Work and Ski in Whistler!

Vacancy: Work and Ski in Whistler!
Company: Oyster Worldwide
Category: Ski resort jobs (Childcare, Bar staff, Kitchen assistant)

Dates: November - May each year

Salary: Approx. £5 per hour (Above the Canadian Minimum Wage)

Description:

Oyster can offer you the chance to earn a good wage on your Gap Year whilst gaining impressive experience in one of the worlds top ski resorts. We have been sending people to Whistler since 2000 and our participants have been involved in a number of different jobs. You will have the full support of our representative in Whistler who will be a helpful friend to you.

We have a number of vacancies available at the Canadian resort of Whistler for this coming ski season. Work opportunities vary from working in Food and Beverage outlets, to working for Whistler Kids – the resort crèche. These placements are only available for students that have a confirmed UCAS place, are currently studying at a UK University or who have graduated in the last 12 months. Applicants must also be aged between 18 - 30.

The Jobs available
For those people with a passion for working with children and the experience to back it up, Oyster has a fantastic opportunity for you to work at the Whistler resort crèche. The Job at Whistler Kids crèche involves looking after children of varying ages while their parents ski. You will be based indoors and on the nursery slopes, where you might also have the opportunity to give basic ski lessons. You must have a good rapport with children and be able to demonstrate some child care experience. We have also managed to secure a number of jobs working in the bars and restaurants in the resort of Whistler. 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. 

The Pay
If the work sounds appealing then you can expect to earn a good wage that is above the Canadian minimum wage. Most participants find the wage enough to be able to live comfortably, have a great social life and even save money for when they have finished the placement. The way of life in Canada really is ‘Work hard, play hard’! 

Skiing experience
To get a job working for Whistler Kids you do need to have good skiing experience to begin with. For those that have only been skiing a few times, the Food and Beverage jobs would be ideal because you would be able to spend your free time skiing and improving. Over 5 months you will become pretty good to say the least!  

Where Oyster comes in
Oyster will arrange a job for you, organise your Work Permit, organise return flights and make sure there is good accommodation ready for when you arrive. You will also have the support of our in country rep throughout your time in Whistler. Before departure we will interview and brief you on a one to one basis. About 3 months before departure we hold a pre departure briefing where you will meet the rest of the group that you will travel with and will be told all about your job, flights and Visa. In most cases, participants are paid every 2 weeks. You do need to pay for your accommodation (this comes straight out of your pay cheque) and this equates to roughly 1 hours pay per night. 

The Benefits
Working in Whistler for the Ski season is an amazing experience. Not only is the social life great, the jobs fantastic but also the support and benefits that Whistler gives its employees. If you are working for Whistler Kids, you are actively encouraged to complete your ‘Ski Instructor Level 1’ which will then enable you to be an instructor to the children on the slopes. This is provided at a highly discounted rate. Here are just some of the fantastic benefits that Oyster employees can make the most of:

• Free Season Ski Pass worth £800
• 50% off food at restaurants and 20% off of drinks in bars (excluding alcohol)
• Fantastic discounts of ski gear
• Oyster monthly meet ups