Whistler Travel Forum

Hello, hope this isnt too longwinded...I am thinking about moving to Whistler, at least trying it out starting from Winter 06, is it very easy to find a job and place to live. A bit scared about making such a huge move (from Barbados) so wondering whether it is easy to get there, work, live and have some fun in the process?!?
Would love something fun and outdoorsy to do and to meet some new friends, any suggestions of hints for relocation would be great. Thanks so much

The rising Canadian dollar has caused a bit of a slump at whistler and that likely will continue this winter. Hiring was down last winter. There are jobs, it just depends on what you're looking for. Where to live is the more difficult issue. It's expensive, unless you like sleeping on a foamy in someones walk in closet for $400 a month.

It's extremely expensive to live there. And generally wages are low. If you work for either mountain you may get meager employee accomodations.Also the valley can be socked in with lousey weather for weeks. So unless you have a lot of experience in the ski biz you may end up flippin burgers. And in my opinion unless you are up top in the alpine everyday forget about it.

Last week on the Vancouver news they had a segment about Whistler employment saying that Whistler is in desperate need of workers and that there are only going to be more and more jobs available. Because there is a shortage of workers they said that Whistler companies are now offering benefits and even signing bonuses something that was previously unheard of. I would contact the Whistler Chamber of Commerce if you would like more information about this story and any other employment info. The story also explained that the shortage of workers is in part due to the high cost of living. If you don't mind rooming with a few others and just want to have a fun outdoor adventure job then I think you would really enjoy yourself. Whistler/Blackcomb actually has special housing for their employees. All the best...

Get real the wages suck as do the " benefits" as does the price of accomodations. Unless you've got a very good marketable skill you'll live in poverty.
I helped build those facilities years ago and worked for both Mountains as an electrician, a groomer, a ski instuctor etc. This place sucks. There's way way better alternatives to Whistler.

Well as you said that was years ago and I am going by a news report and my visit to Whistler which was now only three weeks ago.

If you like to ski(or snowboard) or like the outdoors in summer, or if you like night-life, or if you just want to have a good time you should go to Whistler(You may never leave!), I don't know if you will be legally allowed to work in Canada, if you can't you may have problems with immigration. You can probably get under the table work, Accomm is cheaper in summer than winter, if you get there in the middle of summer you can most likely line up a job and accomm for winter. If you arrive at the beginning or any time during winter you may find it hard to find a place to stay.
I lived there for 3 years in the late 80s and only left because I had to(immigration laws).