Thanks! I was looking into a couple along with Whistler, as its only 2 odd hours from Vancouver.
Also Chundles did you go through a program for job positions before you went over, or did you just find one whilst you were there?
Hell make sure you come down to the Gold Coast (1hr south of Brissy)!
Yeah, I went through Overseas Working Holidays. They were great in setting up interviews and stuff but once I was there they disappeared.
Probably would've been better off finding a job after I got there although it would've been tough due to the disgraceful snow season that year (we had more snow here than they did there that year).
Whistler is a good bet, being close to a major city like that is definitely a plus. We were somewhat close to Calgary but getting there was a problem because a: it was expensive when we were only paid ~CAN$6.50 an hour and b: inconvenient. The company promised us a number of staff activities which is why I chose it and the lower pay over Big White's higher pay but less stated staff activities. None of these things eventuated and we weren't given any explanation. The staff were so frustrated and fed up by the end of the season that when the resort did throw them a party (I had left for some travelling by then) the staff went crazy and they had to call in the cops from Calgary.
That, combined with the state of the facilities at LL due to the dire state of their finances at the time (the company was in receivership- still no excuse for not looking after your staff) ie. the place was in really bad shape, are the reasons I will not recommend them to anyone looking for work in Canada.
I reckon the best bet is similar to working in the snow here, save up and buy yourself a season pass and work for someone not involved with the ski company themselves. I worked here for a hotel just off mountain but within walking distance to the ski train and earned up to 4x what the resort workers got. I also had a room to myself, plenty of work regardless of the snow conditions and a lot of time off to ski.
I skied 5 days in 6 months at LL because the food and beverage workers didn't get lockers or ski breaks like everyone else (and I broke my arm really badly when the rain turned to ice and the whole mountain froze solid - everyone I knew who was skiing at the time broke something, the lodge was packed with people in casts) and that wasn't too uncommon.
End Rant.
It was a gorgeous place to live though, stunning scenery. But somewhere like Whistler would offer so many more options.
