Big White is AWESOME! Coming for the Season (Yay!) Part duh...

Yeah, yeah, Big White's local
resident teddy bear.

Well... why not? You are young, free, single, good looking, and wondering what you are gonna do with your life.

Of course you are wondering 'Can I afford this...? Will I get a job...? Where will I live...? Will I make friends...? Will blah-de-blah come with me...? (dunno, I don't know blah-de-blah)... Will I get a work visa? Am I the kind of person that goes on adventures? (hint, if the answer is 'no' here, the next questions are 'Do I want to be...?' and 'Can I become...?')

And you may also be thinking but I can't ski/snowboard... I'll start with this. A little secret. You see Shaun White, you see Ted Ligety... you see any person on a snowboard or a pair of skis...? The secret? In the beginning there was light... I mean had never skied, never snowboarded... they (like you) started from zero! Yes, it is true. Now you have something in common with (insert your choice of favourite here). Yes, you too can learn. Me...? I never got on snow until one week shy of my 22 birthday, now I teach... at below a level three standard... cos I failed my three... twice.

My boss, no not my wife, the other one.
Started from zero... Yes, yes...

Okay, the other stuff.

Can I afford this?
It is about perspective, maybe the better question(s) to ask yourself 'do I want to use my savings, go into debt/max out my credit card, be very frugal and only spend what I earn...?' Or... 'is the reward worth the risk...?' The reward of course is a fantastic experience with memories that will last a lifetime. The risks are the other questions. Do you want memories that will last...? I am going to assume yes.

Best Job in the world.

Next question - will I get a job?
Step one of course is to get a work visa now (go on, go do it, I will wait).
Well, done. Step two is to apply for a job... Lifty... ski instructor... housekeeping... server... there are lots.

Jobs... or The Employment market conditions...
Big White themselves employ roughly 800 people during the season, 250 or so are returning staff, the rest 'adventurers!' yes, an emphasis! Or newbies. (no emphasis). Now let us not kid ourselves here, the work is not rocket science (we only have the Ridge Rocket... and that is a chair lift... and no science is done), or brain surgery (I can't think of a connection to that), or hedge fund management (we don't have hedges). 

Other mountain businesses - Globe, Sessions, Blarney, Beanos, Mountain Mart, Snowy

Yes... I ordered the beer.
Shall we discuss...?

Nights, Sam's... etc etc probably employ another 500.

The actual jobs are low pressure, moderate hours (you need time to perfect your snowboarding) and enough pay to survive (of course, wants and needs are different - I want a beer to give me courage to talk to that hot chick vs I need food to survive...) but the point is everybody survives and lots of guys talk to hot chicks (and vice versa).

Friends
1300 people... of a similar age... of a similar adventures nature... from all over the world...? I don't think I need to say more.

Work Visa.
You already have it right...? No...? I thought we discussed this earlier... Okay, if you don't this is the best place to start. Yes it is a link, click it.

Next - are you the kind of person that goes on adventures?
Okay, a bit of philosophy here.

• Will this have a positive/negative impact on your life?
• Will this make a difference in five years time?
• Will you gain valuable life experiences?
• Do I want to make friends for life?
• Do you think people who travel and go on adventures are cool/uncool?

  

  Being cool! Well cold.

• You are one person
• On a planet of 7 billion people.
• In a galaxy of a three hundred billion stars.
• In a universe of of a hundred billion galaxies...
• Or a speck of dust, on a speck of dust, on a... you get the idea.

So... wanna be cool?

What about a place to live? 

That is where I come in, well Sólido Properties. Yes, yes, this is a big o'l advertisement. But here is your chance to stop reading.

Still here...? Really...?

Okay.

Places to stay. Big White have a limited number of Staff Accom places; these places are dedicated to first season peeps. If you are working for Big White direct this season, discuss during your job interview.

Yay!

Other options include the youth hostel and private places; most places can be found on the Big White Facebook page...

The alternative is us! Yay! Sólido Properties, and yes run by people who do things like write blogs and type emphatic 'Yays!' we are that sophisticated... Yay!

Actually the emphatic stuff is cos we are mostly trying to fill in white space... see all the pictures? Ditto.

But the point is... we have lots of properties... Yay!

Okay now some boring stuff. Some tips on renting places at Big White.

Pre-arrival.

1. Rental Contract. Get one. A contract is a fixed agreement, terms of reference in case of disagreement. A contract is to protect both you and the landlord; and set expectations. Have all members of your group read, and understand what their cost obligations will be.



Er... 

1. If your landlord does not want to provide a contract, ask yourself why.
2. A contract must contain three elements - Offer, Acceptance and Consideration. Without each of these three elements a contract will not exist.
1. Offer - i.e. I the landlord will rent this property to you for $x.
2. Acceptance - i.e. I accept your offer.
3. Consideration. The property is the landlord's consideration. The payment (cash) is the tenant's consideration.
1. This is important, it means without a deposit, a landlord has no obligation to honour the agreement.

Once you arrive.

1. Budgeting.
1. Many travellers have saved lots before they arrive, $5-$10k is not unusual.
2. What is your monthly expected income?
3. What are your expenses
• Critical and Important - Rent, Food, Utilities.
• Semi Critical but important - Ski/Snowboard equipment, lift pass.
• Important but not Critical - Social activities, travel, recreational stuff.
2. Manage your controllable costs.
1. Electric is expensive, a $750 per month electric bill is a waste of money.
• Keep the room temp around 21 degrees, this is not Australia, average ambient temp is -8... if you are cold, put on a sweater.
• Keep windows closed.
• Keep the hot tub covered when not in use.
• Turn off lights.
• Rule of thumb?
• Use what your earning to cover expenses.
• Use your savings for the fun stuff.
3. Do a walkthrough. Ideally with your landlord.
• Note any damage - take pics.
• Note cleanliness - take pics.
• Note deficiencies - take pics.
• Send immediately to landlord.
4. Roomies. Decide on cleaning tasks/rota - have everyone agree.

• Your bff may have an alternative interpretation of 'clean...' i.e. 'my mum does it.'
• Keep the place clean throughout the season. It will be more comfortable and easier when you leave.
5. Paying your rent.
• Be on time. The property owner/landlord has his own financial commitments. Mortgage, Strata Fee, Utilities, Property Tax, Contents Insurance, Buildings insurance, Sewer, Phone, Water, Cable. ...A Raven property I own has annual costs of $43k...
• Pay it. You expect to receive your pay on time; be on time... and in the format agreed.

What sort of rates?

You can expect anything from up to $800 per person, per month for a shared room. But you want your own private room? Then double the rate. Too expensive? Then share... (as Yoda said... 'cake and eat you cannot have...' ...it's in the new movie). The landlord/owner has to balance costs (...$43k...) against revenue options. Yes, yes I'm sure the owner bought a luxury property at Big White to rent to your group of buddies cheap cos you are 'nice'...

Remember the Owner has Revenue Options

Sure, since you are nice, I will let you have it cheap.
No, no, I don't want to use it this season.

There are two main rental revenue options - long term or vacation. The revenue from vacation rental rates are high - a one bed + den in Timbers generated $21k last season (2014/15); the owner is not going to rent it to your group for $10k. No... not even if you are really really really nice. You want a discount? Pay for the season upfront.

Long Term - you guys.

• Pros...
• Stable income.



We are really really nice.

• Lower management/marketing costs.
• Cons...
• Higher risk of damage.
• Risk of leaving early.
• Risk of late rent.
• Risk of no rent.
• Risk of noise and lots of complaints.
• Risk of utilities not being covered.

So... the vacation option looks good eh?

Rates have been increasing, but they are what they are, why?

Three main reasons, 

• Less snow at other resorts mean more people are coming to Big White for vacations, this means more places are going to vacationers.
• Increased numbers of Gap program groups paying higher rates - an owner would generate the $800 per night over Christmas and New Year and then get an 11 week booking straight after.
• Weaker Canadian $ - more visitors from the USA and UK.



Yes, yes, I stole the idea from
Got Milk.

What about when you leave...?

Remember the pictures you took when you arrived... showing cleanliness and any damage, unit issues...? The ones you sent to the landlord. Well you have to return the property in that condition.

Sólido Properties do a full professional clean prior to property being occupied.

• Every cupboard and drawer are emptied and wiped. Items are returned
• Windows are cleaned.
• Floors are vacuumed, shampooed and/or mopped (hard vs carpets)
• Walls and electrical switches are wiped of grease marks.
• Doors are cleaned of grease marks.
• Baseboards are dusted and wiped.
• Bathrooms are made spotless
• Extraction fans are cleaned of dust...
• etc etc etc

Yes, yes, I'm gonna clean later... maybe...

This takes time... lots. If my company is doing it, we are charging you. Out of the bond/damage deposit. The upside? You move into a super clean place... the downside you have to return it as found. Including removing food, clothing, boots, skis, snowboards, helmets, gloves, poles, bindings, bags... I don't want them, they create work and work costs money. Get rid of them or you are paying. Easy? Ha! It is almost June and we are still on clean-up.

Which leads to the bond. Ensure you are aware of the bond terms. The bond is a damage deposit and different landlords have different approaches to the bond. We charge only for deficient items - cleaning, utilities, damages. Some landlords will find any reason to keep everything, so be careful. 

Tip - A landlord is likely to ask you for a reference... you can ask him/her for a reference too... contact the previous tenants.

As a landlord and property owner I try to maintain a mutually respectful relationship with my tenants. I need them to look after my places. One of the perks... I regularly bring them beer. But not always...

• Your rent is late...? No beer for you.
• There is a noise complaint? No beer for you.

  

  Looks good eh?
  No beer for you!

• You have damaged a wall? No beer for you.
• You have left garbage outside? No beer for you.
• You are smoking in the unit...? No beer for you.
• The place stinks of Pot...? Nooo... beeeer... for... yoooouuu....
• You bring snowboards and skis into the unit...? Explicitly against the house rules...? When there is a fantastic ski locker...? No, no, no. No beer!
• You can't open the window... yes, sure I'll drop everything, run around, open the window for you... no I don't have a life... no I don't mind it's 11:20pm and I was sleeping... Beer! Ha...! No.
• You are unhappy because the $600 gourmet set of pans does not have a $12 none stick frying pan...? Beer...? I think... no beer.
• Your lightbulb is out... really?
• I have to chase you for rent...? Er... No beer!
• You agreed to one group deposit each month but now want to pay cash, all eight... separately...?
• Ha! No beer... ever!

Departing your place.

If you are going to be out on the 1st, then be out on the 1st. The $200 of condiments...? The frozen fruit and vegetables left in the freezer...? The two tins of soup and box of tea bags...?  If you have vacated the place, expect it to go to either the garbage or the food bank. But wait, what...? You hadn't vacated...? Really? Good. I need more rent.

So... that is it... coming to Big White?

Yay!

Yay!

Sólido Properties owns, manages, sells, develops, property at Big White... (well we did...) lives, skis, snowboards, drinks beer (I have lots left over) writes a crappy blog (when I can be bothered) plagiarizes lots of pics (thanks Gav, Andy, Klaus, etc etc.) And a bunch of other stuff that I can't think of right now but for sure cool... or cold.

Need a place to stay? Email solidorentals@gmail.com or contact us on Facebook.