Working in Canada

[FritzTheCat]

Hey all,

A mate and I have secured work visas for canada and are currently planning to head over around september/october to work for a ski season after which we'll use the remaining months to travel/party/work whatever.

Since the zgeek community has grown..i'm guessing there's probably a few canadians and/or ppl who've travelled/worked canada before so i'm just asking for any ideas, suggestions etc.

We're thinking of skipping the major resorts atm, those being Whistler, Lake Louise, Banff etc as we may be offered better job selections at smaller places eg Silverstar, Fernie etc plus a 'smaller' town experience at a more family orientated place seems more appealing although *shrugs*, with around 6-7 months to plan our options are still open...the original idea was to try for liftie jobs though we're now thinking something else may be more appealing eg bar work or porters etc.

So, anyone got any ideas or suggestions ?

[Kez]

Eh?

I have some ideas, eh? What you should do is do the bar work, eh? You think that's a good idea, eh?

I personally would prefer the ski lift work, but that's just me, eh?

[Directed]

My advice is go to America instead. They don't even pay you in real dollars there in Canada. Its some strange Canadien Dollar thing instead. I cant even use that money in Chicago! Plus it looks suspiciously like monopoly money.

[FritzTheCat]

no thanks.

only time I'll be spending in America is the time it takes to cross the border, turn around and head back into canada to apply for a holiday visa once the working visa has expired.

[Juice Biscuit]

I have a mate that's coming back next month after being over there since Feb last year, if you post a list of q's I'll ask him when he gets back.

[FritzTheCat]

cheers aye,

the main things we're wanting to know pretty much concern accommodation now..

we went to a FAQ night for OWH (overseas working holiday) which pretty much explained what we kind of worked out anyway..that it's best to have as much as we can sorted b4 we leave..so..we're hitting contacts for jobs etc and considering OWH aswell...OWH will help us sort a job b4 we get there...we're still a bit dicey on where to stay..have to confirm with them whether or not they organise worker/staff accommodation.

so,

I guess it depends on where your mate went, but if he went anywhere near a ski resort (silverstar, fernie, big white, whistler in particular);
what's the best way of finding a place to stay and what were accommodation prices like ?
did he backpack with others or by himself, share accomm with others or by himself etc ?
did he work both summer and winter seasons..ie all year round..and how'd he find/go about securing a job for each/either ?

thanks in advance man.