Canada is known for having some of the best ski and snowboard resorts in the world. Places such as Banff, Jasper, Calgary and Whistler are universally known. So if you would like to spend time in Canada working in a ski resort you are in luck. Every year literally thousands of working holiday makers head to the Canadian ski resorts looking for work. Some line work up beforehand, while others find it when they arrive. And the good news is the resorts, from budget to luxury, need staff doing many jobs to cater for their guest’s whims. If you are interested to find work at a Canadian Ski Resort, read on.
Do You Qualify to Legally Work and Ski Canada?
To work in Canada you will need the appropriate visa. Lucky Canada has a working holiday visa available. The International Experience Canada (IEC) program enables young citizens (usually aged 18 to 30 years, but sometimes 18 to 35 years) from around 30 countries to travel and work in Canada. If successful in obtaining a working holiday permit you can stay up to 12 or 24 months, depending on each country’s reciprocal agreement with Canada. You can also work anywhere in Canada. And many choose to do a season in a Canadian ski resort.
Types Of Positions In A Canadian Ski Resort
Most positions available at ski resorts are in the following categories:
Food and beverage: chefs, bar staff, waiting staff (including silver service), kitchen staff (dish washers, salad preparers, etc.) and fast-food service;
Hospitality: bartending, waiting, housekeeping (chalet staff), room service and bellhops;
Office: reception, reservations, word processing and payroll;
Retail: sales assistants and cashiers;
Other: au pairs and nannies, ski-lift operators, attendants and technicians, ticket sellers, medical staff, public parking attendants, snow-makers, groomers and shovellers, rescuers;
Ski and snowboard instructors.
Qualifications, If Any, Required To Get A Job
Maybe look after kids while their parent’s ski or snowboard
The qualifications to get work in a Canadian ski resort required will depend on the type of job you are looking for. If you are seeking a bar job then a qualification may not be required however, any experience would come in very handy. If you want to be a ski or snowboard instructor you will definitely need to be qualified. So before you start applying for jobs, consider what qualification/s and experience you have because some of the luxury resorts may not even consider you without extensive experience or a formal qualification. And arm yourself with a CV to give to prospective employers.
Being a ski or snowboard instructor is a great way to work and travel the world. If you are already a foreign ski or snowboard Instructor you may wish to contact the following body about using their qualifications in Canada. Also, if you are interested to obtain a ski or snowboard instructors qualification check them out also. They run courses. Wouldn’t that be cool to become a ski or snowboard instructor in Canada? Then travel and work around the world as an instructor in Europe, the UK, Japan or Australia!
Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance (CSIA) www.snowpro.com
Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI) www.casi-acms.com
The Job Search – How to Get a Job in a Canadian Ski Resort
There are a number of ways to find work in a Canadian ski resort. Firstly, you should have an idea of where the ski resorts are. Canada is a large country and the ski resorts are widespread. You should have an idea of where you would like to work and also a job may be influenced by where you arrive in Canada. For instance, most Australians and New Zealanders arrive on their working holiday in Canada in Vancouver on the West Coast. They then find work in a ski resort in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. British and Irish citizens often find work in the East Coast ski resorts, because they usually arrive in Toronto. Once you know where, you need to know how to get a job in a Canadian ski resort.
Ways to Find a Job in a Canadian Ski Resort
Travel Brochures
A great option to find work at a Canadian ski resort is to visit your nearest travel agent and pick up as many Canada ski travel brochures as possible. Travel brochures are an invaluable source of information. They provide maps showing where the ski resorts are. Very useful! They also mention the average snowfall, the season dates, the number of runs and ski lifts (chairs, surface and gondolas) and whether snow-making facilities are used. As well as the amenities in the resort including restaurants, nightclubs, cafes and ski rental stores. Other information includes details of special events, when extra staff may be required and contact details of ski and snowboard schools. There are extensive accommodation listings detailing the type of accommodation, number of rooms and amenities offered and most importantly, the accommodation contact details. Use the information in ski travel brochures to your advantage by knowing what is available, then approaching resorts highlighting your skills.
Apply in Person
Another option for finding work includes applying in person by door knocking. You can use the information you secured from tourist brochures to target areas. The bigger the hotel the greater the number of staff they recruit and the more organised they usually are. Large resorts usually have their staff in place for the start of the season. Positions can and do become available anytime during the season. This is because people often leave, usually in the second or third week because life in the resorts isn’t what they expected. The period after Christmas is something of an ‘unofficial’ second hiring season as many dropout after the holidays are over. Also, many of the resorts are four season resorts. This means they are open all year round. So during the warmer months after the snow has melted they offer outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, fishing, rafting and the extremely popular mountain bike riding. And staff are required during this time.
Apply Online
Apply online for a position in a Canadian ski resort. All the resorts have their own website and if you look at their content, you will most likely see a ‘Careers’ section on the site. Read the information they provide and follow the instructions to apply for a job. Most of the resorts start advertising positions online in July and August. So keep an eye out. Some of the resorts are happy to conduct a Skype interview for those people not in Canada or not near the resort in Canada.
Job Fairs
Most Canadian ski resorts hold job fairs in October and November to attract staff. You will need to be in Canada as they are held at the resort. These are a great opportunity to meet the hiring managers and you may get a job offer on the spot.
Being able to ski or snowboard on your time off is a bonus to working in a Canadian ski resort
Tips to finding a Snow Job in Canada
- Be presentable, polite and well spoken. Resist the idea of arriving at a resort mid-season, with your backpack on, looking like hell after a long flight and banging on hotel doors demanding a job. This approach won’t work. Hotels are very organised and usually have their staff organised before the season starts.
- If organising a position before you arrive either ring or Email the hotel (website and Email addresses follow).
- Phone hotels if you have arrived in the area and speak to the human resources department.
- Introduce yourself and provide a brief outline of your experience and qualifications before asking when the organisation is recruiting and how they recruit. Then, offer to send your CV via email or fax or alternatively obtain the application form.
- Explain you are able to attend an interview.
When To Look For A Ski Job
The main Canadian ski season is from November/December to March/April but this depends on the white stuff. Sometimes the season starts earlier and finishes later. If you don’t have a position arranged for your arrival then it is advisable to arrive in September as many of the resorts run recruitment days to secure staff. However, as some resorts are open year round they are recruiting regularly. Don’t forget to look online as mentioned above.
What’s Included In A Job Package
Enjoy the fire at the end of a hard day’s work
A job package can, and will depend on the actual ski resort where you find employment. But in general, your job package can include:
- accommodation – you may be sharing with other employees in the staff housing and also be charged a weekly rent. It can be isolating and only reached via a gondola. Some prefer to find accommodation off-mountain. If accommodation is not offered there are some useful resources for finding accommodation for your ski season in Canada including the local magazines and newspapers and FB pages. They include, but not limited to:Craigslist (Multiple locations)
Pique Classifieds (Whistler)
Castanet (Big White)
Crag and Canyon Classifieds (Banff)
Kijiji (Multiple locations)
FB Group – Whistler Housing Rentals for Locals. - meals while on duty (not always guaranteed)
- ski pass (free or discounted), maybe ski equipment rental (free or discounted)
- salary.
Canadian Ski Resorts
There are a number of ski areas in Canada – well there are many mountains! The most popular resorts where travellers find work are in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec. However, work can also be found in other provinces. Following is a listing of resorts in the three most popular provinces along with their websites and contact details. Some websites allow you to apply for positions on-line.
Alberta
Alberta is home of the Canadian Rockies where you will find some major ski resorts offering the traveller a variety of positions plus fabulous skiing and snowboarding.
Banff National Park is the oldest national park in Canada and one of the most popular. It is some 6,641 square kilometres and offers ski and snowboard enthusiasts a wonderful time. Within the national park most travellers find work at the major ski resorts of Lake Louise, Mount Norquay and Sunshine Village. Banff town is about an hour and a half away from Calgary by car. It has many hotels including family-run mountain lodges, budget motels and large luxury hotels where you might find work. Alternatively, try one of the many bars where skiers and snowboarders enjoy some apres ski.
Banff Mount Norquay is a main resort in the national park. The resort begins recruiting for winter staff in November. www.banffnorquay.com
Lake Louise is a major ski resort. It is a four seasons resort with positions available all year round. Winter position interviews begin in September. www.skilouise.com
The Fairmont Chateau is a huge luxury hotel in Lake Louise. www.fairmont.com/lake-louise/
The Sunshine Village Resort is another big employer in the Banff region. They hold an open day in the town of Banff in September. www.skibanff.com
Calgary hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics. It is the largest city in Alberta with a population of around 950,000 people. If you miss out on a job in a resort you may pick up work in the city. And Calgary is close enough to the snow to keep up your passion of skiing or snowboarding.
Jasper National Park is vast and houses a number of ski resorts. The town of Jasper is also a good place to secure work as the town has many hotels and bars.
Marmot Basin is located in the Jasper National Park. It requires staff all year round. Marmot Basin does not provide accommodation for staff but will supply a list of rented accommodation contacts. Note that on their website they advise they have a very strict grooming policy. www.skimarmot.com
Other Alberta Ski Resorts
Castle Mountain Resort www.castlemountainresort.com
Fortress Mountain www.skifortress.com
Nakiska hosted the alpine events in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. www.skinakiska.com
Wintergreen www.skiwintergreen.com
British Columbia BC
British Columbia has the most and some of the biggest resorts. Whistler-Blackcomb could be a contender for the title of ‘world’s greatest ski resort’. Some of the coastal resorts are only 15 minutes away from downtown Vancouver therefore, if you don’t find work in the ski fields you could always find work in this major Canadian city. These resorts are divided into coastal, Vancouver Island and Interior BC resorts.
Only 20 minutes away from the centre of Vancouver are:
Cypress Mountain (formerly Cypress Bowl) www.cypressbowl.com
Grouse Mountain www.grousemountain.com
Hemlock Resort www.hemlockvalleyresort.com
Mount Seymour www.mountseymour.com
Whistler-Blackcomb www.whistler-blackcomb.com is the largest ski area in Canada. The resort comprises Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. There are three glaciers, 12 bowls and more than 200 marked pistes offering skiers and snowboarders endless enjoyment. The Whistler-Blackcomb area has over 7,000 acres of skiable area and 33 lifts with runs for beginners to advanced. Whistler Village is a major hub located at the base of the mountains and has over 4,700 bedrooms available, including family-oriented condominiums, B&Bs, hostels and luxury resorts. There are more than 200 shops within Whistler including arts and craft stores, gift shops, sport stores, rental stores and souvenir shops. Whistler is renowned for its cuisine, with more than 90 restaurants catering to many tastes. When the sun goes down the apres ski begins in the abundance of pubs, lounges and nightclubs. With all this available, this is why travellers choose Whistler-Blackcomb to seek employment. It helps there is an employment village office open all year and which holds a recruitment fair in mid-October.
Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Mt Cain www.island.net/~cain/
Mt Washington www.mtwashington.bc.ca
Interior British Columbia
Apex Resort www.apexresort.com
Big White www.bigwhite.com
Crystal Mountain www.crystalmountain.bc.ca
Fairmont Hot Springs www.fairmontresort.com
Fernie Alpine Resort www.skifernie.com
Kicking Horse Mountain www.kickinghorseresort.com
Kimberley Resort www.skikimberley.com
Mt Baldy www.skibaldy.com
Panorama Resort www.panoramaresort.com
Powder King www.powderking.com
Red Mountain www.ski-red.com
Shames Mountain www.shamesmountain.com
Silver Star Mountain www.silverstarmtn.com
Sun Peaks www.sunpeaksresort.com
Whitewater www.skiwhitewater.com
Quebec
The two major ski resorts in Quebec, Tremblant and Monte Sainte-Anne are rated Eastern Canada’s best. They offer world class skiing and a unique cultural experience. For most positions you need to speak French.
Bromont www.skibromont.com
Gray Rocks www.grayrocks.com
Mont Blanc www.ski-mont-blanc.com
Mont Garceau www.skigarceau.com
Le Massif www.lemassif.com
Mont Orford www.mt-orford.com
Mont Sainte-Anne www.mont-sainte-anne.com
Owl’s Head www.owlshead.com
Mont Sainte-Marie www.montstemarie.com
Mont Saint-Sauveur www.montsaintsauveur.com
Stoneham www.ski-stoneham.com
Mont Sutton www.montsutton.com
Tremblant recruits around 1700 people every year to work at the resort www.tremblant.ca
Essential Tips for Your Ski Season in Canada
- Organise your SIN (Social Insurance Number). This is a very important number to live and work in Canada. You cannot legally work without one. Apply for it as soon as you arrive in Canada from a Service Canada centre.
- Open a bank account so you can be paid into.
- Purchase a local sim card so you can contact employers.
- Be flexible when looking for a ski resort job. If you don’t get your dream job in your dream location, it may be possible to switch later in the season. Some of the smaller resorts are just as good as the bigger ones.
- Have travel insurance to cover you while you work and ski Canada. World Nomads insurance is available to travellers from over 140 countries and covers you for many things, including working holidays and ski holidays. Another insurance company to check out, particularly if you are travelling long term or are a digital nomad going to spend time working and living in a Canadian ski resort, or nearby. And that is Safety Wing. No matter which travel insurance company you choose to cover you, just make sure you have travel insurance. I’m not saying you will break your leg skiing or snowboarding – it is just good to know you have winter sports coverage in your insurance policy to cover any accidents or incidentals. And travel insurance is a requirement of the IEC working holiday program to receive your work permit to work a ski season in Canada.
Are You Ready to Work a Ski Season in Canada?
As you have read, there are many Canadian ski resorts where you could find a job. And each year literally thousands of travellers arrive to work a ski season in Canada. Now it is your turn. If you are planning your trip to Canada ask away in the comments or if you have already worked a Canadian ski season I would love to hear.
This is such a good list of fab places to work/live in the Canadian mountains for a year!! We ended up getting non-ski related work in Canada, so we just zoom around to visit these fabulous spots. 😉