So, you’ve got a job at a ski resort in Canada? Congratulations! Get ready for the time of your life. You’re probably pretty excited, and maybe also a little nervous. What should you expect? After all, you might be working at a new place, with new people, in a new country... it can be a scary move.
Well, all of us at NITP at some point made the amazing decision to work at a ski resort, so we know exactly what it feels like! Here's a few things we learned and what you can expect on your first ski season.
There'll be a lot of snow
This might seem obvious, but get ready for snow to take over your whole life, because Canada has some of the greatest snow in the world. Our home, SilverStar Mountain in BC, has seven metres of annual snowfall a year. SEVEN METRES.
If you haven’t been around snow much before, you’re in for a treat – skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, tubing, snow-shoeing – there are heaps of great activities to have a crack at. Already got some experience skiing/snowboarding and can’t wait to get out and explore your local mountain? By the end of the season you’ll know the resort like the back of your hand.
Experiencing a Canadian winter for the first time is something you'll never forget. Get ready for super cold temps, crazy storms, sunny bluebird days, and plenty of POW.
Of course, heaps of snow also means you’ll have to get used to shovelling your front door and digging your car out of a snow bank every week... but life can’t always be perfect, right?
You might be living in a weird situation
A lot of resorts don’t have enough accommodation for all of their guests and staff, which means people come up with all sorts of innovative living places. Pre-COVID, it wasn’t unusual to see dorm rooms packed to the brim. You are never to old to share a bunk bed.
Your bed is the sofa and your bedroom is also the kitchen? Yep, makes sense. Seven men sharing one bathroom? We’ve seen it.
There'll probably some partying
Ski resorts are pretty famous for their apres ski, champagne popping, and jugs of beer. There’s definitely a lot of socialising up on a ski hill, especially at the bigger resorts. COVID will probably put a stop to the major events this winter, but you can bet there’ll be some kind of party if you look hard enough.
Don’t worry if that’s not your thing though - you don’t have to be a party animal to do a ski season. Are you the type of person who’d rather skip the bar and be up early for fresh tracks in the morning? That's cool too. Here at NITP we can never choose – we’ll probably be having yoga and movie nights one day and jugs at LJs the next...
There'll be some bruises and tough times
Snowboarding and skiing every day comes with some hard work. If you're a beginner, try not to feel frustrated when your muscles are aching and you've fallen over again. We promise it gets easier (and the bruises eventually fade). Look after your body as much as you can - drink lots of water, get lots of rest, and stretch!
It's also just as important to look after your mind. We know that it can also be hard being in a new place, and it's normal to feel homesick and scared. Just remember, everyone around you is in the same boat - whether it's their first season or their fourteenth, they had to start somewhere.
Feel free to reach out to us on the forum or DM us on Insta if you're feeling lonely or need a friendly person to chat to. We all know how it feels! We'll also be posting tips soon on looking after your mental health during winter seasons so keep an eye out.
You're going to meet some awesome people
Whether you’re into partying and living for the nights, or you’re just there to shred, you’re going to meet people from different places who share the same passions as you. The ski and snowboard world is pretty small and very welcoming, which makes it really easy to connect with people. Some of the people you meet might just end up being your friends for life.
We're super lucky that so many people all over the world belong to the NITP family. Check out our "Ride With Me" page on the forum to organise meet ups in different resorts and ask tips about other places.
Or if you’re lucky enough to be working at SilverStar, come and say hi to us! We’ll be planning lots of events (COVID-safe) for this winter and we’ll keep you updated with everything we’re going to do.
NITP TOP TIPS
We all know it can be really scary moving to a new place, especially in such weird times (what even is 2020 anymore?). These are NITP's top tips for anyone on their first season:
Annie: "Your life is about to become everyone else’s holiday. Seasonal work, but lifelong friends. Take lots of photos and videos... but don’t forgot that sleep is your friend...and so is vitamin D. Take your vitamin D!"
Jaki: "Pack away the fancy clothes and bring forth the hoodies! Start every day with a tune. Put those tunes into a playlist. That way years from now you’ll play your 2020 season playlist and no matter what or where you are you’ll get stoked!"
Nikki: "No matter what happens, at the end of the day (of riding) if your soul is not smiling you’re doing something wrong."
Zita: "...Make sure you save enough money for beer."
Your first ski season is going to be an experience you’ll never forget. No matter what happens, you’re going to learn a lot and make some friends along the way. Get the most out the next few months and you might find yourself never leaving the mountains.
Got any questions or concerns about working your first ski season? Let us know in the comments below!
Written by Hannah Hurley - Official NITP Blog Writer.