Whistler Winter 2013 - help!
I’ve only just got a criminal records check recently, within the last few weeks, for another employer that required it, but i dont think ill get a copy of it though, so i will have to submit another one most likely.
Good to know most of these things dont take long, If you get a job out of the job fair, what do you do for the 2-3 months up to the start of the ski season, i dont want to burn through all of my money and not have enough to survive / last the whole season
I think in the last few posts every question i email to whistler (about 100) has been answered so thanks!
The job fair is at the end of September, the snow season usually kicks off in November (often earlier than planned if they get good snowfall). So this gives you maybe two months. Use this time to familiarise yourself with the village, make friends, get fit and strong etc. There are a lot of awesome walks and hiking trails etc. To be honest, Whistler is such a great place to be, regardless of the time of year. You don’t really need to spend much money (once you get into staff housing). Maybe even use this time to try get a casual job somewhere before the season kicks off. Maybe go job hunting. Even go into the city for a hockey game or travel somewhere else. Endless options… 
Ok so I emailed Whister a few days ago and they finally replied, ill post the main points of the email because it is like 5000 words srs.
-What some people do is attend the September fair to secure both a position and staff accommodation then travel within Canada or in the USA for a couple of weeks before they start.
-The fair process works like this: you first apply online under the “Job Fairs” tab: http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/jobs , applications open a couple of weeks prior. If you are successful you would be offered an interview on one of the fair days and you will hear back within a week.
-As is the case every season, we cannot predict what Mother Nature will bring, so make sure you come prepared for the experience of a lifetime…and some extra savings to get you through as we cannot guarantee a set number of work hours per pay check.
-Please note that finding a place to live for the winter season can be challenging. WeSTRONGLY recommend you organize your own accommodation prior to coming out. We have included contact details for the local newspapers and some of the local hostels.
Hostelling International 604-932-5492
Southside Lodge 604-938-6477
UBC Lodge 604-932-6604
Whistler Backpackers 604-932-1177
Pique Newsmagazine: http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/pique/index.php
Whistler Question: http://www.whistlerquestion.com/
Thats about it from whistler and all of those have been answered already i would say, just more of a consolidation post.
Rider, I sent you that email but it said ‘Technical details of temporary failure: The recipient server did not accept our requests to connect”,
Does anyone have any experience with how recent the AFP checks need to be for visas or jobs?
My latest is from October last year so is currently less than 12 months old but it will be just over 12 months by the time I arrive and start working.
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.
Absolutley man,
What time to come out to whistler totally depends on how much money/time off you have available.
Its a very personal decision if you have a good job back home earning decent money and time off is in any way limited there is no way I would bother coming out 2 months early just to do the WB job fair.. October is by far the most boring month in Whistler..
However If your just hanging out at home doing nothing or want to use the time the time in between to explore north america then its a great idea. Especially if you want to try to score a place in staff housing.
If just getting some kind of job is what you want there are lots of other options and most people will find something within 2-3 weeks regardless of what time of year you head out!
What time to come out to whistler totally depends on how much money/time off you have available.
Its a very personal decision if you have a good job back home earning decent money and time off is in any way limited there is no way I would bother coming out 2 months early just to do the WB job fair.. October is by far the most boring month in Whistler..
However If your just hanging out at home doing nothing or want to use the time the time in between to explore north america then its a great idea. Especially if you want to try to score a place in staff housing.
If just getting some kind of job is what you want there are lots of other options and most people will find something within 2-3 weeks regardless of what time of year you head out!
I have all the time in the world, i have deferred uni for next semester so after june 21st im a free man. The only reason to head out in september was to get to the job fair secure a job and housing then just do whatever while i wait for the season to start.
when you say time / money, a big thing is i only have about 6000 plus or minus a bit, before i buy a board, binds, boots and snow stuff ( I have a little eg thermals socks etc)
(without quoting 20 posts) I would be happy to work as a lift operator etc, are you saying i can get such a job without going to a fair?
Rider, I sent you that email but it said ‘Technical details of temporary failure: The recipient server did not accept our requests to connect”,
Sorry about that. Please try again. We were moving over to a new server last night which is probably what happened. Please let me know if this happens again.
Does anyone have any experience with how recent the AFP checks need to be for visas or jobs?
My latest is from October last year so is currently less than 12 months old but it will be just over 12 months by the time I arrive and start working.
I think it needs to be within the last 6 months, but at the very most 12 months. I think you should double check this with Whistler Blackcomb.
What time to come out to whistler totally depends on how much money/time off you have available.
Its a very personal decision if you have a good job back home earning decent money and time off is in any way limited there is no way I would bother coming out 2 months early just to do the WB job fair.. October is by far the most boring month in Whistler..
However If your just hanging out at home doing nothing or want to use the time the time in between to explore north america then its a great idea. Especially if you want to try to score a place in staff housing.
If just getting some kind of job is what you want there are lots of other options and most people will find something within 2-3 weeks regardless of what time of year you head out!
I have all the time in the world, i have deferred uni for next semester so after june 21st im a free man. The only reason to head out in september was to get to the job fair secure a job and housing then just do whatever while i wait for the season to start.
when you say time / money, a big thing is i only have about 6000 plus or minus a bit, before i buy a board, binds, boots and snow stuff ( I have a little eg thermals socks etc)
(without quoting 20 posts) I would be happy to work as a lift operator etc, are you saying i can get such a job without going to a fair?
I would say 6k is plenty as long as you dont go mental buying new shiny stuff and jager bombs!
Jobs - Basically yes, we have about 50-80 guests stay each season and we have never had someone stay with us that wanted a job had a valid work visa and couldn’t find one. Sometimes it takes a few weeks but everyone seems to find something in the end!
Just to give you the same perspective in a different place, I was working in Jindy when my job expired late August. I didn’t want to go home yet (though I probably should have) so I emailed a generic email to all the hotels on the mountain as BCC (so they didn’t know it was a mass email). I had a job within a few days as a waiter and a night watchman (1 graveyard shift a week) and while it wasn’t a great job, it did allow me to stay at the snow for another month and continue my season.
Put the effort in and you will be able to find something pretty easy.
I’m sure there will be a ton of people who have jobs and bail last minute due to other commitments, new GF/BF, new job, promotion, emergencies etc.
So even if you rock up a week before opening and start going around EVERYWHERE you should be able to pick something up (and then just keep looking till you find the thing you actually want to do while still making money in the process.)
Also, the golden rules of everything applies:
1. Be nice, approachable, have good grammer and communication skills and be normal looking.
2. Don’t be horrible, unapproachable, talk lyke dis, or be totally unattractive / weird looking (I know it’s superficial but people are like that so it helps to be attactive).
Or
3. Be Female in a snow resort. lol
That’s good advice, TJ. Especially your first two golden rules.
Whistler Blackcomb is a big company, owned by a bigger company. The main thing they look for in employees is:
<li>How well you present yourself.</li>
<li>How well you interact with customers.</li>
<li>How outgoing you are to help customers.</li>
<li>How well you represent Whistler Blackcomb.</li>
Remember these points when you are being interviewed. Show them you really want to be there and you’re excited to be a part of the team. Talk clearly, be positive and show you them you will be an asset for to the company. If you do that, you really should have no problems.
Yep good tips TJ.
Clean, presentable clothes - you can get even get away with un-ironed. They understand irons are hard to come by in youth hostels!
But hang your clothes in the bathroom helps, the steam works to drop creases (from your bag/packing) out.
Also best to hang your best clothes too for a few days, and even a couple of trips into the bathroom with you leading up to the interview/job fair.
I don’t think I have ever ironed a piece of my clothing. 
3. Be Female in a snow resort. lol
hopefully i can get my surgery before the season starts
All good advice! Not sure if i should go earlier (late sept) with 6 K or wait and earn a little more?
So many options!!