I have decided i am going to live my dream that i have had for many years. im 19 and so have no real commitments, im going to work for as long as it takes to have enough money to move out to whistler for a full riding season, without having to work there, riding every day.

any tips advice etc would be very appreciated

anyone done it and can help me out with anything?

accomodation, best flight provider, visa issues etc.

also the fun part what bike do you recomend, im thinking 180mm single crown forks? maybe scott voltage fr or intense slopestyle etc? what are the best trails? which should i start on?

very exciting, thanks in advance

never been to whistler or done a bike season, but done a couple of winter seasons snowboarding. i’d probably try and save up some cash between now and spring and aim to get out there on with a job, as working in hospitality etc is part of the experience & you’ll make a load of friends that way.

i looked into it a few years ago though. two ways to get in to canada for you would be working holiday visa or a sponsorship through a job. check the bunac website for full details, think they are the only people who can help you get a whv – http://www.bunac.org.uk/uk/workcanada/

intrawest are the company to look at for jobs, they pretty much own most things out there and do annual recruitment drives. but check out whistler blackcomb website for details.

as for which bike, shouldn’t that be bikes?!

Whatever advice gets posted below this, don’t let anyone put you off.

I can’t think of a better age to do something like this, scrimp, save, do whatever you have to.

Personally I’d look to try and get a job in a bar out there, just so that it doesn’t become too one-dimensional and you’ll get to meet loads of people. I also wouldn’t just limit myself to Whistler, travel around if you can and visit various places (definitely go to Van for example). Contradicts the ‘get a job’ comment but…well…whatever.

As for bikes, something simple, bombproof and easily serviceable. You’re not going to struggle for bike parts out there but I’d go shimano/Rock shox and a fairly simple frame. Or buy something when you’re out there and take advantage of the exchange rate. My brother did six months on a Prophet with Lyrics and had no issues, plenty of spare brake pads, a bleed kit and strong wheels.

Good luck!

use protection.

In the same position I’d choose Kicking horse or Nelson over that whistler village

There was a lenghty feature in Dirt a few months ago on this subject, worth searching out if you missed it.

I did a winter season in Whistler with no work, got mega accomodation deal thru http://www.alluradirect.com/

eating and drinking out will steal your money, liftpass is expensive, shame to go all that way and not see some more of BC, at least- Vancouver & Vancouveer Island.

Book flight early on Tinternet, keep an eye on exchange rates. Bike parts out there no cheaper.

I’ve not been to Whistler but have done winter’s & summers in France both working and not and as said above I’d look at getting some work while I was there even if only part time, it’s the best way of getting to meet people.

thank you all. i had considerd getting work, however i have worked in the hospitality industry for a few year and im begining to truly hate it. i guess something in the evenings could be ok, and im always up for meeting people. but i just want to make sure im not sacrificing riding for working. and the only reason i say just going to whister is because its so easy, all the trails are there, the lifts are there, i dont need local knowledge or buddies to do shuttles with etc.

thanks for the links

i will also search for that dirt article, ta.

thanks for your encouragement flange, the amount of people that show the negatives instead of saying go for it! sound advice with the bike aswell, i always go shiman/rockshox.

you’ll probably get bored of whistler bike park pretty quick. I’ve done a couple of weeks in BC, twice, and the second time I just allocated a week to whistler (as I found 2 weeks too long). You can spread your time round the north shore and the other BC bike parks and probably not get even close to getting bored.

With that said, you will get injured and so will your bike. I’d either take something thats not worth a whole load, or buy something out there brand new under warranty, to cover you as you snap bits. Whistler is very hard on bike parts.

Its good fun, go for it

thanks for that bunas link peachos – very helpfull!

5slab – that has been on my mind, my only reason for just picking whistler was to keep costs down slightly, reduces travel to other bike parks, and accomodation in many different areas etc. however i think you are right and its well worth considering more of a trip round all of them. yeah im expecting a bit of carnage bike and body wise, will get padded up and make sure my bike is strong as an ox, i love building bikes and so it will be very strong, saint or xt on everything thomson post and stem etc, totems. do you think single crown forks ok or should i go more of a dh option?

Currently working in Van (as of this august) and I would recommend the North Shore for a change from the “motorway” bikepark. Not been up to Whistler yet (going Friday) :D, so cant comment on that.

Canada isn’t as cheap as I was told it was! Food etc is the biggest cost after somewhere to live. I love it here though- super friendly people, awesome riding etc. You will love it!

Go for it , you will have a hell of a time, wonderful part of the world. Do it now while you can, I did a season skiing in France, it was wonderful.

I’ve also not done Canada but have done seasons in France and would pass the following snippets on:

However much money you think you’ll need double it. This is my standard rule for any long trip/holiday.

Get a job in a bar in the evenings, you’ll meet people, it will keep a bit of money flowing and might also keep you in cheap beer/food.

Get a simple bike that will have a local distributer so you can get spares. I’m thinking single pivot, coil forks, normal (not factory built) wheels.

Try to give yourself 1 day off a week to go and do other things. You can drop into a routine very easily and having a day per week off the bike can help stop this.

I don’t think you’ll get too many negatives on here, just jealousy from me anyway!

If you’re starting your build already drop me an email, might be able to help you out with a cheap Totem or even frame too. Address in profile.

food in the resorts is very pricey – whistlers better than other resorts for this, but still a long way from vancouver prices. the other resorts will probably make up for the cost of travel (which is pretty cheap if you don’t mind taking a long time) by being cheap once your there – silverstar has a good hostel which is cheap, and most of the resorts do a park ticket + accomodation package.

as above, its not cheap. 2 weeks cost me about a grand on top of flights, each time. single crown forks are fine, take a fork rebuild\service kit, and spare bearings for your frame.

if you’re a decent rider, what about getting certified as a bike coach and paying your way like that??

I’ve done exactly what you’re talking about in 06. And 6 weeks last year. Biggest expenses are flights. Canadian affair in Jan sales and use Quidco for another 10% rebate. Lift pass, use the early bird or if you havent got enough cash to afford that and need to get it when you arrive, make yourself a WORCA member for a few bucks and you get 10% off the pass. Same applies if you buy a Brocard from Fanatyco bike shop 10% off plus cheaper stuff in shop. Accomadation; google Whistler staff housing summer. Yes you may get put with some freaks but it’s cheapest you’ll find that’s guaranteed available. Try to get into Brio it’s jus been done up and is close. Glacier is cheap but up the mountain which is a PITA walk. As long as you are going for more than 3 weeks staff housing is your place. For somewhere cheaper look on the Pique magazine website and on Craigslist for rooms to rent. That’s what I did last year, better than staff and cheaper usually cos you get your own room. Food is upto you how much you spend. But easy to make it cheap on the pasta diet. Bike shop wise use Garbo bike n bean and ask for Spooner. The immigration ppl will ask you how much money you’ve got. If you’ve not got a lot lie. Jus say £4k. They won’t work out what that is in $. Last time I asked him if he meant in cash on me and he said yes so jus said $200. Think that about covers it. Wed night is Phat wed races few dollar entry and you get a beer and a prize draw. Plus you’ll meet everyone who’s local. Think that covers it. Anything else ask. Oh I transfers. Err online shop around or you can get the bus.

wow, thanks alot wysywig, i will be in touch at some point when i really get down to the logistics. thanks mate.

Oh I bike choice. Err I took 6″ travel bike last year. Absolutely fine you can take a full on dh bike but no need. It will kill your bike. Fox forks will need a seal service every 3/4 days n a full rebuild every 2 weeks if you don’t want to knacker them. Marzocchi good bet as any problems take them to zocchi stand at crankworx for free fettling. Fox won’t look at you. Take tyres. Shop around and buy some highrollers. 3 pairs should suffice. I’d take extra and sell them on if you can get cheap enough. Don’t jus limit yourself to the park. Go to squamish and pemberton. Silverstar too. Youre bound to find ppl to ride with. They’ll show you the special trails like ride don’t slide and tresspasser..

Long post ahead so apologies if I’m rambling. I’m doing it now 😀 Didn’t do a full season as I needed more time to save up money, but I got here on 15th August. It’s amazing here – so good in fact that riding in the UK seems so pointless and rubbish 😆 We just don’t have anything that comes close to this back home.

You need loads of money. I came out with about 2.5 grand for just over 2 months. I’m actually doing ok money-wise but that’s because I’m having to limit nights out as beer prices here are so high. My first night out in Vancouver I ended up spending about $100 😆

Flights I booked with Canadian Affair, flying with Thomas Cook. Mine was £340 one way (as I’m not sure when I’m going home yet as I’m trying to get a job and stay for longer), and flights home are even cheaper – I’ve seen one for $50 Vancouver to Gatwick via Canadian Affair!

Accomodation wise I kind of wish I went with the staff housing just to meet new people easier. I’m in a nice private roomed condo in Creekside for the same price as staff accom though, but I don’t have any housemates at the minute, so nights can be boring and going out by yourself is a bit awkward at first.

As for bike I’m riding an older 180mm Santa Cruz Bullit (w/old 180mm Boxxers) and it’s spot on. I don’t think there’s any need for more travel or slackness unless you’re riding all the double blacks and proper thrashing it. For all the fun blue/single blacks I haven’t felt like I needed more travel and only properly bottomed out once on a very badly landed drop. I think a big slack dh race bike would be rubbish here as a lot of the more fun trails are full of jumps so it’s better to have something flickable. Bullits are quite popular here as are Bottlerockets, Voltages, Demo’s and the rental bikes are all Kona Stinkys. Just make sure your forks are good at absorbing high frequency bumps – mine aren’t and my hands are slowly getting more nackered by the day. I struggled to open a bottle of pop with my left hand yesterday 😆

Get your visa sorted as soon as it becomes available for 2012. It takes a few months to process so best to get it early.

All the trails I’ve ridden so far have been fun other than Schleyer as I’m not man enough to do all the rock drops so I ended up walking around a lot of it. My favourites are Crank It Up, Black Velvet (brand new trail which is ridiculously good and ends at the Fatcrobat log ride which is fun), Freight Train (apart from the container gap) Devil’s Club, Wednesday Night Delight and Bluesium. Got a few bad gopro vids up here if you want to have a look.

Oh and with Canadian affair there’s a list of stuff you can take excess baggage for free. Fishing tackle is one, so a bag of spares and extra tyres if you’re overweight can easily become tackle… Ahem

And make sure you have insurance. Endsleigh will cover you for proper dh biking. But not races so dont spanner yourself on a wed night. They’re cheap and they paid out €27k for me. Best £160 I ever spent.

use protection.

Ha! STD’s are (supposedly) rife in Whistler, so be careful out there….

container gap in freight train is easy, just come out of the trail before it at reasonable pace and don’t touch your brakes (no pedalling either). I found it way nicer than the one on fade to black..

sun peaks is definately worth doing – you can do it together with silverstar pretty easily, and the riding there is awesome. I’d personally say the jump track there is better than a-line

Oh and read through these Whistlapalooza articles on SDH.

5lab yeah it doesn’t look that hard, I just get the fear of gaps and I’m not always great at step-ups. I haven’t tried Fade to Black yet either considering I have a hard time getting the bottle to go fast enough to clear all the jumps down A-Line 😆

wysiwyg, what did you do to yoruself?

fade to black is pretty easy too – just hit it all at a moderate speed, and you’ll be fine. Don’t brake between the step down and the step up.

GIT!

Go for it

I’m going on October 12th this year!!

I’d like to know if you have any contacts out there..

Also looking for job hunting tips myself..

No real advice – I took a year off when I was 18 and went round the world. I am sure it will be amazing. Just try not to underestimate costs so you do not get caught out and you’ll be fine. All you really need is a credit card with enough credit to get you back home in an emergency (I had to do this with another year off in ’04), and good insurance.

Good luck!

Jedi> 12 days in Van hospital including a night in intensive and a couple of cat scans. Snapped frame in 2 on day 3 and broke ribs, bruised kidney and worst was burst spleen. Lost 3 pints of blood internally before I decided something was up and called paramedics. By which point I was having weird shooting pains across my shoulder to my groin. Never felt anything like that. After 12 days told um I was more than ready to leave tho I wasnt. Told me not to ride for 6 months. Collapsed in the petrol station toilets on way to bus back to whistler. Ignored that and went to the pub. The 6 month ban lasted a week. I figured I’d be fine as long as I didn’t crash…I didn’t. I was.

high5!! i was riidng 4 weeks after surgery instead of 18months 🙂
been too long since we caught up.

I’ll have to mooch down some time. See if you’ve still got it 😉

in spades mate 😉

I’m going on October 12th this year!!

I realise that you’re going for the winter season, but did you know that the bike park only shuts on Oct 10th?

+1 for bringing spares with you, a lot of stuff is more expensive here. Whenever relatives visit from the UK, they usually find their bags filled with my CRC/Wiggle orders.

How will it work with your visa?

Upto 3 months on a holiday visa (the one you fill in on the plane)
Hop over the border to Seattle for the day, come back another 3 month visa iirc.

If you don’t plan on working, take four times the amount of money that you think you may possibly need! Vancouver is one of the most expensive places on earth to live, and Whistler is worse.

Buy a crappy vehicle. You may well go insane spending all your time in Whistler. Insurance is stupidly expensive but you can always just insure it on a day to day basis, and there are no vehicle checks if registered outside Vancouver, so any old shitheap will do.

Winter:

I would avoid Whistler. I’m sure the mountain is great but prices are ridiculous, finding accommodation is virtually impossible and its full of pretentious look-at-me ski and snowboard clowns wearing their pants round their ankles. I spent my winter season in Fernie, south east BC. Amazing experience, better quality snow (although not quite so much but 11.5m over the season is not half bad), less clowns, less tourists, cheaper etc etc. Other smaller interior resorts would be similar, eg revelstoke, red, big white etc.
Summer:
Whistler no question. The place is unbelievable. Its not just the riding but the whole vibe and experience, as Seb has written much about in his Dirt articles. I recently went back and got the chance to ride silverstar and sunpeaks (sunpeaks being my favourite, steeper!) which are both great but the resorts are very quiet in summer and the towns are a way away. In Whistler everything you need is right there.
I spent most of my time in the park and I regret not riding more in Pemberton and Squarmish (make friends with someone with a truck for shuttling!) and also the whistler valley xc which is just mind blowing. The North Shore is not far away either, the possibilities are endless, you will not get bored. Accommodation is far easier to get in the summer and its also way cheaper. I got really lucky by using the alluradirect website and landed myself and some buddies a luxury townhouse with garage, deck, hot tub, en suite double room and 20 second ride to the lift all for only 440 bucks a month 🙂 Put dates in for the whole summer into that website and see what comes up, then email some of the owners and you may get lucky with someone that will want to benefits of renting out for the whole season rather than sporadic holiday lets.
Bike: Big burly DH bike is the way to go, no question. I bought an sx trail out there as a do it all bike and halfway through the season I found that the bike was holding me back on the steeper, rougher double blacks. I ended up buying a Cove Shocker. A smaller bike is still fun but if you are good enough to get the most out of a DH bike on the rough stuff then that is the bike to get. If you can afford it, go for a full on DH bike and a 130-150mm trail bike for the xc riding.

Have fun, don’t brake on the wood.

Oh forgot to say…

Jobs: worth at least going out with a working visa so you can work if you need to. Maintaining a bike in whistler is not cheap at all and neither is beerage. I worked as a landscaper in whistler which was good pay and I got to drive bobcats and diggers although it was Monday to Friday (not so bad with extended play – 3 hours of riding a day after work). You could always sleep in a tent to save money.

Cars: Don’t forget you are only legal to drive on your uk license for up to 6 months from your date of entry. I fell foul of this and had to sell my Ford exploder only a couple of weeks after buying it. No idea how I was sold a car and insurance without any body checking whether I was legal to drive!

I went on a gap year in my teens that ended just before my 30th birthday. Good times in mountain resorts.

If you don’t plan on working, take four times the amount of money that you think you may possibly need!

This is one of the best pieces of advice you’ll receive. It still stands true even if you do get a job. In terms of bike costs alone, my mate was a bike guide in the Alps for a while and used to go through a set of pads every day.