Before you get to Whistler

Planning:

Doing a season abroad anywhere in the world is a great life adventure, you meet great people and you can learn a lot about the places you visit.  You may have experienced a season or a few weeks in a resort somewhere before such as Europe, however doing a season in North America has certain extra steps needed to make it a successful trip; extra steps mean extra planning.  
It is recommended to actually start arranging your season 6-12 months in advance, that gives plenty of time to get things sorted, researched and money in the bank.  

To work or not to work?

There are mainly two ways to do a season in Whistler, the first is to make the most of the mountain by not working, you get to ski,board,bike everyday and live off your savings.  A lot of people choose to do it this way, especially if you are on a sabbatical from your career.  You can stay in Canada for 6 months on a visitor visa, which you can also extend on request. 
The second way to do a season is by working a part time job, and ski,board,bike on your days off.  There are several advantages to working during your season.  By working you are exposed to more people, you get to work with some great locals and visitors from around the world; you also don't have to rely on savings as much, you can easily make enough money to live off for the most part during your season by working a part time job.  Its also good for your CV.  
To work in Canada you are required to have a work visa. 

Visa:

If you are a UK citizen you can acquire a working visa through a non-profit organization called BUNAC.  This is currently the only way to get a full open work authorization visa.  By open, this means you can work for any regular employer (not healthcare, govt positions etc...). 
By using BUNAC you get support, advice, invites to social events, discounts for flights and insurance.
Check out www.bunac.org/uk/workcanada/ for more information.
There are two types of visa, Student Open Work Authorisation Visa – Current full-time degree level student at a UK university OR those holding an unconditional offer for the following year OR have graduated in the previous year.  The other type is Non-student Open Work Authorization Visa. You may participate repeatedly on the student programme for as long as you are eligible, you can only participate on the non-student programme once.

Visa cost is £90

Once your open work authorization has expired you can apply for a visitor visa at the Canada/USA border, the closet being Peace Arch just south of White Rock, about 3 hours drive from Whistler.  This is known as flagpoling, as you briefly enter the USA and return back to Canada as a Canadian Visitor.  With a visitor visa you can stay a further 6-12 months, however you may be required to prove that you are in fact a visitor and that you will not work and intend to return to your home country once the visa has expired. 

For Australian citizens there are a few more options available, one of which is the international exchange program http://www.iep.org.au, Canada have a visa exchange program with Australia and therefore an Australian citizen can apply directly to the Canadian High Commission. 

Budgeting:

Prices are Canadian and estimates, which may vary depending on your country.

This is a difficult one to judge,  and depends on your lifestyle, whether you mind sharing housing, whether your working and how much you socialize.  
Accommodation prices fluctuate between summer and winter, you can find a nice 1 bedroom condo for less than $800 a month in the summer, the same condo in the winter could cost you $1500 a month.   You should expect to pay around $600 a month if your sharing a house, or as much as $1300 for a 1 bedroom condo.  These prices are based on a 6-12 month lease.  Property owners are flexible when it comes to long term stays, so its worth asking for a good rate.
There are companies or agents that will lease properties out with leases catered to seasonaires.
If you plan to work you will require at least $2000 backup savings, this is because you may need to arrive early to secure jobs and accommodation, however you may find your job will not start until the season starts and the mountain opens.
A season pass will cost around $1500 at early bird rates, a bit less if you are working for an employee that is part of the Spirit Program.  
Insurance is highly recommend, this can cost around $100 for a travellers insurance pack from your home country.

Accommodation:

Accommodation can be difficult to find during the winter in Whistler.  There are limited properties available that are catered to seasonal and long term guests.  A wise person will look early, contact landlords and negotiate an agreeable rate.  You should not have to pay strata fees, hotel taxes during your stay, however you may be responsible for your utilities such as gas, water, electricity, phone, internet.  Be wary of illegitimate people who ask for all the rent in advance, this is illegal, landlords can only ask for 1/2 a months rent as a security deposit and must be held in a separate bank account.  The deposit should be returned plus interest. 

More information on BC rental laws can be found here http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca/ 

Most property owners list their available properties in the local news paper Pique News, online at VRBO, and can be found here on Whistler24.com's classifieds.

Another option is to use an agent, two of the largest here are SeasonIT and Seasonaires.  These companies take the leg work out of finding a property, they will list their available properties which they manage, prices and lease terms.  You are required to pay some or all of the terms rent in advance but its a great hassle free way to get accommodation and meet great people.  They both host welcome nights, regular guest nights and offer discounts at local businesses.

If you work for Whistler Blackcomb, there are staff housing options available.

If you are planning to attend a camp to have professional coaching during your season you may find your coaching company offers accommodation.  Pro-ride are one of the most established in Whistler

Timing:

Timing is something to consider.   A good time to get to Whistler for the winter season is between late September and mid November.  Getting here early means you get more choice of accommodation and jobs, but it could mean that you may not actually start your job until it is demanded, which is usually when the season gets started.   Getting here late means you could struggle to find work, and especially accommodation.

Spending:

With so many great bars and restaurants in Whistler it is too easy to eat out often and apre every day after a good day riding.  While there are certain events you should not miss, you should plan wisely and shop carefully.  That being said you're here to have fun and live life, so if you can budget for it go for it, apre is our favourite time of day. 

Jobs:

There are mainly two options for work, you can work for Whistler Blackcomb, who offer a range of jobs from tube park host, guest relations, lifties, which have great perks. 

The other option is to work for a business in the village, which mainly consists of food & beverage or retail.  Both of which offer perks such as product discounts, discount food & drink, and a good opportunity to make some decent money.  Whistler Blackcomb also own a few retail and food & beverage spots in the village.

It is best to apply for jobs in person, and follow up with a visit or phone call.  Be polite, show your character and don't take rejections personally. 
Employers get hundreds of CV's each day building up to the season, you have to show the potential employer why they should hire you over them.   

Cell Phones:

Cell phone can be purchased on a pay as you go method or on a long term contract.  If you have a Canadian credit card or drivers license you are eligible for a contract.  Otherwise pay as you go is the popular yet more expensive choice. 
The main players are Rogers/Fido (GSM), Telus/Bell (CDMA/GSM) and Kudo/Telus(CDMA).  A CDMA handset may be cheaper but it is worth checking that the company you choose you use as your service provider offer service in the area that you are staying.   You may find cell phone pricing to more expensive than back home as you pay for text messages, long distance calls (which can be outside of your calling area i.e whistler to vancouver) and incoming calls.

This guide is intended to give you a start with the basics of doing a season, it looks a lot, but trust me, it is well worth it.  While it is not an exhaustive list you will find you own methods of finding things out and have fun doing so.

When you get to Whistler

• Take a laptop, internet cafes are hell expensive, and the library is like Fort Knox to get into. 

• Buy “Whistler and Blackcomb Advanced/Expert Guide book” small palm sized book by Quickdraw publications, available in most outdoor shops and the grocery store.  Incredibly useful for those secret runs and lots of advise about where to go.

• Before you go up check the webcams, weather report and call snowphone 604.932.4211 weather could be totally different on the mountain. It could be raining in the village and bluebird above the clouds.

• If its cloudy don’t let it put you off, just head for the trees. Trees are infact magic and disperse the cloud, plus you are not travelling as fast. Many people miss out on pow turns because of overcast days.  Much fun to be had in the trees, but take the time to learn the trees and be cautious in early season.

• If the village gondola queue is big, upload on Fitz and Garbanzo chair,  to miss all the tourist queues. 

• On a big pow day there is nothing wrong with waiting at Peak chair for 2 hours, to be on the first few chairs up. It could well be the best run of your season. 

• From personal experience only ride Lower Peak to Creek if it is a pow day or has been recently groomed. 5km is one hell of a long mogul run, and you will be crying at the bottom.

• Tie a whistle onto your jacket, and ride the trees with others, tree wells can be deep and near impossible to get out of. 

• Wax your board often, every few hardcore days riding, or about every week as a rule. It makes such a difference and takes care of your base. 

• Carry ID and insurance papers at all times on the mountain. 

• Ride a good bit with people better than you, it improves your riding immensely. Get out of your comfort zone be it on the steepest thing you have done, fastest speed, or biggest kicker. 

• Slap hands and say hi to everyone you meet, its all about knowing. Get to know bartenders and bouncers, you can get all kinds of privileges from no queue, no cover charge, to free drinks. Make sure you tip!! At least 15% on drinks and a bit more for food if the service was good. If you don’t tip you wont get anywhere, bartenders might even ignore you and serve everyone else first.  Employees in the service industry don't get paid a great deal, they do an excellent job so its good to reward them.

• Don’t forget the tax on all goods. Its about 15% you need to add on to everything you buy, ie something in the shop marked at $5 will actually be nearly $5.75 when you get to the till. Only the liquor stores have the tax included in the price.



Places you must go – Food and Drink 



• Wildwood for breakfast, before riding or after a night out. The classic breakfast is awesome, but for the more hungry try the Olympic with banana bread French toast.  Found at the racket club at the far end of the village. Price: $9 classic and coffee ($11 Olympic + coffee) and also in Function Junction on Millar Creek road.

• Splitz Grill, best burgers ever! You pick what goes in like Subway. Order a Splitz combo 1 first, burger fries and drink. Try some splitz sauce. Found on Main street opposite 7/11. Price: $10 Combo 1 with cheese 

• Merlins at Blackcomb base just for their nachos. Bring about 6 people to help eat them all as the portion is huge. Price: $17 for a small mountain of nachos, $12 jugs. 

• 21 Steps – in the Attic, up the 21 steps to the restaurant then up the next flight to a chilled out lounge. Local hangout and cool for a couple drinks and awesome food. Located on the village stroll. Price: $5.50 pint, 3 appies for $25

• Cinnamon Bear – found downstairs in the Hilton. Actually a super chilled out bar with a good few Yo-boys and then poshies from the hotel. Also has a kick ass entertainment system, games, pool and TVs and free nibbles. Price: $6 beer 

• Brandys - Go for a Beef dip (big garlic baguette with shaved prime rib steak sautéed mushrooms and onions and swiss cheese with a dipping au jus) and ice cold pint of Keiths (don’t order Canadian) Awesome deal. Some of the coldest beer in town. Price: $12 Beef dip and beer, $4.50 pints 

• Garfs to dance the night away, and drink jager till you cant remember. 

• Fat Tonys pizza – the perfect 2am food, great pizza by the slice, try the beef and blue cheese. Located next to Buffalo Bills. Price: $3.25 a slice 

• Cittas patio (pronounced chee-tas) Best people watching and drinking spot full stop. Local hangout. You cant miss it. Price: $6 pint

• Moguls café – great smoothies for when the alcohol starts getting all too much. Kick ass breakfast bagels and wraps. Good to sit outside and watch the world go by. Found opposite Cittas. Price: $5 smoothie, $4.50 bagels

• Dups Burritos – great burritos and tacos sit in or to go. Price: $8.75 beef burrito

• Dubh Linn Gate – The Irish bar in town, it has a good amount of live music and a great selection of beers. Can be a bit expensive. $9.25 Guinness

• GLC (Garibaldi Lift Company) – Tied with Dustys for the best après spot. Great place to slam a couple beers and some food after an epic pow day.  Always a great night when the Hairfarmers play the Fire & Ice shows.

• Dustys – The Creekside après spot, again good beer and food, try the pulled pork sandwich and the but rub mayo.




Places you must go – On the Mountain 

• Flute bowl – Absolute must. Any pow day get some awesome well earned turns in a quiet area. Can hold powder patches for 3 or so days after a big dump. 

• Spankys ladder – Again another pow day must, climb the bottle neck of the ladder (steps in the snow and rock, don’t fall or drop your board) to be rewarded with several massive bowls of perfect riding. Double black is the easiest way down from the ladder. 

• Couloir – On Whistler mountain, a classic couloir, get it on a pow day and its epic. Daunting to look at but not too bad to ride, good initiation into double blacks. 

• 7th Heaven – Perfect open glades, gentle slopes and such a wide area fresh tracks can be found everywhere. Nice intro to tree riding on the lower half, not too dense. Awesome riding 

• Peak to Creek – get this when it has been freshly groom and it is the most awesome fun long run, 7km of pure ripping straight from Whistler Peak right down to the pub in Creekside in one run. Try to beat the 5minute mark.

• Straightline the Saddle – no fresh snow? Time to mess about, a straightline race down the Saddle is called for. Get to the top of the Saddle, find a clear line straight down, point and shoot. No turning or speed checking until you reach Peak chair. Guaranteed to make your eyes water. 

• The parks – Start of small and get bigger. Generally the bigger the park the better it is kept and often ridden less. Just don’t be an idiot in the park, have some sense, don’t cut people up, stop beneath an obstacle etc 

• Backcountry – the proper stuff, fully out of bounds in the middle of nowhere. Make sure you are going with someone who knows the area, best bet is to go on the Avalanche Awareness Course. Teaches you a lot about snowpack, avalanches, and general safety in the mountains. You will learn how to use transceivers and probes etc, do some snowshoe hiking and ride some perfect untouched terrain. 

• Harmony – everything from easy cruising to sick ridges, just a massive play area. 

• Trees – on a cloudy day head for the trees, also intense on a pow day or just for a bit of fun. Look in the W/B guide for some runs or just make them up yourself, find a hole in the trees and dive in (make sure you know where it comes out and you’re not heading to oblivion) 

• Chic Pea on Whistler mountain. Kick ass pizza in a funky cabin. Escapes the crowds of the big Roundhouse lodge

• Million Dollar Ridge – an out of bounds run on Whistler which has some awesome tree riding with some drops and cool hits.

Article Credits to Johnny Belfast.