I want to come to Whistler for the upcoming Winter Season. When do you start hiring?
Whistler Blackcomb travels both around the world and within Canada conducting interviews and hiring employees for the upcoming winter season. For details, please see our Recruting Initiatives » section.
Every November we host a recruting fair for more information click here for Job Fairs »
Seasonally, we hire employees into our Food & Beverage, Retail/Rental, Operations, Finance Guest Services and Snow School divisions.
What else do I need to know about working at Whistler Blackcomb?
Come Prepared! Since Mother Nature is unpredictable, winter positions may not start until mid November and some do not commence until mid December. We recommend that you come to Whistler with approximately $3,000 (CDN) to ensure that you will be able to pay rent, damage deposit, groceries, telephone, transportation and entertainment until you are gainfully employed.
How do I get from Vancouver Airport or Downtown to Whistler?
There are 2 bus companies that travel between Vancouver and Whistler. You can find their schedules and further information at:
I need to get my SIN number to commence work – where should I go?
There are 2 Service Canada Offices that you can obtain your SIN number at. One in Vancouver and the other in Squamish (halfway between Vancouver and Whistler). The Vancouver office is bigger and more equipped to deal with high volume, and this may be more efficient for you to get your number while you are in Vancouver, also if you don't have a car the Squamish office will be harder to get to.
I need to set up a Canadian bank account, what banks are in Whistler?
Canada has a number of national banks, three have branches in Whistler so it'll be best to set up an account with one of them so if you need to go in and talk to someone you don't have to go down to Vancouver.
You'll need to make an appointment at the Whistler banks to set up an account, so be prepared this may take a little while and you can't check in as an employee until you have your Canadian account details. You could also set up an account at a Vancouver branch of one of those banks if you are staying there for a day or two prior to arriving in Whistler. (Note that Scotiabank's branch is in an area of Whistler called Creekside, so less accessible as the other two which are in the Village)
What gym facilities are offered in Whistler?
There are a few gyms in Whistler you can obtain membership with. If you join Club Shred (see information below about this) when you start working you can receive a discount on passes at Meadow Park for more information visit their website:
You can also check out some of our other gyms in town:
What kind of shops and facilities are in Whistler?
Whistler offers a lot to its locals – from Health Care with medical clinics and a hospital to hair salons, clothing stores, restaurants, night clubs, yoga studios and grocery stores. You can find information about what is here on:
Where can I find second hand items such as TV's DVDs and microwaves?
How can I find a hostel in Vancouver or Whistler when I get there?
It's a good idea to make reservations in advance especially at the hostels.
I need to buy new ski/ snowboard gear when I arrive in Canada where is the best place?
As a Whistler Blackcomb staff member you will be entitled to discounts at the stores that are owned by the company (including Showcase Snowboards and Can-Ski). See second FAQ Tab for details on staff discounts. There will also be Staff Sales at the beginning of the season at those stores and more information will be available on those closer to the time through at the stores, our internal employee newsletter (The Messenger) or via posters that will be put up in Staff Housing and your workplaces. List of WB Retail Shops »
What are some of the perks I'll receive as an employee? (May vary depending on what you are hired into.)
Seasons Pass
Club Shred
Envirofund
Retail
Winter Rentals
Food & Beverage
Snow School
You will learn more about these perks at your First Season Orientation. And we hope to see you soon!
I'm not from Canada. What do I need to do to work at Whistler Blackcomb?
In order to be legally entitled to work in Canada, you will need the following:
I'm not from Canada. How do I obtain a work permit?
To apply for your Canadian Work Permit, you must contact the Canadian Embassy or Consulate in your country. For more information on which countries qualifies please review the IEC list (International Experience Canada). Please remember that the application process can take several months.
In certain countries, there are a few agencies that assist people in applying for a work permit: BUNAC » and SWAP ».
I am applying for my work permit and have been told that I need a letter of offer to obtain the permit. Can Whistler Blackcomb do this for me?
Whistler Blackcomb CANNOT give letters of offer to foreign workers who require such an offer to apply for their permit to come to Canada. You must apply for a Working Holiday Permit/Visa. This permit/visa does not require you to have arranged employment before entering Canada.
Does Whistler Blackcomb sponsor people?
At this point, the only positions that Whistler Blackcomb sponsors are qualified Ski and Snowboard Instructors. This number is predetermined and is due to the shortage of qualified ski and snowboard instructors within Canada. For all other occupations, a work permit obtained is required. Whistler Blackcomb cannot assist this process by writing letters of offer or making employment offers.
Do I need Traveling Insurance?
If you are travelling overseas, you shouldn’t even think twice about getting travel insurance. Although it is not mandatory, Whistler Blackcomb STRONGLY recommends you set something up before coming. If you get sick or hurt, you won’t want to be without it! Check out World Nomads Insurance as an option »
If I'm offered a position with Whistler Blackcomb, what will I need to bring?
Depending on what position you are offered you might require more or less identification
Does everyone need a Criminal Record Check?
Full Time, Part Time and some Volunteers are required to provide a Criminal Record Check.
How can I find housing (if I am not registered or planning on staying in Staff Housing) and information about what is going on in Whistler once I get here?
Our local paper is called The Pique, a new edition comes out every Thursday. It has a lot of information from Local News to Classifieds ads and Events in town, check it out online at:
I am booked into Staff Housing, where do I go to check in?
If you are arriving to Whistler by Greyhound or Pacific Coach Lines, make sure you get off the bus at the Whistler Village Loop. There is a taxi stand there (as well as a Visitor Information Centre) From there you can take a taxi up to Glacier Lane Staff Housing – this will cost around $10.
You will be going to HOUSE front desk at Building 1 – 4802 Glacier Lane, Whistler.
I want to get a Mobile Phone (or cell phone as we call them in Canada), where should I go to get one?
I need to set up internet in my staff housing unit, who provides service?
HOUSE has an agreement with Base Wireless – you can ask about this at check in for specific rates.
Otherwise you can get an account with Shaw or TELUS and share with your roommates, contact them for rates and information.How can I find out more information about Whistler Blackcomb Staff Housing?
Using state-of-the-art technology, TELUS unleashes the power of the internet to deliver the best solutions to Canadians at home, in the workplace and on the move.
Coca-Cola offers the world's favourite beverage brand to Whistler Blackcomb guests as a part or their memorable resort experience. As the cold drink sponsor at Whistler Blackcomb, Coca-Cola brings more than ice-cold refreshment.
The Official Vehicle of Whistler Blackcomb providing a fleet of Professional Grade vehicles to the resort operations team since 1995. GMC trucks and SUVs give you the performance, engineering and technology to get you and your gear to and from the mountain any time of the year.
Avis Car Rental and its subsidiaries operate one of the world's best-known car rental brands with approximately 5,200 locations in more than 165 countries.
The Globe and Mail, Canada's National Newspaper, daily offers unparalleled national, international and business reporting, analysis and commentary to all the guests and patrons of Whistler Blackcomb.
Our name represents a long-standing tradition of producing premium wines from Canada and around the world; it is your guarantee of outstanding quality and an uncompromising commitment to making great wine. We’ve got a wine for that.
Smirnoff is proud to be the vodka sponsor of Whistler Blackcomb. From extraordinary event experiences, to the latest in Music, Nightlife and extraordinary Cocktails. The world's best cocktails start with Smirnoff.
W.L. Gore & Associates, the makers of GORE-TEX® products, is proud to be the official technical fabric sponsor of Whistler Blackcomb. GORE-TEX® products are wearable weather protection that keeps you dry and comfortable from head to toe in any kind of weather.