Work/Ski Canada for first time.

Hey all,

I am looking to work in Canada in the 08/09 season, which at this stage is looking like Banff. I like the sound of a more intimate township rather than commercial, expensive whistler (though i could be dissuaded).

I have a couple of questions that some might be able to help me with:

1. Should i get there for the job fairs or go just before season?

2. When i get a job, is it correct that on mountain employers would provide seasons pass? What sort of employers provide accommodation?

3. If i get a job in town then i guess i would be buying my seasons pass and paying for my own accommodation?

4. The RCR pass covers 4 mountains. Does the tri pass have a season pass that covers LL, Fernie and Sunshine?

5. THinking of buying a car with a friend (shitbox) and driving between mountains, this a good idea?

6. I'm probabaly going to be buying all my gear in canada, board/boots/jacket/pants/gloves. How much would I be looking at?

7. LL seems to far better than kimberly and that other mountain n-something. Fernie seems a further drive. Would you get sick of LL for a season as intermediate boarder?

8. Is there anywhere else people would recommend to work that isn't so well known with township (parties), great terrain etc.

Thanks so much people, overload of questions.
Any feedback would be awesome. Pete.

Answers:

1. shop online for a job by sending your resume to every resort that interest you. Do this in November.

2. Most employers provide a pass for on snow workers they need them to get around . Some have huge discounts for staff that aren't lifties.

3. If you work in town you can get area passes at good rates starting about June. Very few banff areas provide accommodations and that's only for on hill hotel staff say at Sunshine or Big White. Marmot at Jasper provides some rooms at the Fairmont at good rates for staff during the winter only.

4. Sunshine and Marmot share a pass. Fernie and Kimberly share. LL has some deals with other resorts tri Area Norquay, LL & Sunshine only. Norquay has night skiing.

5. Good idea set aside about $2000 CDN for a good car as the winters are hard on old clunker. Buy a new battery, fan belts, and good snow tires and get a fluids flush and a working plug in block heater. at minus 30 it won't start without one. Stick to a front wheel drive compact like a Honda Civic or a Toyota Corolla these will keep their value and you will recoup your investment when you leave. Some areas like Sunshine and Marmot have shuttle busses for staff - great deal. To get to the major centers there are busses from all town called Greyhound. These coaches are the cheapest way to travel. Trains are for freight.

6. Gear can be had cheap if you buy late season or slightly used. Ski areas will sell rental gear to staff. A snowboard will run you about $300. Boots $200. THis will be good gear that will get you through a whole season. Cheaper stuff won't last. Stick to brand names like Burton and K2.

7. LL is good for a whole season You can ski Sunshine and Golden also on day trips. Once you get here Golden will call as it's the Fernie of the northern Rockies. 1500 meter vertical from a six man gondola. Awesome snow and great chutes.

8. See above. Golden BC is not a party town but a great town for skiing and good access. I'd work there but I'm about the skiing not so much the bar scene which is all C&W out here anyway Bleech! Not a good rave club in any ski town. The big cities like Calgary and Edmonton are OK but the outback - not.

Hope it helps.

Go earlier than november of you will never get a job, ski season in Banff starts at the beginning of november, there is a hiring clinic for sunshine villiage in october, email them for emails (sorry admin delete if inappropriate www.skibanff.com ) Sunshine Villiage has staff accommo but its limited, some hotels in Banff do offer this but there is a huge waiting list and many Canadians have not been ablet o get cheap accomo there. (sorta answers 2 and 3) you would need to arrange own accommo a discount on season pass may be available. The tri pass is Lake Louise, Sunshine and Norquay (Banffs local hill) and there is a season pass available for this. If you have a tri area pass the ski bus is free! Between the 3 banff resorts (centre yourself around Banff) you will have plenty for the season, i am going this year!

Banff is where its at, plenty nightlife, not Whhistler expensive.

Accomo could be the difficult one.

As for equipment its relatively cheap in Banff compared to scotland but youd be better off buying it in Calgary.

Apologies for the lack of sensibility and grammar in this message!

Also if you are doing a season you will need 2 of everything, Jacket, Salopettes, Gloves otherwise if one gets wet your f*cked to say the least