The village is a fun place to live and staff accommodation is large and central. In my experience, this does indeed seem to be true. Aspen, Colorado. The combined terrain of these two mountains makes it the largest ski resort in North America. World Nomads– Insurance from World Nomads is available for travellers from over 140 countries. Example resorts (largest first): Mount Tremblant, Blue Mountain, Le Massif, Marble Mountain. I’ve used True Traveller during my own working holiday and ski season in Canada. Most Canadian ski resorts hold job fairs in October and November. Not too far away from Big White, Silver Star is a smaller resort with lower altitude. There are companies that charge up to $1000 and this includes a guaranteed job, one night’s accommodation and support with all other things like Visa etc. These are some of the best ski resorts to work at: Eaglecrest Ski Area – Alaska Whistler Blackcomb – British Columbia Thanks so much for your informative posts for working holidays in Canada- it is so hard to find any decent answers to my questions online! It’s a favourite amongst many workers and known for its nightlife. The policy allows for unlimited trips home, departure from Australia on a one-way ticket and a return ticket home is not required in order to claim. Looking at possibly seeking work there to use for travelling. All of the following offer ski season insurance for Canada. There is a huge range of winter ski season jobs available. We love sharing these experiences to inspire and help others to do the same. Fernie, possibly the highest resort in the Canadian Rockies, is world-famous for its powder skiing. Whistler Blackcomb, owned by Vail Resorts, is Canada's premier ski resort with world-class skiing and facilities. Even then, it may not be able to secure a place. A mere 20 minutes from Banff town, the centre of the Canadian Rockies; Sunshine Village is a large resort and a huge employer. An expert guide to the top ski resorts in Canada. Heading out there in January, I hope to find a resort job- fingers crossed! Receive world-class instructor training. “The Lake” in Alberta, is one of the best places to work. Would you recommend this or is it preferential to just DYI? The most famous resorts include Jackson Hole and Whistler. Resorts range from huge, super family-friendly resorts like Big White to tiny two lift operations like Mt Baldy. Find their current job openings here. They get great snowfall and have runs to suit all levels. #8 Best Value of 59 Ski Resorts in Canada “Douglas Fir is approximately 21 minutes from Sunshine Village 44 minutes from Lake Louise Ski Resort, and 16 minutes from Mount Norquay Ski Area.” “We have stayed here many times before. Mammoth, California. Thanks, Lucy, Glad you found it helpful Lucy! See their current job opportunities here. I worked housekeeping for a few weeks at a resort before finally getting the customer service role that was much better suited for me. Check out their jobs here. Snowbird, Utah. After a day on the 4. From its early days as Tod Mountain, Sun Peaks has matured into one of the best and most underrated ski domains in Canada. Come join us on our adventures! Vail, Colorado. For one thing, insurance coverage for the length of your intended trip is a requirement of the IEC working holiday program. 1. Staff accommodation is split up between Banff town (40 minutes via complimentary staff bus) and the Lake area itself and is relatively cheap. These three world-class Canada ski resorts in Banff National Park combine to form one of the best ski areas in Canada. Down Under Insurance – Down Under have a specific 23 month IEC policy for NZ residents. With a mean name like that, one can only expect this mountain to rock. Some examples of unskilled ski resort jobs include: Though ski resort work may not earn you a fortune, there are some other benefits. Annual snowfall in the area gets as high as 11 metres, so it’s a great place to come if you’re an advanced skier or boarder, or just learning. Fast Cover – Ski season workers can purchase an initial 12 month policy and then extend for another 12 months on the departure date (24 months total). We are Jean Robert and Gemma, a British-Canadian couple who love to explore beyond the beaten path by foot, road and paddle. Easy to buy online, policies can be started if you’ve already started travelling. Secondly, medical care in Canada is very, very expensive for visitors. Experience everything from the might of Whistler in British Columbia, with over 8000 acres of terrain, to Canada's second largest ski area and excellent ski-in/ski-out village at Sun Peaks, or the undoubted charm of smaller resorts like Tremblant in Québec– perfect for the first family ski trip in North America. Banff Sunshine Village. Become a qualified ski instructor in Canada this winter. Citizens of countries with programs that have high demand and a low quota of places (such as the UK), need to apply even further in advance. As Canada’s second largest ski resort with over 4,270 ac of skiable terrain, Sun Peaks offers a crowd-free, family-friendly ski resort that spans across three different mountains. Manning Provincial Park, BC, The IEC working holiday program offers an open work permit that allows the holder to work anywhere in Canada, The length of the work permit depends on each country’s reciprocal agreement with Canada. Ski season dates: Late November/early December – April, Example resorts (largest first): Sun Peaks, Big White, Silver Star, Revelstoke, Kicking Horse, Panorama, Apex, Hudson Bay Mountain. it’s also a great place for advanced boarders and skiers. Below we are going to highlight a handful of ski resort employers that are hiring people like you to fill cool jobs in the ski industry. If I were you, I’d definitely head to one of the larger resort areas i.e. There is a huge range of winter ski season jobs available. Snow is usually good quality, however, it can be thin on the ground some years. Personally, if I was to do this I would go with a company that organises accommodation too for the season. Most IEC participants at Canadian ski resorts work unskilled (i.e. In BC, you will find Whistler, which is the largest resort in Canada and one of the most famous resorts in the world, known for its huge terrain and massive nightlife and being home to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. From the car park, there’s a 40-minute gondola ride to the village where everything is based and it just gets better from there. Apart from its fantastic snow conditions, the Powder Highway has a high concentration of ski resorts, including some of the best ski-in ski-out resorts in Canada. Staff are very well looked after with a very attentive HR team. Everything you need to know about the IEC can be found in, Server (note: required by law to pass a liquor-serving qualification), Bartender (note: required by law to pass a liquor-serving qualification), Training from highly qualified instructors. The Best Ski Resorts in the U.S. and Canada: 2020 Readers' Choice Awards The experiences that stayed with you in a year when travel may have been out of reach. The skiing and boarding is great, and you will always be guaranteed snow (compared to Cyprus and Grouse in Vancouver!). A broken leg may cut your ski season short, but breaking it without insurance may well ruin your entire Canadian experience (or worse). Most of the larger and mid-sized resorts open in one form or another for summer, whether that means for mountain biking, hiking or otherwise. If it’s not already on your bucket list, you should add working a season in a ski resort! Explore Canada's second largest resort! Even calling an ambulance in British Columbia has a flat $80 fee. Thanks for writing all the info down. Resorts vary hugely in Canada. Though typically smaller in size, Eastern resorts are still incredibly popular and draw thousands of visitors every winter. Cheers. The resort is the second-largest resort in British Columbia. It currently ranks fourth highest in Vertical Drop in North America, 6 feet shy of Jackson Hole. Most resorts will offer a free season lift pass plus free (or discounted) rental equipment and group skiing and snowboarding lessons. This is usually located on-hill and is priced at $400-700 per person. ). BUNAC have been sending people on adventures in Canada for over 30 years, and they have jobs at some of the best ski resorts in the country! JR and Gemma are currently based in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada, Thanks Gemma for a great article. True Traveller – A 24 month IEC-specific policy is available from True Traveller. It’s a great way to immerse yourself into the Canadian lifestyle. The village is always bustling and charming with plenty to do. Staff accommodation is scattered around the village in smaller houses and apartments, but nonetheless, easy to find! I arrive in Vancouver on 2 December and realise I will have probably missed the boat for finding a decent job and accommodation before Christmas. There’s a great selection of slopes so you’ll always be challenged. I’m glad you have found my guides helpful I’ve got my fingers crossed for you for a fantastic ski season in Canada! A snug little ski resort tucked in between the Canadian Rockies, Panorama is an awesome ski resort with plenty of snow. Demand is so high in Whistler that it can be hugely beneficial to arrive in September, organise accommodation at that time and then wait it out until the season starts. Big Sky, Montana. Job offers are often given on the spot or the same day for larger departments such as lift operations. Having a staff season pass usually entitles the holder to reciprocal tickets at other Canadian ski resorts. Ski resort jobs can be badly paid and back-breakingly hard work but with a bit of insider knowledge you can have a fantastic adventure and even ski … If staff housing isn’t appealing or possible, private accommodation is the other option. The larger resorts have a limited amount of staff housing. There is no doubt about it if you’re doing a ski season in Canada, you absolutely need to buy travel insurance with winter sports coverage. Others will only pursue applications from people obviously already in Canada. It has 36 runs and it’s easy access makes it … Whistler Blackcomb is the granddaddy of all Canadian resorts and provides what some would call the ultimate ski season experience. no professional qualifications needed) jobs. Here are some useful resources for finding accommodation for your ski season in Canada. Choose from 7 world-class resorts across Canada. Sounds like you should do a ski season in Canada! All the staff live in one large building, making the resort more party friendly. There are however always staff members that don’t work out (or don’t even turn up for their first day!) Colorado’s iconic resort, former home to author Hunter S. Thompson and bastion of American counterculture, is today equally the ... 2. Smaller than other resorts, the village has a charming feel but is growing year on year. Recent expansion has made it the country’s second largest ski area behind Whistler. Mont Tremblant - the best ski resort on the East Mont Tremblant’s biggest attraction is the experience of a cozy French alpine resort, conveniently located just 1.5 hours from Montreal and less than two hours from Ottawa. With a small amount of staff accommodation available, it can be pretty competitive to get a spot. How to apply for a working holiday in Canada, Choosing a mountain: all about Canadian ski resorts, How to find work at a Canadian ski resort, How to find accommodation at a Canadian ski resort, Essential tips for your ski season in Canada, this comprehensive 2019 Application Guide, Hiking the Rim Trail, Cathedral Provincial Park, British Columbia, Thru-Hiking the Heather Trail, E.C. Kicking Horse Resort is one of the newer ski resorts in BC, located 14km outside of Golden, BC. If you’re limited on time and have the money to spend, it can be worth it. Ski resorts in Quebec and Ontario are known for their excellent runs, ranging from green and blue runs for beginners to black and triple black diamonds for seasoned skiers. The purpose-built village is designed to ensure that you are never more than five minutes from the mountain, the kids’ ski school or any other activity that you might like to try. Be prepared to look for work in person – going to ski resort job fairs is the easiest way to do this. Types of work at Canadian ski resorts. Hi Jo! Some resorts will be happy to conduct Skype interviews with those not already in Canada. The program inclusions vary between different providers and snowsports schools, however, you would usually expect: To be able to take part in a ski/snowboard instructor internship in Canada, you would need to already be approved for the IEC working holiday program and have at least 3 weeks on-snow experience. The best time for ski and snowboarding is December and January. Kicking Horse Ski / Snowboard Resort, British Columbia. I have read that usually after Christmas there is a second recruitment surge as many people leave/get sacked. The towns of Banff and Lake Louise are just half an hour apart and you can access all three ski resorts from the two towns. Off Track Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The West Coast resorts are home to powder. Accommodation is dotted around the village and is a little on the expensive side, but if ranked by overall experience, Whistler is definitely one of the best resorts in Canada. In your experience, can one actually save money when working in a ski resort? Light, champagne powder is the hallmark of this region. Simply put, if you don’t buy insurance, you may not receive your work permit to work a ski season in Canada. PIN or save this post for future reference using one of the below images, One half of the Canadian/British couple behind Off Track Travel, Gemma is happiest when hiking on the trail or planning the next big travel adventure. I’ve just been reading your article on how to work a ski season in Canada. I haven’t written about summer resort work yet but that’s a good suggestion. Dream of picture-perfect powder days in the alpine with no one else in sight? A discount for purchases at resort restaurants and stores is often included too. Other well-known mountains in BC include Kicking Horse, Fernie, Whitewater, Revelstoke, Red Mountain and Big White. The downside of staff housing can be the issue of isolation at some resorts. These are usually held at the resort and are an opportunity to meet with hiring managers from multiple departments in the same location. At the base of Whistler and Blackcomb is the enchanting Whistler Village. Eastern Canada is known to have an average annual snowfall of around 3 metres, with many resorts ensuring consistently excellent conditions with snowmaking equipment. 10 Sweet United States Ski Resorts to Find a Job. The mountain is right in the “village” and there’s plenty to do even if you don’t ski or board. gtag('config', 'UA-43280157-1'); It is the easiest way to work a ski season in Canada. This can range from accommodation provided by a non-resort employer (this is more common in Whistler and Banff), shared housing or a private apartment/house rented from a private landlord. Our team will help you secure ski resort jobs in Canada, even summer season resort jobs too! A visit to the emergency room, for example, can start around $750 without any tests or scans included. If you do not, there are age limitations on the IEC working holiday program, which is the most popular (and easiest) way to work a season in Canada. Thankfully, it does. 1) work at Lake Louise ski resort 2) work at Sunshine Village ski resort 3) work at Mount Norquay ski area or 4) work at a shop/restaurant/bar or other job in Banff itself. Snow is less abundant than further west but the powder is wonderfully dry. Check out their current opportunities here. Big White Ski Resort. For your ski season in Canada, it is best to be flexible and open to working for a non-ski resort employer. The working holiday program is just one of three youth mobility schemes within the IEC. Whistler—Blackcomb. Grouse, Seymour and Cypress offer a part-time ski resort experience for those who don’t want to travel too far from city comforts. Big White has a longer Ski Season than average, running from mid-November to mid-April. Skiers choose from more than 140 runs and 5 alpine bowls. The Best Ski Resorts in Canada. North America The mountains of the USA and Canada are home to hundreds of ski resorts, attracting people from all across the world. The period after Christmas is something of an ‘unofficial’ second hiring season as there is a high dropout rate after the holidays are over. With Canada being such a huge country, there is a correspondingly huge choice when considering where to work at a ski resort. setTimeout("gtag('event', 'No Bounce', { 'event_category' : 'Adjusted Bounce' })",180000); Want an office with epic mountain views and lunch breaks with runs down the slopes? The most important thing for you I think would be flexibility – be prepared to work a job you may never have thought of doing before! If you don’t like to be limited to just one ski resort, head to the town of Banff in Alberta. There are three resorts in the local vicinity – it would be difficult to get bored here! As the season draws closer, applying for ski resort jobs in person is essential. The International Experience Canada (IEC) program enables young citizens of over 30 countries (usually 18-30 but 18-35 in some cases) to travel and work in Canada. Thanks in advance. This site features affiliate links for products and services. Hi Gemma! Are these available like the winter season? Whistler was the site of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and is often named not only the best ski resort in Canada but one of the best in the world. The staff are looked after very well too. Example resorts (largest first): Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, Marmot Basin, Mt Norquay. Found at lower elevations than their western cousins, ski resorts in Eastern Canada still pack a punch. These tend to be minimum wage so don’t expect to be making a fortune while working at a ski resort in Canada! Generally, ski season jobs are divided into two main categories; at the resort and in the local resort town. Most IEC participants at Canadian ski resorts work unskilled (i.e. U.S. News ranks the best resorts by taking into account reputation among professional travel experts, guest reviews and hotel class ratings. We love the location - in the forest and a bit away from the town. Was just wondering if there is an age maximum for working a season in Canada. Example resorts (largest first): Whistler Blackcomb, Mount Washington, Grouse, Seymour, Cypress. For your ski season in Canada, it is best to be flexible and open to working for a non-ski resort employer. Not if you already have the right to work in Canada. What is important for accommodation is to search early. For the UK, Australia and Ireland it is 24 months maximum, Applications for the IEC are online and candidate selection is random, The cycle runs October-September every year. Lake Louise. function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} For more comprehensive info (including exclusive tips from the ski resort recruitment teams themselves) check out my brand new ski season website. Thanks Emma! options for a ski season in Canada. There are affiliate links in this article, which means if you make a qualifying purchase through these links, I may receive a small percentage at no extra cost to you. Big White Ski Resort is located 56km southeast of Kelowna in Okanagan Valley. This may mean completely free access to another resort’s slopes for a day or two, or potentially even unlimited access. Staff accommodation in Panorama is awesome, with all employees living in one large lodge. The Canada Working Holiday Resort Job Program gives you the opportunity to spend up to a year working and living in one of Canada’s most famous resorts. With hundreds of applications, it is understandable that some employers are wary to make job offers in advance to people who do not have a physical work permit yet (since it is issued on arrival) or may cancel their trip last minute. In between screaming down groomers or tackling a bowl at Lake Louise Banff National Park provides you some fresh air and stunning views. Your blog really helped me in the visa application process too. 3. gtag('js', new Date()); Most resort jobs will be filled a week or so prior to opening day. One pass will get you access to the Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise and Mt. The downside is extremely cold winter temperatures; be sure to pack your layers. However, these resorts are not for everyone. Fernie is a great employer in British Columbia – check out their current jobs here. Find the best job to suit you and set yourself up with valuable life skills and experience whilst having a whole lot of fun. Similar to other resorts its village comprises of accommodation, eateries, bars and shops. It is possible – many people earn enough to go travelling in the summer afterwards. Some people decide to spend their money during the winter instead. Norquay ski resorts in Alberta. It’s not the crisp, dry stuff seen further east but when it’s this much, who cares? Revelstoke. Apart from Panorama, the resorts in this area tend to be more challenging and better suited to intermediate/advanced groups of skiers. 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