Average age working and living on the mountain???
Hi guys,
I’m thinking about heading over to Canada at the end year to work the next snow season, perhaps going through OWHC (which means organised staff accomodation on the mountain) but I was just wondering what’s the average age for those living and working on the mountain? I’m 27 and want to take advantage of the Canadian working holiday visa before I get ‘to old’ but don’t want to be the only one in my late twenties. I havnt decided on a location yet, so I was wondering is there a mountain that is known for having really young or older staff, should I stay in town rather than on the mountain, or does it all not really matter, please help!!!
Thanks for answering questions!!
Fe :o)
hey fe,
Welcome to Boardworld 
I am 30 and my husband is 31 and we are doing the current northern hemi season in Sweden. We were not that keen to live in a shoebox with young punks that would drive us crazy, so we decided to organise our own accommodation. It takes a bit more effort, but is definitely worth it - either by getting your own place, or finding a place to share with others your age.
Sorry I’m not much help with knowing anything about which places are more likely to have a slightly older and more mature crew, but my knowledge of working in pre-organised accommodation is that they don’t really care too much, they just shove you in with anyone and everyone. Would be stoked to be proven wrong, though!
Good luck!
Hey Fe,
Welcome!
No need to do your season with OWHC (although I did my first season but I was 18) It is super easy to do your self.
OWHC is great to meet friends and stuff if your nervous BUT the people who use them are in their early 20’s. Mostly Uni aged as that is where they do most of their advertising.
You def wont be the youngest - even more so nowadays with the post GFC climate. A lot more people of a variety of ages works in resorts.
My parents were going to work OS this season (until my sister announced her pregnancy)
Go and read the big Whistler thread - lots of chat and link in there.
The most recent poster talks about the house he is staying iat. The 4 of them range from late 20’s to mid 30’s. And K2 and Finney will both be there next year (most likely) I recent visited as well and I am 34 and def didn’t feel like the eldest by a long shot.
Where in Aus are you? Check out the social thread and come along and meet some regular posters. Most if not all of us have lived in a resort at some point.
Oh and regarding location.
Just be open and apply for work at as many resorts as you can.
Then decide on where you want to live and work.
On or off the mountain is a decision that needs to be made way later!
Otherwise you will be given way to much info to process (ie lake louise must provide every position with on mountain accom. so that would be sorted. It is then up to you if you live there or in Banff)
Whistler well you are mainly going to want to be on Mountain
what about in aussie resorts, i was toying with the idea for a while but being 33 im wondering if im too old. I know i could drink some of those kids under the table but if i can get back up the next morning with their vigor is another story. Then i was thinking getting on the grooming / park building teams would be awesome but im sure those jobs get snapped up quickly by those with experience. Do any of the resorts offer traineeships??
sorry for the thread hi-jack
Thanks so much for all the info and answering my questions!!! I was considering going through the OWHC because I’d be heading over by myself, but now I’m thinking that I’ll be brave and organise it myself :o) I’ll definitely read the threads you mentioned, they sound like a good place to start, thanks again :o)
Hi guys,
I’m thinking about heading over to Canada at the end year to work the next snow season, perhaps going through OWHC (which means organised staff accomodation on the mountain) but I was just wondering what’s the average age for those living and working on the mountain? I’m 27 and want to take advantage of the Canadian working holiday visa before I get ‘to old’ but don’t want to be the only one in my late twenties. I havnt decided on a location yet, so I was wondering is there a mountain that is known for having really young or older staff, should I stay in town rather than on the mountain, or does it all not really matter, please help!!!
Thanks for answering questions!!
Fe :o)
Welcome to Boardworld, Feeeeee. 
You certainly won’t be alone being in your late twenties. People from all walks of life, of all ages, do seasons in Canada (and elsewhere). I turn 30 this month (wow that came around quickly) and I plan on doing many more seasons in Canada. Also many of my friends over there are in their late twenties, thirties and even forties plus. It’s all about the lifestyle and doing the things we love. Don’t worry, if you have a passion for snow you will fit right in! It’s never too early or too late to start.
Personally I have done five seasons in Whistler and it’s definitely an amazing place. Can’t recommend it enough. Check out the Whistler blog thread to get an idea of what it’s like: http://www.boardworld.com.au/whistler
Let us know if you have any questions.
Trent,
At 40 I’m not the oldest working in Aussie resorts.
The type of people that can hack it longer than the first few weeks are the type that don’t consider age as a barrier. Many of the people I find want to hang out with me are in their early 20’s.
In regard to drinking and getting up in the morn. Choose your friends, people that are more into getting pissed the night before a day on the hill aren’t there for the snow. Those that enjoy a drink and the snow start drinking at lunch (after shredding and some while shredding), and have an early night.
Personally if it’s gonna be a POW day I try and lead everyone astray by encouraging a late night drinking, I’ll shout many a round but keep my intake to a minimum, leaving more freshies untracked for myself.
As for grooming - it’s a job that requires you to know someone, there is no qualification. Once your there seek out the groomers and become friends with them, do volunteer work with a shovel and see where it takes you. But be warned; groomers are notorious for being in the bar first thing in the morning and never sleeping. They are often grumpy and secluded people who comunicate by grunting.
Personally if it’s gonna be a POW day I try and lead everyone astray by encouraging a late night drinking, I’ll shout many a round but keep my intake to a minimum, leaving more freshies untracked for myself.
^^ 
But be warned; groomers are notorious for being in the bar first thing in the morning and never sleeping. They are often grumpy and secluded people who comunicate by grunting.
So true!!
Age is no barrier for your passion for snow. I know a lot of people who get their Canadian WH visa just before 30 and manage to squeeze that extra 2 years out of it. After 31 (in some cases 32) it gets much harder as you need to be sponsored for a visa. Best get in there now and make some connections so you can keep doing seasons!! I think every mountain has the silver haired die hard employees who’ve been doing it forever, the young freshly graduated high school doing their first season living away from home for the first time. And the middle of the road folk taking a career break, or figuring out where they’re going next. I started doing seasons when I turned 28 managed to get a WH Visa for Japan, and then Canada. I’m still doing seasons now in Oz at 35, will continue to do a few more, and very tempted to go back to Canada…
As to living on or off mountain it depends on the mountain and what you want to get out of it. Looking for every chance at first tracks then it’s much easier to get to first chair. I lived in town for part of a season, even with a staff bus that got me to the hill well before first chair opened I seemed to never have the drive to go ride fresh corduroy every morning. Living on hill however I managed to always get a couple laps in before work! Living in town has its benefits too, you get to meet more locals, and socialize with the community not just staff and holiday makers.