I’ve done it. I’ve spent an entire season in Whistler and it’s been totally awesome! I’ve had a totally great time. I’ve skied every single day that I could. I got off to a slow start, skipping a few of the early days skiing in the season, but I got right into it when I started working as a ski instructor.

At first I was hoping to work as a snowboard instructor because I’m qualified to do both, but they are very short in ski instructors, so that’s what I did. I actually didn’t get a single day on the mountain as a snowboard instructor. I was frustrated by this at first, but as time went on I found a brand new appreciation for skiing.

The season at Whistler was off to a really slow start. Not much snow at all. They didn’t open half the mountain until the very end of January. Speaking of the very end of January, that’s when I dislocated my kneecap and was no longer able to teach. I dislocated my kneecap by teaching some of my students how to do some ski tricks. I had done this single trick about 10 times that day, but this one time I messed myself up pretty bad. I felt a pop and pain and fell to the ground screaming. I was completely off skis for 28 days straight and missed a total of 35 on the mountain.

I’m still recovering to this day from my injury, you can see the video of my 100th day on the mountain here.  I’m doing much better and I haven’t skied in a few days now (which I’m sad about). The mountain is still open but I’m back here in Toronto visiting for a few weeks.

Whistler is quite the bubble of a place. Nobody takes it seriously. By that, what I mean is, most people go to Whistler for a season.  Then they leave. Not many people decide to move out there for years and years like I have. So I make friends, and then they leave. It’s tough, but it’s just the way it is. I’ve met some people that will definitely be my friends for life and I’m stoked about that.

The mountain doesn’t pay well enough. I’ve been running WhistlerWatch.com for a while, and I’ve considered monetizing it, but I’m not happy with the direction that it’s gone and the identity that it has held. I don’t want to run a news website or be a secondary journalist. I want to do something new and fun and creative with my site, so I’ve been trying to figure out what it is that I’ll be doing with it in recent weeks. Since the mountain doesn’t pay well, everyone is broke. Really broke, and in these times of economic turmoil, it’s time to get off your ass if you want to be rich.

I’m starting up club crawl. That’s all I’ll say about it for now.

Anyway, if you want to keep up with what’s going on in my life. Just subscribe. I’ve been low key, but I’ll have more to say.

After 100 days on the mountain. I look like this:

Enjoy!

Hey everyone, first I’d like to appologize for not writing in so long, but I’ve been blogging on WhistlerWatch.com. So if you ever wonder what’s happening in my life, check that out. If you watch the video below you’ll see that I’ve been teaching ski instructing and blogging. I was injured for about 40 days, which was super trife.

I’ve been meaning to get some content back on NickField.net, so I’ll do what I can to get that going again.

See ya on the flipside

So staff housing is starting to fill up. Everything is going very well and I’m having a great time. Working hard on WhistlerWatch.com which is a little blog that covers local events of all kinds and what not. It’s cool.

I’m meeting tonnes of people and having a great time.

(photo credit: whistlermountainvillage.com

Whistler has got to be the best place on the planet to ski and snowboard.

I haven’t been there. Ha!

I’ve been dying to go to there since I was 18, and now is my time. As I’ve mentioned, I’m moving to Whistler. While I go out there, I will continue working with FieldCo Inc. developing websites. I’ll be focussing on expanding our hosting and client list. However, I’m dying to teach snowboarding or skiing.

When I returned to Canada from Australia in April, I called up Whistler Blackcomb to see what I could do about a winter job. They promptly let me know that I’d have to go through the process of getting an interview in September through the traveling recruiters. So I waited - and planned.

I had my interview today at a hotel near the airport. I’ll preface what happened in my interview with this: I really want to instruct. Skiing or snowboarding. I have my level 1 instructors for both ski and snowboarding - that means I can teach beginner to the intermediate level. At some point this year, I’m looking to upgrade to my level 2 ski instructors certificate and level 1 coaching. By next season I’ll be looking to get my level 2 snowboard instructors certificate. I love teaching kids because they’re fast and fearless and fun.

My passion for snow sports must’ve come out in my interview, because that, combined with a few years of teaching experience got me a Whistler job on the spot. Ace.

If you’re looking to get a job at Whistler, go to their website and book an interview. Also, check out the video at the bottom of this page to check what Whistler is like. Sounds fun. Next thing I have to worry about is accommodation. I’m sure I’ll write all about that.

If you have any leads on accommodation in Whistler please write it in the comments below.

Here’s a personal update for those interested. Since I’ve returned from Australia, I have been working with my two brothers Tony and Mike for the company FieldCo Internet Services. I’ve been doing a bunch of things from administrative work, to design, to being a code monkey, and the list goes on.

As a shameless plug, if there is any internet work you need done, from hosting, to design, just let me know and I’m sure we can do something for you.

I’ve been working half time and it’s given me a lot of time to decide what it is that I want to do with my life. Ever since I was about 18, I’ve been dying to go to the west coast and spend a season or two being a ski / snowboard bum. Well, I’ve finally decided to do it up.

In mid October, I’m hopping in my 2002 Grand Am and driving to Whistler, B.C. While I’m out there, I will still be working for FieldCo and I’m hoping to get a job instructing ski or snowboard or both.

In addition to working for FieldCo and instructing, I plan on starting a few websites. One of the sites I’m looking to do will be kind of an Ezine for snow-sport culture. I’m starting to plan it out, and I think there’s a lot of room for something like that on the web. Another site that I’d like to start is a Whistler specific blog. That’d just be awesome fun to do! Finally, I want to start a third site that’ll be a blog about all things Olympics 2010. I’m sure there will be a lot of development and opportunity in that in the coming years. Well, duh right? Heh.

Anyway, I’m really looking forward to the drive. I want to be there for November 1st, and I don’t know when or if I’ll come home. If anyone wants to make the drive across Canada with me, I’d love to have you. Send me suggestions on places to go, things to do and people to see.

I want to come back to Toronto regularly, but we’ll have to see. I’m not leaving for a bit, yet, so keep in touch and let’s meet up before I go.

The photos taken above were from one of my trips to the Banff. Everyone seems so bent up on leaving the country, when I just want to see more of mine.

Oh Canada, Go Canada.