So you're heading to Whistler for a season or two? It's awesome fun, and really worth doing!
It's a good idea to do your research beforehand, and definitely check out the job situation and accommodation situation, and the local newspaper/magazine Pique Newsmagazine can certainly help you out with that:
http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/
You can also check out Whistler Community, which is another good source which is aimed a little more at the holidaying tourist rather than hard working Aussies (cough), but the classifieds seem worth checking out for accommodation, work etc.
http://www.whistlercommunity.ca
If you're on Facebook, a new service has just started up in Whistler too, the Whistler Rental Assistant. Get live updates on available apartments, pictures and all that goodness.
Also, when you get to the village and need some gear, check out the buy and sell place in Function Junction. It's a high brow tip shop and you should be able to find gear to keep you going for a season, including furniture, clothing, sports equipment etc. When I ducked in there for a look last weekend, they also had more TV's and VCR's (if anyone still uses them?!) than you could poke a stick at.
http://www.mywcss.org/reuseit.html
Still, you can never really tell what it is going to be like in Whistler till you get on the ground. Just make sure you don't get stuck in the "Can't get a job without accommodation" and vice versa loop and you should be fine. If you're looking to pick up a service job to keep you going, expect the pay to be lower than normal - think $6 - $15/hr - and make sure you've got some savings before you go, as you surely won't save any cash while you're there! If you can get a job that get's tips, then you're in luck, as you can make a good living off them - it's typical in Canada to tip at least 10 - 15% or more if you give folks good service.
Another thing to remember is that quite a few companies in Whistler also provide accommodation with the job, like working for Whistler Blackcomb themselves you should be able to get into staff accommodation, which is cheap, but you also get stacked in during the winter, and it's party central, which is a good thing, right?!
Finally, make sure you get your SIN number before you head up. Do it in Vancouver. Yes it's a bit of a pain in the ass, but you'll need it when you get there, and it's cheaper than coming back down from the mountain! Also do your research on how to get up to the mountain. Seeing as you have to stop in Vancouver anyhoo to get your SIN, then Greyhound is probably the best way to get up there, however be prepared to get a bus or taxi into downtown Vancouver from the airport.
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