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Being a lifty and Living in residence.

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Nine_Milla_Killa
Posts: 6783 - Karma: 23
Does anyone know anyone who has done this? I'm thinking about doing it next season, but I have alot of questions like: how many days a week do you work, and how long are shifts, and how much do you get to ski on days that you work, and what are the residences like?
Thanks,
Matt
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Bombing for Peace is like Screwing for Virginity.
Apr 5 2003 9:17PM
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Papa
Posts: 4718 - Karma: 11
my cousin works there as a snowboard instructor. He works five days a week and they take food and residence out of your check it's like 100 bucks a month or somethin like that, i think i'm gonna go live out there next year to
Seize the carp
Apr 5 2003 9:26PM
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Jeff_Thomas
Posts: 3144 - Karma: 184
Base 2 staff housing is poor but fun
Focus Fall 2003

Theory-3 Media
Apr 6 2003 4:23PM
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powder99
Posts: 2761 - Karma: 12
hahaha, base 2 housing is so rugged, i stayed there for a week in the summer, can't see myself there for a full season, although it could be a lot of fun, just very cramped
'proud citzen of the NS Isle'
BE YOURSELF
Apr 6 2003 6:31PM
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Nine_Milla_Killa
Posts: 6783 - Karma: 23
How many people to a room?
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A friend will help you move.
A really good friend will help you move a body.

Bombing for Peace is like Screwing for Virginity.
Apr 6 2003 6:37PM
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bigskia
Posts: 3463 - Karma: 35
i've heard 5 per room but they're buying more i think


You don't know shit about fuck, my man-Robin Williams
Apr 6 2003 7:46PM
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tori
Posts: 504 - Karma: 13
From the lifty's I've spoken to, it sounds like it sucks. You have to work a lot, its cold, and boring.
Serving food on the mounatins sucks too.
I have worked as an intsructor in the past, and though its not really for me, most of the people are ski with are instructing. You can work part time (like just weekends, or 3 days a week) you get a free pass, a locker, half price food, and you can live in staff, which is soooooo cheap, that it doesn't matter what its like. The rest of the affordable accomodation in Whistler is so basic anyway. Its not actualy that bad.


Made in Tasmania.

** I personally believe skiing is gaining soul. It's great to see racers ripping the pipe and boarders crossing over to skiing. If anything is taking away from the soul of skiing, it's the skiers who are in it for the wrong reasons, and the ones who are in chat rooms bagging on other people's style when they should be skiing **
- Pete O'Brien, AXIS
Apr 6 2003 8:36PM
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hucksplat
Posts: 966 - Karma: 1,124
working as a lifty is for australian bum suckers. save some money and move there is october or even september if you can, there are still nice places available then. find a job at a restaurant because that way you'll work nights. avoid day shift jobs at all costs, because you know that when it snows and you have to work, you'll be sorry.
Apr 8 2003 2:51PM
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Papa
Posts: 4718 - Karma: 11
i'm thinking about moving out there to, and i wouldn't even care what the accomodation is like, as long as i have somewhere to sleep at night i'd be happy, i'm going out there for the experience
Seize the carp
Apr 15 2003 10:52PM
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pocket-rocket
Posts: 4443 - Karma: 0
i think that this summer, like end of june, we should start a thread, find people that want to move there next winter, rent a big condos at like 6 or 7..it would be cheap..
Drink 1 BASE a day, Keep the doctor away.
Baseconcept.com
WWW.OAKLEY.COM
WWW.SALOMONSKI.COM
Apr 16 2003 10:30AM
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tori
Posts: 504 - Karma: 13
Thats a pretty good idea. There are heaps of big houses that are coming up for rent now ( 1 year leases) that with like 6 or 7 people in , your rent would be nothing and you would have comfortable, secure accomodation. I had so much trouble this season.I didn't get something reliable until March.


Made in Tasmania.

** I personally believe skiing is gaining soul. It's great to see racers ripping the pipe and boarders crossing over to skiing. If anything is taking away from the soul of skiing, it's the skiers who are in it for the wrong reasons, and the ones who are in chat rooms bagging on other people's style when they should be skiing **
- Pete O'Brien, AXIS
Apr 17 2003 8:27PM
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sHaBBa
Posts: 56 - Karma: 10
Dont be a lifty mate, in fact dont work for Intrawest unless you want to be their bitch for the whole season. Get an independent job and find a nice house to live in. Base 2 is ok, but if you've lived out of home for more than 2 years before getting there its likely you aint gonna like it, lots of kids that have never lived outta home before, sayin that its fun. But yeah, dont be a lifty.
Apr 17 2003 9:24PM
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oO~sKiErGirL~Oo
Posts: 2314 - Karma: 21
my friends that worked as liftys in whis had 4 days on, 3 days off... decent but working nights would be even better. the ski instructors in whis get harrassed bigtime so I'd avoid that job
May 5 2003 2:49AM
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powder99
Posts: 2761 - Karma: 12
whats the average pay working for Intrawest?
'proud citzen of the NS Isle'
BE YOURSELF
May 8 2003 1:53AM
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Lebbo
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 6
Yeah I'm an Aussie and I got a working holiday visa for this year. I was thinking of coming over to Canada in mid novemeber (can't go any earlier coz of uni). From what you guys are saying maybe Whistler isn't the best place to go???? What are the chances of getting a job in mid november?

Is it better to try somewhere like Banff.....?
May 10 2003 5:02AM
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sHaBBa
Posts: 56 - Karma: 10
Whistler is the best place to go, but working for Intrawest is a pain, we got here, were pretty much promised a job with them, hoping for staff housing and all that. Anyway as it turned out they preferred to employ people with no experience so they could train them 'their way'. We were behind on the house hunt as were sure we'd get a job and staff housing so we didnt find a house for months, alot of couch surfing and 2 week stays here and there. But in the end im glad i got a job outside of intrawest, we have a sweet flat right in the village, all my buddies that worked for the mountain are now jobless and in the same boat we were in at the start of the season plus mountain staff get 8 and a half bucks and hour on average, admittedly you get a season pass but if you work out the difference in wages that pretty much covers your pass, plus you should get a spirit pass if you work in the village which gets you it for 400 bucks less. Anyway the skiing here is awesome, the nightlife is good but there are no women so if you're coming here to get laid dont bother. If anyone's got any questions feel free to mail me or whatever...I pretty much know the whole Whistler season thing inside out.
May 10 2003 9:42PM
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UpDawg
Posts: 2373 - Karma: 11
I worked for Intrawest at Copper Mountain this season as a lifty, and I didn't have any problem with working for them- it's a hell of a lot better than working for Vail Resorts. But being a lifty is probably the worst job in the world, although it does have it's perks, skiing everyday, etc. I got paid 8.10 US an hour as my starting wage, which isnt bad considering all you do is stand around or sit on your ass all day long...but dont be a lifty unless it's your absolute last resort.
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May 11 2003 1:07AM
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Lebbo
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 6
What if I work for Intrawest for like 2 weeks, get my free lift ticket and then leave them and just get a job with someone else so I get better pay, would that work.....
Or are they stingy and just give you a ticket on weekly basis or something?
May 12 2003 3:59AM
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pocket-rocket
Posts: 4443 - Karma: 0
its probably your punch card that is your lift pass. When you stop working for them, you should give it back.
Drink 1 BASE a day, Keep the doctor away.
Baseconcept.com
WWW.OAKLEY.COM
WWW.SALOMONSKI.COM


May 12 2003 10:23AM
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mckeeman
Posts: 2674 - Karma: 122
hmmm...staff accompton, the ghetto, tha projects. Its small its ghetto, but if you are comin for a year of fun you will meet tonnes of people and have a blast. Just hope you like sharing a bunk bed per room...4 people per room in full season, so dont bring lotsa shit just what you need...



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'Can we discuss this further in the privacy of my hot tub?' Mitts to some chick who shot him down outside garfs...
May 12 2003 2:17PM
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sHaBBa
Posts: 56 - Karma: 10
If you quite they'll just cancel your pass, simple as that, if you get laid off you get to keep to it.

4 people per room?? not at glacier...
May 13 2003 12:12AM
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UpDawg
Posts: 2373 - Karma: 11
how much does employee housing cost per month up in whistler? at copper it was like 250 US per month, but that was with 2 people at the most per room and private bathrooms, cable tv, etc.
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Make turns, not war
Jun 15 2003 11:33PM
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sHaBBa
Posts: 56 - Karma: 10
depends, i think it goes form 3ish to 425 for your own room but dont quote me on those, i know it doesnt go any higher than that though. It's the cheapest accomodation youll get in whistler, i paid 600 inc hydro and phone pretty much all season. Now summers here you can get a huge house for nothing, its just winter thats a stinger.
Jun 16 2003 1:59PM
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360spins
Posts: 618 - Karma: 10
Living in staff housing can be a drag, but there is the wicked social circle that you can build if you don't know many folks around town. There are some buildings that are newer than others - ask for Westside, Brio or Nordic housing - they tend to not be as crammed as the ones at Base 2.

If you are coming to live here for the winter, and don't want to live in staff, the best time to come is in the summer. Not only is rent spendy in the Winter, its hard to find a place. Working for the mountain helps, since you get a pass for free, but if you don't want to go down that road, coming in the summer gets your foot in the door for work before the fall comes. Once October rolls around = zero work for new arrivals, and really hard time finding a pad. Good strategy - come in the summer, find work, find a house and get some roots in, so that when the winter hits, you are set to go.

Or, save a few grand to pay top bucks for a shoebox to live in, and drink the fall away while it rains 24-7 in the valley.
Jun 17 2003 4:13PM
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360spins
Posts: 618 - Karma: 10
Living in staff housing can be a drag, but there is the wicked social circle that you can build if you don't know many folks around town. There are some buildings that are newer than others - ask for Westside, Brio or Nordic housing - they tend to not be as crammed as the ones at Base 2.

If you are coming to live here for the winter, and don't want to live in staff, the best time to come is in the summer. Not only is rent spendy in the Winter, its hard to find a place. Working for the mountain helps, since you get a pass for free, but if you don't want to go down that road, coming in the summer gets your foot in the door for work before the fall comes. Once October rolls around = zero work for new arrivals, and really hard time finding a pad. Good strategy - come in the summer, find work, find a house and get some roots in, so that when the winter hits, you are set to go.

Or, save a few grand to pay top bucks for a shoebox to live in, and drink the fall away while it rains 24-7 in the valley.
Jun 17 2003 4:17PM
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mogulbarron
Posts: 419 - Karma: 11
staff housing in whistler is extremely getto
u get paid shit all live in shiity conditions and if you get caught 1x smoking weed in your room you lose your job and your house its shit but one word of advice don't move to whisler
'I been pimpin since been pimpin since been pimpin.
Jul 8 2003 8:50PM
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kristen
Posts: 1091 - Karma: 10
Grrrrrr... Stop complaining about how shitty working for Intrawest is. It's honestly not bad at all... By the end of the season i was making at least 13.50 an hour (that was my first season there) I had 4 days on 3 days off. They give you a free pass... you can go on the referal program get ALL you gear needs for free. And they provide cheap housing. Yes it is ghetto but you are only paying 240 a month for a wicked location. Ski in and ski out. steps from the village. Or if you want a roomier place go to Brio or even Westside staff housing (brand new really nice places)

Lifty's wages depend, usually start at 8.50 but with every single job with intrawest you get raises fairly often. AND working for them is great in the winter cause so many ppl hurt them selves and they find you a new job ASAP where your injury won't affect your work.

So i'd say it's better then working at some little store in the village who don't provide housing, a good wage or a pass.

On soulage une journèe sans argent avec une biere mais on ne peut soulager une journèe sans biere avec de l'argent!
Jul 23 2003 1:43AM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
ok - don't work for intrawest unless you got their style or are willing to take it up the ass.
I mean fuck dude - intrawest doesn't even let you smoke if you got your uniform on (it's pretty much a bogus rule, but they still threaten you with it)

if you wanna be a lifty go to a less touristy place. intrawest resorts suck for the tourists. shitty skiers who don't know shit about nothin around the mountain. lifty'ing can be a fun job though... other than the real cold days.

and staff accom at base 2 ain't too bad... is ghetto though (according to the rest of whistler of course...)

Darryl Hunt

'does rasin bran have rasins in it?' Ryan Sweasy (Nemoey)

'you don't have to treat me like a bitch while we're playing a game' Pauls to Cedric after Cedric kicked his ass at chess.
Jul 23 2003 3:29AM
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kootneyskibum
Posts: 148 - Karma: 10
I dont see why sme of u guys rag on being instructors so much. its the best job on the hill. thats what i do, granted i havent doen it at whistler yet, but i spent last season at davos in switzerland. sure teachin may suck the first couple seasons, stuck with beginners, but now that ive put in my tme i only teach privates to good skiers. i more or less get paidmore in a day than a liftie gets in a week to rip around the mountain and skip liftlines. who can tell me what sucks about that?
Aug 13 2003 8:32PM
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F5*
Posts: 1595 - Karma: 54
Alot of you are saying Intrawest sucks. so what are some good jobs in the village and good areas to stay in? otherwise best paying job and cheapest best located houseing?



Useless Fact of the Moment:
'Porcupines float in water. '
Sep 4 2003 1:46AM
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360spins
Posts: 618 - Karma: 10
Out of interest, what exactly do you have against Intrawest?
Sep 4 2003 5:15AM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
that's the thing about Intrawest... they like firing people... they really don't care about their employee's at all. they care about their image (they are afterall just a real estate company), than their guests, than the employee's... they fire a lot of people to set examples, and if you're a lifty living in housing you will work for a huge majority of the week, they have control of your pass, job, and housing, so if they do can you than you're fucked.


Darryl Hunt

'yo man, don't call me faller... ...there's too much of that shit going around' Craig
Sep 5 2003 1:33AM
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360spins
Posts: 618 - Karma: 10
Ok, that explains the bitterness. Drag you got fired man, but that sort of thing tends to happen to folks for a reason. Dunno your story obviously, but every time I have fired someone, they knew it was coming, cause they knew what the deal was and knew that in the work world, there are rules that you have to go by. There are a lot of really good reasons for working for the hill in your town, be it an Intrawest Resort or a American Ski Company Resort or a Vail Holdings Resort or whatever. Season Passes, staff parties, housing and discounts on food and gear are only a few.

Really though, if you are at Blue, Tremblant, Mammoth, Whistler, Copper, Straton, MCreek or any of their other resorts, if you want to slag Intrawest, then stay out of the park, off of the quad chairs, out of the pipe, restaurants and bars. Intrawest may not be the perfect company, but they (ok, WE) do one thing pretty well - infrastructure.

You ride Blue? Either stop riding the park or shut up and let these folks make a decision for themselves.
Sep 5 2003 3:31AM
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kristen
Posts: 1091 - Karma: 10
if you're here for a good time not a long time and you don't want to sign a lease at an expensive place, and you want to meet a ton of ppl... working for intrawest is fine. They hire a TON (4000 ppl) each season, it's easy to get a job.

Now darryl... if it wasn't for staff housing look at all the things you'de be missing out on!

However... Staff housing can kiss my ass. They STOLE my shit and admitted to it and refuse to give it back... and if you live in building 6 or one of the old buildings chances are that at least once in the time that you're there you'll have to switch rooms cause they're infested with BED BUGS... yuck,


A word of advise for anyone moving into Glacier staff housing... Ask when the last time that the room you are checking into was fumigated. (they do a bunch of them every year) and ask when the last time that the ppl in the room were switched out of there cause of bedbugs. if they're nice they'll tell you.

On soulage une journèe sans argent avec une biere mais on ne peut soulager une journèe sans biere avec de l'argent!
Sep 10 2003 8:55AM
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Lebbo
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 6
How do you actually apply for the jobs at Whistler? I went to their website and all the jobs listed are like specific management or supervisor roles, had to do a general application but apparently that doesn't actually mean you have applied, you are just in their database? So how do you actually apply for the jobs in retail, lifty, food & beverage etc? I know they have a recruiting fair in early Nov but thats kind of hard to make since my Uni exams area at the same time...
Sep 19 2003 11:01AM
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Hef
Posts: 852 - Karma: 12
Anyone changed opinions in the last year. I am hitting up whistler for the 2004 season working as a ski instructor and live in staff housing... It seems to be the only affordable way I can do it.

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Pain heals...Chicks dig scars...Glory lasts forever
May 14 2004 7:55AM
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Lebbo
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 6
Hey Hef well since my last post for this thread I have been and gone to Whistelr, awesome time, so if you wnat any info just hit me with a msg. Being an instructor isn't the only way to go, Whistler has so many different opportunities, don't go in with a narrow mind. Most important thing is getting accom, jobs are easy, accom is a little harder.

Mark: 'Timo how do you sleep in Finland when it's light all day long?'
Timo (Fireside Lodge pimp) 'You just close your eyes'

Member# 101
May 15 2004 10:32AM
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johnnypsunami
Posts: 5024 - Karma: 221
mullet_skum this is for u









Drop Cliffs not Bombs
Jun 2 2004 11:44PM
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vantownloc
Posts: 2279 - Karma: 12
i think you have to be aussie to get a job at intrawest.

btw: the girl with the dark curly hair in the whis roundhouse is a bitch. she can have her damn overpriced fish burger with 25 fries (yes, i counted) and shuv it right in her soon to be deported ass.
Jun 7 2004 11:58AM
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