Want an office with epic mountain views and lunch breaks with runs down the slopes? Dream of picture-perfect powder days in the alpine with no one else in sight?
Sounds like you should do a ski season in Canada! I originally came to Canada to work one ski season in British Columbia and ended up working a total of three (and eventually became a Canadian citizen!)
If you also want to do something similar, read on for essential tips and advice to get your own ski season happening ASAP!
How to apply for a working holiday in Canada
The International Experience Canada (IEC) program enables young citizens of over 30 countries (usually 18-30 but 18-35 in some cases) to travel and work in Canada.
- The IEC working holiday program offers an open work permit that allows the holder to work anywhere in Canada
- The length of the work permit depends on each country’s reciprocal agreement with Canada. For the UK, Australia and Ireland it is 24 months maximum
- Applications for the IEC are online and candidate selection is random
- The application season usually run from October to September every year. This means that anyone wanting to work a ski season in Canada must think ahead and apply for the program at least a few months before season start
- Citizens of countries with programs that have high demand and a low quota of places (such as the UK), need to apply even further in advance. Even then, it may not be able to secure a place. Plan early! Once approved, you have 12 months to actually activate the work permit.
Choosing a mountain: all about Canadian ski resorts
With Canada being such a huge country, there is a correspondingly huge choice when considering where to work at a ski resort.
Most working holiday makers head straight to Banff or Whistler, but there are a number of other great (and totally underrated!) options for a ski season in Canada.
There are affiliate links in this article, which means if you make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small percentage at no extra cost to you.
Ski resorts in Eastern Canada
Found at lower elevations than their western cousins, ski resorts in Eastern Canada still pack a punch. Though typically smaller in size, Eastern resorts are still incredibly popular and draw thousands of visitors every winter.
Snow is usually good quality, however, it can be thin on the ground some years.
Ski season dates: December – April
Example resorts (largest first): Mount Tremblant, Blue Mountain, Le Massif, Marble Mountain
Rocky Mountain ski resorts
If you don’t like to be limited to just one ski resort, head to the town of Banff in Alberta. There are three resorts in the local vicinity – it would be difficult to get bored here! Snow is less abundant than further west but the powder is wonderfully dry.
The downside is extremely cold winter temperatures; be sure to pack your layers. Note that the minimum wage is higher in Alberta than BC and taxes also lower.
Ski season dates: November – May
Example resorts (largest first): Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, Marmot Basin, Mt Norquay
Interior British Columbia ski resorts
Light, champagne powder is the hallmark of this region. Temperatures are cold, but not usually extreme. Resorts range from huge, super family-friendly resorts like Big White to tiny two lift operations like Mt Baldy.
In between these are a dozen characterful, quiet and challenging mid-sized resorts such as Whitewater, Red Mountain and Revelstoke.
Ski season dates: Late November/early December – April
Example resorts (largest first): Sun Peaks, Big White, Silver Star, Revelstoke, Kicking Horse, Panorama, Apex, Hudson Bay Mountain
Coastal British Columbia ski resorts
The West Coast resorts are home to powder. Lots and lots of it. It’s not the crisp, dry stuff seen further east but when it’s this much, who cares? Whistler Blackcomb is the granddaddy of all Canadian resorts and provides what some would call the ultimate ski season experience.
Grouse, Seymour and Cypress offer a part-time ski resort experience for those who don’t want to travel too far from city comforts.
Ski season dates: Late November/early December – April
Example resorts (largest first): Whistler Blackcomb, Mount Washington, Grouse, Seymour, Cypress
Types of work at Canadian ski resorts
There is a huge range of winter ski season jobs available. Most IEC participants at Canadian ski resorts work unskilled (i.e. no professional qualifications needed) jobs. These tend to be minimum wage so don’t expect to be making a fortune while working at a ski resort in Canada!
Some examples of unskilled ski resort jobs include:
- Ski lift operator (or ‘liftie’)
- Retail shop cashier
- Ticketing and guest services clerk
- Server (note: required by law to pass a liquor-serving qualification)
- Bartender (note: required by law to pass a liquor-serving qualification)
- Housekeeper
- Hotel front desk clerk
- Restaurant busser
Canadian ski resort job benefits
Though ski resort work may not earn you a fortune, there are some other benefits.
Most resorts will offer a free season lift pass plus free (or discounted) rental equipment and group skiing and snowboarding lessons. A discount for purchases at resort restaurants and stores is often included too.
Having a staff season pass usually entitles the holder to reciprocal tickets at other Canadian ski resorts. This may mean completely free access to another resort’s slopes for a day or two, or potentially even unlimited access.
Applying online
Most resorts start advertising positions online in July and August. Some resorts will be happy to conduct Skype interviews with those not already in Canada. Others will only pursue applications from people obviously already in Canada.
With hundreds of applications, it is understandable that some employers are wary to make job offers in advance to people who do not have a physical work permit yet (since it is issued on arrival) or may cancel their trip last minute. Be prepared to look for work in person – going to ski resort job fairs is the easiest way to do this.
Job fairs
Most Canadian ski resorts hold job fairs in October and November. These are usually held at the resort and are an opportunity to meet with hiring managers from multiple departments in the same location.
Job offers are often given on the spot or the same day for larger departments such as lift operations. At the resort I used to work at, a large percentage (over 50%) of new staff were hired at the annual job fair.
Applying in person
As the season draws closer, applying for ski resort jobs in person is essential. Most resort jobs will be filled a week or so prior to opening day. There are however always staff members that don’t work out (or don’t even turn up for their first day!) so be sure not to give up.
The period after Christmas is something of an ‘unofficial’ second hiring season as there is a high dropout rate after the holidays are over.
How to find accommodation at a Canadian ski resort
It is often said that finding accommodation at a ski resort is often harder than getting a job. In my experience, this does indeed seem to be true.
Ski resort accommodation
The larger resorts have a limited amount of staff housing. This is usually located on-hill and is priced at $400-700 per person. With a small amount of staff accommodation available, it can be pretty competitive to get a spot.
The downside of staff housing can be the issue of isolation at some resorts. At Sunshine Village for example, staff housing is only accessible via a gondola. After the gondola stops in the evening, staff are unable to leave the mountain except in emergencies.
Private accommodation in a ski resort town
If staff housing isn’t appealing or possible, private accommodation is the other option. This can range from accommodation provided by a non-resort employer (this is more common in Whistler and Banff), shared housing or a private apartment/house rented from a private landlord.
It is also possible to rent from companies that specifically offer ski season accommodation for working holiday makers.
What is important for accommodation is to search early. Demand is so high in Whistler that it can be hugely beneficial to arrive in September, organise accommodation at that time and then wait it out until the season starts.
Here are some useful resources for finding accommodation for your ski season in Canada.
Crag and Canyon Classifieds (Banff)
PadMapper (Multiple locations)
Best Ski Season Insurance for Canada
There is no doubt about it if you’re doing a ski season in Canada, you absolutely need to buy travel insurance with winter sports coverage.
For one thing, insurance coverage for the length of your intended trip is a requirement of the IEC working holiday program.
Simply put, if you don’t buy insurance, you may not receive your work permit to work a ski season in Canada.
Secondly, medical care in Canada is very, very expensive for visitors. A visit to the emergency room, for example, can start around $750 without any tests or scans included.
Even calling an ambulance in British Columbia has a flat $80 fee. A broken leg may cut your ski season short, but breaking it without insurance may well ruin your entire Canadian experience (or worse).
Apply for Working Holiday visa for Canada.