The town of Banff relies heavily on young people from across Canada and around the world to come and work in the service industry. Many folks who are planning to come want to make the most of their stay in Banff: they want to enjoy the world-famous national parks in their off time, and hopefully return home with some extra money as well as many great memories.
Here are some tips from folks who have "been there, done that":- As at 2010, expect to pay around ~$500 for a room, or $800-$1200 for a 1br suite/apt
- Worried about the first couple of weeks -- where to stay, how to get interviews, etc? Consider the Banff International Hostel's Jobseekers' Package. It includes accommodation, internet access, voicemail, shuttle to town -- everything you need for your job hunt in Banff.
- Try for good staff accommodations at a decent price -- if you have a choice between a job that includes it and one that doesn't, go for the first. Housing in the Banff area is quite expensive and in short supply.
- Try and get a job that earns tips, to boost your earning potential.
- There are lots of great free things to do in Banff: hiking, free cultural events
- Because there are so many young people working together, it can tend toward becoming one long party. Living in staff accommodation, which is often the only available (and economical) place to live, contributes to this too. It's easy to get hooked into the vortex - and hard to save money that way, so be wary.
- Stay out of the bars, avoid the party scene to maximize your savings.
- Minimize eating out -- eat at your work (if they offer that) or pack your own lunches, make nutritious breakfasts and dinners in your accommodations, go for picnics rather than restaurant meals, etc.
- Note that Banff has a high rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- A lot of jobs in the Rockies are filled by university students, who all leave at the beginning of September to go back to school. So September, which is still a busy time for tourists, can be a heyday for making $$ for those who are left, as most places are quite short-staffed. Also, some employers will offer a bonus if you stay to the end of the season - usually the end of September, or until Thanksgiving in mid-October.
- If you're hoping to work for the ski season, hiring begins in early October. However, early February can also be a good time to come, as this is the peak of the ski season. That means more staff may be needed, and some businesses may need to replace employees due to turnover since the start of ski season.
- Some employers offer substantial perks to their employees. For example, Brewster has a wide variety of enterprises within the national parks and their employees have free access to all their attractions/activities. One former employee said he saved "probably around $2000" with free tours, free tickets, etc. Employees of The Banff Centre will have many amazing opportunities to attend world-class events. Employees of SkiBig3.com may get seasons passes for skiing. Even smaller employers -- the best ones -- have special staff discounts, staff outings, etc.
Links
Help Wanted! Get a job in Banff National Park (4 min video)
Jobs Canadian Rockies (includes highlights from Local Lowdown)