Whistler Winter 2013 - help!
I still stand by what I said before dude. Just apply to work at whistler on their website in the jobs section.
It’s what I have done for every resort I have ever worked for and it’s never let me down.
One thing you will have to realise is that Whistler is Canada biggest (and questionably, best) resort. If you haven’t worked in the snow industry then a lot of people end up working somewhere else first. In most cases you have to earn your right to do a season in whistler. They have so many people to choose from, why would they choose someone with no experience.
I had experience as a lifty so they excepted me in my first season. When I got my first level of instructor cert, Whis would not hire me until I got 2 seasons teaching experience under my belt. So I did… and they hired me 
It’s just the way it is. If you want the best, you have to work for it, or get very very lucky, or pay some company a ridiculous amount of money to do something you can do yourself for free.
Just apply for jobs yourselves guys, don’t pay these companies money. Not unless you are rolling in cash.
And don’t be afraid to work for a different resort first if you can’t get into whis the first time. TRUST ME working at ANY resort in Canada, you will have the time of your lives. When I worked a smaller (tiny) resort to get teaching experience first, it was easily one of the best seasons i’ve ever had. And a real Canadian experience rather than Whis which has less Canadians than foreigners.
I’ll be the next one to jump on the bandwagon of the most informative thread o the internet regarding whistler for aussies and the like.
I was planning on going last year fresh out of high school, but my parents half forced me to come to uni, so here i am deferring while they are overseas.
I’m interested in what Andy has said in his last post, you say you’ve hooked up jobs before you go, what did you do, submit your resume and then do a skype interview or something? My resume is half decent with years of customer service so i’m hoping that is enough for some work on the mountain.
I am planning to go over mid to late September ~20th ish. so i can be in whistler for the job fairs. Has anyone been to a job fair before that could shed some light on the situation? regarding work - should i live in Vancouver or something for the months until the season starts? whats the go?
Looking forward to seeing some of my kind over there
Haha - OH EM GEEE what did we do with out skype!
Ilolwhat - in the good olde days I set up both my snow jobs prior to leaving Oz via a phone interview. (the internet had only been invented then)
Check out the sites of various resorts of how to apply. And also direct to other companies (ie hotels and the like)
i wasnt even conceived before skype was around.. (kidding) I dont really know where I could organise a job before leaving Aus without the help of a company, which as you know are very expensive. If Im going to wing it and just go to the job fairs I really want to be prepared and make a good impression so if anybody has some advice i would love to hear it
Thanks!
the whole skpe thing i’ve not really thought about but thanks for the idea!
seriously can’t wait for this visa to come and hopefully my hand will be better so the organising can start. I’ll be heading early to whistler like october so can get a feel for the layout since i was only last there in september.
great forum and looking forward to see how everyone is going
awesome to see a few of us that seem to be pretty much in the same boat. maybe we can setup a private fb group for whistler 2013/2014 closer to departure.
how are u guys going for airfares? cheapest ive found one way with a stoppover is a smidge under $1000.
If you are under 25 don’t forget to hit up STA for their discount under 25 airfares!
Just spotted a neat new section on theWB website with little video interviews with all different types of WB employees worth a look..
http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/employment/jobs-at-whistler-blackcomb/index.aspx
For anyone looking for a bit more info on doing a season in Whistler Check out our season guide (soon to be revamped)
http://www.rideonwhistler.com/Whistler_Season_Guide/
Also Whistler 2013/14 facebook group!
i havent actually considered any flights yet, for my 18th my parents said they would pay for my ticket to canada (im 19 now !! )
I know everyone says not to go over using a job finiding company but is the sense of security worth it?
also im only going to have about $6000 CAD (+ need to buy clothes and board / bindings etc)
on the whistler job page they say be in canada when the interviews are on for their listings, would they do skype? i would say more than likely not.
Thanks
Nick
Hey Man,
Im pretty sure they wont do skype.. But id ask anyway!
Remember there are LOTS of other jobs available in Whistler that dont involve working for Whistler Blackcomb Hotels, Bars, Restaurants, Tour operators, Shops etc.
So I wouldnt base any travel plans around The WB job fair unless you really want a job with them like instructing etc.
I know everyone says not to go over using a job finiding company but is the sense of security worth it?
I contacted one of the big ones a week ago and they called me the next day to say that most of their spots were already taken in Feb and that they had essentially closed fully. I was also weighing up whether the security was worth the money but I think that boat may have sailed.
Ok so I should also contact any hotels in the surrounding area and try and arrange some kind of skype interview? I only wanted to attend the job fair in september to get some kind of guarantee for work but if they are mainly for those who want instructor positions I might wait and head over later.
working on the mountain would guarantee me a lift pass, whats the situation with working for hotels and such in whistler, are they all owned by WB? therefore giving the pass or would i have to fork out 1500 for it?
also with accommodation, if working for a hotel would therebe staff accommodation or is that just for mountain operations ie lifties etc?
Hey,
The Mountain job fair is for all positions all I meant is I wouldn’t bother coming 6 weeks before the hill is open just to attend it. There are WB Jobs available all season.
There are not many other companies that will offer you a free pass. But they generally have higher wages too. Every company has a different system. Some have payment plans. Almost all of them will allow you to buy a discount employee “spirit pass”.
I would recommend buying your pass at the early bird price. If you get a job with a free pass you can get it refunded. If you dont you have a good deal on your season pass and can go riding!
For more info on the types of pass available have a look here http://www.rideonwhistler.com/Whistler_Season_Guide/Seasons_Passes/
Bear in mind if you get a pass from the mountain and get fired, laid off or quit you also lose your pass!
quite a few of the hotels and shops have staff accomm options. They usually fill up quick tho!
I know everyone says not to go over using a job finiding company but is the sense of security worth it?
The thing is forking out the money is no guarantee!
Have you read this whole thread?
The orignal OP went with a compnay that PROMISED Whistler jobs. They could not deleiver.
They are lucky that they were still going to head over early enough to get a job in the gorund. But if they weren’t they woudl have been royally screwed!
So No these companies don’t provide security!
My first season (when I was 18) I went with a company. Even though they offered job search help I actually found my job and housing on my own.
This was way back when the internet was first start so there wasn’t the pelethera of information that is now available. - I don’t think they help nor even provide peaec of mind (this thread the best example.)
Hey Man,
Im pretty sure they wont do skype.. But id ask anyway!
Remember there are LOTS of other jobs available in Whistler that dont involve working for Whistler Blackcomb Hotels, Bars, Restaurants, Tour operators, Shops etc.
So I wouldnt base any travel plans around The WB job fair unless you really want a job with them like instructing etc.
There are other jobs for the mountain though… lift operations, customer service / guest relations, ticket sales, tube park, child care, instructing as you already mentioned, retail, rentals and others.
Granted there are a lot of other jobs around, but not all of them provide season passes, staff discounts, half price food on the mountains etc., so it’s something to be aware of. Also, some people might need to rely on staff housing to put a roof over their heads.
I’m not saying this way is right or wrong… just putting all the info out there.