Become a paid Ski Instructor, Hospitality or Support Role in Canada!

Earn money in Canada

Spend a season living and working in one of the world's top ski resorts - Whistler Blackcomb. Since 2004, we've been finding people work with Whistler Kids each winter where you can earn your CSIA Level 1 instructor qualification and then teach. You'll receive a good wage and get great experience on the slopes. This course gives you the perfect opportunity to combine earning money, improving your skiing and having a fantastic social life on your gap year!

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive mid-November at Vancouver Airport and meet the Oyster rep. You will then transfer with the rest of your group to a hostel in the city for your first night. 

Day 2
Receive assistance with organising your Social Insurance Number, after which we will transfer you by coach up to Whistler so that you can settle into your pre-arranged new home.

Day 3-4
Receive a thorough orientation of Whistler and the season ahead. We run a group tour of the village, help with organising bank accounts, ski equipment and SIM cards. We also run a ZipTrek tour during the orientation with your fellow group members. This is a great way to get to know each other and the ecology of the area whilst getting to experience the thrill of being attached to ziplines between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

First weeks
During this time you will be on the Whistler Blackcomb Snow School University course, being trained to pass your CSIA Level 1 exam. The qualification allows you to instruct in other countries, as well as Canada, and looks great on your CV.  The course runs 4 days a week and mainly takes place on snow. Expect some classroom days as well.

You will take the CSIA Level 1 exam and the Teaching Children Module – a prerequisite for teaching children as a ski instructor. All exam fees are included. 

What comes next
You'll begin your job which has been arranged with Whistler Blackcomb before you even arrive in Whistler. We arrange for our applicants to be pre-interviewed by a senior manager from Whistler Kids before you head to Canada. For the remainder of the season you will be working full time for the Snow School, teaching young children the basics of skiing. Expect to work an average of 4 days per week. You will earn a good wage of around $13 p/hour.

Accommodation

You will live in staff housing on Blackcomb Mountain. Accommodation costs during the first weeks (whilst you are on the course) are included in the programme fee. Once you start work, the cost of accommodation comes straight from your pay cheque.

Social life

Whistler Blackcomb offers over 8,000 acres of skiable terrain and an average snowfall of over 10 metres. Need we say more?! When you’ve exhausted yourself on the slopes you can find your Oyster friends or work colleagues in one of the many bars and restaurants nearby. Just make sure you’re up in time for work the next morning!

Support

Our UK staff will work with you to make sure everything is in place for your trip. Once in Canada you’ll have excellent support from our local rep, Tory who will become a great friend to you throughout your time in Whistler. During the season there are monthly meet ups for dinner and activities.

OK, so what experience do I need?

Being a confident skier and having childcare experience is essential for this programme. If you haven't got the experience on application, that's fine, as long as you are committed to getting it before the season begins. Childcare experience can be gained through sports coaching, volunteering in a school or getting involved with the Beavers or Brownies for example. The key thing is that your experience is with 3-11 year olds.