Work with kids in world renowned Whistler
If you are a confident skier and love kids, this is the place for you. There are also jobs available for less confident skiers. See below for details.
We work with the Whistler Blackcomb Ski School and are looking for people that can work on the nursery slopes teaching the skiing basics. Once you have got enough skiing experience under your belt and taken your Level One Ski Instructor Qualification (cost approx £250 in 2010/11) you will be able to take the kids out onto the slopes for lessons.
The pay averages around C$9 (approx £5.50) 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 recommend you must be aged between 18 and 30; be a fulltime UK or Irish citizen; hold a British or Irish passport and be able to demonstrate that you can cover your expenses in Canada for the first three months ($1000 per month). These are the requirements of the Canadian Immigration Department.
WHISTLER WORKERS REVIEWS- click here
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.
What experience do I need?
As mentioned above, you need to be someone that has a good rapport with children and, ideally, experience with children in a variety of situations. We are looking for people that have experience with children aged 3-11. Having babysat for siblings/cousins/friends is not enough.
Some examples of the childcare experience that our participants come to us with include:
- Volunteering at your local Beavers or Brownies group
- Coaching sport to younger years at school
- Volunteering in a nursery or primary school as part of work experience
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.
I am working in Food and Beverage, we all have steady shifts, plenty to go around and have no problems whatsoever, personally its the best job i've ever had in every way! Richard Baker, Whistler 2010/11
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
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 and there is a meal deal for staff close the accommodation (currently $6 for a 3 course meal!), 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!
Oyster will pay for your accommodation from the 1st November until the date that you arrive in Whistler. At that point the payment is changed to your name and the cost (approx. an hours pay per night - $11) is deducted directly from your pay cheque every two weeks.
Cost and what is provided
A five month placement in Whistler costs £2425 including the Instructor Qualification but excluding flights. The winter season generally lasts around 5 months (no guarantee on when the snow goes!).
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
- Work Permit application advice
- 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
- CSIA Level 1 Ski Instructor Qualification for Instructor applicants (in the unlikely event you fail you will need to pay for a re-test)
- Optional flight with fixed return date. Total cost including flight £3325 (if you want a more flexible ticket this can be organised).
- 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
- Cost of accommodation from the 1st November until the day you arrive in Whistler (participants then pay approx $11 per night, which is roughly £50 per week)
What do I need?
- A full UK or Irish passport valid for at least the duration of your stay in Canada plus a day
- Insurance (covering winter sports and any planned independent travel)
- 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$18 (£11) per day. Accommadation cost is taken directly from your pay cheque
- Police Check for Immigration purposes (approx. £35)
- Flexible Work Permit - C$150
And one more thing...
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).
