Work/Ride Canada
Just on a side note, if you’re getting a phone/sim in Vancouver just make sure you specify that you’ll be in Whistler as there are different zones for phones over there.
SIN needs to be done in Vancouver but bank account can easily be done in whistler as there are a few banks in the village and creekside.
If you want to head straight to Whistler you can get your SIN here now too - a special temporary Service Canada office is open above the Tourist Information Center on the following dates:
Wednesday, October 13 2010 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Wednesday, December 15 2010 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Wednesday, January 12 2011 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Wednesday, February 16 2011 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Wednesday, March 16 2011 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Check out our Whistler Guide for other information!
Good call, rideonwhistler. I heard about the new office in Whistler. Saves a day in the city…
Doesn’t always have to be expensive if you prepare ahead of time. As the situation becomes more desperate, landlords will demand more money and cram more people in. We were living in a 6 bedroom, 3 storey mansion, fully furnished, private lake, front and back deck, gas fireplace, just an awesome pad. There were only 5 of us (ended up renting out the spare ‘study’ to my mate from Vancouver). My room was huge, queen sized bed, walk in wardrobe etc…
It wasn’t cheap, but I was paying as much as the girls down the road (per person), who had 3 or 4 girls crammed into one room. They were so angry that they were paying so much for such poor conditions. It just goes to show that good accommodation doesn’t have to be overly expensive. Just plan ahead, work on it hard, do whatever you can to sort it out before you get there.
Isn’t just great when your parents have a holiday house in Whistler that can accomodate yourself and friends in 
Good call, rideonwhistler. I heard about the new office in Whistler. Saves a day in the city…
Yeah indeed. Will be there very soon, so will pop in on the Wednesday.
Hi guys,
I’ve just decided to head to Canada in Mid December (this year!) when I finish my work contract. At this point I have nothing organised; no flight, visa or job… I think I’ll be right to get the visa just in time, and flights, but what about work? Where would you say is the best place to head at this late stage if I’m trying to secure a job? I’m happy to do anything (have experience in waitressing, bar tending, retail, people and event management, customer service, corporate training).
I was thinking of going to Big White, what are your suggestions? Am I mad? Will I find something?
Is there anything that I need to know about right away that i need to factor in to my plans?
Thanks in advance, I appreciate all the help I can get
If you apply for your visa now you should have it well in advance so I’d get on top of that right away so as to avoid any stress with that side of things.
http://www.whpcanada.org.au/apply_online.shtml
thats the link, probably posted before but can’t hurt to post it again. Mid december the season will be well underway but at a guess given your work history you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding something. I’ve had my job in Whistler lined up before leaving both times so for job hunting in a resort I’ll let some of the others on here elaborate a bit further on that side of things.
Expedia would be my bet for booking flights - I paid just under $1600 return for direct flights to Van but you can get cheaper if you’re prepared to have a stopover in the US - something I wanted to avoid just to make the trip a bit quicker and less hassle.
Thanks for the advice!
Can’t believe you got flights for $1600, I’m looking at $2400 on a flight that will take about 25-30 hours on air china. Serves me right for leaving it to the last minute I suppose :(
I’ll get on to the Visa straight away.
What about when you first arrive at the mountain? Should I be pre-booking accomm for the first 2 or so weeks? Does anyone know what it’s like securing accom in big white? I don’t really want to sign on for a lease because I could be having to return to Aus in late March.
That’s crazy flights are so expensive at the moment. Are you sure you can’t find anything cheaper? Look at expedia.com and see what they have going. I’m sure you can find something cheaper. We got return flights from Sydney to Vancouver for just over $1200 each person. We are flying with Air Canada and going through Auckland and Los Angeles. By the time we pay for hotels in LA I guess it’s not that cheap. China Airlines isn’t actually that bad, I’ve flown with them the last two times I’ve gone to Canada. Are you flying Air China or China Air? I believe they are two different carriers?
I was originally thinking of going to Big White this season but was struggling to find any accommodation available on the mountain, except for holiday rentals. I’ve heard people stay in the hostels there for months even. A lot of people stay in Kelowna which I think is about 50 min drive away. In the end that’s what really turned me off Big White. But I only really looked online, maybe once you’re there it will all be easier.
Hey Dan,
I would definitely not want to stay in Kelowna if doing a season in Big White.. Where else are you thinking of? Biggie is fun but Many find it a bit small to do a whole season at.
I was originally looking at Air China. The flights were about $2300 from Melb to Vancouver with a stop in Bejing. Total travel time about 33hrs!!! I’ve since found flights to Seattle for $2000 and can then fly Seattle to Kelowna for about another $200 US.
It might be a good chance to buy snowboarding equipment in the US as well with the Aussie Dollar being so good…Do you think I’d find cheaper gear in the US than Canada?
I have a friend in Biggie so I should at least have a spot on the floor when I first get there. Finding a job is probably more of a concern. It seems as though there’s barely anything listed on the Big White website - does anyone know of any other sources for jobs at big White? Do they post on normal job sites like Monster?
If I don’t end up finding something there I’ll prob consider a different mountain, or just living and working in Kelowna with weekend trips to Biggie. That would be a bit of a let down, but better than nothing. If I were to chose another mountain what does everyone recommend? My main aim is just to have a great time, meet lots of people and enjoy good snow.
I think there would definitely be jobs floating around once you get there. The Big White website would only list official jobs working for the mountain. There are lots of other businesses which I’m sure will be looking for good staff at the start of the season. When you planning on getting there?
Whistler would be a top option; such an awesome place, and lots of options for work and accommodation. Of course there are other places like Fernie, Banff, Revelstoke, all the Vancouver resorts etc…
Friends of mine who have lived in Big White say it is not that difficult to find shared housing around and on the mountain if you secure a job with any shop owned or not owned by the mountain itself. Most businesses that operate around the base have housing for employees etc, so I guess your first thing is applying using your attained visa from overseas first? Perhaps if youve got some money saved up, hit Big White for season opener, stay in a hostel for a month if nesc, if not youve got a work Visa, come to Whistler where the season is longer and finish up there. Cheers, let us know how it goes.
Rideon,
I’m in Whistler! Was looking at Big White for awhile but there were way more opportunities for accommodation in Whistler, so I scrapped the Big White idea. Hopefully I can make a visit to Big White for a few days during the season, as I have some friends going there for a holiday.
Jacs, RE flights, have you also looked at flying to Seattle, that’s where I flew into. It could be cheaper than flying directly to Vancouver and it’s only a 4 hour bus ride to Van. I also was going to buy my gear in America but it turned out to be too much hassle. I found the prices were only marginally cheaper in the US than Canada anyway. Definitely worth considering though.