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At Oyster Worldwide, we work as recruitment and relocation specialists to ensure you have a smooth transition to Canada. We recommend applying before February, to secure your spot and take advantage of our services.

Duration: Approximately 28 weeks (the whole season)
Dates: Dates are generally early November – mid May. Some jobs may require an earlier or later start such as August.
Arrival day: Thursday
Return day: Thursday
Eligibility: Good level of fitness required as manual work is involved
Age: 19-35

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Highlights

Because your 9–5 can wait — Whistler won’t.

This programme is more than just a job. It’s a chance to live in one of the most iconic ski resorts on the planet, meet people from all over the world, and build life skills that employers actually care about. You’ll earn money, gain international work experience, and learn how to thrive in a high-energy, full-time role — all while surrounded by snow-capped peaks and mountain-town vibes.

Whistler, BC, Canada

Job Roles Available

You’ll be placed into one of the following customer-facing roles:

1. Retail/Rental Associate

Help guests get set up for the slopes by fitting ski and snowboard equipment, handling rentals, and offering expert advice on outdoor gear.

2. Food & Beverage Support

From prepping food and running tills to greeting guests and keeping things clean behind the scenes, you’ll learn all the key skills of hospitality.

3. Ticket & Product Sales Agent

Be the smiling face that helps guests book lift passes, lessons, and more. Perfect for confident communicators who love helping others.

4. Mountain Activities Attendant

Guide guests through snow tubing adventures and other outdoor activities, ensuring everyone has a safe, exciting, and fun time.

5. Lift Experience Team Member

Ensure smooth operation at the ski lifts, help guests on and off, and create a welcoming vibe at one of the resort’s most essential spots.

Each role pays around $20 CAD/hour and includes full-time hours, flexible duties, and on-site training!

  • These roles offer full-time engagement, averaging 5 workdays per week (up to 40 hours) throughout the exhilarating ski season. Flexibility is key in a tourist-centric setting, where hours fluctuate with seasons, snow conditions, and guest influx. Typically, you’ll relish your days off each week to dive into thrilling ski or snowboard adventures.
  • Anticipate a minimum hourly wage of C$20 (approx £17), paid fortnightly, with potential for higher earnings up to C$25 per hour.
  • Embrace Canada’s exceptionally high service standards—punctuality, proper uniform adherence, a poised appearance, and genuine warmth towards guests are indispensable.
  • Previous experience? Let us know in your booking form! While not guaranteed, this could open doors to diverse departments and other training opportunities

  • You will live in accommodation organised by your employer. This will either be within the hotel complex or in rented accommodation in the village/surrounding area
  • You should expect to share a room with at least one other person and to share kitchen facilities
  • Rent is deducted directly from your pay cheque at the rate of between $15-$20 per night, depending on the employer. This is usually the equivalent of an hours’ pay per night

  • Your accommodation is self-catered so you should ensure you can cook a few easy dishes before you arrive in Canada
  • Depending on the employer, you may get a free or discounted meal on your shifts
  • Whistler is a foodies paradise offering cuisine options from around the world

December onwards– Complete your online booking form and pay the booking deposit. This secures your place amongst other hopeful candidates. This does not guarantee your place on the programme yet, but rather the deposit secures you in our pool of candidates that will be sent to the team at Whistler for final interviews.

A member of the team will organise a call with you to get to know you, your motivations and to go over any work or volunteer experience. It is essential that all applicants have some work experience before they arrive in Canada. We will give you an overview of the program and the process and give you some tips and tricks to help your application (if needed).

January– Apply for your working holiday visa for Canada through IEC — (opens every year Jan- October). You should be between 18-30 years to be eligible.

April / May – We will host a resume and interview workshop to ensure your resume is the best it can be before it is sent to the team for interview selection. This programme is highly competitive so we ensure every applicant is well prepped and prepared. 121 sessions are also held for those that prefer private coaching.

July / August – Interviews with Whistler Blackcomb are held in July/August via Zoom / Skype and last 30-45 minutes.

September – If successful you receive an official email inviting you to join the hospitality team. Those unsuccessful will be offered alternative options for the winter or their gap years either in Whistler, or other bespoke project ideas.

October – Our unique pre- departure briefing is held via video conferencing which covers topics such as kit lists, insurance, flight details, arrivals and departures, and much much more. You also get to have a private Q&A with your future team lead, and fellow team mates!

Our Oysters are more informed and knowledgeable before they arrive, than many that join from other companies. Previous Oyster Worldwide participants have won various awards and many stay on and progress into other roles. return for the following seasons, or join our Rep program to help the next year´s participants.

November – Departure. You are introduced to the team of reps that will look after you during the season, and the first few days are spend in orientation, checking into your housing, and ensuring you are set up for success before you start your training!

We’re looking for confident, capable individuals who are ready to thrive in a fast-paced, full-time work environment. You don’t need to be an expert — but you do need to bring the right mindset.

  • Aged 19–35 and eligible for a Canadian working holiday visa
  • Reliable, mature, and able to commit to full-time work in a demanding seasonal setting
  • Previous full-time work experience — especially in customer service, hospitality, retail, or operations
  • Work-ready and resilient, with the stamina to handle long days, variable weather, and high guest volumes
  • Not just a skier – while skiing experience is great, roles are based around guest service, logistics, and team support, not skiing itself. If you have never skied before – not a problem!
  • Clear communicator who enjoys helping others and thrives in a team
  • Enthusiastic and adaptable, with a can-do attitude and openness to learning on the job
  • Comfortable sharing accommodation and living abroad for several months

This programme focuses on operational and customer-facing roles, where a track record of reliability, responsibility, and workplace commitment is key. If this sounds like you — and you’re ready to take your work ethic global with the help of our Canada recruitment and relocation specialists— we want to hear from you!

Most of our employers require you to be 19 to apply for staff housing, and have full-time work experience under your belt. However,  if you will be 19 when you depart in November, you are welcome to apply.

Not sure if you are eligible? Email us at [email protected], or organise a call with us and we can advise you on this, or other positions.

Travel arrangements

Airport: Vancouver (YVR)
Arrival day: Usually a Thursday – this will be confirmed before you book your flights
Transfer details: Assuming you arrive with the rest of the group, we will transfer you to a hostel for the first night. The next morning, our Oyster reps show you where you can register for your Social Insurance Number before you hop on the coach and head up the Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99) to Whistler. The journey takes about two and a half hours. On arrival, we’ll get you checked in and give you time to settle into your accommodation before beginning our thorough orientation.
Departure day: Usually a Thursday. If you are flying home on our end date, the airport transfer is included. If you are returning on a different date you will need to organise your own transport

As an ATOL bonded company we can book flights for you from the UK or elsewhere. If you are flying with the group from London, we will see you off at Heathrow on departure day.  On arrival, our reps will pick the group up at Vancouver Airport and transport you into the city.

If you want to arrange your own flights to Vancouver, that’s fine too. If you arrive at the same time as the rest of the group, the airport transfer will be included, otherwise you will just need to make your own way to the hostel for the first night.

Included

  • Access to your own personal ‘My Oyster’ account – our online portal where you can find out much more about the program and manage your booking
  • Dedicated contact time with an experienced destination manager to discuss the project, answer any of your questions and for us to find out more about you
  • Help and advice from our UK office before arrival and whilst you are away
  • Pre-departure information covering medical, safety and project advice
  • Gold level, 24/7 Pharos crisis management and incident support cover
  • Financial protection: ATOL (if we book your flights).
  • Thorough orientation on arrival
  • In-country support
  • Accommodation (see the ‘accommodation’ section above for details)
  • Advice on visa requirements
  • Oyster plants a tree in Africa with TreeAid to help reduce the impact of global carbon emissions

Not Included

  • Flights – as an ATOL bonded company, Oyster can book flights for you
  • You need a valid passport that meets the requirements of the country you will be travelling to
  • Insurance (covering your time with Oyster and any planned independent travel)
  • Any costs associated with changing your return flight date if you need to
  • Independent travel costs
  • Home country travel costs
  • Spending money for additional trips, food and entertainment

Project Reviews

“Sami was an absolute lifesaver during my interview process! I had never had to prepare for a real job interview before, so I had no idea what I was doing, but Sami helped every step of the way, from group zoom briefs to one on one sessions preparing me for my final interview. After all of our preparation I went...

Got a question or want to chat to Project Manager Sami who has first-hand experience of the project? Call  +44 (0) 1892 770 771or email: – [email protected].

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