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January, 2025

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Flights are booked 1st december to Calgary. Opinions please.

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AndrewNZ
Posts: 477 - Karma: 13
Okay so I have:
A working holiday program
A bit of money
Desire to ski canada
And NOW
Flights to Calgary and from Vancouver back home (Arriving in Canada 1st December, leaving on the 12th of Feburary)

I am planning to head to Banff and try to get a job. I dont have a job secured so Im going to have to try super hard to do something over there.

I've emailed the main 3 resorts but my tact is pretty much get into banff and speak to all the resorts + Ski/skate/snowboarding/rental shops and try find a job.
(Any Recommendations welcome)

But I am coming from Skiing crappy New Zealand snow and our pretty warm weather and I've heard that Banff is COLD. So could I please get recommendations on what to wear.. Like, normally I'd wear, Thermal set, 1 under Tee, 1 Tall tee + Jacket + Pants, Beanie, Helmet, Thermal Gloves, Gardening gloves and badana around my neck.. So any recommendations for Banff weather/snow would be welcomed
Thanks.


Oct 15 2009 5:01AM
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MLB
Posts: 4462 - Karma: 298

Ok, first for the job.

Your pretty late, so thats going to be pretty hard for you to find work. Anything will do. Dishpig, retail, lifty ( good chance for that one), and other shit. Hit up all the resorts while your there with resumes. Norquay, Sunshine, and the Lake all have people leave early in the season because they find out that this life is not for them.

If you have a place to live, then your rocking for a while. If not hit up the hostel. Its like 20 bucks a night. Cheep as you can get. Then when you get a job, try to hook up with the people you meet at the hostel for a place.

For clothes....get ready to feel cold like you have never felt before. It can get as cold as -50, and days of -30, -40 are not uncommon. If you don`t own a puffy, buy one. If you have one set of termals, thats not gonna work if your going to be working on hill. Your gonna need a few sets ( they get pretty rank after a few days).  Ski socks, and pure wool socks for sure as well.  Good luck.

Oct 15 2009 10:14PM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
I was at the hiring fair yesterday and they said there was 10 liftie spots and 40 people being interviewed.
i was like what the fuckkk
i dunno if i can even get a job
Oct 16 2009 2:55AM
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swanyd
Posts: 103 - Karma: 32
Get a down "puffy" vest to wear under your jacket.  You can pick one up at M.E.C in Calgary for under 100 bucks.  Don't worry too much about the job as some dumb ass Aussie will get drunk and lose his job between the time you land and your drive to Banff. 
Oct 16 2009 10:25AM
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Chief.Woodcock
Posts: 1018 - Karma: 158
It probably won't be as cold as you think all the time, but theres always a week or two of -30s.

Don't wear a bandana it's made of cotton, and cotton kills.

thermals are too good layer up
Oct 16 2009 11:15AM
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AndrewNZ
Posts: 477 - Karma: 13
Thanks for the advice, looks like a down jacket will be essential then, will look into that. Badana is crocheted with wool but I will probably get a neoprene one as well.
Going to have spend up today on thermals.. still worrying about jobs mainly.
Oct 16 2009 4:37PM
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panojibber
Posts: 3382 - Karma: 216
Fuck down, just layer. That will set you up fine. And get some long underwear if you can, it will be well worth your money.
Oct 16 2009 4:49PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
Banff isn't that cold just everyone complains cause they're coming from Australia!
Oct 16 2009 5:52PM
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soup
Posts: 6347 - Karma: 4,462
nah banff is cold.  its no quebec but its cold.  its a dry cold that just strikes to the bone.  try skiing in -40 you never had frostbite so quick in your life. 

getting a job is gonna be hard man you just gotta look the part and just keep going to places asking for work.  There are so many nobs in town just walking around with job resource centre folders you can spot tem from a mile away.  the liquor store i work at gets like 5 a night its ridiculous.

a place is gonna be hard as well but do able if you dont mind paying some premium prices.  But honestly man dont let this deter you from coming.  Its a great place and most of the locals would love to help you out if your not a complete sketch bag.  Just get the fuck here and figure out thats all you gotta do.
Oct 17 2009 2:32PM
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AndrewNZ
Posts: 477 - Karma: 13
Hahah cheers soup. Yeah that is probably what I'll do, and like you said, If I have the right attitude a job will come.
But I gotta finish school before I come, But I'll be in Banff 1st December. Went to outdoors shop yesterday and shopped hard to get enough clothes..

Oct 17 2009 10:48PM
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Ransome
Posts: 53 - Karma: 25
Try Applying to teh Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. I work there and last winter we had soooo many Kiwi's and Aussies come for thew winter. There are p lenty of jobs you just can't be picky at this time of the year. The ski hill will most definitely still be hiring (Lake Louise) for greeters (the guys who check your ticket) Not the most glamorous job but you get a free ticket so what the hell!
Oct 18 2009 1:43PM
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fence_steeze
Posts: 79 - Karma: 27
I from NZ and went to Banff last year and it was so sick dude, Finding a Job was pretty hard but if you apply to enough places you will eventually get hired. I preferred to play it by ear, added to the experience I reckon. Try stay at one of the hostels for a bit too, this will probably help you network and make some mates. Be prepared, the entire place is filled with Aussies... seriously.... I reckon there are about 60% aussie, 20% kiwi and like 20% canadians there...

And yeah its ridic cold compared to NZ.. make sure you get decent socks cause i didnt and ended up with pretty bad frostbite on my big toe, couldn't feel it for like a month afterwords, was pretty sketch...
Oct 18 2009 10:17PM
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AndrewNZ
Posts: 477 - Karma: 13
Cheers, will send them an email. One question I do have now, is.. What type of gloves cause ATM I ski in gardeners and I dont think they will be good enough ha.

Oh and, I have two good pairs of socks, did you just wear one pair?
Oct 19 2009 1:36AM
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fence_steeze
Posts: 79 - Karma: 27
Yeah i wore two pairs of shit socks, but i was skiing in SPK's which have like no insulation. Also make sure you get travel insurance. When my mate knocked himself out it costed him around 900 bucks Canadian to see a doctor for fifteen minutes after hours... luckily he had insurance because about a month after that he broke his arm on a rail and that sunk another couple of grand in doctors fees and physio....
Oct 19 2009 6:19AM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
 wearing 2  socks just cut off the circulation you know that right?
Oct 19 2009 1:46PM
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AndrewNZ
Posts: 477 - Karma: 13
Oh cheers, but like, I have a $50 pair of merino wool socks, are they gonna be good enough, I think I have two pairs of them, about $40-50.
Oct 19 2009 5:18PM
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MLB
Posts: 4462 - Karma: 298
For gloves...leather. Anything else your going to freeze. They are pretty expensive, but the nylon shit will make you lose your pinky.  If you can`t afford it, then Mitts.  Everybody rags on mits, but nothing keeps your hands warmer.
Oct 19 2009 6:32PM
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soup
Posts: 6347 - Karma: 4,462
this.

i had a pair of $15 mittens all year and my hands sweat.  but I never got cold hands so its all based on how you take to cold. 
Oct 19 2009 8:28PM
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AndrewNZ
Posts: 477 - Karma: 13
Recomendations for a sweet pair of mitts then?
Oct 20 2009 1:08AM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
The warmest pair of mittens I ever had were from Mountain Equipment Coop, my hands would sweat at anything warmer than -15. They stank after 2 season but they were sooooo toasty.
Oct 20 2009 2:27PM
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AndrewNZ
Posts: 477 - Karma: 13
So I applied at Fairmont and they asked to see my CV however they said I have to commit to a 6 month contract, I am only planning on staying 3 months cause I gotta get back to university. Shall I say I can stay 6?
Oct 20 2009 3:56PM
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-Tristan-
Posts: 915 - Karma: 19
Yes, but read the fine print. If you ever want to be able to get a job here again, no.
Oct 20 2009 4:02PM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,354
Banff does get cold, they even shut down the hill if it gets too cold. It's not as bad as Quebec though. Most days are really comfortable, but there will be stretches of really cold weather that roll through.

I have a pair of joystick leather mitts for the cold day and there is no warmer glove. I am not sure if they are available for sale online yet, but look out for them if you want a ridiculously warm glove. I wore these on cold days and an insulated pipe glove on every other day. I would have a few pairs of warm socks. There are days where you are going to have to double up. Buy a puffy and lots of layers. A balaclava or fleeced bandana are good ideas.

It's going to be tough to find a job when you arrive in Banff. You probably don't want to work for one of the ski hills, it's better to work somewhere in town. You'll get paid more and be able to work nights. You most likely won't be able to get a job in a rental place in town, forget about the skate and snowboard shops. They won't hire someone who hasn't been in town for a while.

Make sure to subtly let people know you're a kiwi and not auz.  The aussies aren't viewed with too much respect in town. Don't go to Tommy's. Buy your booze at local's, where soup works. Pump n Tap has the cheapest drinks in town, all the time. Go to rudeboys for outerwear, goggles, etc.

If you're not a crack smokin fiend, we can help you out when you arrive. Look up soup, mlb or myself. We can at least show whats good in town and help you find a spot to live. I can call my old landlord for you and probably get you a spot to live rather than staying in a hostel, but it's $650/month and in a house of shared accomodations.
Oct 21 2009 9:23AM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,145
Dan are you sticking around there for a couple seasons or do you have plans to take off at some point?
Oct 21 2009 5:13PM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
What kind of hours do you guys work that have jobs in town?
Oct 21 2009 8:16PM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
if that makes sense..
Oct 21 2009 8:21PM
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wesmantooth
Posts: 125 - Karma: 50
Jobs in Banff/Canmore/Louise are easier to come by then say Golden or Revy or Whis but right now things are looking pretty weak in terms of economic performance so I don't know how much staffing is going on.  Good news is that Calgary and area is having a much warmer and moist fall which reflects in the same manner as the last good snow year which also happened during an el nino winter.  Good luck with shit and drop everyone a line when you get here.  If nothing else you can get some sick kush!
Oct 21 2009 8:56PM
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AndrewNZ
Posts: 477 - Karma: 13
Cheers guys, will definitely keep this thread updated, I am booked in at the HI banff hostel for the first two weeks and they said they can gaurentee one job interview so thats been sweet, but will definitely keep you update and probably get in touch with someone cause $650 a month doesnt sound too bad.
Anyway,
Gloves:
Im still looking for a mitten, my dad said I should get: a thin thermal GLOVE, a woollen mitten and then a mitten shell, said I should be fine for super cold days, and then on not so cold days, just wear the mitten/my other pair of gloves with the thin thermal.
Socks:
I have two pairs of good skiing songs but I am looking at getting one more pair.

My Gear so far ( this is what Dad said I'd need to wear on one day so I have about 3x of most of these things)
Torso:
Thermaplus Thermal
Normal Polyproperlene Thermal
Tee
90% Merino Mid Layer and/or Fleece Layer (Could wear both on super cold days)
More Tall tees.
A Tall Hoodie (dunno if it would help with warmth or not but ordered one)
Saga Jacket.

Pants:
Two Thermals
Padded inner pants
Ski Pants

Face:
Balaclava
Neoprene bandana/Fleece Neck Warmer
Woollen badana
Fleece/Woollen Beanie
Helmet
Oct 21 2009 10:55PM
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Trefmawr
Posts: 38 - Karma: 13
That's killer dude! I will also be swinging into town on November 1st, so maybe I can meet up with some of the locals from NS?

Till then.
Oct 22 2009 1:39AM
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minihef
Posts: 818 - Karma: 840

kid-andrew - I'm in a very similar boat but arriving a bit earlier- arriving in the area on 31st October from the UK and will also be looking for work/accom for the season. I  previously worked a season at Sunshine back in 2002 working on the hill. I had the time of my life and have been desperate to go back ever since but am keen to stay in town this year providing I can find work. How long did it take you to hear back from the Fairmont? I emailed them a day or two ago and am waiting to hear back at the mo.

Soup, MLB & MaximumSushi$ and the others - thank you for all the advice on job-hunting/accom, you guys sound chill. Out of interest how are Brits viewed in town compared with Aussies? I guess any advantage/disadvantage will make a difference...

Thanks

Oct 22 2009 11:39AM
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T.DUB
Posts: 343 - Karma: 36
for the job Lake Louise is always hiring and so is Sunshine So try those two first and if they give you nothing try Norquay and are you looking to be a liftie or an instructor?
Oct 22 2009 5:06PM
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AndrewNZ
Posts: 477 - Karma: 13
ahh, head back from fairmont same day i emailed them I just spent 40 minutes talking smack for this online interview they give you
"How many times a day does your employer tell you that you exceed expectations?"
"Do you mind if your house is clean?"
"Would you quit work if you did not feel loyal to your employer"
"Does the Mission of the business you work for influence your decisions as an employer"

For flips sake, I just wanna job for 10 weeks... Not become managing director.

I would prefer ski instructor as I have my certification so It'd be good to use it but as long as i get some time to ski, im happy.
Oct 22 2009 6:22PM
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T.DUB
Posts: 343 - Karma: 36
sunshine early and late season there isnt many lessons booked so you can ski then and instructors get like night skiing i think so thats dece
Oct 23 2009 2:28PM
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fence_steeze
Posts: 79 - Karma: 27
Oh you may also wanna get some fat pow skis.... you will be skiing in snow nothing like ruapehu....
Oct 24 2009 8:22AM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
Me and my friend were looking for jobs in canmore today, probably went to 20+ places. Almost every where said we arent hiring right now we will keep your resume blah blah.
So we decided to go to banff and try, first place we went to was earls and they hired us on the spot.
She said the hours are 4-11 so that sounds dope skiing wise.
Oct 24 2009 10:26PM
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AndrewNZ
Posts: 477 - Karma: 13
oh true, What is earls?
Oct 26 2009 2:27AM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,354
Shit yeah dude, my friend Kailyn just left Earls. Apparently, it's a good place to work as far as restaurants go, the tips are good because they usually have hot beezies doing the waitress thing. Earl's is a restaurant chain in Western Canada.

My roommate just got back into town the other day after his season in NZ and said that he's getting resumes every night at work. But another friend of mine just got another job after one day of hunting, so I don't think it should be too bad.

I will be back into town sometime in mid November. I'm working a bit right now and then will be traveling around the East Coast before flying into Calgary. I guess I'll be shredding shortly after arriving, let me know if you're going to be around and I'll hit you with my celly digits.
Oct 26 2009 9:29AM
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MLB
Posts: 4462 - Karma: 298

I dunno, the view on brits varies. Some good, not aweful. Its not as huge a rep as the
Aussies. Don't get me wrong, there are some great ones, but the rest ruin it for the bunch.

For the people who wonder the hours. It depends. I have my own truck so I can still get home before dark at the end of the day.  If you take the bus, then its  wicked different.  Then I would get up at 6:00 take the bus at 7, punch in at the hill at 8.  Then be done work at 5, get down at 6ish, back in town at 7.  That is pretty average for jobs on hill. If you know someone with a car, then getting home at a more resonable time is easy.

Oct 26 2009 4:49PM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,354
Or you can just hitch hike. I hitched every day last season. It really doesn't take long when you're leaving from the hill but you can't hitch easily early in the morning!
Oct 26 2009 5:44PM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
Yea the guy at sunshine said the first pick up from canmore is 6:15..i was like uh..
Oct 26 2009 6:06PM
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polso
Posts: 201 - Karma: 6
hey all im in the same boat... comin 27th of november so thanks for all the advice which i am stealing. when im there ill look some of you up and try and change your opinions of australians!
Oct 27 2009 12:57AM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
Does anybody know if there is a bus that goes between canmore and banff several times a day?
I'm been looking online but a lot of the stuff is kind of out dated.
Oct 27 2009 2:46AM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
I seem to remember a commuter bus for some reason, that went a few times a day.But that was back in 2007
Oct 27 2009 3:27AM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,354
For what it's worth, it's really easy to hitch-hike between the two. Just get off at the second Banff exit from Canmore, the one closest to Sunshine. It's a 5-10 minute walk from the highway to downtown/earls.

But, if you are looking for a bus, I think that sundog tours might run between Banff and Canmore a few times a day. You can also look at getting a Bus pass for sunshine, which leaves from Canmore and stops in Banff. You can use it all season for ~$400. But, it only runs towards Banff in the mornings and only towards Canmore in the afternoons so it might not be the best option for getting to work.
Oct 27 2009 9:58AM
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soup
Posts: 6347 - Karma: 4,462
dude me and my friends hitched from canmore more than enough times last year.  It fucking sucks, but it works.  there are always people coming from calgary or most older people (ie. own cars) live in canmore. 

hitch hiking is seriously the best way to get to and from the hill.
Oct 27 2009 7:11PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
Hitching suck when its cold and you wait half an hour while empty SUV after SUV passes you by. Towards the end of the season when workers at the hill get more relaxed/ stopped caring I just walked on the bus and waived my seasons pass like and bus pass and put my girlfriends bus pass underneath  so it was the same colour. Worked everytime
Oct 27 2009 9:02PM
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AndrewNZ
Posts: 477 - Karma: 13
YO!!!! ha Banff is SICK!! if you were in town today and some a kiddo in a Saga jacket that'd be me. Im loving it except my luggage is for some reason still hanging out in Sydney, flippen aussies. So that should be here by tomorrow. Anyway, Flick me a message for any more recommendations for work or you wanna catch up, I understand the drinking age is 19 and Im only 18 but yeah, Wont be skiing for a couple of days but I am keen before I spend all my money.. Anyway, Thanks heaps for the advice, like you all said, Its flippen cold, I was walking around in jeans only today cause I had no thermal longs in my hand luggage, and yeah, 20 minutes later I cant feel my legs. But yeah, After I get settled in, I'd be keen to meet some people.
Cheers guys.
Dec 2 2009 8:32PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
drinking age is 18 in Alberta son. you can party.
Dec 2 2009 8:38PM
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