The town of Banff is located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, just 90-minutes from the city of Calgary. It is one of the top destinations for working holidaymakers from more than 30 countries that can participate in International Experience Canada. If you are considering doing a working holiday in Canada, you may be looking at jobs in Banff with staff accommodation. Employers that provide accommodation will save you from the hardest part of beginning your working holiday in Banff; finding somewhere to live.
Since 2010, Stepwest has helped over a thousand participants secure their work experience in Canada. We work closely with a number of employers in Banff and are very familiar with the process of getting a job in Banff with staff accommodation.
Whether it’s during the winter or summer season, Banff National Park has a lot to offer. In the summer season, you can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, climbing, camping, and golfing. The town hosts several events and festivals providing the opportunity to meet people from around the world. You’re also likely to meet the friendly locals – the deer and elk who hang out along the river.
Banff is a popular ski destination with two of the biggest ski resorts in Alberta – Sunshine Village Mountain Resort and Lake Louise Ski Resort. Mount Norquay is another nearby hill enjoyed by locals and advanced skiers. Banff is also a convenient access point for world-class ski resorts in British Columbia such as Kicking Horse and Revelstoke.
No matter what time of year you are planning to live in Banff, the scenery is breathtaking. Banff jobs allow you to live in the centre of all this spectacular beauty – to enjoy the views of the Canadian Rockies every day is an experience you will remember for the rest of your life.
Banff is one of the most popular destinations in Canada for locals and internationals. This makes finding accommodation challenging and expensive. Because of government restrictions on development inside the national park, rent prices are high with little vacancy. This often results in many working holidaymakers having to live outside the park in nearby towns like Canmore.
Finding a job in Banff that provides staff accommodation will save you from having to spend all your hard-earned money on high rent. It will also allow you to live close to your work.
Living in staff accommodation also offers a great opportunity to meet people and socialize. As soon as you arrive, it’s very common to get invited to a small party or get together with your roommates. This is the perfect opportunity for you to get to know people from all over the world!
As of May 2022, the current minimum wage in Alberta is $15 CAD per hour. By working full time in Alberta, you will be able to cover your basic living expenses. Finding cheaper accommodation will be helpful for your budget. It will leave you with more money for experiences and local trips.
Many hotels and resorts offer positions to working holidaymakers that pay the minimum wage. Keep in mind this does not mean you will be earning this amount all year long. Your wage may increase after your probation period, when you get promoted, or even if you find a new job opportunity. If you find a new job opportunity, always inquire about the new employer’s benefits before leaving your previous job. This way, you can see if they will be providing you with extra benefits like staff housing.
Getting a job in Banff with staff accommodation will make a huge difference in your budget. Instead of focusing on the rate of your hourly wage when searching for a job, remember to take into consideration the benefits your potential employer can offer you.
An average cost of rent when finding your own accommodation in Banff can be between $600 to $700 CAD per month. This is drastically reduced to $300 or $400 CAD per month if you are offered housing from your employer.
If you get a job that pays minimum wage but offers staff housing in Banff at a discounted price, you will benefit from paying less rent per month. If your job pays more than minimum wage but does not offer staff accommodation, you might end up with less money after you pay your higher rent and utility bills.
Another advantage of staff housing is that your employer will ensure your commute to work is easy. You will either live within walking distance or a short staff shuttle ride away from your job. If you plan to live in Banff in the winter, you will be glad you don’t have to drive in a freezing cold car on icy roads to get to work.
All large employer’s in Banff accept online applications for their seasonal roles. This is the preferred method of securing a job with accommodation in Banff because you can submit applications while still in your home country. Be sure to apply for jobs that state they offer staff accommodation. Not all employers in Banff provide this for their staff so do not make any assumptions. Normally, large hotels, lodges, and ski resorts offer staff accommodation and will mention this in the job description. In some instances, local businesses like shops and restaurants offer accommodation, but this is not as common.
When applying through hotel or ski resort employment websites, it is commonly required to complete a questionnaire. This is used by employers to narrow down the pool of candidates to those most suitable for certain roles. Once you submit the questionnaire, you will receive an email. If you did not pass the questionnaire, unfortunately, you will not be considered for any other roles at the hotel.
By coming to Banff with Stepwest’s Working Holiday Resort Job program, we help you prepare your application for the employer. Stepwest has been working with employers in Banff for the past 10 years so we know exactly what they look for in a candidate. On our program, you will be assigned one of our Canada Job Specialists to strengthen your resume and application profile. Even if you don’t have previous experience in the hospitality industry, our team will help you showcase your transferable skills. We take your success landing a job seriously as we aim to provide our participants with the best experience possible in Canada.
If you are unable to land a job before arriving in Canada, you will need to continue your search in Banff. This option has a lot more uncertainty so you should prepare your budget for all types of alternatives. You may find a job with accommodation right away, or it could take several weeks. You also might not find a job that offers accommodation and have to settle for a private rental at a high price. When you first arrive in Banff, we highly recommend staying at the Samesun Banff Hostel while you search for work. Their rates are typically between $40 to $65 CAD per night.
To reduce the amount of time it takes to find a job, and therefore the cost, make sure you know when the hiring seasons are in Canada. Knowing this in advance will help you plan your trip so you arrive in Banff when employers are hiring.
Job fairs are held at the beginning of both the summer and winter seasons. They are conducted by hotels in Banff, as well as the surrounding resort areas like Lake Louise, and Canmore. Many employers use these job fairs to fill the remaining roles for the season. Prior to the fairs, many positions will have already been filled either by returning workers or job placement agencies like us. Our agreements with employers allow us to secure the jobs that offer accommodation months in advance.
Always make sure to ask if staff housing is provided during your job interview. In popular working holiday destinations like Banff, finding a job might be easier than housing.
If after all this, you are not able to find a job in Banff with staff accommodation that’s okay. You can still secure private housing. It will be more expensive, but it is still possible. Make sure you are familiar with the regulations for renters in Alberta so you know your rights.
Because Banff is so popular for newcomers in Canada, sadly there are scams you need to be aware of. If a rental price sounds too good to be true, chances are you are facing a scam. A place as popular as Banff does not need to advertise cheap housing to find tenants. Do not send anyone money without verifying the property and owner. The same goes for security deposits. You should never be requested to pay a security deposit that is more than the amount equal to your first month’s rent.
If you are already planning your working holiday experience in Canada, we can take care of securing your job with any of our resort and hotel partners in Banff. Stepwest is a Recognized Organization of the Government of Canada. We proudly offer the guarantee of providing everything you need to start your working holiday in Canada, giving you peace of mind when you arrive. Our Working Holiday Resort Program guarantees:
Secure Your Job & Staff Accommodation Before Arriving in Banff!
If you are already planning your working holiday experience in Canada, we can take care of securing your job with any of our resort and hotel partners in Banff. We proudly offer the guarantee of providing everything you need to start your working holiday in Canada – including Banff jobs – giving you peace of mind when you arrive.