Working a Winter Season at Big White Ski Resort: The Official Guide
This blog has been updated as of October 21, 2020.
WANT TO WORK FOR BIG WHITE? CHECK OUT OUR EMPLOYMENT CENTRE, HERE.
By: Yvette Morrissey (*Please note this blog has been updated by Big White staff with the most up-to-date information regarding employment at Big White)
Yvette Morrissey is a travel blogger at Wayfaring Kiwi (http://www.wayfaringkiwi.com). She moved from New Zealand to Canada to spend two winters living and working at Big White Ski Resort and spent a summer living in the Canadian Rockies.
As soon as my friend finished telling me the story of her time working a ski season at Big White Ski Resort, I knew I had to go there myself. In fact, I loved my first season so much I decided to go back for a second!
It can be daunting finding a job and accommodation at a Canadian ski resort, especially if you are applying from Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom. When I was applying, there was nothing written down to help me make the move – so I decided to write this comprehensive guide to help you get started!
Benefits of working for Big White Ski Resort
There are two ways of finding a job at Big White;
- Working for the mountain itself
- Working for an independent business (known as a Chamber of Commerce business)
Working for the mountain itself, for Big White Ski Resort Ltd., is more beneficial than working for a Chamber of Commerce business for a few reasons:
Free season pass.
Discounts on food.
Discounts on ski gear.
And more!
How to apply for a job at Big White Ski Resort
Finding a job on the mountain is easy provided you are organized. Some jobs need specific experience and qualifications such as jobs in ski school, ski patrol and certain food & beverage roles while other jobs like lift operator, central reservations, and ticket sales will give you training on the job.
Here are a few ways to find a job at Big White:
Pay a company to find you a job
This is what I did back in New Zealand because I was overwhelmed with the task of finding a job. There are employment agencies in different countries that can provide advice and assist in securing visas. These companies participate in job expos around the world, and fly their recruiters from each ski resort to one location for you to meet. The only downside is that this option is expensive.
Apply directly with Big White Ski Resort
You can apply for jobs directly with Big White Ski Resort on their website, via the Job Postings page. Getting a job with Big White through this channel is the best-case scenario. If you're lucky enough to land a job this way you've saved yourself money going through an agency, however, you may be required to meet for a face-to-face interview.
TIP: Ensure your resume is Canadian-style!
Finding Accommodation
Finding accommodation at Big White is the biggest obstacle you will encounter. It is not uncommon for staff to crash with friends until they can find somewhere to live. (Hey, you do what you can to live the ski bum lifestyle, right?)
Accommodation at Canadian ski resorts in winter is not cheap either – expect to pay anywhere between $550-$850CAD per month (and yes, this is for a shared room). It is common for travellers in Canada to share a room with at least one other person.
It is also expected you pay first and last months’ rent up front to secure your bed. Wi-Fi and electricity are typically included in your monthly rent. To learn about your rights as a tenant in British Columbia, Canada, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies
There are three ways of finding accommodation at Big White:
Staff Accommodation
Big White has recently added four new buildings to it staff accommodation that can house just under 200 staff. Various condos around the mountain are also part of the staff accommodation pool. The cost for the 2020-2021 season is $200/week for singles and $160/week per person for couples. Staff accommodation rent is deducted from your pay cheque.
You have to be working for a business owned by Big White Ski Resort Ltd. in order to qualify for staff accommodation. Getting staff accommodation can be competitive, so my tip is – if you’re getting desperate, talk to your manager as early as possible to secure a room.
Managers of different departments get allocated a certain number of spots, and they like to hold on to one or two in case their staff have issues with their accommodation. If you let your manager know you are desperate for somewhere to live, this may sway them to give you a spot.
Renting a House
In my opinion, living in a share house is one of the best options but the hardest to achieve because people start looking for accommodation as early as June for the upcoming winter season! You need to have money saved and you need to be organized to secure a shared house.
Rentals can cost anywhere from $575-850 per month for a shared room in a private house.
If you are heading to Big White solo, join the Official Big White Group on Facebook. People will post if they have a room to fill. This group is VERY competitive so just make sure you get in quick and have the money ready to transfer.
Living at the hostel
The Urban Retreat hostel is the only hostel at Big White and offers long-term accommodation. I lived at the Urban Retreat hostel for two months until my staff accommodation became available in January.
Living in the hostel suited me because I could pay once I arrived, and it was a cheaper than many rentals. The rooms at the hostel are exactly what you’d expect – they’re small and you will be sharing with at least three other travellers. If you like your personal space, I wouldn’t recommend this option.
On the plus side, living at the hostel was a great way to make new friends and there is always a party happening. If you are social, easy-going, and don’t mind small spaces, Urban Retreat is a good option.
I hope this guide has given you a good idea on how to find a job and set up your seasonal life at Big White Ski Resort. To read my complete three-part guide on working a ski season at Big White, visit Wayfaring Kiwi.