What It’s Really Like to Live in Whistler for a Ski Season

Last Updated on May 2, 2024 by snaphappytravel

9 home truths about working in Whistler for a ski season! Everything you need to know before you go. 

I’m sure you’ve probably heard of Whistler before, but in case you’ve been living under a rock all these years, it’s a little mountainside village in British Columbia, Canada. Whistler is a two-hour drive from Vancouver. It’s famous for skiing and consistently ranked as the top ski resort in North America. But don’t let this village’s small size fool you – Whistler is home to some of the best restaurants and hotels in the world. And there’s heaps of fun activities to do at all times of the year – but, of course, the top things to do in the winter involve the snow. Plus, the locals are super friendly.

I’ve been living in Whistler for two years and I’ve written this blog post to help you determine whether or not you should do a ski season in Whistler. I’ve included information on working here, renting here

Is Whistler Good for a Ski Season?

Yes, Whistler is one of the best places in the world to do a ski season. With an average season snowfall of 10 meters – it’s safe to say the skiing conditions here are epic. Plus, it’s a really fun place to live with lots of like-minded young people flocking here every winter to party and ski. As you can imagine, the apres ski scene here is epic too!

I loved living and working in Whistler, I really really did. And, because I love it so much I want to spread the word about life in Whistler and attempt to convince you all that living in a ski resort has got to be done. But before you get too excited and start packing your winter woolies, there are some truths you need to know about. 

What you NEED to Know Before Doing a Ski Season in Whistler

1. The skiing in Whistler is out-of-this-world

Out-of-this-world. Fact. That’s all I need to say, I think.

Would you believe the Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort grooms more ground than anywhere else in North America? That means you can ski on groomed runs all day and still not get to all of them! If you’re keen to go off-piste, that’s Whistler’s crown jewels. The off-piste skiing here is arguably the best in the world. That’s thanks to the champagne powder conditions that are found here!

The Whistler Blackcomb Ski area offers more than 200 marked runs which are spread across 8,171 acres of terrain. You’ll also find 16 alpine bowls and 3 glaciers here.

As a result of the epic snowfalls the resort gets, skiing on weekends or Public Holidays is a no-go unless you want to wait in line for two hours.

2. Whistler is so pretty it’s distracting

It’s pretty, too pretty, almost. In fact, it’s so pretty that it almost makes up for the fact that it’s so goddamn expensive. Honestly, google image ‘Whistler’ go on I dare ya and try to stop yourself from booking the next flight over here. In Winter, it’s all snow-covered evergreen trees and looming white mountains. In Summer, it looks like a less-moody version of the Twilight set.

Read Next: A Luxury Travel Guide for Whistler!

3. Whistler is expensive

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, living in Whistler is outrageously expensive. If you’re planning a move here for the next Winter season I recommend you start saving now. Rent is going to be a lot more expensive than where you currently live.  Expect to pay anywhere between $2,200 to $2,800 CAD for a one-bedroom apartment.

I will add that there’s currently a massive property shortage in Whistler, so you will likely REALLY struggle to find accommodation – unless you’re willing to pay top dollar!

For units in Whistler Village, you are likely going to pay at least $2,800 CAD per month for a studio and from $3,000 CAD for a one-bedroom apartment. If you go further afield to Pemberton (a 30-minute drive), average rental prices for a one-bedroom decrease to about $2,200 CAD per month. Further away in Squamish, a 45-minute drive from Whistler, you’re looking at about the same at $2,200 CAD for a one-bedroom.

You will leave the supermarket both angry and confused at the cost of groceries. FYI – chicken and cheese is outrageously expensive. I saw on Facebook the other day that one girl paid $20 CAD for seven tomatoes. They were the fancy on-the-vine kind, but still, that’s insanity!

Your ski pass won’t be cheap either, see prices here.  Plus, you have to add ski gear into the equation too. It all adds up.

My estimation is that start-up costs to move to Whistler will cost you approx. $5,000 CAD. This figure takes into account your first months rent, your rental deposit (usually half-a-months rent), a ski pass, ski gear, stuff for your apartment like bed sheets, cooking utensils etc. But thankfully most places here come fully furnished. Then add in another $1,000 CAD to fill up your fridge (jokes)!

4. Finding a job here is pretty easy

It may not be your ‘dream job,’ but it is a job to help fund your time in this notoriously expensive village. Whistler has a severe labour shortage problem, it has done for years. Look through the classifieds section of the local Pique newspaper, and you’ll find pages and pages of job adverts. Or just take a quick peek on Craigslist, and you’ll understand the sheer amount of labor this village needs.

Most of the jobs are in the hospitality sector, so if you’re in any way good with people, you will be fine. The hourly wage here averages about $22 CAD per hour. However, servers may earn less lower due to the tips they receive.

You will probably want to work evening shifts in Whistler so that you can ski during the day. It’s currently an employee market in Whistler, which is a rarity. So, if you quit one job, you will probably be able to find another job starting the next day. That’s the reality of the labor shortage here.

Read Next: Check out my guide to visiting Whistler in the summer!

5. Finding a place to rent is not so easy

Okay, if you want to move to Whistler for the Winter, get here before October 1st. This is very important. This is when you have the most housing options available to you. You will probably score a nice one-bedroom apartment in a good location for approx $2,500 CAD per month. Anytime after that and it’s slim pickings. Any decent apartments left will be charging an arm, two legs and a head!

Check out my guide to renting in Whistler here!

We got pretty lucky actually; we didn’t move here until November 1st, BUT we lived in Vancouver before relocating. So we had Canadian references (very important to a Whistler Landlord), and I was able to come up with and view some apartments beforehand.

FYI – It’s a very good idea to preview some apartments if possible because there are a lot of scams unfortunately!

We managed to snag a beautiful two-bedroom apartment for $1,800 CAD per month (FYI, we signed our lease back in 2016/17). I know some people who are paying $1,800 for a bedroom!

I should add that there are exceptions to the ‘getting here before October 1st’ rule. Like if you’re planning on staying in Whistler for more than a year or have Canadian relatives or partners, then you will likely find yourself in a home a lot quicker and a lot cheaper than the 19-year-old Aussies you’re competing with.

6. Surprisingly, eating out can work out cheap

I’ve already explained the insane situation that is grocery prices here in Whistler. So, if you don’t want to starve because you’re not willing to pay $10 CAD for a chicken breast or $4 CAD for a red pepper – then treat yourself and eat out.

There are actually lots of really good, really cheap restaurants in Whistler, for example, the ever-popular El Furniture Warehouse, where every meal is $4.95. Other restaurants also do ‘locals deals’.

7. You will likely drink more than you ever have

And that’s a big statement from an Irish girl who lived in Sydney for four years. Skiing and drinking go hand-in-hand, and apres ski, anyone?! The apres here is a lot of fun; live music and dancing on tables at 3 pm is the norm.

Also, buying alcohol at the ‘Bottle Shop’ is quite cheap especially spirits, for example, a bottle of Bombay Sapphire (my drink of choice) will cost you just $25 CAD. Bring two forms of identification, because you will get asked to prove your age every time even if you are 29.

8. If you’re over 25, you may be the oldest person in town

This is also a sad truth. The majority of the population here is 19-year-old Aussie males who snowboard. There are so many Australians here. In fact, it’s been renamed ‘Whistralia’. If you dislike Aussies, don’t come to Whistler. Luckily for me, I love them!

9. Must like snow!

It’s a ski resort – you have to like snow! This is very, very important!

If you don’t like skiing or snowboarding thankfully there’s lots of other unique things to do in Whistler. 

Doing a Ski Season in Whistler – The Truth

And there you have it, I think I’ve given you a pretty accurate description of what working in Whistler for a ski season entails.

Sure, Whistler is very expensive, but it’s also very beautiful. You may not be able to afford to buy a $10 CAD chicken breast at the grocery store, but you will be able to afford a $5 CAD chicken burger at a cheap restaurant during ‘happy hour’. Sure, you will probably struggle to find an apartment, but when you do, you will laugh at how stressed you got.

But, the most important fact for me is that working in Whistler for a ski season is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy while you’re still young. You may blow all your savings living here, but for me, experiences are so much more important than a hefty bank balance. Move to a ski resort, you won’t regret it!

You may also enjoy my other blogs posts on Whistler, like –

15 Best Stops on the Drive from Whistler to Banff

Luxury Travel in Whistler (For the Glamorous Traveler) + 8 Things to Know

Best stops on the Drive from Whistler to Jasper

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