Whistler 14/15 general questions
Haha all good. Everything always seems to work out in the end. Best of luck and keep us posted on your situation.
No job lined up either.. I have a work permit obviously and have done tons of research so I’m not coming in blind thinking it’s going to be easy, but other than that, the only good news is that I have plenty of money saved to last me a while. But I’m cheap and would rather dip as little into savings as I need to haha
I realise I might sound like a broken record but with no job lined up and no accommodation, why don’t you hit up one of the other resorts in BC? Unless there is a reason to go to Whistler (like many of the guys here have), you’ll likely have just as good of a time at any of the other major resorts. At Sun Peaks, you could easily find a place when you rock up and it would cost you a fair bit less.
Check out the other major resorts before putting your eggs in 1 basket:
Big White
Silverstar
Sun Peaks
Apex
Whitewater
Fernie
Goldern
Kicking Horse
Resorts you would probably want to avoid for the same reasons as Whistler:
Revelstoke
Lake Louise
Because both are really popular, hard to get jobs and rent is going to be high in comparison to other places. (may as well go to Whistler)
You’re totally right that other options are more practical, and I have considered them.. But the more I look into them, the more I realize that Whistler is where I want to be. It has everything I’m looking for, namely huge amounts of tough and varied terrain along with a relatively large town with the best nightlife.
I’ve been to over a dozen ski resorts in the U.S. but ever since going to Whistler it has been my dream location to spend a season. However I don’t have any personal experience with the other resorts in BC/Alberta, only what I’ve seen online… What would you recommend for an advanced boarder looking for an abundance of challenging slopes (including backcountry) and a pretty big resort town with good nightlife? I see some resorts that have one or the other, but it’s tough to accept such a compromise when Whistler is an option
See there you go, you actually have good reasons to be there.
Other options which would likely satisfy would be Revelstoke (it’s awesome terrain / backcountry / heli and cat skiing) plus everyone is in town rather than on the mountain so it’s cheaper and there are more options for parties / cheaper groceries and shopping than on mountain towns.
Fernie is the same, however it’s further out away from civilization so you won’t be able to visit as many other resorts as the close ones like Big White, Sun Peaks or Silver Star and it’s a long bus ride from Vancouver or Calgary so you’re limited in getting to any Ice Hockey either if that’s one of the things you enjoy.
Revelstoke is between Sun Peaks, Silver Star and Kicking Horse.
Thanks for all the info man. I’ll look more into these. You did mention Revelstoke is pretty popular and overcrowded in some of the same ways as Whistler though. You have any experience in how it would compare to Whistler for finding employment/accommodations?
Revelstoke isn’t overcrowded in the same way as Whistler. There are line-ups on decent days but a few minutes wait for a stupidly long run (45min + from top to bottom for a good rider) is worth it. It’s hard to get an actual job with the mountain though since you have 4 lift stations (and lifties are also ticketers). They also don’t hire anyone who has been a lifty from other resorts (not sure why this is policy…)
Most people move to Revelstoke and work in the town. Plenty of shops, restaurants, hotels, pubs etc and then just go up on their days off.
You will grow some leg muscles at revvie though, it’s not for the beginner crowd lol.
Nothing compares to Whistler, especially in regards to size, terrain, and nightlife. I can understand the desire to be here. Stick to the dream and try to make it work. I’m not disagreeing with TJ either, because his points are perfectly valid… but there really is something special about Whistler. It’s never easy making it work here (I’m still struggling myself), but when it all comes together, life is pretty sweet. Determined people seem to survive and thrive in this town. Stick to your guns, man!
Exactly this. If you have your heart set on Whistler, you’ll just kick yourself if you don’t…
The closest ones would definitely be Revvie, Fernie and Lake Louise. Sun Peaks is the 2nd biggest resort in Canada but doesn’t hold a stick to the sheer Epicness of the Whistler mountain. (A lot less queues though, you never wait at Sun Peaks lol)
I have just under two weeks until I head for NY. I’m planning on getting my winter coat in either the US or Vancouver before I head to whistler. I’ve got myself some decent footwear for the season. Is there anything else I should try and buy before i get there?
I’m looking forward to the boardworld meetups/dinners/beer!
Does anyone know if there is somewhere in whistler that shows football(epl)? I know most games are likely to be on around 8am so I’m not holding my breath.
Buy stuff in the USA, so much cheaper than Vancouver which generally isn’t that cheap at all!
If you make it to Canada without gear, wait till you’re up in Whistler and go to stores, find something you like and ask for a locals discount. Most places want to make regular customers out of the people who are staying so are happy to save you a bit of dough.
Yeh mate get what you can in the USA, Canada is pretty much aussie prices for gear.
Thanks for the replies.
I’m a complete amateur(never been snowboarding before) so I’ll have zero idea what I’m supposed to get. That’s making me think I should try and get essential things in whistler?
Is renting gear not worthwhile?
P.s. I’m also English so aussie/Canadian prices are still cheaper than here!
I agree with the others. Get what you can in the states but try to go to a decent snowboard shop so they can give you accurate advice. If not, waiting until you’re in Whistler is a good idea too. There are always sale items plus locals/staff discounts as already mentioned. When do you get to Whistler?
I get to whistler on 19 November.
If I was to get gear before getting to whistler, what should I be after? Jacket, trousers, what else?
Thanks again for all the help people!
Check the whistler buy and sell facebook page. some good stuff popping up on there the last week or so for decent prices also.