Working in a ski resort in Eastern / Central Canada?
Replies: 19 - Last Post: Oct 22, 2012 10:02 AM Last Post By: rideonwhistler
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Working in a ski resort in Eastern / Central Canada?
Hi everyone,Just looking for some advice / tips.
My boyfriend and I will be travelling to Canada next summer (Aug 2013) on a working holiday visa. We will be flying into Halifax and spending some time in the East until winter hits. Although neither of us are experienced skiers we have decided that we would like to work in a ski resort over winter.
Because we will be in the East (perhaps around Toronto area) we are reluctant to fly all the way over to the West to the more well known resorts such as Whistler, only to then have to travel back on ourselves in Spring to explore the areas inbetween that we missed. And we do not want to work in Quebec as we do not speak French.
Can anyone tell us if there are any good resorts in Ontario or Manitoba? Like I said, we are not experienced skiers, therefore the main things we are looking for are a resort big enough for us both to get work (bar, restaurant, reception, cashier etc), a good community feel where we can meet similar people, and somewhere with easily accessible accomodation.
I found Mount St Louis Moonstone in a google search and thought this looked pretty good, but when looking closer it seems they have no accomodation, so we would have to live quite far away??
Any tips / advice welcome, and if you think it would be better to just fly over to a big resort in BC then we would like your opinion on that too.
Thanks!
1
I cannot speak from experience as I have never been skiing in eastern canada but I know a lot of people who are from there! and have!I dont think the quality of snow or amount of vertical or skiable area are close to comparable.
I think you would get VERY bored doing a season somewhere like mt st louis.. I would highly recommend coming out to the west coast.
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As for Manitoba, you would have to go cross-country skiing, not alpine skiing - the vast majority of the province is dead flat!4
I would head west. The experience you get will be worth the time and money.Google Images Ontario and BC/Alberta skiing. The difference is night and day!
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Blue Mountain is the largest mountain in Ontario, I believe and probably the closest we have to a Whistler or Mt Tremblant, though it's probably not much more than a hill and a lodge.6
I don't think you can put Whistler and Blue in the same post. I'm sure there is a law about it somewhere! ; )7
Go to Whistler! It is worth any sort of inconvenience in travel, if you have a chance to live in Whistler for a winter, you should!9
I agree with people saying head West for more work opportunities.In Ontario, there are lots of smaller places but I recommend contacting Blue Mountain as it's got a very nice and active community (bars, restaurants, etc.) You might want to go and apply at places surrounding the community. Best of luck!
10
sheep....really? Whistler is amazing, the mountains, the surrounding mountains, the apres scene. That's too bad to you 8, that you would be so close minded and categorize a place in such a way because it is popular. Maybe it is so popular for a reason....because it is awesome.11
No, because its HUGE!.Ive skied almost every hill in the west, Whistler about 12 times, and Id personally choose Revy, Red Mountain, or Apex over it based on feel, snow, hill, and cost. Based only on cost, Id chose several other hills. Its a good hill to visit which I do all the time...but work and live...no thank you.
Dont call me close minded because of one comment, I know skiing in Canada and the US, and its my opinion. Many Ausies only know of 2 areas...Banff of Whistler lol., they dont even realize how "awesome" the other hills are, with possible chance of a better vibe...period. Ive worked 2 hills myself...but after saying all that, some people just like a big hill with fellow Ausie/Europeans...so go to Whistler...but Whistler does not need the promotions lol.
12
You should not give advice to people weather or not they should live and work in there when you have only been skiing up there 12 times. Going and skiing 12 times is a lot different than living there. There are lots of Canadians, Aussies, Kiwis, and Europeans living and working in Whistler, it makes for a great atmosphere.13
Thanks everyone for the advice. We have decided that the West is the way forward...we would be more inclined to go to a large resort (more jobs, good atmosphere etc). Now just working out which one - I am keen on Lake Louise, Sunshine, Blackcombe and Big White. Littlechilds, I think you are right that Calgary / Banff area will be a good stop-off from East to West.Keep up the suggestions if anyone has anymore!
Thanks.
14
You seem to be missing the point travelingdan.Ps, almost every resort has kiwis, Euros, and ausies....and I have MANY friends who have worked there, seeing I was in the industry for many years as a competitor and worker, trust me, I know.
jenny...just a heads up...Lake Louise is an awesome big hill....one of the best on a rare powder day...but its cold, and almost 2 hrs from Calgary...45 minutes from Banff, and the town itself is a bit sleepy. Sunshine is 15 min away from banff, Norquay 5 minutes. Banff is a good town for that "atmosphere" everyone looks for. Seeing your beginner skiers, consider the Okanagan as well (6-7.5 hr drive from Calgary...1 hr flight to Kelowna from Calgary)...weather is warm, and the 4 hills available all have their own little quirks. Big White is the biggest, Apex is one of the hills I worked at....good little community with that chalet feel....I really enjoyed it!
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