Whistler, Canada

[ywouldi]

Nearly finished Uni and the current plan is to work from may/june till around december and then ship out somewhere for a ski season working in bars in the evening and skiing during the day. Anyone know what Whistler is like, specifically in terms of casual work. I understand it is pretty much the best place for skiing in Canada so am also worried about the availability of cheap accomodation, (i.e. This summer in Greece I got a place for 50 Euros a week and it was a nice place for a month or two).

General comments about the area would be great!

Ben

[ywouldi]

no one?

[mrs vodkakid]

Went to Vancouver last October and spent a few days in Whistler, when there was not much snow (booo!). Beautiful place, stunning views and v. friendly people.

The resort was being completely modernised, with loads of new facilities, shops, hotels, restaurants etc. (I'm thinking they will always need workers!)

Not sure about the accommodation though - everywhere we looked at was mega-expensive.

Maybe this will help, depending on what you're looking for

[quote]www.realgap.co.uk/[/quote]

[StuB]

The place is full of Aussie's, so it's got to be good. Don't know where they all lived though, probably in the stock rooms, judging by the state of them.

Locals seemed friendly and there's some fantastic terrain, summer or winter.

Good luck

[scoobz]

whistler is awesome, i'm 3 hours drive away and go as often as I can.

Accomodation isn't that bad compared to other places.

Plotloss is your man when it comes to bars and the like.

[andy_b]

I live in Vancouver, having moved from the UK last March.

Whistler is a great place. However, its also really expensive, even by UK standards. The biggest prolem you will face is loads of Aussies and Canadaians also join the Brits at Whistler looking for work. I don't know personally, but I doubt there is much affordable accomodation in Whistler. A snowmobile guide the other week (cool eh!) let on that she shared a place with four others in Pemberton, North of Whistler. Whistler is VERY EXPENSIVE

I would recommend looking at Kelowna, which is suppose to be as good, not as commercial and much cheaper. Thats 5-6hrs east of Vancouver.

Another alternative would be come to Vancouver. There are three mountains North of the City (all reachable by transit)Grouse is the tourist trap, Cypress is very good (and olympic venue in 2010 and Seymour is the bare basics. No accomodation at either venue as Vancouver is at the bottom! Cypress had more snow than Whistler prior to the middle of January this year. (04/05 was very mild and there wasn't much snow anywhere- this year much better although the Vancouver mountains are VERY icy at present)

Vancouver is a great place as is Whistler. Good service and friendlyness go with being in Canada and they dont call BC the best place on earth for nothing. Vancouver (I can't speak for anywhere else) can be a tough place to get work if your not Canadian, there is a bit of prejudice around I'm afraid.

btw - if your into snowboarding, then Blackcombe (which is next to Whistler) is better.

Any q's fire away, but save, save save if your Whistler bound!

[andy_b]

Mount Baker, south of the Border in Washington might also be worth consideration, and acomodation is cheaper. Its actually about the same distance from Vancouver as Whistler is...providing Mr Bush's employees aren't holding up all the Canadians driving over for cheap goos.

[ywouldi]

andy_b said:

I live in Vancouver, having moved from the UK last March. Whistler is a great place. However, its also really expensive, even by UK standards. The........ .......btw - if your into snowboarding, then Blackcombe (which is next to Whistler) is better. Any q's fire away, but save, save save if your Whistler bound!

Basically you've just summed up what I'm worried about, think I will have to look into somewhere else then. Canada was chosen by me and a mate as (I think) it's easier to stay longer than the US and we could still pop in to the US for a few trips occasionally. I'll have to do some more research.

Thanks!

Ben

[SlidingSideways]

Most people I know who've looked at Whistler were put off by tales of high prices and tales of big lift queues (the place gets very busy apparently).
Every one of them ended up going to Fernie instead and raved about the place.
I've never been though, so can't really comment.

[andy_b]

ywouldi said:

andy_b said: I live in Vancouver, having moved from the UK last March. Whistler is a great place. However, its also really expensive, even by UK standards. The........ .......btw - if your into snowboarding, then Blackcombe (which is next to Whistler) is better. Any q's fire away, but save, save save if your Whistler bound! Basically you've just summed up what I'm worried about, think I will have to look into somewhere else then. Canada was chosen by me and a mate as (I think) it's easier to stay longer than the US and we could still pop in to the US for a few trips occasionally. I'll have to do some more research. Thanks! Ben

yeah, fairly easy to pop across the border. a 90 day visa reqd for me (on a CDN Work Visa) which is easy if you can ignore the arrogant pricks that are the US customs

Speaking to a few people at work, they seem to think Kelowna (Big White I think) is very good.

>> Edited by andy_b on Wednesday 22 February 19:10