional over the 20kg? (I am very worried about this as I took 20kg of luggage on a 1 week clubbing holiday in the summer which consisted of mostly shorts and t shirts?!
6) What do you guys suggest the best way of meeting friends is? I’m sure its very easy as everyone says but as I am going out on my own having a good friendship group is a fairly vital part to my experience in Canada!
7) I have no ski gear… It is a while since I have been skiing and would ideally like to get everything new as it will have to last me a season? also I may be a beginner now but I hope to progress fast so how much would you guys say it would cost to get decent ski gear both hard and soft?
Anyway that is enough questions for now! any replies will be greatly appreciated… regards will
Hey Will,
Welcome to Boardworld. 
It sounds like you have all the essentials sorted out. Visa, insurance, flights, job interview etc.
I would also make sure you have some money saved up. You have to show $2,500 CAD in funds saved to have your visa approved at the port of entry - that is the case for Australians and I assume the same for the UK, but worth looking into.
I would also have a backup interview lined up, in case things don’t turn out the way you hoped. I think you might be a bit late for the Job Fair, but I would make sure you take several copied of your resume, or at least one saved in your email account, just in case you need it for anything. I’m sure you won’t have a problem with the Four Seasons though.
Vancouver: Organise your SIN card. You could also open a bank account and get a phone, but you can do those things in Whistler. Just make sure you get your SIN application in. Also have your address in Whistler handy, as you’ll probably need it for the application.
If you’re there for the Job Fair, and you have your visa, resume, SIN, and all that stuff sorted, you should have a pretty good chance of getting a job with Whistler Blackcomb. There are many perks to working for the mountain. Free pass, cheap food, discounted gear. As I said, keep your options open.
Don’t overpack. Easier said than done, but be sensible about what you carry, as you will definitely accumulate more gear over there. If you need something, you can always buy cheaply from Walmart etc. Better to spend a few dollars over there rather than paying a lot more in excess baggage.
Ski gear. Shop around in Whistler. You will probably find some really good deals on last year’s gear. Also, not sure when it is, but look into the “turkey sale” - really cheap gear. If you need to buy anything at full price, wait to see if you get a job with the mountain, and you will get 25% off the gear. Not sure if any stores will give you discounts for working at the Four Seasons, but they probably will. Ask for a locals discount, always. Other than that, speak to the experts in the stores and they will give you good advice. I’ve always found versatility to be the key for Whistler. You want equipment that can do it all; groomers, park, pow, mountain etc.
Stick around on the forums. There will be a Whistler community thread like we had going last year. Great way to meet people and learn the mountain etc. Whistler is a very social place, you’ll make friends easily. Go to staff parties, go shredding with new people, just have fun and you’ll have friends in no time.
Best of luck mate. You’ll have a blast over there.
How come your not going over this year?
Our reasons… We wanted to have a summer. Michelle wants to see more of Australia. I miss surfing and jetskiing. My body needs to heal from the last two seasons of abuse. We both need to save some money and work hard. To be honest, I’m really stoked to be having a summer in Australia.
completely understandable. i know people who havent experienced a summer in about 5 years.
F*ck that! i like summer!
Yeah two back to back winters was all I could take! And i am not much of a summer person!
Hey Will,
Welcome to Boardworld.
It sounds like you have all the essentials sorted out. Visa, insurance, flights, job interview etc.
I would also make sure you have some money saved up. You have to show $2,500 CAD in funds saved to have your visa approved at the port of entry - that is the case for Australians and I assume the same for the UK, but worth looking into.
I would also have a backup interview lined up, in case things don’t turn out the way you hoped. I think you might be a bit late for the Job Fair, but I would make sure you take several copied of your resume, or at least one saved in your email account, just in case you need it for anything. I’m sure you won’t have a problem with the Four Seasons though.
Vancouver: Organise your SIN card. You could also open a bank account and get a phone, but you can do those things in Whistler. Just make sure you get your SIN application in. Also have your address in Whistler handy, as you’ll probably need it for the application.
If you’re there for the Job Fair, and you have your visa, resume, SIN, and all that stuff sorted, you should have a pretty good chance of getting a job with Whistler Blackcomb. There are many perks to working for the mountain. Free pass, cheap food, discounted gear. As I said, keep your options open.
Don’t overpack. Easier said than done, but be sensible about what you carry, as you will definitely accumulate more gear over there. If you need something, you can always buy cheaply from Walmart etc. Better to spend a few dollars over there rather than paying a lot more in excess baggage.
Ski gear. Shop around in Whistler. You will probably find some really good deals on last year’s gear. Also, not sure when it is, but look into the “turkey sale” - really cheap gear. If you need to buy anything at full price, wait to see if you get a job with the mountain, and you will get 25% off the gear. Not sure if any stores will give you discounts for working at the Four Seasons, but they probably will. Ask for a locals discount, always. Other than that, speak to the experts in the stores and they will give you good advice. I’ve always found versatility to be the key for Whistler. You want equipment that can do it all; groomers, park, pow, mountain etc.
Stick around on the forums. There will be a Whistler community thread like we had going last year. Great way to meet people and learn the mountain etc. Whistler is a very social place, you’ll make friends easily. Go to staff parties, go shredding with new people, just have fun and you’ll have friends in no time.
Best of luck mate. You’ll have a blast over there.
Hi thanks for the reply! much appreciated.
Don’t worry I will have atleast that amount hopefully. Should be more as I think I am going to need it when buying equipment!
Yeah I hope to make the most of my month in whistler before the job (if I get It) begins. As you say keep my options open.
Okay I will make sure To get my SIN sorted in vanc. and will probably also sort bank and sim card out. What if I am unsure of my whistler address as this stage however?
Will I be able to get to whistler for the fair on the second if my flight is on the 31st october? be tight but i think i should be able to do it? even if it is not for good?
Yeah in terms of packing i’d say my main concern is clothes, as I have quite a few and don’t want to leave many behind! I’ll obviously buy toiletries when i’m out there so that shouldn’t be an issue! do you know of any luggage guides? the bunac one is very minimal (A hiking backpack) and there is no chance i’d get my stuff in to one of them plus it is impossible to get stuff out of one.
Okay will bare all of that in mind when looking for gear! that sounds like the simplest and most enjoyable part of my initial weeks in whistler.
Yes I have heard whistler is a very social place! And hopefully I will meet many good friends. Will the whistler community thread be a separate one to the one we are currently on?
One more thing… I will ask at the interview some things re accommodation/hours. But I was wondering if any of you had any knowledge on how lenient they are with having people over to your apartment if it is staff accommodation?! as it’d be a bummer if i couldn’t have anyone over. And also what will the age range be at four seasons staff wise, i’m only 18/19 and would be good to know a few people around the same age! any one have any idea? also where is the best place to meet people of this age?
thanks again, will
Sorry Will you will have to cut that wardrobe down!
How much you can take will depend on the luggage restriction your airline gives you. Most nowadays allow an amount of either 20kg or 23kg. It does depend on the airline.
You can get away with carrying a big jacket (ski jacket) and a jumper on the plane. So suck it up and carry those if you want more space/weight in your bag.
You wont need much in variety for clothes (and sounds like you are a shopper anyway so you will enjoy shopping for new stuff!) In reality how much are you going to wear your stuff when at least 30hrs a week you will be in a uniform and then most of your time off will be in snowboarding gear on the mountain!
Re Staff accom I was always allowed to have friends over in the resorts I worked at. One resort (Heavenly) had a rule that you couldn’t have more than double occupancy in the flat (i lived with 6 ppl so we could never have more than 6 guests over at one time) was considered a “party” and parties were banned. But we did many times! I can’t tell you how many times someone would knock on our door and we would shout - “you can’t come in we are at double occupancy” but they would still come in.