Big White is AWESOME! Working here.

Okay, this is 'working here' version 2.31. I was gonna write a fresh new, pretty, bells and whistles blog... but... I didn't. Ha!

Working at Biggie - Woohoo!

Good Times!!!

First of all let me say (lots of) money is not everything, in fact in the big scheme of things money is not that important - some of the happiest people I know, the people who travel the most - went bankrupt, sounds bad, but it was liberating for them. Anyway, not earning lots of money is good because at Big White you will gain something far more valuable than the money you don't make - an experience of a lifetime. 

And (being philosophical here) life is nothing more than a series of joined experiences. You want to make money? Stay home, work in the mines, make a bunch of doh, get married, have kids, work 60+ hours per week, retire and then kick the bucket - Fun! Not. If you want to do something to remember the rest of your life, travel - come be a snowboard instructor, or bar tender, or whatever at Big White - have a rich and rewarding experience. And of course meet lots of people - this is giant hand Brad below - a sparky... find out more about Brad here, he is for sale.


What can I earn?Remember it is a 5-6 month resort. Businesses have to cover 12 months of fixed costs over a short period - rent, property tax, utilities (marginal), strata fees, their own salaries... They, like you, are not doing it to be rich, but (like you) for the lifestyle. And the lifestyle at Big White is pretty AWESOME!


I would budget somewhere between $1200 - $1600 per month in your pocket after taxes. More hours equals less snow time. But... be reliable. Hungover... tired... can't be bothered working today... my hair is a mess... forgot to put my make-up on... OMG where am I, and who are you...? Are not valid excuses. A foot of powder...? Yes, okay, that's a valid excuse.

Off on a tangent here-
I worked/bummed around a ski resort resort in my mid 20's - Chatel, in the French Alps - just on the Swiss border. Loved it! I worked in bars, kitchen's, chalets. The biggest hurdle for me then was the language - the French just refused to speak English. And my French was as advanced as my Latvian. Coming from the industrial North of England, languages were not popular - some even argue we don't even speak English. Which could be true-

Minimum wages - come work for us...

Here are a couple of common Wigan phrases. Some need double translation (see the parenthesis)

• Izziterzerizziteez - Is is her's or is it his.
• Ah wur fair clemm't - I was very hungry.
• Gerreminagen! - Get them in again (as in round of beer).
• Ee's peed aw is munny up waw - He has pissed all of his money up the wall (Spent all his money on beer)
• Sawreetferthee - It is okay for you.
• Izyedzawshapes - His head is all shapes.
• Avaddabuttifermitay - I have had a butty (sandwich) for my tea (dinner).
• Weeaffertguffertbuzz - We have (are off) to go for the bus.
• Astbinmenbin? - Have the bin men (trash collectors) been?
• Art brekkin um in fer an 'orse? - (this is trash talk to someone with big teeth) Are you breaking them in for a horse?
• Willy Eckerslike - Will he heckers like. (this is difficult, it means - he will not do that)
• Eezgoowinwom - He is going home.
• Eenose nowt abartit - he knows nothing about it.
• Geeuzakisswillta? - Give us a kiss will you?
• Art cooertin - Are you courting? (Are you dating anyone)
• Stop bluddy Maudderin - Stop Bloody Crying. (popular with my dad (RIP) after he cracked me one - spanked me)
• Stop maudderin yer bruvver - Stop bothering your brother (often followed by a crack and a Stop bluddy maudderin)

As you can see Wiganese eliminates numerous letters (H) and profusely uses others (Z).

Back to Biggie.
Of course it does not have much to do with working at Big White... but out of the jobs I did in France with my limited French and English working the bar was my favourite, being a 'Plunger' (use a French accent) was by far the most demanding - I would run around that kitchen barely breathing 9am - 6pm none stop.

So if you are looking for work at a ski resort... don't go to Chatel to be a Plunger.

However, if you are coming to Big White - 

Man, I wish I could get rich so I could have a vacation here.

• Bars and restaurants pay minimum (or close to)... but the tips are usually very good (being blonde, beautiful, blue eyed - helps, er... you know I mean female here). Be prepared to work late and suffer drunken Aussies, Brits, Canadians etc etc.
• Big White Housekeeping - steady hours, minimum wage, ski pass. Can be dirty - renters are not looking to leave their place 'ready for the next guest' if you know what I mean. But the benefits are free food, beer etc.
• Other housekeeping - same as Big White, maybe a pass - Ask!
• Ski/Snowboard Instructor - Sexy! Lowish pay (unless you are level 3 and above). Free ski pass and you have a cool job. Cool capital C. 
• Liftie - A bit dull but always steady. Ski pass and you get to ski a little whilst working.
• Telus Park - same
• Snow clearing. Intermittent hours, busiest when conditions are best... good wages, hard work and will keep you fit, but little snow means little work...
• Groomer - few jobs but you work mostly nights - ski/ride during the day.

So do some homework, contact the businesses early, and find a place to stay... oh, that's where we come in - Sólido Properties - manages and rents their own and third party properties. If you need long term accommodation we can help. Like us on Facebook - we will like you :) ...maybe.