Are you coming to the Canadian Rockies and looking for a job? Hostelling International can help backpackers and travellers find employment for working holidays. From accommodation, to visas, to job interviews, to living in Canada, HI can help make your arrival easier!

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about living and working in Banff, Lake Louise, and Calgary:

Where can I stay when I arrive?
Hostelling International has hostels in Banff, Lake Louise and Calgary.

Where do I fly to?
Calgary International Airport is the closest International Airport. You can book ground transportation at the airport that will bring you directly to downtown Calgary, Banff, or Lake Louise. If you are already in one of these areas, there is direct bus transportation between these towns.

When is the best time to look for a job?
Employers like to have their staff hired before the busy summer or winter seasons start. This means they are hiring in October and the beginning of December for the winter ski season, and during late April and May for the summer season. As in most tourist areas, however, there is a fair amount of turn over throughout the year, so there are always job opportunities arising. Calgary is booming these days and so there is high demand for workers all year round.

What kinds of jobs are available?
Construction and landscaping jobs are well paid and plentiful in the summer, but Banff and Lake Louise are tourist destinations and most of the work relates to the service sector. Most jobs in this industry are not great paying but the fringe benefits of living here are often worth it, for the young traveller. These jobs can include bar or wait staff, various hotel jobs or ski hill jobs. Make sure that you take a job that will allow you plenty of time to play and do the things you came here for. You're on a Working Holiday after all. Employers in the area know that you are here for a good time and are willing to accommodate you in that pursuit.

What is the best way to look for a job?
The key to getting a job is physically being here. Employers receive a lot of applications, from potential workers, from overseas. Many of these people never show up. An employer wants to see you in their doorway before they will hire you. Don't be too picky, take any job to begin with and then look for a better job later. Spread your resume everywhere and be ready to start work immediately.

Is it hard to find a place to live? Is it expensive?
In Banff and Lake Louise it can be difficult to find a place to live and it can be expensive. The good news is that most employers have staff accommodation which is relatively inexpensive. Staff accommodation usually means shared accommodation but can cost as little as $150 CDN a month. If you are offered a job, be sure to ask if staff accom. is available. If you are not in staff accommodation, rooms in shared apartments can cost $350 - $450 a month. A 2 bedroom apartment can cost $700 - $1000 per month.

In Calgary, accommodation is cheaper and easier to find. The city of Calgary is quite spread out. You should therefore budget for some transportation costs.

How much money do I need when I arrive?
It depends on your lifestyle but staying in Banff, Lake Louise or Calgary does not need to be expensive. Groceries are reasonably priced, so if you can find a place to cook like a hostel or a campground then you will save a lot of money. You can walk most places and public transportation is efficient and cheap. If you have the will power to avoid the bars and restaurants then a few hundred dollars can be stretched a long way.

How long will I need to wait before I see a paycheck?
Most employers pay two weeks in arrears. This means that once you have been hired, you will probably be waiting for three weeks before you see the paycheck. Arrive with enough cash to get you through this period.

How do I get around? Do I need a car?
No you don't need a car. Both Banff and Lake Louise are small enough to walk around and Calgary has a good Public Transportation System. The Greyhound between towns and the shuttles to the ski hills run often and are cheap.

Where can I get some job information?
The Hostels work closely with Diversified Staffing Services and the Banff Job Resource Centre. You can also look in the local newspapers for postings in the classifieds. Check out the Banff Crag and Canyon and the Rocky Mountain Outlook. 

Advice from those who have been there...

Getting settled and finding work in Banff is super easy. I had a few job offers within a week of arriving. The Job Resource Centre was very helpful and word of mouth is a great resource. Don't be too fussy when you first arrive ? taking any job will allow you to meet lots of new people and take the pressure off your bank account.

Talk to people who have already lived in Banff for a while.

Take initiative and hand out resumes, don't just apply for advertised positions.

Walk instead of taking the bus.

"Get a Safeway Card and watch for weekly specials."
        - Michelle Latham, Sydney AUS

Stay at one of the Hostels for a couple of nights, It's a great way to meet people?
        - Etienne Chenier, Quebec City, CAN