Why housekeeping jobs are the hidden gem of working a ski season

Consistent daytime hours, maximum slope and social time, and less guest-facing stress compared to service roles? We'll grab our cleaning cart...

You’re thinking of working a ski season in Canada or Japan. From servers to lifties and baristas, we have a ton of cool roles out there on our Job Hub – some that on first inspection may appeal more than others. Sure, a front-of-house or guest-facing role might look better on your CV and arguably, you'll have less need for rubber gloves. But before you scroll past those housekeeping roles, consider why they could make for a better ski season overall.

1. More mountain time

Housekeeping shifts will often finish in the early afternoon once the guests leave and check-in, leaving the rest of the day and evening free to ski or board. Housekeeping roles typically don't include tips, but with most of our employers providing free or discounted lift passes – you'll have more free time vs other roles to take advantage of those seasonal perks and focus on what you really came here to do.

2. More sociable

Ditto for having afternoons and evenings free for more après. The other reason why we're here.

3. Guaranteed hours

Unlike some other roles that may fluctuate due to weather, ski conditions and demand, housekeeping roles typically offer stable and consistent daytime hours throughout the season.

4. Less stress

No one is saying housekeeping is easy, in fact, it is one of the most demanding roles. But you'll typically have less guest interaction vs front-of-house positions, which can lead to a more relaxed work day.

5. Solo AND team work

Housekeeping is the backbone of most resorts, particularly in higher-end resorts that have exacting standards. You'll work as part of a key team BTS and have all the camaraderie and friendship that comes with that. But equally, it can also be a solo gig at times – where you can be left to plug in your AirPods and get the job done.

6. Under 19 roles

The legal drinking age differs per Canadian province or territory. It's 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, and 19 in the rest of Canada – which of course includes British Columbia (so Whistler and Panorama Mountain Resort, amongst other ski resorts) and Ontario (so Blue Mountain). Where the drinking age is 19, you won't be able to do front-of-house service roles such as working as a server or bartender. Back-of-house housekeeping jobs therefore allow you to still work in those coveted resorts like Whistler if you're 18 years old.

7. Job satisfaction

We're definitely not here to glamourise housekeeping. You'll witness first-hand what guests get up to behind closed doors and all the unmentionable bathroom and bed moments that come with that. It can be monotonous and backbreaking work, but there is definitely a sense of satisfaction from making everything sparkling again and from doing a fast-paced physical role vs standing behind a desk.

So, there you have it – why a housekeeping role can help you clean up on your working holiday. You can check out other roles we hire for, pay and perks, and when to apply for the season on our Work Canada and Work Japan pages.