November Job Fair Whistler for getting lifty jobs??
Hey everyone, new here..
Still wondering the best way to go about securing a job at Whistler (already have my working holiday visa approved btw)
I know theres options like job agencys but The working Holiday club just said that whistler is full to me and I also don’t believe that the only way to get a job is paying a company a $1000 finders fee…
So looked into it and saw whistler have September recruiting trips which I would unfortunately be unable to make but they do have a job fair at Whistler October 31st and November 1st .. however says We will be hiring for some full time positions but primarily part time and volunteer positions.
Just wondering if I did go over there how likely you think it would be to pickup a job because I can only get there the last week of October.. also do most people work full time or just part time..really have no clue about this whole job process…
James
Welcome to Boardworld, James. 
I’ve worked a few seasons in Whistler now but I’ve never actually done the job fair myself. I know quite a few of our members have and/or know about the lifty hiring process in detail, and I’m sure they will give you some solid advice in regards to your specific questions.
However, I am very familiar with Whistler, working there, living there etc., and I am of the firm belief that it is certainly possible to secure a job at the job fair. Many of my friends have done just that in the past. If you go there with a positive attitude, all your documents in order (resume, SIN application confirmation, bank account etc.), there really is no reason why you shouldn’t be offered a job. Turn up on time, dress well, have your documents, and show them why they should hire you.
In regards to full-time or part-time, well, that’s up to you really. It just depends on whether you need the financial security of a full-time job or not. I would say go for a full-time position, because you can always lose a day here and there if you want to. It’s better to be guaranteed the work and then maybe you can request less hours for more time on the hill. It purely comes down to finances.
Are you only interested in working as a lifty or are you open to other positions?
Hey! I’m heading to Canada next winter too! Got my visa approved ages ago. I’m still deciding if I wanna go to whistler or banff! 
Yeah the working holiday club is the easiest way of securing a lifty job early but as you’ve said they fill up all whistler positions super early, has always been the case though - when I first called it was full then a week or two later someone had pulled out so i took there spot at the interviews and got the job. Ideally you’ve really got to be on it as soon as they post it up. Don’t worry though as theres plenty of opportunities to get a job once you get here both with and without the job fair. One thing about the job fair I heard last season is that as soon as you’re offered a job thats it, if you’re not sure about it and want to interview for another position you’re giving up the previously offered job.
Lifty jobs are a little weird in that they’re rarely advertised although it does change a lot from year to year. This winter for example there were 3 rounds of hiring people through the season due to people leaving or getting injured as compared to the previous one where there would have only been one lot of hires midway. From what I’ve been told historically there aren’t lifty jobs advertised at the start of winter here as most positions are filled through staff staying on from previous winters and summer and then the remainder of spots are filled by companies like the working holiday club. I’m not saying it’s not possible but have a backup plan and remember that that you’re here to ride above all, not work a low paying job. I’ve been a lifty for a few years now and can tell you it’s a good job but there are other jobs out there so don’t be too worried if you don’t get in as you’ll have a blast here regardless of where you end up working.
As for working full vs part time, rider summed it up perfectly. You can easily work full time at night/afternoons and still get to ride every day which puts you in a better position for riding than if you were to be working full time days.
Hi James, Welcome to BoardWorld!
My first season in Whistler was as a Lifty. Here’s how I got the job:
1. I had worked 2 seasons in Perisher first, so I had experience.
2. I got a reference from my boss.
3. I applied directly to the Whistler website as soon as jobs opened. AND THAT’S IT.
No paying employment companies, no taking risks at job fairs.
HOWEVER, this may or may not work for you depending on whether you have experience as a Lifty or not. Have u worked anywhere as a Lifty before?
If you don’t have Lifty experience, then the job fair is your next option.
I still recommend applying to the website, but the job fair might be your next best way in. I’ve never used a job fair, so I can’t tell you exactly what the chances are of getting the job you want, or even getting a job at all. But I know it’s not 100%.
IT’S A BIT RISKY. But if you are will to take that risk, then go for it.
If you’re not willing to take that risk and you don’t mind paying the money, then an employment company is a better option.
That’s as much insight as I can give from my experience because I only ever apply directly to resorts websites if I’m going somewhere new. Hope you can build up enough info from all of us to decide what’s best.
See you over there 
out of curiosity how many peeps get jobs through the employment finders??? they must be making a killing if its $1000 per person!
You can easily work full time at night/afternoons and still get to ride every day which puts you in a better position for riding than if you were to be working full time days.
This is exactly what i will be aiming for!
out of curiosity how many peeps get jobs through the employment finders??? they must be making a killing if its $1000 per person!
lots… and as a point of reference they used to only charge around $600 a few years back
pretty crazy dollars being thrown around. If they find 100 jobs, thats $100,000!! Wouldnt mind that pay check.
That was one of my biggest gripes with going through an agency. If you’re going overseas to work for $10.25 (what I got), $1000 is 97.5 hours worth of work. So pretty much your first 2 and a half weeks, you’re working to pay to get that job.
You’re better off spending that money on an instructor’s course. You get certified, making it much easier to get hired, you get a significantly higher wage (I think I was getting about $18/h the last time I worked in Whistler), and you get to shred every day.
It’s not for everyone but it’s really not that hard if you plan ahead and make the right decisions. If you’re going to spend the money anyway, this is just another option.
Yeah I agree with that TJ, another argument they probably push is that you could spend more than 2 weeks looking for work once here. It all comes down to how proactive you are as soon as you get here, a little preparation beforehand and you’re fine.
As for the higher wage, it’s a good point Jeremy and one for people to definitely consider. Dual cert seems to be another way to guarantee hours to get by as I know some people this season who definitely struggled on just snowboard instructing.
hi!
For those who have worked here before… Could you tell me what you did for accommodation?
iv got my visa sorted and going to the whistler fair in september and moving there in november, iv heard that some jobs give you accommodation or cheaper accommodation or whatever however my boyfriend is coming over in november and he doesn’t have a working visa yet so will be applying when he is there. What are the chances of him being able to live with me in the staff accommodation or is it best to find my own accommodation?
thanks all!! see yous there!!
Welcome to Boardworld, chebbles.
If you work for Whistler Blackcomb, you can almost always get into staff housing. There are three housing locations and the rent is very reasonable, anywhere from about $420 to $600 a month depending on the building and unit/room configurations.
Has your boyfriend already applied for his work visa? If not, he should do that now.
You would both have to work for Whistler Blackcomb for you both to be able to stay in staff housing. Also, I am unsure whether they would be able to accommodate you both in the same room IF you are applying at different times.
This is from their terms and conditions:
ROOM ASSIGNMENT. The Guest shall be assigned the Unit at the sole discretion of the
Owner. The Owner may require the Guest to change units or buildings at any time upon
twenty-four (24) hours notice being given to the Guest. If the Guest desires to change
units, the Owner must authorise such change in advance.
and also:
ROOM AND BED CHANGES
HOUSE’s peak check-in/check-out periods are approximately from October 15th to January 1st and April 15th
to May 30th. Due to the strain this places on HOUSE Office resources, unit change requests will not be
facilitated during these periods. If you are experiencing difficulties with your roommates, please contact
your HOUSE Advisor. After January, if a unit change is requested, approval must be obtained from a HOUSE
Advisor. Once approval has been obtained, the resident must go to the HOUSE Office to check on
availability. The Office staff will make a final decision on the transfer request based on the resident’s need,
unit availability, and the HOUSE Advisor’s recommendation. If approved, a $10 transfer fee will be applied at
the time of the unit change.
User fees vary with the type of bed/unit. If a bed becomes available in your unit that you would like to
transfer into (ie. single to shared or vice versa), please come into the HOUSE Office to facilitate the transfer
in the computer. This will ensure a new resident doesn’t get checked into that bed and that you are paying
the appropriate user fees.
It’s probably best to email them about that. I’m sure they would try, but it just depends how the units fill up in the time before he gets a job. You can email them at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
That all said, with two of you, you will be paying double those prices (and most likely for single beds). If I were you, I would definitely try find my own accommodation. That way you guys can live together, share a bed, live in a nice house, all for around the same price.
Have a look here to get an idea of what you would have to pay for your own accommodation: http://classifieds.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler/long-term-accommodation/search
Let me know if you have any questions.
Jeez thanks loads everyone for the good replies wasn’t expecting that, think might be sticking around this forum!!
Really I don’t mind which job I get was mainly saying lifty just for the fact of working for the mountain but your right I’d be more than happy with anything I could get.. Also like what you said about full/part time definitely going to try get the full time…
Have decided today that am going to go out on the limb and risk it at the job fair and see what I can get! Looking into flights to hopefully be all booked by tonight! Not really too bad seeing a lot of one ways for around $900 Aussie! Getting keener now!
General plan at the moment is to fly in on the 25th of October and race around to setup SIN and Bank Account and Phone in Vancouver staying in a hostel then get my ass up to whistler for the job fair on the 31st! Im guessing theres hostels to stay up there while waiting for job verdicts.. and probably end up living until get a job I spose. Also re: new gear I know this has probably been asked loads but should I buy new snow stuff in van or wait until get discounts for working with the mountain and buy on whistler…