Replying to Questions about moving to Whistler

So I am thinking of heading west (from the East Coast, USA) at the end of next summer, and I have been seriously looking at possibly Whistler as a destination. Can anyone give me any advice?

I was wondering if Canada's health care system applies to non-citizens, and I was told by a friend who lived/worked in Ottawa that if you spend six months in Canada you are granted rights of a citizen, anyone know if this is correct?

And has anyone had to go through the working visa process? I know Whistler does not help with obtaining visa's, but what is the best way to get one?

Any info you guys can give me would be a huge help.