Working a ski Season in Canada

Hellooo,

Im just wondering if anyone else is thinking about working a ski season in Canada this winter, I'm only starting to look into it at the moment, but I think it would be pretty awesome, i miss the slopes and want to work+travel. Somewhere English speaking preferably, which is why I'm thinking aobut Canada

Does anyone know of the best way to secure a job well in advance of heading over, I wouldn't want to risk ending up with no job or a bad one, I'm not good enough to be an instructor or anything, but a job in a chalet or even a bar would be pretty cool. Are there any agencies that make the process easier or should I get in touch the resorts indivually?

Oh yes and Im from Ireland, have I left it too late to get a working visa/permit.

Any advie would be more than welcome, I'm new to the site

Richard

I thought I replied

Look, first is to aim for Whistler where the Olympics will be held, but then finding housing may be a challenge.
Also there is the interior of BC or Banff in ALberta.

Look for a government employment office and website that are called "Service Canada" to track down businesses and contacts, also try Canadian Consulate in Ireland or London .

We need more Irish here !!

cheers,
and yeah i think you did post something already cos i got your originl post in an email
?
thanks , cool never thought aobut the winter olympics
excited now

richard

I suggest you contact a ski hill, any ski hill, and tell them what you are looking for. They hire many travellers for their season and they are in the best position to tell you what needs to be done.

As mentioned by caperbeach accommodations can be tight surrounding some resorts. Ski hills in Alberta include Sunshine, Lake Louise, Marmot Basin, Fernie, Castle Mountain...

Good luck!

Don't forget Mt. Norquay in Banff . . . and Nakiska, site of the '88 Olympics . . . Although, Nakiska is rumored to not be the greatest hill for skiing . .. Sunshine is definately the best (skiing-wise), though.

The Big Three hire mostly people who apply from Canada. They have a weekend hiring fare. You show up and get a job, basically. Also, I think they offer staff accomodations.

You can also try Panorama that way. They hired me as a housekeeper (though they probably hire ski lift operators, etc. that way as well) and they have staff accomodations that are pretty nice plus free skiing during your downtime . .. and it took about a couple weeks to get everything in order. It's easy to get a job when you land. You don't need to plan ahead that much. Many people fly by the seat of their pants, finding work as they go.

Whistler, of course, is the best and would be awesone during the Olympics. It would be advisable to get in early, and it is certain to fill up quickly. There are tons of ski hills in the BC Rockies, though, like Silver Star, etc., so if it's too late for Whistler, it'll be probably easier to find a placement near Whistler.

My advice would be to first try the internet, googling ski hills in the Canadian Rockies, and even applying at a few online, if you are interested, or by emailing/faxing your resume to the apropriate people. If you go the more spontaneous route, bring your printed resume with you and be prepared for a bit of downtime for logistics to come together, maybe about a couple weeks. Stay somewhere with your own phoneline (cheap motel) or bring a cell/mobile, and make sure you have some sort of fixed address or you will go nowhere. It is possible to do it this way, but you might find it easier to fax and phone from your home in Ireland (I hope you have a long distance plan). However, many people find it easier to do everything once they land. It is really up to you.

Good luck!

Steph

cheers a million guys you've given me plenty of stuff to look into

il let you know how i get on

I have been looking at working in Canada beginning of 2011 after a year travelling. I came across a good site that organizes the visas for you. Which as far as I have worked out is the only way to get a working holiday visa (which none of the ski resorts will give you a job without). I would also be interested in other peoples experience. I also would not be able to teach (I believe they have a shortage of instructors), and would imagine most of the other jobs would be taken by Canadians.

http://www.bunac.org/uk/workcanada/

[ Edit: Edited on 06-Jul-2009, at 10:01 by s96024 ]

Hi Richard,

My brother spent last year working and skiing in Canada - first at a place called Big White, then in Banff. He has a lot of experience dealing with the VISA/immigration issues as he has been trying to get back to do another season.

I'm sure he'd be happy to pass on information to you, along with contacts even. If you want I can pass on his email address to you in a private PM.

We're Irish too by the way, and he said there are hardly any Irish people over there. Anyway, let me know.

Ev

I certainly agree we need more Irish. I'm Irish by the fact my great grandfather came to Nova Scotia in the late 1800's. There are clusters of Irish around Canada depending on the time when they emigrated.
Halifax is one , as are parts of Nova Scotia. Many since 1960 to Ottawa and Toronto.
Newfoundland is very Irish and wouldn't be a bit surprised many still emigrate there because of the activity in the offshore oil rigs.

There are Irish Societies in many cities and certainly Irish pubs, Ottawa especially.

There would be an Irish Embassy in Ottawa .

So while skiing may be your "Dream job", I'd look for whatever to get here before limiting myself to Skiing.
Nova Scotia needs people with medical, computer or agricultural backgrounds and we even having some towns that will work with you to help you with your Visa application as well as temporary whatever help.

So maybe outline what is your education and primary wrk experience for starters .

Hey Caperbeach,

What I found really interesting when I was in Canada was meeting people from Newfoundland who had an Irish accent but had never been to Ireland! It was really uncanny.

It's somewhere I'd love to visit, because i hear that the music up there is fantastic! Hopefully, some day soon.....

Canada is such an amazing country. You're so lucky to live there! I had the best time there last yr. Only got to see parts of Alberta and BC, but I'm hooked now.