Help! Brit moving to Canada/US

Posts: 1 - Karma: 20

Jun 30 2016 8:56AM

Hi all, hope you can help!

(I have little knowledge on the below as ive never skied in N America so go easy!)

I've just finished uni/college in the UK and now looking to move over the pond for next season. Fancy moving away from Europe.

I'm keen on instructing, but realistically unable to complete up to lv2 either CSIA or BASI before the start of next season. So at a loss as to where to start.

I was just after some advice on how is best to tackle the move, with no qualifications? I know theres a lot of gapyear schemes etc but they are a complete rip off costing thousands.. so thats out of the question. Looking to do it as cheaply as possible. -

What is the cheapest way of getting instructor qualifications?

As i understand instructor jobs in the big resorts are near enough impossible to come by so will have to start off in a smaller resort - trouble is then it might be a bit boring. In this respect if i'm just looking to go for a season or 2 might it best to look at other jobs? It sounds like it might need long term commitment, but is ultimately something id love to do next season.

I'm also worried i may have left it quite late with visas and stuff as well

So yeah just after some advice on:

- Completing instructor qualifications

- Small vs big resorts

- Finding accom etc

If any brits here have taken the jump please hmu!

Thanks!!

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californiagrown

Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014

Jun 30 2016 9:22AM

Oh great, another Brexit.

Don't be an instructor, this ain't the alps. You ever worked in a restaurant? Do that instead. Better hours, better pay, better drugs, better food.

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KravtZ

Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629

Jun 30 2016 9:23AM

If I was going to live at any resort area in the US....for me at least it would go...

Tahoe

Whistler

Salt Lake City

Jackson Hole

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kim_jong_ill

Posts: 1019 - Karma: 3,147

Jun 30 2016 9:38AM

We don't want you here

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californiagrown

Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014

Jun 30 2016 10:22AM

KravtZIf I was going to live at any resort area in the US....for me at least it would go...

Tahoe

Whistler

Salt Lake City

Jackson Hole

If we are talking the US I'd add golden, BC to the mix ;)

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Coloradoskier03

Posts: 174 - Karma: 501

Jun 30 2016 10:25AM

I would go to Jackson Hole, they have this massive village where all the old people spend there money on stupid stuff. A lot of stores were hiring when I was there.

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c0ntentcreat0r

Posts: 347 - Karma: 890

Jun 30 2016 11:17AM

KravtZIf I was going to live at any resort area in the US....for me at least it would go...

Tahoe

Whistler

Salt Lake City

Jackson Hole

Whistler is hella expensive though to live in that area.

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goonsquad

Posts: 550 - Karma: 224

Jun 30 2016 1:13PM

big resorts will hire anyone as an instructor and they hire a lot, you dont need any classes or certifications however they pay pretty bad and the work is lame. If you really wanted to be an instructor you could but its very different from Europe.

it would be easier to get a job at a big resort, Vail resorts is probably the biggest and they do make the hiring procedure pretty easy for international staff but i dont know how much it would cost.

And just make sure the job has employee housing. Most first year jobs at a big resort will come with it and that makes it really easy to get affordable housing close to the mountain

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50Kal

Posts: 2826 - Karma: 5,368

Jun 30 2016 2:22PM

Big resorts are the way to go in terms of amount job possiblty. I would say restaurant work if just want to ski/ride a little, then party and make money. If your looking to ski as much as possible work on the mountain somewhere.

I know my company offers housing options with job. I would say that might be easiest since you gonna be there for a year or two. Just remember if your job provides housing don't lose your job or your screwed.

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hemlockjibber8

Posts: 5955 - Karma: 3,452

Jul 5 2016 5:30PM

californiagrownIf we are talking the US I'd add golden, BC to the mix ;)

haha. I knew you had good taste. Golden is dope. I lived in Whistler, been there done that.

To all the other posters... when the FUCK did Whistler become part of the US?

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cydwhit

Posts: 5065 - Karma: 42,823

Jul 5 2016 7:06PM

Jobs are always easy to find in the big ski towns.

Too easy to find, because there will always be more jobs than housing.

Good Luck!

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dbchili

Posts: 2555 - Karma: 1,657

Jul 5 2016 10:18PM

You will have a way easier time with visas coming to Canada. All commonwealth countries have reciprocal travel work visa programs for people under 30. In term of timing you should still be fine, but should get things started up soon if you want to be there for oct/nov when the hiring goes on, as it will take a few months to process

Bringing your British pounds over to Canada will also go much further right now with our depressed dollar vs the U.S.

Lastly, once you start paying tax in Canada you'll benefit from our lovely healthcare system, which if you're coming over to ski might come in handy. In the U.S. you might have to pay private healthcare insurance yourself depending on where you end up getting a job, which is always expensive.

In terms of resorts, if you just wanna do 1 season whistler will be best. The interior resorts are also cool with a more local vibe. Alberta is cool, but skip it bc most of the towns are too far from the resorts.

If you're not sold on coming north by now then I can't help too much, but best of luck with your trip either way!

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