How to work a ski season in Canada

With some of the best on-piste, off-piste and park skiing in the world (plus the pumping Après-ski) Canada is a powder-covered playground for skiers, shredders and seasonnaires.

**Whether you ski or not (yep you can learn the slopes on the job) - working a season is an amazing experience filled with epic scenery, new best friends and a whole lot of job opportunities that are a far cry from the snooze-fest 9-5.

So why go with JENZA?

Our sibling brand BUNAC has been sending young adventurers to Canada for 30+ years, so it’s fair to say we’re pro's at the whole dream job abroad thing. With assistance on visa applications, two years of access to the JENZA Job Hub and a pre-arranged ski season job in Canada’s top resorts - JENZA is the helping hand you need in planning your working holiday in Canada. Here’s how it works.

Why you should do a ski season in Canada

First up, Canada is known for its laid-back outdoorsy vibe, cultural hot-pot cities and mountainous, lake-filled landscapes that quite literally blow your ski-goggles off. Secondly, the flexible two-year working holiday visa combined with decent minimum wage mean that Canada is not just livable, but workable, too. You can hit the ground/slopes/trails running with either a 4-6 month summer job or snow season job when you arrive - usually with subsidised accommodation and perks such as lift passes, discounted lessons and retail discounts. You best believe the outdoor clothing stores will be tempting you on the daily so having a % off is worth it alone.

Last but not least - UK, Aussie and New Zealand passport holders can now work this visa until they're 35 keeping the work and travel dream alive that much longer.

When is the ski season in Canada?

The ski season usually kicks off around end of November finishing up in April or sometimes even May. This is, of course, entirely at the mercy of good old Mother Nature and when she decides to dump a whole lot of powder on those peaks.

When do I need to apply?

The IEC visa pools usually open around Dec, with hiring for the summer season starting around Jan and the winter season around May. This can change from year to year, so make sure you keep checking our Work Canada page and social channels to be up to date on the latest info. The earlier you enter the visa pools, the more draws your name and application will be exposed to – increasing your chances of getting a visa.

The summer jobs in Canada usually start between May/Jul, and the winter jobs start around Oct/Dec with both running for 4-6 months.

Applying for your Canadian working holiday (IEC) visa

Getting an IEC (International Experience Canada) visa can be tricky, as there’s a limited number of visas available, and applications are processed through a pool system. Sadly not the fun kind with piña coladas, but one where your name needs to be drawn to receive an 'Invitation to Apply' for your work permit. This is where we come in to guide you through the visa process and make sure your application is in the best shape. We also run webinars and one-to-one consultations to make sure all your Canadian queries are answered along the journey.

Types of work at Canadian ski resorts

Our employers include some of the most renowned ski resorts in the world, including Four Seasons Resort in Whistler and Lake Louise, Panorama in Jasper and Blue Mountain Resort in Ontario. The types of jobs can range from ski lift attendants, food service, hosts, guest services, snow makers (yep you read that right) and boot room fitters plus a bunch of other epic mountain side roles.

There are also plenty of different roles available at these locations in the summer, which include bar staff, hosts, guest services, waiters and waitresses, baristas and bike rentals just to name a few.

Can I do more than one working holiday in Canada?

Abso-freakin-lutely. Even if you’ve already travelled on an IEC visa before, you may still be able to work in Canada with one our RO (Recognised Organisation) or Young Professional visas. Plus, if you used your IEC visa before 2015 for a period of up to 12 months, you may be eligible for a second visa of up to 24 months in any category. Reach out to the JENZA Support Squad and we can chat through your options.

The mountains are calling

You’ve done it – visa sorted, job secured, but what’s next? Don’t worry, JENZA’s assistance is there for the whole duration in Canada. You’ll have five nights’ accommodation sorted in Vancouver or Toronto where you can connect with others heading off to the same resort and an arrival orientation to take you through everything you need to know about working in Canada.

The season may be over, but your visa isn’t!

We will help you with your pre-arranged job and pre-travel support, but our partners on the ground will help with everything else in-country. So once your ski season is over, JENZA and our in-country partners will still be there to help find a job in the city if that's what you're craving.

From guiding you through the process of applying for your visa to supporting you with finding a job, leave the hard work to us. Next steps? Start planning your Canada working holiday with us today, explore our Work Canada opportunities or reach out for a chat.