 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi to whoever is out there reading this...
Ok, so I want to move (back) up to Canada this September/October from Australia and am looking into working a snow season at a resort/town somewhere, not too sure where yet though. I'm really hoping someone might be able to help?
What I know so far...
I was born in Vancouver, but left when I was 2 and grew up in New Zealand... currently been living in Sydney for the past 3 years and I'm 27. I've been up to Canada a lot to visit family over the years and my mum now lives (for the past 3 years) in Penticton. I have been to Whistler and I don't think I want to go live there, not sure if I want the oversized "disneyland" resort style that it offers and I'm not overly fussed about the nightlife scene, I like to party and hang out with like-minded people but you can essentially do that anywhere right? I'm really just after some cool, chilled out people and a change of scene for a while in beautiful surroundings.
So from the minimal research that I have done, I am thinking either Big White... or Nelson... or Banff. Any local advice at all about the general "vibe" of these places would be soo appreciated! I'd like to work and board, I don't mind just getting in a few days a week on the mountain, I mainly want to go for the experience, to meet new people, be around beautiful scenery... but obviously I want some good terrain too! Not overly keen on hiking but I'm not a beginner either.
Hope there is someone out there that can help.
Thanks!
Alex x
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Nelson isn't a ski resort as such but has a very nice laid back hippy feel to it. Doesn't feel very touristy at all. Most of the skiing would be up at Whitewater which is fun but unless you get into the backcountry it is a tiny area. If you do get into the backcountry there are loads of options and loads of snow. I think there is a bus up to Whitewater but you'd probably want access to a car
Banff has more skiing and is much more touristy
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Oh thanks, sorry I meant to say Whitewater, Nelson. What about Big White? Do you know much about that? Is that smaller than Banff?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Never been to Big White but pretty sure some people on here have
sorry if you know this already but at Whitewater you basically just have the ski lodge and nothing else (think there may be plans to build some holiday accommodation but don't think that has happened yet.) so you would stay in Nelson which is about 15mins drive away
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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No that's ok, I had an idea that Nelson was away from Whitewater but I didn't know how far... Thanks for that! I just generally want to get an understanding of the vibe of the towns, whether they are close to the resorts or not, and just generally why I would choose to go live there for the season. Thanks for your help 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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alexandra1, Big White has excellent skiing but is a very small resort centre with one bar and a few restaurants. The nearest real town, Kelowna where the local airport is, is about 45 mins away.
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Thanks, Do you think there would be any accommodation at Big white itself? Or would I have to live in Kelowna?
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| alexandra1 wrote: |
Hi to whoever is out there reading this...
........................
Hope there is someone out there that can help.
Thanks!
Alex x |
I expect there are lots of people like you, who apply for jobs at HI hostels in Lake Louise.
http://www.hihostels.ca/westerncanada/359/english_hi-lake_louise_alpine_centre.hostel
I suppose you could just go there, and apply when you are visiting. I'm not sure what work visa you would require though, although if your mother lives in Canada and you were born there, you probably have a Canadian passport or able to obtain dual nationality. No visa required?
Good luck!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Also Nelson is close-ish to Red Mountain, and a whole load of Cat/Heli operators. Whitewater has got a bit bigger this year with a new lift over the back, its about 20 or so mins derive from Nelson once you've gone up the mountain access road.
Nelson's a slightly strange sort of place and a bit remote, but pleasant enough.
Rossland is 5 mins from Red Mountain (just close your eyes/nose/mouth as you go through Trail!)
Revelstoke may be another (fairly rugged) option?
I guess none of these are quite so remote if your family is in Penticton
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I'd suspect in places like Big White and Banff you'll be just another Antipodean in town, so if you're wanting to explore places for a future longer term situation I'd consider places like Revy, Rossland, Nelson, Golden maybe. All fairly rootsy but gentrifying to varying degrees. & some cool skiing.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I did a season in Canada during the 08/09 season and went to Sun Peaks. Worked in the Delta hotel (premium hotel on the restort) and was lucky enough to ski al day and work in the evenings. Had a great 7 months there and would def recommend it. Resort has a lot of skiable terrain (2nd biggest in BC) and although the village is small it has a great community.
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