Whistler Jobs & Working a Ski Season in Whistler Blackcomb

Why Work in Whistler for the Ski Season?

Aside from the huge list of mountain-related reasons to visit Whistler (some listed above), there are many reasons why Whistler is also a fantastic place to be a seasonaire and spend a winter season. Firstly, each winter there is a huge influx of new seasonal workers (job seekers) to make friends with, explore the mountain with and enjoy the off-snow experiences with – you will find everyone from people on gap years to seasoned travellers ticking off bucket list items. Secondly, while in smaller resorts you may end up getting bored of the same runs, this won’t happen at Whistler. Even after 4+ months in the resort, you’ll still be entertained and loving heading out each day.

Aside from the unlimited number of town and mountain-related reasons that spending a ski season in Whistler should be on your bucket list, there are various benefits or advantages to working for the resort itself.

Working for the official ski resort

If you secure a job with Whistler Blackcomb (Official Resort) as an employee, you should get:

• A full season ski pass to Whistler Blackcomb resort (they don’t come cheap!)
• Access to various food and retail discounts
• Access to staff housing (learn more about this below)s
• Opportunities for free lessons from the ski school
• Depending on the role, you may get additional time to ski per week
• Benefits and support relating to mental health and wellbeing
• Leadership opportunities, as well as the chance to gain easier employment or jobs from other resorts that sit within the Vail Resorts group, this is 40+ resorts globally across Australia, Canada, Switzerland and the US!

Working for private companies in Whistler

As an employee of private companies – As you’ll read below, it is possible to find winter jobs in Whistler which are not associated with the official ski resort. With these employers, you may not get the same benefits, but many will have their own perks. It is best to talk to these employers directly when interviewing/applying for jobs.

Types of Ski Season Jobs in Whistler

As one of the largest resort operations on the planet, there is no shortage of the types of jobs available in Whistler for different skill sets and work level desires. That said, many of them will require prior experience or qualifications, so you may need to read carefully to determine which jobs you can and cannot do. Common on-mountain jobs in Whistler include :

• Ski instructor jobs (already certified)
• Snowboard instructor jobs (already certified)
• Ski Patrol (certified)
• Snow Cat / Groomer Operator
• Terrain Park Attendant
• Liftie / Life Operations

Common off-mountain jobs in Whistler include :

• Rental & Ski Tech
• Retail staff
• Guest services Front of house
• Cleaners / Housekeeping
• Cooks, Chefs and Kitchen staff
• Barista, Bar & Waiting staff
• Maintenance
• Resort Operations / Management

When and How to Apply for Ski Jobs in Whistler

As mentioned above, there are essentially two options when it comes to Whistler ski season jobs: (1) work for the resort itself; or (2) work for a local/private employer such as a bar or restaurant.

(1) Working for Whistler Blackcomb

The best way to get a job is through one of the job fairs, the website  or through a job agency. However, if people are already in Whistler they can apply directly to a current posting in the fall, in order to attend an in-person interview. Whistler only accepts applications submitted online – it is not possible to hand in resumes in person.

Due to the high number of staff at Whistler as well as the high turnover rate, positions come up all the time during the year, however most seasonal hiring will be completed with the last recruiting fair in November. There are sometimes job opportunities for people who are interested in coming around the New Year. Check the jobs board a couple weeks prior to arriving in Whistler to see whether positions are available.

Most seasonal positions are front-line positions that have face to face interaction with guests. See Jobs Available at Ski Resorts for further information on the types of jobs there are at ski resorts.

Whistler Job Fairs 

For Canadians applicants or people within Canada already, the Whistler Jobs Fairs are the bestway to secure a Whistler ski season job. Whistler also hires during September when they go across Canada for domestic recruitment. These dates are typically posted on the website in June / July. This is in addition to accepting applications for the job fairs in September and November. The tour usually takes place during mid-September. Cities usually visited include Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax, Toronto, Waterloo, Winnipeg, Calgary and Barrie.

Historically interviews must be conducted face-to-face in Whistler, however some interviews are now done digitally. It will depend on the team and the role you are looking to work for.

Whistler holds two recruiting fairs in late-September and early-November. These provide the major way that Whistler hires its seasonal employees. The job fair in September generally has many more job options than the November fair as the November fair often has a lot of part-time and volunteering spots on offer. In general, the opening for the late September fair will be placed on the website in late August. The fair that takes place in late October/early November usually opens early October.

You apply online to attend the fairs and get an interview during the application periods (see https://jobs.vailresortscareers.com/whistler/go/Whistler-Blackcomb-Jobs/3521600/) and you are then required to attend the interview in-person.

While there are typically a few walk-in spots for the October/November fair, it is not guaranteed that you would get an interview spot so it is much better to apply online.

Website

Many Whistler Jobs are also posted on the official resort website from July onwards. Naturally these get lots of applications, but it has become one of the main ways for people to apply for jobs.

Job Agencies

International applicants who don’t fancy applying independently for a job with Whistler are also able to go through one of Whistler’s overseas recruiting partners which are listed below. These are often used by people looking to do a gap year in Whistler, as it provides lots of convenience and makes the process of getting a job a bit easier.

These agencies arrange a job interview with Whistler in your home country and allow you to arrange a job with the resort before heading to Whistler. Interviews are typically held in June and July.

For people from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, France: (interview locations Australia, NZ, Sweden, Denmark & London): The Working Holiday Club

For UK citizens: Oyster Worldwide

(2) Jobs in Whistler Village with Local Businesses

There are plenty of stores, restaurants and bars in the town of Whistler not operated by Whistler resort which look for seasonal employees each season. For these places, it is better to arrive in town and hand out your resume – preferably in September or October to beat the hordes which usually arrive around November / early December.

There are typically more than enough people walking in with resumes to local employers that these local businesses don’t need to advertise jobs online. If they do, it is likely on smaller free sites rather than paid ones. It is very competitive for jobs in Whistler. Since there are so many people going for jobs, you need to be proactive about finding work – call employers back rather than waiting on them to call you.

October / November are the quietest times in Whistler so even if you are offered a job at that time, remember that you might not get many hours until the season ramps up in December. It is advisable to save up a bit of money before arriving to see out this period.

Working for a shop or restaurant in town has the disadvantage of not getting a season pass or access to staff accommodation. However, you may get into a job which has night shifts and so more time on the hill over the ski season.

Apply for every job that you may like, and start applying as soon as possible. Many people end up in jobs different to those they went over to get, but still have a great winter season.

See Jobs Available at Mountain Resorts for a description of the different ski resort jobs.

Visa Requirements for International Applicants (Foreign Workers)

If you are a foreign worker hoping to work at Whistler or another Canadian resort, you won’t be alone. However, international applicants need to arrange their own valid working permits before they are able to apply for Whistler jobs, as Whistler does not assist in the visa process or sponsor foreigners.

See Work a Snow Season in Canada for further information on getting a visa to work in Canada and which countries are eligible to participate in the Working Holiday Visa Program.

If you are hoping to do a Whistler Working Holiday, make sure you plan ahead with the visa to avoid disappointment as the visas for Canada are often limited! In fact, some countries such as the UK have seen their visa allocation run out as early as August!

Once you have your visa, international applicants are able to apply independently for a job with Whistler, as long as they are able to attend an interview at Whistler.

Cost of Living and Accommodation in Whistler

Being so popular, Whistler is an expensive town and it is very difficult to save money over the season. As with many ski resorts, the cost has certainly increased in recent winters and is likely to creep up over time.

In terms of staff housing, it is not something all Whistler Blackcomb employees are eligible for, however certain roles and departments will be. It is also harder to get into staff accommodation as a first year.

If you are not working for the resort, or you need to find your own accommodation, you will have to hunt for accommodation or rely on employers to provide support. Roughly speaking, for winter, expect to pay $800-1,100 each per month for a shared bedroom.

Read more about Whistler Staff Accommodation to learn about different options and ways to secure accommodation.

What to expect on a Whistler ski season

Here are a few pieces of information which may help you plan or budget for a ski season in Whistler.

Work, Pay and Tax

Front line positions start at around $17 or $18, in line with the minimum wage in British Columbia, but will vary depending on department and the position.

Expect to work hard and play hard in any Whistler job – especially in the peak weeks of the winter season. Staff usually get onto the hill a couple of times a week, but you’ll have to be motivated to make the most of your days off. Some departments will have ski breaks for their staff that work mainly in offices. Other positions have their staff work 4 days which allows them to ski or ride on their 3 day weekend.

During your snow season, you will pay both federal and provincial taxes on your income. It is likely around 15% of your pay will go to federal tax and 5% on BC provincial tax. You should be able to claim some of this back at the end of the season. See Getting Your Tax Back for information on how to claim back tax at the end of the season.

Bars and nightlife

Whistler is one of the biggest resort towns in Canada, if not the world. The bars and pubs are open until 2am (1am on Sundays) and there is something on in town every night of the week in the winter season.

There is après-ski, DJs from all around the world, and a party scene so huge that some people come up from Vancouver just to go out in Whistler. The food also can be exceptional in Whistler.

If you want some more atmosphere there go for somewhere like Crystal Lounge or Merlin’s which often have live music. Other popular bars in town include: Dubh Linn Gate, Amsterdam Pub, Longhorn Saloon and Tapley’s Pub. The big clubs include: Garfinkels, Maxx Fish and Tommy Africas.

Girls to Guys & Nationalities 

There are more guys than girls in Whistler, but Whistler is generally more even than other resorts due to its popularity.

Staff come from all over the world to work at Whistler. In addition to Canadians, there are always plenty of Australians, New Zealanders, British and a few Europeans.

Other Tips for working at Whistler

Whether it’s your next career move or a once-in-a-life-time gap year, here are a few final tips if you’re thinking of working a ski season at Whistler :

• If you are not working for the hill, buy your season pass early. If you do get a job where you get a season pass, you can trade it in for a refund. If you get a cell phone, make sure you get a Whistler local area number. If you don’t, then you’ll have to pay a long distance every time you make a phone call. The turkey sale in October is a good time to get some cheap gear.
• Don’t underestimate how difficult it may be to find accommodation for the season. Plan ahead and consider this as difficult as finding a job. If you can find an employer which is going to support you, this is a big win.
• It’s a very popular resort, with significant crowds on powder days. Make sure you try to make the most of the days outside of peak weeks and midweek to maximise your on-snow experience
• You should save extra money before coming to Whistler for the ski season. It has so much going on and can be pricey, that it will be difficult to save the money you earn, and you will likely spend much more than you think on all the great nightlife, festivals, gear and food.
• If you can, try to keep your end of season plans fairly loose. You never know who you’ll meet or what opportunities may arise when in Whistler!

Whistler Ski Seasons : More about the Resort

Learn a little bit more about Whistler Blackcomb as a ski destination before planning your season.

Where is Whistler Blackcomb?

Whistler is about an hour and a half drive north from Vancouver and a 45 minute drive from the town of Squamish. It is accessible by road, rail, air, or bus. While the Greyhound no longer goes to Whistler, other options include Epic Rides and Ride Booker from Vancouver. Pop a Ride is another option for a carpool. Once in town, you will be able to move around using Whistler’s public transit system. Bus routes run north and south of the village to different areas of Whistler. A bus pass is $50 a month.

Mountain and town vibe

Whistler is one of the liveliest and coolest resort villages in Canada, with a huge array of events and festivals which take place over winter. The pedestrian-only village provides a small-town vibe but the huge number of festivals, events, restaurants and bars combined with endless outdoor activities make Whistler one of the most energetic resorts in Canada.

The Terrain at Whistler Blackcomb

What more can you say other than Whistler comprises the biggest combined area for riding in North America, with almost twice as much terrain as the second biggest resort in Canada – Lake Louise.

Whistler and Blackcomb are two separate mountains, and each is awesome in its own way. There are bowls, chutes, steeps, glades and the terrain selection is seemingly endless – there is enough terrain to explore for several seasons and enough that you can ride days without seeing the same terrain.

Between the two mountains, there is a ton of challenging and expert terrain. Additionally, the runs were built and developed over time which provides for an organic feel between the meandering trails and bowls spread across the alpine environment.

Whistler

Whistler is a bigger mountain than Blackcomb, but is more suited to intermediates with plenty of good intermediate cruisers. There are also some great experts riding off the Peak chair when the weather is good. The bowls up at Whistler are wide and open and are particularly awesome on a powder day.

Blackcomb

Blackcomb has more in the way of steeper on-piste runs as well as technical rock lines and narrow chutes. If the bowls at Whistler are closed due to bad weather, then head to Blackcomb Mountain for more protected runs and glade skiing.

Blackcomb Glacier on Blackcomb Mountain is something you have to check out during the season. Access is via the Showcase T-bar followed by a small hike or via Spanky’s ladder (navigating chutes and rocks). The trail out is long, but worth it as the snow quality can be awesome and the views stunning. If you are staying through the summer then Blackcomb glacier is open until late July.

Extreme Couloir on Blackcomb is considered to be the most challenging run at Whistler Blackcomb, and you will hear people bragging about nailing this run in the pubs after work. The Crystal Zone is a nice area for some good steep, tree runs while Ziggy’s Meadow is another great area to check out during the season.

Ski Lifts

The lift infrastructure at Whistler Blackcomb is incredible with a number of high-speed chairs and three Gondolas. There are 37 lifts in total, including the Peak-to-Peak chair which connects Blackcomb mountain to Whistler mountain.

Mountain Stats

• Total terrain: 8,171 acres / 3,307 hectares
• Vertical drop at Blackcomb: 1,609 metres
• Vertical drop at Whistler: 1,530 metres
• Trails: over 200 marked trails and many more off-piste
• 16 alpine bowls and 3 glaciers
• 17 mountain restaurants
• Highest lift accessed elevation: 2,284 metres / 7,494 feet
• Village elevation: 675 metres / 2,214 feet
• Lifts: 37 (of which 3 are gondolas)

Snowfall and Season Dates

The season runs from the end of November to the end of April. This varies year to year, but generally speaking has been the same for the last few winters.

Average snowfall is 462 inches (38.5 ft) / 11.74 metres per year.

Whistler is closer to the coast and lower in altitude than other major resorts in British Columbia which are further in-land, and as a result the snow is a little heavier than other BC mountains. The snow conditions can vary significantly between the bottom and top elevation, as is to be expected when the vertical between top and bottom is over a mile. But when the powder drops, you can imagine how epic Whistler is with all that terrain to explore.

The best way to take advantage of the snow Whistler has to offer is to jump on ‘freshtracks’ – a 7am start with buffet breakfast and all of the fresh powder you can get in for an hour before anyone else gets onto the mountain. Well worth the long line especially if it has just dumped down overnight!

Crowds and Queues

Being such an incredible resort, and being closer to Vancouver than other major resorts in British Columbia, the crowds are bigger at Whistler than most other Canadian resorts. However, there is so much terrain at Whistler that, once you get up onto the hill, you can easily beat the crowds. February and holiday periods are particularly busy at Whistler, so it is best to stay away from the base lifts at these times, especially on powder days as it can get tracked out quickly.

Terrain Parks

Whistler has probably the best parks in Canada and makes a large effort to keep them relevant. There are 5 terrain parks in total – 3 on Blackcomb and 2 on Whistler which are so big they are visible from Google Earth. The parks range in difficulty and size from small (S) to extra large (XL).

If you love parks, there’s really no reason to ever leave. However, if you want the experience of the park but with none of the people, then head up onto Blackcomb, get to the top of the 7th Heaven chair and traverse across to Lakeside bowl on the edge of the ski area boundary. Usually there will be somebody who has set up some kickers there, otherwise, this is a good spot to set up your own; it’s a bit of hard work, but certainly worth it!