Moving to Revelstoke on a working holiday
How to sort out somewhere to live before you fly, without getting caught out.
The short answer
- Book your first week or two before you land (a hostel, a short-term rental or a friend), then find a room from there or by video.
- Post a profile 6 to 8 weeks before you arrive with your dates, budget and where you'll work, so people with rooms can message you.
- Bring enough for the first month's rent plus a deposit of up to half a month's rent. A typical room listed on Revy Rooms this season is $950 a month.
- Never send money for a place you haven't seen on a live video call. People abroad are scammers' favourite targets.
Before you book flights
- Sort your permit. Working holidays in Canada run through International Experience Canada (IEC). The official page is linked below.
- Line up a job if you can. It makes you a much easier yes for landlords, and some employers help with housing.
- Ask about staff housing. Revelstoke Mountain Resort has staff accommodation at the base of the mountain. If you're working there, ask before you look anywhere else.
A simple timeline
- 8 weeks out: post a "looking for a place" profile on Revy Rooms with your dates, budget and job, and take the living-style quiz.
- 6 weeks out: turn on email alerts on Places so you hear about new rooms as soon as they're posted, and start messaging.
- 4 weeks out: book your first week or two somewhere temporary, and set up video viewings for anything promising.
- When you land: view places in person, meet the housemates, and only then pay the deposit and sign.
Viewing a place from overseas
Ask for a live video call, not just photos. On the call:
- Ask them to walk you through the room, the kitchen and the bathroom, and to show you the outside of the house.
- Ask who else lives there, and talk to them if you can.
- Check the photos aren't copied from somewhere else: a reverse image search (like Google Lens) only takes a minute.
- Agree the rent, dates, deposit and what's included in writing before any money moves.
What people with a room will ask you
- Where you'll be working, and your dates: are you here for the winter, the summer, or longer?
- Whether you have a car, a pet, or a lot of gear (skis, bikes, a sled).
- What you're like to live with: early starts or late nights, tidy or relaxed. The quiz answers most of this for you.
- Sometimes a reference from a previous landlord or employer.
Money to bring
- Your first month's rent (a typical room listed on Revy Rooms this season is $950; see the latest at rents in Revy).
- A security deposit of up to half a month's rent, plus up to another half if you have a pet.
- Enough for your first week or two of temporary accommodation.
In BC, landlords can't charge you a fee to apply, and the deposit can't be more than half a month's rent. If someone asks for more, or for money before you've seen the place, walk away.
If you're new to town, it can be tough: you either need local links, or you reach out to a lot of people and hope something works. The more people you message, and the earlier, the better your chances.
Quick answers
Can I find a room in Revelstoke before I arrive?
Yes, but view it on a live video call first and don't send money until you have. Many people book a hostel or short-term rental for their first week or two and line up viewings for when they land.
How much money do I need for housing when I arrive in Revelstoke?
Plan for your first month's rent, a security deposit of up to half a month's rent (more if you have a pet), and somewhere to stay while you look. In BC, landlords can't charge application fees.
Is it safe to pay a deposit from overseas?
Only once you've seen the place on a live video call with the person renting it, and ideally once you have a written agreement. People abroad are scammers' favourite targets, so be wary of anyone who can't show you the place.
When does the ski season start in Revelstoke?
Revelstoke Mountain Resort is due to open for the 2026–27 season on 5 December 2026. Most seasonal workers arrive in October and November, which is when housing is busiest.
Does my employer help with housing?
Ask. Revelstoke Mountain Resort has staff accommodation at the base of the mountain, and some other employers house staff or know who has rooms.
Get ahead before you fly
Post your profile now so people with a room in Revy can find you, then turn on email alerts.