Hi All,

Just wondering if you can give us some advice for a relative who is going to Fernie in January and is looking for advice on getting a job. We read in this thread that a ServingItRight course would be a good idea and we want to know if it would be worth his while to do it and keep his options open.

Is there a lot less work in Fernie this season especially when January comes around?

Thanks for any advice in advance.

Irish1987.

I'm guessing that Fernie employ people right the way through the ski season, so until April/ May - lots of the jobs might have gone now though, as the season is about to start. Have you checked the ski hill website?

Is he limiting himself to Fernie rather than any other area? The Banff area (Sunshine/ Lake Louise mainly) hire loads of seasonal staff, with Norquay and Nakiska also hiring. Really if he wants that line of work he just needs to check out all the ski hill websites for restaurants/ cafes on the hills, or google for jobs in the main townsites - loads of restaurant type staff vacancies at the mo on the Canada job bank for Banff/ Canmore... in fact if he knows which towns he wants to look at, (Golden etc) there are multiple websites for casula/ temp staff in these tourist zones.... it's looking for a permanent full time job that's tricky!

No idea about visa requirements or that course you linked to though, but there are a gazillion jobs out there for seasonals in Fernie type places. (Why Fernie particularly?)

Hi debbie,

He is doing a snowboarding instructor course in Fernie and would love to get a job at that but if it does not work out he will take anything instead. I will root out the ski hill website and have a look at that. Thanks for advice.

A friend's son did a ski instructor course in NZ and they had contacts to get their students jobs so I imagine the Fernie place would do the same. He ended up working in Sun Peaks but he was able to start at the beginning of the season.

Hi we moved to Fernie in August permanently - Recently there have been two job fairs for the coming season - one for the Resort itself and one in town for the shops and retailers hotels etc - I do not doubt that yr son along with all the seasoners , aussies , kiwis , brits etc etc would have a problem getting casual work in town at bars or at the shops - there are plenty of restaurants bars, late night / early morning fast food places that are all hiring - may just have to juggle to fit his instructor time - if he has a modicum of common sense and be prepared to go out and look for work rather than expecting something to fall in his lap I would say he'll be fine -
He will need a work visa if he wants to work here rather than just play - needs to apply now as it might be too late already (processing time wise - you will need to check) - most employers require that you can be legally employed without the visa you cant (officially speaking)

This season is promising to be a busy one due to the expected La Nina weather pattern that is due to hit this season - (Lots of the white stuff)