Nette

Hii there!

I am not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I hope you will forgive me when it isn't. Oh and I am also sorry for my bad english, hope you'll understand me.

Okay, there's a dream, my dream: snowboarding in Canada. I don't know why, but the dream simply is there. Especially Whistler seems like a paradise, but I am sure there's more than just Whistler.
I graduated from school this year and now I am taking a year off, so this year (from November till April) I ám going to snowboard in Canada, or at least that's the idea!

But then there's the problem: I am all alone and I just don't know where to start.
I am from Holland and there are no visa's for 2012 available anymore, so the first 2/3 months I can't work because that would be illegal. But I really like to go in November. I have to search something from november till half january (untill I will have a visa an I can look for a job). So I thought maybe I can go on a snowboardtrip or maybe I can stay in a hostel or maybe I can stay in a guest family?

What are the possibilities? Are there any cheap hostels? What's the most amazing spot to snowboard? What's the cheapest spot? What's a regular price for lift tickets?
I have just so many questions that I don't know what to ask anymore haha.

O, by the way: I am Nette, a Dutch girl from 18 years old. I have snowboarded for 6 weeks in my whole life, so my snowboardskills are still in development.
And the question: Is there someone who can help me and tell me a little bit more about the possibilities?

Wish you all the best and thanking you in advance!

Donutz

Hm, 18 year old girl from Holland. OK, first, you're going to get a lot of offers for room-sharing from every male on the site - including the married ones. Don't. We're a bunch of douches.

OK, just kidding. Seriously though, Whistler is mecca as far as snowboarding is concerned, but if you're planning on working and living there, you're up against everyone else on the planet. Whistler is expensive to live, expensive to rent, and expensive to ski/snowboard at. Bring money.

Vancouver is a bit better, at least for accomodations, but not much. There are 3 mountains within easy driving distance, and one of them can be reached by transit. Still an expensive place to live, but more jobs available.

Lots of places in the interior of BC and western Alberta, but I'll have to let someone else comment on those.

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Illegitimi non carborundum

Mountain Days: 30

Nette

Hahaha, yes I was prepared for that, but there was also a change that a sweet family would say: you can stay with us. Okay no. Thanks for your answers Donutz!

Do you have any idea how much money I have to bring for 2 months snowboarding without working (because the first 2 months working would be illegal)? Oh, I have my own snowboard equipment, so only lift ticket, accomodation and food. I really don't know what amount of money I have to think of, but I know for sure snowboarding is expensive.

ThunderChunky

You gonna ride everyday?

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Nette

Hmm I don't know. I would love to, but maybe that's a little too expensive haha?

poutanen

Yup, there are hostels in Fernie, Lake Louise, and I'm sure a few other snowboard towns. I would strongly suggest a season pass if you (Nette) are planning on coming for a whole season. Depending on the pass, they pay for themselves in anywhere from 8-15 days on the hill. My girlfriend and I did 30 days this year and that was factoring in having to work Monday to Friday.

Fernie would be a fun town to stay in, I think the jobs would be all gone by January though. If you're looking for on the snow work it'll be tough. If you want to bartend or basically just work enough to survive and snowboard, then that should be easy.

Do watch out though there are a lot of pigs (like me) out there and a young foreign girl would be seen as easy prey lol.

We have a spare bedroom in Calgary, I can ask my girlfriend but she gets jealous easy so not sure how well that'd work. We need the extra money though!

Figure on $500-$1500 a month for a room up to a nice apartment (depending on the city of course). Season passes go from $700 to $2200 depending on the resort, or combination of resorts. Food would be $500-$1000, plus transportation, entertainment, etc. That's all per month.

Good dream though! Snowboarding in Canada is fantastic!

Nette

Thank you very much! This was very helpfull!

It's nice to have a place in Calgary to stay, but I understand your girlfriend gets jealous of me. I'm Dutch, young and an adventurous girl hahaha. Okay kidding, but it's nice to know there are people who have spare bedrooms though!

Argh I just don't know what to do. I can work as a snowboardinstructor in Europe and after that going to Canada for just a month or two and work there (because then I'll have a visa). Or I can go to Canada for the whole season and just enjoy riding the first months and after that find a job as a bartender or something like that for the rest of the season (in 2013). Any advise?

poutanen

I would say come here for the whole season. You won't get to see all of what Western Canada has to offer even in one season, so the more time you can spend here the better. Also you might be able to find under the table work for the first two months. Or you might find a family that will take you in for free if you clean the house, cook, stuff like that. Can't remember what it's called but I think that's legal because you're not getting paid cash, but you still don't have to pay money out. They also could help you find your way around wherever you choose to go.

Coming from a guy who moved across the country (3500 km) last year. Just do it. I love it out here!

Nette

This sounds like a good plan! It would be perfect if I could find a family who wants to do that, but I don't know how to find them? Unfortunately I don't know anyone living in Canada.
So Canadian people speak to me haha!

snowklinger

Try whatever the canadian version of craigslist is.

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is it late october yet?