Canada Mega Thread - Information and Advice

THIS DISCUSSION HAS BEEN UPDATED AND MOVED —> CANADA MEGA THREAD 2015 EDITION

Since there is already a ton of Whistler threads, I thought I’d post a bit some Canada info.

Here is a map of major snowfields in Canada. There are many more smaller mountains but since most people are already looking at Whistler, here are the other ones you might want to consider.

Ok, now that you have realised how close all these mountains are, here is the check list posted by Rider26 that you should be making when thinking about moving to Canada.

rider26 - 31 May 2013 02:53 PM

This would be my checklist if I was in your situation:

1. Apply for your visa now (if you haven’t already). http://www.whpcanada.org.au/

2. Make sure you have a solid resume and have it printed out. *Here is mine (TJswish) for reference: Resume. To do the line thing under each heading, click enter and type—- and enter really quick.*

3. You need to apply for a criminal record check and have this with you when you apply for a job with any snowfield. You can apply for this through your local police station. It can take up to eight weeks to come through, so make sure you do this with time to spare. In NSW you need to fill out this form before you go to the police station: http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/about_us/structure/specialist_operations/forensic_services/criminal_records_section

4. Get to the closest major city (Vancouver / Calgary / Montreal) before the Job Fair. Apply for your SIN. http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sin/apply/how.shtml

5. Get to the snowfield before the Job Fair. Make sure you have accommodation sorted temporarily, i.e at one of the hostels. Get a phone activated and open a bank account with RBC or TD Canada Trust. (Check with other staff / where ATMs are etc. as to which bank is best for your mountain. RBC or TD for Whistler)

6. Make sure you get to the Job Fair. You will probably need to check details on the snowfield of your choice’s website (not sure if you need to set up a time or something).

Here is the updated “How to apply for your Canadian Work Visa” step by step guide:

Applying for a Canadian Visa:

1. Fill in the form that starts from here:
https://www.whpcanada.org.au/email.php
2. It will send you an email once you’re done (and one to go back and continue if you need to)
3. Print out the attachment to that email. It will be red and have all your answers on it.
4. Go to your bank or Australia Post and get a money order of $150 (*Could change, check here: https://www.whpcanada.org.au/fees-frais.shtml)
5. Staple 2x Passport applicable photos on the 4th page of the application your printed in point 3. In the boxes provided.
6. Sign page 4 of the application in point 3.
7. Photocopy the picture page of your passport
8. Staple everything in this order: Money order, Page 1, 2, 3, 4, Passport photo page.
9. Send to the below address:

International Experience Canada
Consulate General of Canada
Level 5, 111 Harrington Street
Sydney NSW 2000

10. Wait for a response

——————————

You should then get an email that is titled “International Experience Canada Conditional Acceptance Letter” which points you to the next steps.

——————————

Then you need to do the Canada part:
1. Go to: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/mycic.asp and register for a GCKey.
2. Log into your account. You will have a checklist of things you need to upload. It will look like this:

- Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM1295)
- IEC Conditional Acceptance Letter
- CV/Resume
- Passport or travel document
- Digital Photo
- Police Certificate
- Family Information Form (IMM5707)

3. Filling in the forms:
3.1. Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM1295)
- IMPORTANT - You do not need to sign this form, you can use a digital signature. If you get an error telling you stuff about Adobe Acrobat when trying to open this form, go back, right click on the link and go “Save page as” and then fill in the form on your PC.
- You will probably not have a UCI number. Leave blank
- Fill in the rest of the form (it’s pretty straight forward) and click Validate. It will tell you if you’ve missed anything. Save and upload.

3.2. IEC Conditional Acceptance Letter
- This is attached to the “International Experience Canada Conditional Acceptance Letter” that you received after part 1.

3.3. CV/Resume
- Short and sweet. Canada wants to know where you studied, where you worked, what sort of jobs you have done. 1-2 page(s) of Education, Previous jobs and Current job will do. Try not to have gaps in between jobs. This helps if you were off for 4 months to use the year that you were there rather than specific months.

3.4. Passport or travel document
- Copy of the photo page of your passport

3.5. Digital Photo
- Digital version of your passport photo.
- Don’t shrink it to try and make it passport size. Mine was relatively big (Think 600 wide x 800 high).
- Keep your face as about 75-85% of the photo, minimal WHITE background and not too much shoulders. Try to keep the aspect ratio like your photo on your Passport. Mine was approved from a photo taken from my d-slr.

3.6. Police Certificate
- You will need this to apply for jobs anyway. Go down to your local police station and apply. You need 2 forms of ID (100 Points) and will cost you about $52. Can take up to 8 weeks to get back so apply early. But if you are clean, you can get it as quick as 1 week later.

3.7. Family Information Form (IMM5707)
- You may need to right click and “Save Target As…” with this form as well due to Adobe Acrobat errors.
- This one you CAN NOT use a digital signature.
- Fill in the form, print it off, sign all 3 lines and scan it back in.

4. Submit it to CIC for approval.

Most information below is taken from the mountain’s website, wikiski.com or international working holiday sites

Mountains: Pros and Cons

1. Whistler
Notes:
<ul><li>Lifty Pay - $10.50 per hour</li><li>Staff housing - $10.85 to $18.00 per day per person</li><li>Trail Map</li>
</ul>Pros:
<ul><li>Boardworld favourite, you will be able to meet other BW members and there is a BW Whistler thread for you to post your adventures in.</li><li>Aussie favourite, make some friends that you might still keep in touch with after the snow</li><li>Massive mountain, great snowfall, massive villiage. Always something to do (less homesickness than smaller / more secluded places)</li><li>Close to Vancouver, easy enough to do day trips</li><li>Biggest vertical in Canada (and bigger than anywhere in the USA)</li><li>2 New lifts opening up even more terrain</li><li>Most tourists, therefore job stability</li><li>Longest season</li></ul>
Cons:
<ul><li>Aussie central. There is a reason it’s called Whistralia</li><li>Massive mountain and villiage. Makes it harder to meet up and randomly see friends. Harder to get around the villiage (a bus pass is needed from some accomodation to the middle of town).</li><li>Most tourists from other countries. Includes non English speakers, more Aussies and more work</li><li>Congestion on the mountain. I have seen the lift queue lines from photos</li><li>I have heard it rains often in the villiage from it being quite low (longest vertical) Walking home from the pub in the rain would suck. Also prone to fog (though i’m sure this is everywhere)</li><li>Price (Staff discounts should help though)</li></ul>

2. Silverstar
Notes:
<ul><li>Lifty Pay - $10.25 per hour</li><li>Staff housing - $18.00 per day per person</li>Trail Map
</ul>Pros:
<ul><li>When the powder falls, it is unbeatable</li><li>Only crowded during christmas and a few of the holidays</li><li>Boasts the most blue-bird days of BC interior ski fields</li><li>Small village atmosphere and colourful houses</li><li>Varied terrain</li><li>The back side has some very challenging runs and alot of double black runs meaning you will not get bored</li><li>Family friendly atmosphere</li><li>It is easy to be alone on some of the runs</li><li>If one side has poor conditions, it is most likely the other side of the mountain will be different</li><li>Large mature tree lined runs</li><li>Mountain bike tracks used in the summer become birmed chutes of adrenaline in the winter</li></ul>
</ul>Cons:
<ul><li>A lot of Australian staff</li><li>Limited facilities - sometimes a trip to Vernon is necessary</li><li>Only one small market</li><li>Limited choices with dining and shopping</li></ul>

3. Big White
Notes:
<ul><li>Lifty Pay - $10.25 per hour</li><li>Staff housing - $15.00 to $18.00 per day per person</li><li>Trail Map</li>
</ul>Pros:
<ul><li>Car hire options</li><li>Shopping</li><li>Mega Snow Coaster</li><li>BC’s highest outdoor skating rink</li><li>Big mountain.</li><li>Snow that’s as light as duck down.</li><li>Well laid out (no long traverses).</li><li>Plenty of fresh in the trees</li><li>Almost empty runs during the week</li><li>A good family oriented resort</li></ul>
Cons:
<ul><li>Expensive Supermarkets.</li><li>Not a lot of steep terrain, but enough to challenge all but the “hero” skier.</li><li>Needs more than 150cm of snow to really get going, it used to be worse but summer grooming has improved things.</li><li>Its nickname is Big Whiteout, as it has the reputation of attracting cloud…. but this depends on the time of year.</li><li>Seems to need more snow to get up and running than other interior resorts.</li><li>Does most things adequately, but nothing exceptionally well.</li></ul>

4. Revelstoke
Notes:
<ul><li>Lifty Pay - $10.25 per hour</li><li>Staff housing - N/A, Check out this for places</li>Trail Map
</ul>Pros:
<ul><li>Powder, and lots of it.</li><li>If you like steeps and consistent fall line runs, this is your mountain.</li><li>Limited beginner slopes means less crowds and slow people in the way</li></ul>
Cons:
<ul><li>Beginners are simply not catered for, except for one magic carpet about 50 metres long.</li><li>On mountain accommodation is limited, although construction is proceeding apace.</li><li>Access is a problem. Kamloops, the nearest airport, is 210 km west.</li><li>A lot of vertical, but not a lot of width.</li></ul>

5. Fernie
Notes:
<ul><li>Lifty Pay - $10.25 per hour</li><li>Staff housing - NA, Check here for details</li><li>Trail Map</li>
</ul>Pros:
<ul><li>Its remoteness means no crowds on the slopes with lots of areas to explore. Your ticket also gets you access to the sister resort of Kimberley just over 100km away. Mostly chair access across the resort now. It is challenging for the intermediate to advanced skier/snowboarder.</li><li>I would recommend this resort if only for the variety of terrain, and prices are reasonable. The terrain is great for the intermediate or advanced skier and is well worth fighting through the hoards of tourists that frequent this resort. Fernie by no means is a locals resort. If you want to see Fernie before it gets to big go in the next season or two, this place has been ear marked for mega expansion.</li></ul>

Cons:
<ul><li>Pretty remote and unless you like to drive then it is a series of connecting flights and a shuttle especially if you fly through Vancouver.</li><li>Little nightlife in the resort itself.</li><li>Not really a place to take a first timer or beginner as most of the runs they will not be able to appreciate - Kimberley would be better suited for them.</li><li>Because the Lizard Range overhangs a lot of the hill there can be significant closures for avalanche control after a big dump.</li><li>The runs off the Timber Bowl Quad have a long, flat run out at the bottom to get to the base.</li></ul>

6. Banff (Mt. Norquay, The Lake Louise Ski Area and Sunshine Village)
Notes:
<ul><li>Lifty Pay - $10.25 per hour</li><li>Staff housing - Limited - $9.30 per day</li>Trail Map
</ul>Pros:
<ul><li>Awesome scenery</li><li>Usually good snow</li><li>Great expert terrain</li><li>A great variety of terrain mountain wide.</li></ul>

Cons:
<ul><li>Can be very cold.</li><li>Some flat spots for boarders.</li><li>Bad weather limits options - not a lot of shelter compared to other resorts in the area.</li></ul>

7. Panorama
Notes:
<ul><li>Lifty Pay - $10.25 per hour</li><li>Staff housing - New as of 2006 - $14.00 per day[/url]</li>Trail Map
</ul>Pros:
<ul><li>This resort is great and specially geared towards the family or beginner to intermediate skier. If you have a couple of real diehard skiers in your group maybe this mountain would be a stopover rather than a week destination for you. This hill is very laid back relaxed and a comfortable way to ski. Prices are great although boarder on the higher end, I suggest see this mountain before it is developed to far. One last word of wisdom…...try the hot springs (magical stuff).</li></ul>
Cons:
<ul><li>Lot of height, but not much width. A lot of vertical means little when there are only 8 ways down.</li><li>Typically gets less snow than other resorts in the region. Probably not the best resort to go to in spring as runs get very icy in times of poor snow.</li><li>Takes 3 chairs to go from base to summit - takes some of the fun out of the 1200m vertical</li></ul>

8. Sun Peaks
Notes:
<ul><li>Lifty Pay - $10.25 per hour</li><li>Staff housing - $8.33 to $15.00 per day</li>Trail Map
</ul>Pros:
<ul><li>Sun Peaks has some of the most fun cruising terrain you will find anywhere. Lots of fast blue and blackish runs off all chairs. Mt Morrissey is like a giant Guthega.</li><li>Almost all accommodation is ski in/out.</li><li>Compact, convenient village with a large range of restaurants.</li><li>It is the policy of the current owners to always ensure that the lifting capacity of the mountain exceeds the number of beds, so the mountain does not get overcrowded.</li><li>The Sunburst chair is a bubble chair, meaning it has a somewhat clear bubble that can be brought down over the chair, affording protection from the elements.</li><li>A smaller quieter version of Whistler. Similar pedestrian friendly town center with a fraction of the people.</li></ul>
Cons:
<ul><li>Sun Peaks has no really extreme terrain for those who seek it. There are black and double black runs, but the double blacks (mostly) do not deserve it, although there a couple of runs on the bottom half of the Burfield Chair that will give anyone second thoughts. The blue runs can be pretty steep and daunting compared to typical intermediate terrain.</li><li>The Burfield chair (universally called The Burf) is quite possibly the longest slowest chair in existence. It serves some excellent terrain, but you need a cut lunch to ride it from the bottom. It is the only chair I know that makes the old Crackenback Chair at Thredbo seem express. There is a mid station which serves the best of the terrain. Most people use it.</li><li>The grooming can really pack the snow down hard.</li><li>The village pricing can be quite extreme (as you would expect with any super-resort).</li></ul>

joy89 - 24 June 2013 12:20 PM

I’ve bookmarked the mountains employment sections. The majority of the smaller mountains don’t mention hiring fairs and refer only to applying for positions online. Where there are dates for hiring fairs or openings I listed it under the name of the resort. 

Whistler:
Whistler, September 27th & 28th, 2013
http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/employment/jobs-at-whistler-blackcomb/index.aspx

Silver Star
Can’t find any information about any job fairs, however they accept online applications year round.
http://winter.skisilverstar.com/working-at-silver-star

Fernie
Resumes with covering letters will be accepted by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Site is old school but has lots of great info and sounds like staff there recieve a number of perks.
http://www.skifernie.com/the-mountain/employment.aspx#intro

Panorama
Panorama Mountain Village is always looking for great people who know that life’s a mountain, not a traffic-jam!
http://www.panoramaresort.com/employment

Revelstoke:
We will be accepting online applications for all positions for the 2013/2014 winter season starting in August, 2013
http://www.revelstokemountainresort.com/resort/employment

Big White:
If you are looking into applying with us for the 2013-2014 winter season; please submit your application online no later than mid-September to obtain an appointment at our 2 day job fair held annually mid to end of October. Visit our current job postings page for available positions, these will change regularly.
http://www.bigwhite.com/contact-us/employment-info/?ccm_tab=3#tab

Sun Peaks
We welcome all foreign applicants to apply for one of the many positions we have available at the resort. Check out the details below to see where to get started.
http://www.sunpeaksresort.com/corporate/work-and-play/international-applicants

Banff
Lake Louise - Recruitment fair for Winter 2013/2014 hiring, to be confirmed.
http://www.skilouise.com/the-mountain/job_fairs.php
Sunshine Village - Hosting Banff Hiring Fair - October 9, 2013 (Accepting applications as of July 1st - Must be available to attend in person).
http://www.skibanff.com/employment/recruitment-information/

Cost of Living

<table border=“1” bordercolor=”#FFFFFF”  width=“100%” cellpadding=“3” cellspacing=“3”><tr> <th>Mountain</th> <th>Burger + Fries</th> <th>Beer</th></tr><tr> <td>1. Whistler - Dusty’s</td> <td>Dusty Burger and Fries - $15.00</td> <td>Specials - $5.00 (Bud Light), Domestic beer - $7.00, Imported - $9.00</td></tr><tr> <td>2. Silver Star - The Saloon</td> <td>The Saloon Burger - $10.99</td> <td>Specials - $4.50</td></tr><tr> <td>3. Big White - Moose’s Lounge</td> <td>Food Special $10.00-$12.00, Burger on Wednesdays</td> <td>Jug Specials $15, Friday Special $5</td></tr><tr> <td>4. Revelstoke - The Village Idiot Bar and Grill</td> <td>3x Mini Burgers - $9.97</td> <td>No Beer Price found - Reasonable from what I can research</td></tr><tr> <td>5. Fernie - The Northern Bar</td> <td>Burger + beer $10.00 Tuesdays</td> <td>Wednesdays $14 Jugs</td></tr><tr> <td>6. Banff - The Pump and Tap Tavern</td> <td>Schnitzel + Chips $10.00</td> <td>$2.75 Cans, $10 Jug Wednesdays</td></tr><tr> <td>7. Panorama - T-Bar and Grill</td> <td>Classic Burger - $13.00</td><td>Pint - $5.25 for lots of options</td></tr><tr> <td>8. Sun Peaks - Masa Bar and Grill</td> <td>Traditional Burger and Fries $10.00</td> <td>Jug - $10.00</td></tr></table>

Include tax and tip so add 5% tax for food and 15% for alcohol and then 15% tip which is the standard. Servers will remember you and give you bad service if you don’t tip… Just a warning

Awesome thread bro..

Good work TJ!

Damn son, there is some mad info here! Would definitely consider some of the smaller resorts if I hadnt already put a deposit on my whister season pass.

Anyway - top info TJ, thanks man!

Thinking Sun Peaks / Silverstar / Whistler / Panorama look the best to me .

‘bout time somebody took the initiative to make such an awesome thread, good to see all the pros and cons written down (not) on paper

Good Work TJ.

This season remind me to introduce you to some of my mates who work at Big White. They might be able to answer some of your questions.

Sounds good. I forgot my freaking passport today… Visa application tomorrow lol. Setting a reminder now.

love it! thankyou for all the info, set on whistler but gives ideas if another season after is in the bags

ads123 - 24 June 2013 10:01 AM

love it! thankyou for all the info, set on whistler but gives ideas if another season after is in the bags

Exactly. While we are all happy to promote Whistler (since so many members have been), it’s probably good to give people other choices especially if they are unlucky and don’t end up with a job at Whistler or don’t enjoy the atmosphere there.

Thread title is highly appropriate - mega thread indeed!

I spent a couple of weeks at Big White a few years ago and really enjoyed it!
I wasnt up to some of the more advanced terrain but it appeared to cater for most, heaps of intermediate, lots of glades, fair amount blacks and the double black Cliff area.
Very easy to get around the village, excellent ski/ride in/out. Quite a family orientated resort but still lots for everyone.
I somehow ended up with blue sky and no fresh snow for my whole trip so it got a big hard packed conditions where otherwise good.
Great Aus Day celebrations too! They have a run called Kangaroo so seeing a heap of Aussies in costume and wearing all sorts of paraphenalia cruising the run and stopping for group photos in front of the sign followed by footy and cricket in the carpark is a definite highlight!
Did a day trip to Silver Star which was good too, probably needed more time to explore to judge properly but I think I would recommend Big White from what I experienced.
Family friends have been to Big White and sun Peaks a few times, I think they say they prefer Sun Peaks these days but love both.

I have committed to Whistler for this season for a number of reasons but would return to Big White any day and like to think i will make it to Sun Peaks.

(Have to admit I have been spoiled with ski-in/out all the time so i find it hard to even consider somewhere that requires more than about a 10 min walk to the lifts!)

Great thread, TJ.