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Living in Whistler

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Oldmann1584
Posts: 1399 - Karma: 95
Alright well I figured the best place to ask people about it would be on here. Right now I'm in a bit of a situation after I graduate high school I need to figure out what I want to do. Originally I was going to go to university but some stuff happened and I may be taking a gap year, then going to school.

ANYWAYS I was just wondering how difficult it is to find a job in Whistler or whats it like working in Whistler. Anyone with any advice or tips about it would be greatly appreciated. I know its tough to find work there during the ski season so ideal time to go there and get settled would probably be around fall. I don't need something that is going to make me loads of cash... I just want to ski and maybe make a little extra along the way.

Appreciate all answers and help,
Thanks guys.
Jan 24 2012 9:32AM
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geteducated
Posts: 6410 - Karma: 86
if it's anything like banff, arrive in the spring or fall during the transition periods between biking/skiing or skiing/biking and you'll find something.
Jan 24 2012 9:47AM
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Oldmann1584
Posts: 1399 - Karma: 95
thats what i've heard, im wondering also about living pricing there and stuff too
Jan 24 2012 10:17AM
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Simmo
Posts: 512 - Karma: 28
It changes year to year but when I was there, finding a job was hard work but enough networking will get you something.
Finding somewhere to live is kindof a bitch too, expect to pay 500/month to share a room and 800/month if you want your own and get there early October while there is plenty of accommodation on the market. But you won't get any hours at work until december so have cash to last you! And I'd have extra cash just in case you don't find a job until christmas
Jan 24 2012 10:27AM
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Banane.
Posts: 3102 - Karma: 414
Well, im not at whisler now, but i have some friends over there. I going to whistler next season, im going for the start of november and bringing 3000$ whit me, to be safe. Im from montreal and intrawest make some interview in september each years. For the job, i can ask my friend if you want, just pm, i talk to her every days or so.
Jan 24 2012 10:28AM
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geteducated
Posts: 6410 - Karma: 86
hiring for the ski year starts in november usually. that's when banff had their huge job fair in cascade mall or whatever that place is with the old spaghetti factory. will probably be the same for whistler. try and find something with staff accom, but do your research before hand. some staff accoms are sweet, others are cardboard boxes or bonafide drug dens.
Jan 24 2012 10:45AM
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Pow.yuHdig*
Posts: 1903 - Karma: 146
if u get some buddies ther are nice houses in pemberton for like 300 each its a 35 km drive to whis there are a few places to get jobs there but its much cheaper than whistler and a sick little town definatey cheaper than whistler but less oppurtunity for work and further from the hill
Jan 24 2012 12:09PM
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250r
Posts: 2276 - Karma: 1,013
if you take a bit extra time to look you can get way better deals than that, i havent payed more than 550 for my own room in the past two years, and now my rent is 450 for my own room. Im not saying that its easy to find deals, but theyre definitely out there, so just look around a bit. But yeah i agree with the bringing lots of cash part, i got pretty fucked over my first year when i couldnt get a job right away, so just be ready for that to happen.
Jan 24 2012 1:47PM
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Oldmann1584
Posts: 1399 - Karma: 95
alright thanks for all the tips guys, i guess i should start looking early for places to stay so i can get a good deal
++k to everyone :)
Jan 25 2012 9:20AM
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CDdesign
Posts: 1015 - Karma: 92
**** DONT EVER SKIP COLLEGE ***** ski bumb after college, and you can get a much better job.  With a degree you can start as a supervisor or if you are good maybe even higher...
Jan 25 2012 9:27AM
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meowmo
Posts: 319 - Karma: -102
well if he doesnt have the money for college or doesnt know what he wants to major in theres no opintin going straight out of highschool
Jan 25 2012 9:47AM
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PG_EDA
Posts: 474 - Karma: 819
Man im doing the exact same thing as you, Im moving from Sweden to Whistler and going to be there from early-mid October. Are you going alone or do you have buddies your going with?
Jan 25 2012 10:45AM
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Banane.
Posts: 3102 - Karma: 414
Doing the same thing but i'll be there at the end of october. My friend are already there and they will rent a big house. Maybe i'll see you next season.
Jan 25 2012 10:48AM
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PG_EDA
Posts: 474 - Karma: 819
Thats awsome! I'll be traveling on my own but am probably looking to rent a room in a house rather then live in one of the staff housings. Whistler seems to be a great place to be right now! Cant wait.
Jan 25 2012 10:51AM
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afarrell
Posts: 303 - Karma: 28
I'll agree to this only if you're not going to have any student loans afterwards...otherwise it's a bit harder to pull off
Jan 25 2012 11:11AM
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Oldmann1584
Posts: 1399 - Karma: 95
Well I'm not skipping college, I know what course I want to take but to do the program I need to be 19 years old and I am only 18 now, so this would give me a year off to do my own thing and I figure why not be in Whistler!

and yes I think I would be there alone but I got some friends who might be in the Vancouver area but most of the time I would be meeting new people.
Jan 25 2012 12:33PM
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PG_EDA
Posts: 474 - Karma: 819
Is there any point in getting a car up there? i mean like living a bit further away from town, and driveing to work etc?
Jan 26 2012 3:01AM
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*Johnny
Posts: 403 - Karma: 19
I've been in Whistler since last september and here are my advices !

Get here in mid-october with like $3000 to be sure, you'll get familiar with the place and stuff around. The mountain start hiring in the second week of November. Buy your season pass in the early bird.. if you are 19 or older.. it's $1500 or if you wait too long.. it's gonna be $2000 !

Some jobs here are listed with the Spirit Course/Pass.. it's a program that give you a discount if your employer is listed with them at the Whistler Chamber of Commerce. Like if you buy your pass at $2000 and you got hired by a company who is listed with the spirit pass.. You'll get a refund of $560ish.

Accomodations are quite easy to find.. take a look everyday on Craiglist and everyweek on The Pique Magazine (it's a local magazine and it's free in Whistler).

Food is pretty expensive, I have my own car here and I usually go to Squamish to do my grocery ! But I find that everything in the IGA is like 1 or 2 dollars more expensive than anywhere else.

If you have any others questions about it.. shoot me a PM !

Jan 26 2012 3:13AM
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jason...
Posts: 9006 - Karma: 780
this is truth. whis is a fucking bitch to grocery shop in, hits the wallet hard.
Jan 26 2012 5:13AM
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Oldmann1584
Posts: 1399 - Karma: 95
Wow thanks for the thorough advice if I have any more questions I will ask you!

+k :)
Jan 26 2012 5:39AM
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250r
Posts: 2276 - Karma: 1,013
yea go to nesters, not iga
Jan 26 2012 7:23AM
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