Whistler Kids
If you are a confident skier and love kids, this is the place for you.
We work with the Whistler Blackcomb Ski School and are looking for people that can work as a Den Master in the resort crèche. Once you have got enough skiing experience under your belt and taken your Level One Ski Instructor Qualification (cost approx £250 in 2009/10) you will be able to take the kids out onto the slopes for lessons.
The pay averages around C$9 (approx £4.50) per hour, before tips, for 30-40 hours a week. Hours vary with season, snow conditions and guest numbers; normally you get two days off to ski. You are paid enough to cover your accommodation, food and fun - a great place to socialise, ski, though possibly not to save much money!
In order to be eligible for the Work Permit that we provide you must be aged between 18 and 30 and be confident of obtaining an unconditional UCAS place on a degree course following your results in August. The course must start at the end of your Gap Year. Graduates of fulltime degree course from a UK University are eligible if the placement takes place within a year of graduation. These are the requirements of the Canadian Immigration Department.
What will I do in Whistler?
Expect to be indoors and out at Whistler Kids crèche, which welcomes children from 3 to 11. You will spend some time on the baby slopes, where you may get a chance to teach. You will need some childcare experience and a good rapport with children. Unfortunately, we do look for more experience than just babysitting.
During the season, most people achieve their Level One Instructor Qualification. This opens up so many more doors for you and you can take more experienced children further up the mountain for lessons. You will live in apartment-style accommodation, usually near the lifts. Read our blog for accounts written by oyster participants. Check out our 'more information page' for further details.
Food and Beverage Jobs
For people that do not have enough childcare or skiing experience, we also have a limited number of bar and restaurant jobs available for this winter season. You will work full time in this busy resort. Depending on your previous work experience will depend on the exact role you will have. Most of the restaurants and bars work on a rotation system so one day you may be washing dishes and the next you may be a cashier serving customers. Read our blog for accounts written by oyster participants. Check out our 'more information page' for further details.
Getting there
We will see your group off at Heathrow Airport. On arrival, Tory will pick you up at Vancouver Airport. We put you up in a hostel in Whistler for your first night so that you can get over your flight. The next day, Tory shows you where you can register for your Social Insurance Number before driving you up the Sea to Skyway (Highway 99) to Whistler and settling you into your accommodation.
Representative
Whistler
Tory
Dual-national Tory (she is British and Canadian) took her gap year in Tremblant, went back to the UK to complete her degree and returned to Whistler to become a ski instructor. She is married to Mike, one of Whistler’s most respected ski instructors, and she now works as a sales manager at a local hotel. She has been our representative since 2004 and knows what she’s talking about, having done it herself!
We’re right behind you
On arrival, Tory will arrange a short orientation course and be in close contact with you over the first couple of days. As time goes on, Tory will take more a back seat and be there as a helpful friend should you need any help or advice. Once a month Tory hosts a meet up with the Oyster group where we provide a few drinks and snacks and the chance for you to talk through any issues you might have. Tory is a local expert on where to go and what to see in the area.
Our representatives are there to be a helpful friend to you and steer you through difficulties of any kind. Tory will keep us updated on your health and welfare throughout.
Accommodation
Your accommodation comes with your job and is located on Blackcomb Mountain very close to the lifts. The accommodation is made up of self contained flats, each having 2 bedrooms, a lounge, bathroom and small kitchen. Each caters for 4 people so you should expect to share a room. The Oyster group is usually put in the same building. You will usually get a meal on the days that you are working, however for the rest of the time you will be self catering and you should ensure you can cook a few easy dishes before you depart!
The cost of the accommodation equates to approximately one hours pay per night.
Cost and what is provided
A five month placement in Whistler costs £2125 excluding flights. The winter season generally lasts around 5 months (no guarantee on when the snow goes!). We always try to book a flexible return date (changeable for a fee) for those people that want to extend beyond five months to travel.
What is Provided?
- One-to-one interview and informal briefing
- UK briefing day covering childcare issues and work advice
- Help and advice from our UK office before departure and whilst in Canada
- High Commission Work Permit fee (C$150). Participants need to get a flexible work permit which does cost extra. Please contact Jon for more information
- A suitable job, liaising with employers and obtaining job offer letters etc. Please be aware some employers like to conduct their own interview on the phone
- Optional flight with flexible return date (modest fee levied by airline for date changes). Total cost including flight £2725
- ATOL Protection (as long as we book your flights)
- Arrangement of transportation to your accommodation from the airport and local information
- Assistance and support from our representative whilst on your placement including regular social 'meet ups'
- Wages (approx. £120 per week, before tips)
- Season Ski Pass is included with the job
- Excludes staff accommodation (approx. £25 per week)
What do I need?
- A full UK or Irish passport valid at least 6 months beyond your stay in Canada
- After results in August we need a copy of the letter from UCAS offering an unconditional degree course place or, for graduates, your degree certificate
- Insurance (covering winter sports and any planned independent travel
- Cost of changing your return flight date if you need to (approx £50)
- Independent travel costs or cost of journey to airport at the end of your placement
- All UK travel costs (to the interview, briefing day and airport)
- Accommodation and food costs, approximately C$12 (£5.50) per day. Accommadation cost is taken directly from your pay cheque
- Police Check for Immigration Purposes (approx. £35)
- Flexible Work Permit (approx. £200)
And one more thing...
You must be aged between 18 and 30 and be confident of obtaining an unconditional UCAS place on a degree course following your results in August. The course must start at the end of your Gap Year. Graduates of UCAS courses are eligible if the placement takes place within a year of graduation. These are the requirements of the Canadian Immigration Department.
Stir crazy? The highway gets you down to Vancouver in two hours, and there's a gorgeous train ride on the Whistler Mountaineer (three hours).
