Always Hiring
Whistler's service sector is the most bustling part of the job market here since the town needs people in every restaurant, shop, hotel and on the slopes to ensure top-notch experiences for visitors who come from all over the world. Even though most employers prefer face-to-face interviews, you can get started before you arrive as many are now hiring with telephone or Skype interviews. However, before you start, there are several things to consider before deciding what to do and who to work for.

First, decide what's important to you in order to have a good Whistler experience:

• Are you looking to ski / ride every day this season, or will a couple of days per week suffice?  Can you afford to buy your own hill pass or do you need a job that includes a pass as a perk?
• Do you want a job that will build on previous experience or expand specific skills, or will you do anything that will facilitate your mountain activities?
• Are you looking to stay for just one season or year round?
• What environment do you like to work in? Customer service or behind the scenes? In the outdoors and the snow or in the comfort of a warm building?
• Accommodation can be hard to find, and not all jobs come with staff accommodation. How important is the quality of your accommodation to you? How much are you willing to pay? What restrictions to your freedoms are you willing to accept? How many people do you want to live with? Do you mind sharing a kitchen, bathroom, or even your bedroom?
• It is worth noting that many jobs and local establishments are run by Intrawest Whistler Blackcomb, the company that operates the resort. This company can help you get set up quickly and easily for a season and you will meet like minded seasonaires, however you may sacrifice your rate of pay, quality of accommodation and will be working for a large corporation.

You'll find a lot of information on all of these topics below that will help you refine your decision in terms of who you want to work for in Whistler.  A word of advice: don't rush into a job!  You're best to have $500 - $1000 when you arrive in Whistler, so you can afford to spend 1-2 weeks finding the ideal job for you.

1. Want to Ski / Snowboard Every Day?
2. Want to Ski/Snowboard All Day but Can't Afford a Pass?
3. Want a Job that Looks Good on a Resume?

I Want to Ride Every Day
If you want to ride all day, every day for the season then a night job would suit you best.  Bar and restaurant serving, cook or dishwasher, night club and late-night takeaway jobs will often suit this but so will night auditor and night cleaner positions, both of which pay quite well. However, if you would prefer not to work all night but still want to ride every day, even if only for a short time, then an on-hill job, such as a lift operator, allows you to work daytime hours with ride breaks. Teaching roles with the Ski and Snowboard School also enable you to ski/ride every day and improve your skills.Other jobs also offer split-shift hours, such as a rental technician, which allow you to work for a few hours in the morning, ride for a few hours then work the remainder of your shift.
 
I Want to Ride Every Day but I Can't Afford a Pass
This is a common problem and employers sometimes offer staff lift passes to attract employees. 
For example, Intrawest Whistler Blackcomb (the largest employer in Whistler) provide employees with an unlimited mountain pass, a variety of staff discounts and reasonably priced staff accommodation, but you will sacrifice rate of pay and quality of accommodation. But, depending on your priorities, this could be perfect for you.

Alternatively Whistler Blackcomb offers a unique, reduced rate Season Pass, widely known as the 'Spirit Pass' to qualifying employees of local Whistler businesses who are members of the Whistler Chamber of Commerce. Some businesses will allow you to pay for the pass over your first few pay cheques, make sure you ask! This pass is about $999, which is quite a bit less than the normal price. An alternative option is to keep an eye out for the early bird prices for Whistler Blackcomb season pass which can save you hundreds of dollars.

I Want to Beef Up My Resumé
Whistler has so much to offer when it comes to work that you can ride for the season AND have a job that looks good on your resume when you leave.

There are mainly luxury resorts in Whistler with worldwide recognition and lots of opportunity to advance, such as Fairmount Chateau Whistler, Four Seasons Resort, and Westin Spa and Resort. Most offer great professional development programs for their staff, so if you'll be around for a few years, getting in here is a good option. Similarly, Intrawest Whistler Blackcomb has opportunities for advancement, especially if you plan to stay in Whistler for a number of years. Many of these larger businesses require office-based staff such as accountants, sales and marketing representatives and IT specialists, so it can be possible to continue an office-based career.

Types of Jobs in Whistler

Night Jobs

Bar Tending
$8 - $10 per hour plus tips.
This is a great job if you want to work hard but also play hard. The tips are good and you will meet loads of people. Whistler has several night clubs and late-night bars which are the best option if you only want to work nights, but many bars serve from lunch time and through après, so some may require you to work some earlier shifts. Expect a lot of competition from experienced bartenders for these roles! Keep in mind that depending on the establishment, you may need to get your Serving It Right certification.

Serving
$8 - $10 per hour plus tips.
Again another great job if you want to work hard but play hard and get good tips. There is a huge variety of restaurants in Whistler from good-time, lively pubs to more up-scale, formal service restaurants. Many restaurants and hotels hire servers for evening shifts but may require you to work some day times as well to cover breakfast, lunch and après.

Night Auditor
$11 - $15 per hour.
Work nights at a hotel's front desk with accounting duties but ski/ride every day too. Many hotels offer you good rates of pay.

Dish Washers
$10-$12 per hour plus tip-out. 
Minimal responsibility with maximum riding time!
 
Door Hosts / Bussers / Cloakroom
$8-$10 per hour plus tip-out. 
Meet loads of people and work nights without the demands of serving/bar tending.

Late-Night Takeaway
$10-$12 per hour.
As Whistler is a party town there are several great late night takeaways. They have a laid-back and fun atmosphere to work at night.  Many are open during the day too so you may be offered day shifts.

Day Jobs

Front Desk Agent / Reservations Agents
$10 - $13 per hour, depending on experience.
This is a great job if you would like to work in one of Whistler's renowned hotels or resorts.

Cashier / Busser / Barista
$10-$11 per hour.
There are several restaurants on the hill which are owned by Intrawest Whistler Blackcomb. These roles are a great way to meet like-minded travellers and include a season's pass and staff accommodation. There are also lots of cafes around town which also offer a great work environment and a place to meet loads of people.

Chef
Salaries for chefs vary depending on experience and the size of the establishment. 
Whistler has a great variety of restaurants including some of the highest regarded establishments in North America, so there is somewhere to suit everyone's style with the potential to gain some great experience.

Retail
$10 - $14 per hour.
If you have experience you may be lucky to secure a management position in retail. There are various stores in Whistler that hire retail assistants and managers. You will be required to work days and weekends, but as many places are open late you many get some runs in before starting work.

Rental Technicians
$10 - $12 per hour.
This is a great way to learn more about the equipment you ride and work with like minded, out-going people. There are bursts of business with a great team atmosphere. Often you will work split shifts, giving you more opportunities to get on the slopes.

Babysitting
$10-$15 per hour plus tip.
You will need your first aid certificate or equivalent and a visa that allows you to work with children. This is a great role if you love working with children, is flexible and offer night work.

Administration/Bookkeeping
$11 - $15 per hour. 
As Whistler is mostly a hospitality driven town, administration positions can be quite scarce. Although, as there are hundreds of people working on-hill and several large businesses, there is a need for general administration and bookkeeping staff.

Outdoor Positions
There are many outdoor positions available on the hill. The majority of roles are with Intrawest Whistler Blackcomb, so most positions come with staff accommodation and discounted meals. The most important thing to remember when taking an outdoor position on hill is you will be working on the hill in all kinds of weather.

Lift Attendants: $10.50+ per hour. Work on the slopes and get ride breaks.

Ski & Snowboarding School: $10+ per hour plus free tuition. Great way of improving your own skills.