New to the site - Canada working holiday?

Hi guys, I’m pretty new to the site and have been reading a few threads recently and thought I should join.

My partner and I are looking at doing a working holiday in Canada for next season but I’m not to sure what the possibilities are of getting a job for the both of us at the same resort. I’m not even sure how we would go about it. We were looking into various sites like http://www.iep.com.au but not sure if we should sign up with them.

Has anyone gone over with a partner and successfully got a job at the same resort with accommodation? Any info would be great.

Cheers

Hey man my wife and I are currently working in Canada for Whistler Blackcomb and think it’s one of the best decisions we’ve ever made

We came over with the working holiday club just for the knowledge we would definitely have jobs lined up with accommodation. There are others who have come over with a wad of cash and have been able to make it happen with jobs and such but for my wife and I it was a logical choice.

I’ve heard from a few people that Whistler is looking for couples to employ as they tend to be less crazy party people. The accommodation here is also really easy to set up for couples..

Best decision you’ll ever make man get out there and experience the snow over here!

My partner is pretty keen with going through an agency so we can have jobs and accommodation lined up like you guys have done but a friend of mine who recently lived in lake Louise told us to just apply direct. How did you find the agency you went through?

Hey danho,

I have done several seasons at Whistler Blackcomb but I’ve never gone through an agency. I do believe it can all be achieved on your own, but I certainly understand how going through an agency would be beneficial in your situation, especially for the guarantees for both you and your wife, and the peace of mind. Hopefully Wilmshurst and others will be able to give you advice in regards to this.

For anything else, I have a lot of experience working and living in Whistler, so please don’t hesitate to ask if you need any other advice.

My wife and I will also be over there next season, and I’m always keen to meet new members. We will probably have a Boardworld Members dinner and drinks at the start of the season, and we should go for a shred and I can show you around the mountains (specifically Whistler because that’s usually where I ride haha).

EDIT: I just realised your question wasn’t specific to Whistler. Other resorts would probably be easier as there isn’t as much of demand. I would highly recommend Whistler if you can make it happen though. It’s an incredible place.

Where are you thinking at this point?

Wilmshurst, you going to be in Whistler next season? What are your plans?

Yeah I’ll be in Whistler until the end of 2015 currently heading back to Aus for two weeks but then I’ll be back for the whole time. Pretty sure I’ll be stayin on in lift ops too..

Awesome, mate. I’ll definitely see you over there. So excited to get back to Whistler.

thanks heaps wilmhurst and rider26. We are currently deciding on whistler, sunshine and panorama. We will most likely go through the agency just because they can take us through the whole process. Hopefully we can score jobs and make it worth the fee we have to cough up.

Rider26 do you stay at accommodation that whistler give you or do you organise your own?

I have always organised my own accommodation. Let me know if you need any advice in regards to this.

Hey Danho, welcome to BoardWorld!

You can definitely do a season in Canada with a partner at the same resort.
I’ve done it many times now and I’ve never used an agency.
However, if money is not an object, it would make it easier.

I usually stay in staff accommodation because it’s usually the cheapest rent u will find, if you don’t mind living with some randoms.

The working holiday visas for Aussies are 2 years. So you can leave and come back or just stay for 2 years if it’s a cool place in the summer too.

You’ll want to apply early and often! Start applying in our winter and hit up as many different resorts as you can. You will find a spot somewhere for you and your partner, just keep at it.

That’s all I can think of for now. PM me if you have any specific questions.
Peace

Hey Andy,

I wish money was not an object, it would make things a lot easier. I’ve read a lot of people going over then applying for jobs and hoping to get one but we would like to have it all organised before we get over there.

Thanks for all the info guys. it will be our first time living abroad so hopefully it all goes according to plan.

Love seeing peeps living the dream!!! 

I’m riding on this stoke too as I’m hopefully doing the similar thing in NZ next year

Go for it Bracer!
The things that people regret the most, are usually the things they didn’t do.

Did my first season in Whistler this year and it was as easy to organise as everyone says and i didnt go through an agency. It was incredible and I will be head back next year!

I got my job through the November job fair, I applied and organised an interview before I left Aus but i know several people who simply walked up to the job fair on the Friday morning and still got employed by the mountain. A housemate applied through an agency but because he applied for a job in finance and didnt get the position and wasn’t offered a chance to apply for other areas so he ended up at the job fair too.

I booked private season accommodation because I was confident I didnt want to live in staff. I missed out on some of the community of staff housing but it was the correct decision for me and I still spent plenty of time up there anyway. It took a bit of time for some friends to get places in Glacier Staff but it was relatively painless for them

Some great advice in this thread!

I don’t think you will have much trouble find you both work as a couple. They like the stability of couples. Just as long as you can make your CV customer service focused/strong.

I did IEP my first season. I was only 18 and really wanted to have a job/accom.

But then I moved up to Banff 6mths later with nothing.

I think the key is being available for the Job fairs. If you can’t make it over that early stump up for a program.

Where would everyone recommend to work for our first season? We aren’t the best snowboarders but quite keen to learn. We were leaning toward whistler, panorama or sunshine.