Latest posts for the topic "Doing a season in Banff"

Doing a season in Banff

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:19:21 GMT

Hi guys,

I'm weighing up taking some unpaid leave from my full time job and doing a season in Banff.

I have two ways of going with it.

A. Get a job and stay in staff accomodation or in an apartment in town. or
B. Get an apartment in town and live off my savings and ride every day!

so here are my questions...

1. What is a reasonable budget per week? lets say renting a unit with others and eating in most of the time (not counting lift passes)

2. Do you actually have to have a job to stay in a lot of the cheaper dorm style accommodations? are there any or are they ran by resorts for staff?

3. Does a tri-area season pass cover the buses to Sunshine, louise and norquay or do you buy a season pass for that as well? or should i just buy a car?

4. Is the accomodation scene better or particularly good anywhere else like fernie or kicking horse? (avoiding whistler because of olympics)?

Thanks for your help

and btw, i know some of you may think it a bit arrogant or something to do a season and not work like this but i'm 25 went straight from school to uni to a full time job and have so far missed out on thins kind of thing. i have been doing the math and can't really justify working at entry level wages when i have the cash to not work. But maybe the working is part of the fun?

cheers

Trav

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:50:14 GMT

Hi Trav

I have to say that I don't think its a bit arrogant to do a season and not work but then again I was in the same position as you having gone straight through school to uni to work it just took me longer to realise i wanted some time out (I'm 31!) an I'm currently spending the season in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada. The powder is great and on Wednesday night it snowed 26cm so loads of fun on the mountain yesterday!!

I'm afraid I can't help you out with info on Banff however wanted to let you know that there are loads of options available to you out there for doing a season and it really depends on what you want to do and what you want to get out of i. I decided to go down the road of becoming an instructor on the basis that it helped me meet people whilst out here and also helps prevent a large gap in my cv!!

Doing a season in Banff

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:05:19 GMT

Soooo Banff, eh?

First off: good choice!

I can't work out your budget for you, depending on what you eat/drink/ski it can be very cheap or you can live comfortably! Food is pretty cheap, cheaper than the UK (depending on exchange). Didn't cook dinner for myself once so can't really help you. You can get a steak and onion rings in Tommy's for ten bucks.

A big 3 season pass (including buses) sets you back about nineteen hundred dollars with no blackout periods. Keeping in mind that is skiing from the start of November till the end of May at Sunshine.

The YWCA is a place where folks stay for a long time and a job is not required. Look it up, fairly comfy, pretty reasonable really. (Wouldn't want to be in a dorm there). Maybe try and get a season let of an apartment or a house in Banff and rent out a couple rooms or even rent one in someone elses. You would probably need to rent the place from October but there is always plenty going on in town (winter is 'off season')

I would buy a car, would allow trips to Golden/Revvy to be made pretty easily and you would avoid the shitfest which can be the busses. Kicking Horse (Golden is the own about 20 minutes away, no actual accommodation on the hill) creeps me out so I wouldn't be happy staying there plus the lift system at Kicking Horse would get on your tits despite the AWESOME terrain!

I haven't heard much good about Fernie but Banff is a seriously cool place to live with an awesome vibe.

If I was doing a season again with savings I would get a job in a rental shop in the evenings, you would earn some money, meet some cool people and it would probably make settling in a whole bunch easier.

You can join the gym at the pool on the hill for about $100?! can't really remember but it is more than worth it. This includes Gyming/Swimming/Classes like Yoga (seriously, try it).

If you need more details just post and I will get back to the thread.

Doing a season in Banff

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:18:58 GMT

are you sure you are going to want to come home?

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Sun, 1 Feb 2009 02:31:42 GMT

Awesome thanks for the help everyone. Answers though it seems have just given me more questions. I'll just go for it and ask everything i can think of. hopefully other people can find it helpful.

I don't think i will want to come home Karen but unfortunately like everyone i have to balance professional responsibilities and leisure. I wish we could all just live like rockstars and forget about work but it ain't gonna happen.

As always good feedback ross, we're lucky to have you around thanks!

I agree with you, banff seems like a cool place to go, i dont think there would be too many other options this close in a holiday sort of town unless i was in staff accom.

i was thinking of renting a place with some people, with a kitchen and stuff. i have backpacked south america and got sick of eating out all the time. from what i can tell this seems realistic? what do you think? i will try rope some friends up at hotham this year to coming across to banff instead of big white as well.

i would work an evening job just to get to know people but experience tells me it shouldn't be too hard to sort this out. do you think i could find this kind of evening job?

With the car i kind of expected that answer. whats with the buses? slow? late? crowded? infrequent? is it a different pass that includes buses (ie pass + bus) or is it just the standard one?

what is your tip on a car? in oz we just take a 4WD because we don't have snow tires and they always make you fit chains to 2WD's but in another thread i saw someone recommend just getting a small front wheel drive with snow tires? is parking free at the resorts? what is with cars freezing? do you need a garage at night? how does it work?

i like the gym idea ross, never thought of that. i love the gym at home but take 3 months off every winter cos i'm too knackered to go, but maybe i will just use the pool!

cheers

Trav

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Sun, 1 Feb 2009 19:46:03 GMT

Trav wrote:Awesome thanks for the help everyone. Answers though it seems have just given me more questions. I'll just go for it and ask everything i can think of. hopefully other people can find it helpful.

I don't think i will want to come home Karen but unfortunately like everyone i have to balance professional responsibilities and leisure. I wish we could all just live like rockstars and forget about work but it ain't gonna happen.

As always good feedback ross, we're lucky to have you around thanks!

I agree with you, banff seems like a cool place to go, i dont think there would be too many other options this close in a holiday sort of town unless i was in staff accom.

i was thinking of renting a place with some people, with a kitchen and stuff. i have backpacked south america and got sick of eating out all the time. from what i can tell this seems realistic? what do you think? i will try rope some friends up at hotham this year to coming across to banff instead of big white as well.

i would work an evening job just to get to know people but experience tells me it shouldn't be too hard to sort this out. do you think i could find this kind of evening job?

With the car i kind of expected that answer. whats with the buses? slow? late? crowded? infrequent? is it a different pass that includes buses (ie pass + bus) or is it just the standard one?

what is your tip on a car? in oz we just take a 4WD because we don't have snow tires and they always make you fit chains to 2WD's but in another thread i saw someone recommend just getting a small front wheel drive with snow tires? is parking free at the resorts? what is with cars freezing? do you need a garage at night? how does it work?

i like the gym idea ross, never thought of that. i love the gym at home but take 3 months off every winter cos i'm too knackered to go, but maybe i will just use the pool!

cheers

Trav

Banff is still a working town and not a ski resort which is something to keep in mind.. obviously it has been developed as such in recent times but summer is still the no.1 season and the town was there long before the ski hills.

You need to get in really early in Banff accommo wise, keep that in mind! THe sooner you can go the better. Banff is probably a better shout for a season than Big White in terms of nightlife/'livability' (more of a town and not a ski hill).

For sure you can find that sort of job, if you can get in before the hoards arrive that helps. Get in and get talking to people-offer up to help out for free if you are struggling to get a paid position-this will make you contacts.

Honestly? The buses are excellent just a PITA, if youhave a car you can come and go as you please, ski a half day, an hour. Parking is free. Your car will freeze unless it is is plugged in.. depends what you go for but I rode the buses so don't have much of an idea on this.

The yoga classes are excellent and the instructor is hot.. seriously bendy (a Taxi driver tried to convince us she was a dyke, though).

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Mon, 2 Feb 2009 01:31:09 GMT

So they have powerpoints everywhere at the resorts so you can park your car?

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Mon, 2 Feb 2009 10:15:27 GMT

Actually I never thought about that, they don't. Lots of people run old bangers around so I guess it is doable!

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Mon, 2 Feb 2009 10:47:54 GMT

Good choice. It is a great place to be especially if you're 25 and single.

Fernie would be good too, but on a smaller scale. Golden (Kicking Horse) is a great place also, but with some big differences. It has some of the best terrain in Canada. It is a wonderful lively town with great people, but it is much smaller than Banff. Banff has many more people passing through, staying for a few weeks and moving on. If you like a bit of hustle and bustle then Banff is probably the best choice. If you want more of a small town feel then Golden is the best choice, it is also about 20-30% cheaper.

For Banff, you could also check out the hostels for accomodation. The Hostelling International hostel is good, but a bit farther out of town than the YWCA. You could also try contacting the Banff Centre and seeing if they have any spare accomodation (I'm guessing they have some spare as summer is their busiest time?) That might be a good alternative for some interesting work that isn't washing dishes or making beds.

On the subject of transport, Banff town council may be discussing the lifting of a cap on taxi licences. Keep an eye on those developments (i.e. think about setting yourself up as a taxi service to kill two birds with one stone).

Whatever you do. Don't feel guilty about having some fun - life is too short. There are plenty of people wanting to scrounge lifts to the hills if you are worried about bad Karma.

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Wed, 4 Feb 2009 05:33:41 GMT

Hey Ross,

What do you call getting there early and before the hoards? When do most people that are doing a season arrive?

Here in Oz people tend to arrive at the hill the night before. I don't know when they are trained though, we tend not to have much if any snow at opening though so maybe they do it then!

I figure you wouldn't want to get there more than a week before opening because there would be noone there to meet and rent a house with and most jobs would coincide with opening.

Trav

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 09:43:11 GMT

Hi Trav & Co!

Not to hijack your thread Trav, but I thought that I would jump in with a few questions, as I am planning to do the same as you and do a season in Banff, and you might be interested in answers as well.

Forums are always the best way to find out about stuff without too much bullshit so here is my pre-emptive thank you: Thank you

Ok, so basically I haven't been skiing for about 4 years (been in oz for 2.5yrs) and only a couple of times before that. I thought I would learn to snowboard this time!

Banff seems like a good mix of skiing and nightlife but without being too crazy like whistler might get, which is why its where I'm aiming to go.

1. I was over in New Zealand at the start of their season last year (not skiing, just travelling), and it seems everyone turned up mega early to get a job, which was an ultra hard task! Like Trav, I was wondering what is the approximate best time to arrive in order to secure a cashflow and is it hardcore?

2. Also, as I'm not experienced enough to get anything ski related, what is the best alternative jobs that I should be aiming for? I'm really trying to avoid a cleaning job if at all possible, but you know, beggars can't be choosers!

3. Is it possible to get jobs before arriving, ie: by phoning people, sending CV etc! - I know there are some companies who you pay like $500 to, and they sort this out for you.

4. Does anybody know of any good snowboard schools in Banff?

5. Is there a good community noticeboard for Banff, like gumtree or kijiji, that might offer job listings and people buying/selling things (I will need to buy everything from scratch, clothes,board,bindings etc) and accomodation.

6. Whats the best way to go about getting in on a sharehouse with some others, I couldnt stand to live in a dorm (2 years on the road in Oz is tiring)

Any answers are most appreciated - Quid pro quo, if you have any computer related questions I would be pleased to answer them (my field of expertise!)

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 10:19:38 GMT

Trav wrote:Hey Ross,

What do you call getting there early and before the hoards? When do most people that are doing a season arrive?

Here in Oz people tend to arrive at the hill the night before. I don't know when they are trained though, we tend not to have much if any snow at opening though so maybe they do it then!

I figure you wouldn't want to get there more than a week before opening because there would be noone there to meet and rent a house with and most jobs would coincide with opening.

Trav

I didn't notice you had replied. Most people arrive around October/November time, those arriving in December have a smaller chance of getting somewhere to stay. I would go much more than a week before opening (just to be sure, you want as much of an advantage over other people as possible).

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:18:21 GMT

Hey pablo escobar (if thats your real name),

when is the season normally scheduled to start in Banff? i know this season it was about the 15 of november but remember seeing that this could be as early as about the 5th (ie. the first weekend about a week in to Nov.)

what about revelstoke?

planning on booking a flight in the next couple of weeks as there are some really cheap ones at the moment, gonna try get in a full week before the planned opening but just don't know when that will be?

still don't know whether going to banff or revelstoke, thinking might do banff but go to revelstoke for a month in feb, might be a bit sketchy trying to get a cheap be for only one month in revelstoke in feb though

cheers

Trav

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Thu, 21 May 2009 04:58:33 GMT

Hi All,

I'm jumping in on this forum. As I'm planning to travel to Lake Louise Banff, in November. Im pre arranging my job through OWH, I actually think they are great I will go over with a job and accomodation organised no stress, big plus.

Anyway I will be travelling solo and this will be my first time out of Australia for more than 3wks, its tad imtimidating.

Also, I have a question. Should I buy my gear here in Oz or there.?

Thanks,

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Thu, 21 May 2009 08:15:10 GMT

Buy it there, no question. Don't worry about the solo thing, it's easy to meet people traveling. Most people are in the same boat. It's gonna be sweeet!

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:59:17 GMT

Hey biancah, I am doing a season in Lake Louise this coming season too. Wanna stay in Banff though as I have heard it's pretty dry for night life in Lake Louise itself.

How much are you paying for accomodation? I haven't got any sorted at the moment, trying to gauge how much it's going to be? I have heard around $500 a month?

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:38:57 GMT

Hey Aidan,

Well im going through OWH and they organise Staff Accomodation for you close to the resort. So I haven't looked into accomodation prices, its really cheap if you can get staff accomodation....Do you have any idea of living expenses I thought they were around the same as here but I have heard from some that it is expensive.? Anyone know.? But if rent is around $500 a month its sound pretty reasonable.

Sorry i wasnt much help!

Bianca

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:12:29 GMT

Hi everyone!
I'm jumping in on this thread as well, with some questions myself...
I'm planning to go to Banff at the end of October. I am travelling with two of my friends, our plan is to just go there, check into a hostel (or something like that) and see if we can find accomodation and a job once we are there - does that plan sound silly? We are all working very hard right now to earn some money, so hopefully we won't depend on finding jobs right away, though it would be nice to find something! We plan on buying a car, does anyone know how much a decent mountain-friendly car costs?
And to those travelling alone - let's meet up if we all end up in Banff!
-Alison

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:56:45 GMT

yes yes im thinking about heading to banff, not sure yet tho it could be big white instead. if i do head to banff will post again with a fone number for any one who wants to meet up.
peas

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:14:43 GMT

Hi there,

Myself and my boyfriend are coming to Canada for a year, beginning Feb 2010 (annoying time, I know, but it is because of other visa committments).

We are looking to find a place to stay and work for the whole year, sking-boarding is defo a priority, but we are also trying to save up monies and wondering where we could do this plus get time on the mountain.

At the moment we are thinking Banff, not sure what other resorts are big enough to stay the whole year (whistler is out, been there done that)to aviod the hassle of moving, when we already have the season chopped up. Anyone else got any thoughts?

We would like to live alone if possible, anybody have any ideas about availability of bedsits, one bedroom apartments?

Thanking yous,

Rachel

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:57:05 GMT

Spoggette wrote:Hi there,

Myself and my boyfriend are coming to Canada for a year, beginning Feb 2010 (annoying time, I know, but it is because of other visa committments).

We are looking to find a place to stay and work for the whole year, sking-boarding is defo a priority, but we are also trying to save up monies and wondering where we could do this plus get time on the mountain.

At the moment we are thinking Banff, not sure what other resorts are big enough to stay the whole year (whistler is out, been there done that)to aviod the hassle of moving, when we already have the season chopped up. Anyone else got any thoughts?

We would like to live alone if possible, anybody have any ideas about availability of bedsits, one bedroom apartments?

Thanking yous,

Rachel

Banff is very liveable, Canmore is 5 minutes down the highway and would work just as well and is pretty much just as close to the ski hills. I think you might be struggling to get a place in February but you never know!

On tetongravity.com forums there is a 'CND Rockies Roll Call' thread under the forum heading 'Ski/Snowboard', I would suggest if anyone is going to have a hook up for you it will be there. Plenty Banff locals.

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:45:37 GMT

We live in a rapidly changing world. Ok, when I had my first season in Austria, they were still burying the remaining bits of Hitler.

We set off from middle England in my Radio Redifusion Ford Transit Van with the R/R letters painted out with Valspar paint. Inside there was seating for three, on the front seat. In the back was tinned food for 4 months, straight from the cash & carry, piled to a height of 3ft. Over the top, and shoved to one side, were a collection of skis, boots and rucsacs. The remaining area was covered up with carpet remnants, cos this is was the other three people, sat/lay/coiled/....The Tranny was on it's limits.
Four of us lads had no accomodation sorted, but by the first night, we were sharing 2 rooms on the edge of the village, each room with a washbasin, and an oil stove drip heater. It had a round, flat top, ideal for cooking on. We had never met each other. There were 2 lancashire lads, (me & another), a rich, well educated toff, and a Kiwi.
The toff and the Kiwi had money, and 2 of us had very little. But we rattled along, took work where we could, and made it through to the end of the season. I arrived back in the UK with GBP5.00, and a full tank of petrol. I thought that wasn't too bad?

OK, there was one issue. At the cash and carry, I had not read the label properly, and bought rice pudding instead of Patna rice. So rice pudding and tinned Irish Stew? After a hard days skiing~ fabulous!

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:59:26 GMT

Hey Trav,
I'm dying to know how this is all working out for you? Are you there already? I have lived in Banff for 3 years and have been to most of the mountains in the area so write me a not if you have any other questions or i can shoot you some contacts if you need a riding buddy or a drinkng partner as I have lots of those. its kinda like the national past time in Banff
cya! Julie

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:51:22 GMT

Hi another one who wants to jump in on this thread,my son who is 21 is going to do an instructors course in Canada but can't decide between Banff or Big White,can anyone give me pros and cons for each and which would you choose.

cheers

Re:Doing a season in Banff

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:40:27 GMT

As far as i'm aware from people i know that have done a course in banff and big white, pablo being the banff man, Big White has the pros of being ski in-out, and everything being local, where as banff has a bigger town with more going on perhaps!
Also Banff is known for being steeper then Big white.