Ziptrek Ecotour in Whistler


Whistler is located in the spectacular Coast Mountains of British Columbia, and is just two hours north of Vancouver.

Ziptrek Ecotours is the pioneer of zipline tours in North America! With an award winning ecological curriculum and the highest, longest, and most ziplines around, Ziptrek offers an entertaining combination of education and adventure.

About Ziptrek Ecotour

Ziptrek Ecotours has been voted ‘Best Adventure Tour’ and ‘Environmental Business of the Year’ in Whistler since it first opened for adventure in summer 2002. On Ziptrek tours you enjoy an unforgettable opportunity to explore, learn and delight in the thrill of an aerial adventure in natural environments that lend themselves perfectly to an enlightening ecological curriculum.

Your inspiring journey through the forest happens via a combination of suspension bridges, treetop observation platforms, ground based trails and ziplines. Ziplines are suspended steel cables - some of which are over 15 stories high and 2000 feet long - that you ride from platform to platform. In order to fly on the zipline cables you are outfitted with a custom harness that is then attached to the zipline with a specialized pulley. At each aerial launch platform you simply and bravely step down the stairs until there is tension on the harness tethers, lift your feet and soar down the line reaching speeds of over 80 km/hr (50 mph). The harness system allows you complete freedom to move, take a look around and even enjoy your zipline ride hanging upside down if you wish. And best of all Ziptrek operates its locations year-round and in all weather conditions.

Ziptrek Ecotours was founded by two lifelong friends and entrepreneurs, David Udow and Charles Steele, who came together with the goal of creating not only the first zipline tour in North America but also a tour that would provide you with the unique combination of true nature- based learning and the rush of adrenaline felt while soaring over some truly spectacular vistas. Since its inception Ziptrek’s mandate has been to provide an experience that far and away exceeds your expectations while following a sustainable business model and promoting the importance of The Natural Step Framework for sustainability both locally and globally.

Charles and David have been able to ‘get back to nature’ by marrying their business sensibilities with their love of the outdoors and passion for the environment and Ziptrek is proud to conform to the United Nations principals of ecotourism. Among other things, Ziptrek supports local and international organizations also committed to environmental education, provides sustainable jobs in the community and creates its own renew- able energy in an effort to lead by example. Collaborating with a team of passionate people from diverse backgrounds ensures that Ziptrek is an environmentally progressive company able to provide unparalleled adventures in an environmentally and socially responsible way.

Jobs Available

1. Guest Services Representative
2. Guide
3. Action Photographer (1 position available)

Title: Guest Services Representative
Department: Guest Services Reports to: Guest Services Manager

Hours, compensation, benefits and other perks

Job Purpose:

Your primary objective is to provide a consistently high level of customer service by focusing on each customer’s individual needs, proactively anticipating areas of concern and facilitating the smooth coordination of daily operations through communication amongst all connecting groups of the organization. Delivering customer service in such a way that positively affects the customer’s perception of the experience is key.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

1. Greet customers and handle all inquiries (phone, fax, in-person, email) promptly and enthusiastically in a pleasant, gracious, professional manner.
2. Make efficient and accurate tour bookings with proficiency in the reservations software and consideration of tour timing and available staff.
3. Have a thorough knowledge of all aspects of the job, company policies, procedures and operations
4. Take ownership of customer requirements and address areas of concern before they become a problem.
5. Support fellow staff members, putting team objectives above personal objectives.
6. Liaise with customers, leads, sales & marketing and management making sure that all inquiries are promptly routed to the appropriate person/people.
7. Maintain all tracking sheets, databases and filing system, updating information as it becomes available.
8. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, the client base and tour operators.
9. Manage general office administration and maintain and control the business area (equipment, supplies, mail, float, cleanliness, etc).
10. Ensure that all required customer documentation is filled out accurately and in its entirety and is handled appropriately in the filing system.

Key Qualities:


1. Thrive in a fast-paced, productive and dynamic environment.
2. Enjoy working on projects that involve attention to many details and require accuracy.
3. Good organizational and time-management skills.
4. Excellent spelling and vocabulary, as well as good writing ability appropriate to the environment.
5. Enjoy working within a team environment but also a self-starter who can work with minimum supervision.
6. Reliable and consistent in producing quality, accurate work.
7. Prepared to take the job seriously, but also like having fun at work.
8. Keen to continue learning and pursue personal growth.
9. Second language (Spanish, French, Japanese, German) is an asset.

Schedule and Wage:
Training periods: Start Mid of May 2011 – mid of June, 2011 (The course will start every 2 weeks)
Training course: Training is 4 days a week for 1 week. Training hours will be 9-10 hrs per day
Training paid: CAD $9.00 per hour

Work Period: Mid of June, 2011 – 2nd week of Sept, 2011 (may vary depending on business level and weather)
Work days: 4 days per week with rotating on-call 1 day every 5 weeks (may vary depending on business level and weather)
Work hours: 9 – 10 hours per day (At the beginning of the season your hours will be part-time, once the business level goes up, you will be assigned to full-time hours)
Work paid: CAD $11.00 per hour

Housing: You can apply for staff housing (Whistler Blackcomb Staff housing) through your employer once you are hired. The rate is approximately CAD $375 per month.


Title: Guide Level I
Department: Guide Operations Reports to: Lead Guide

Job Purpose:

Your primary objective is to provide a consistently exceptional tour experience by focusing on each customer’s individual needs within the context of the tour group and company. You will facilitate outstanding, dynamic, educational and fun tours with a detail oriented focus. You will deliver an interesting and factual tour based on the ecology curriculum. Safety will be your number one priority.

Qualifications:

1.       Excellent interpersonal / communication skills
2.       Ability to work with little or no supervision
3.       Physically active with the ability to lift 60 lbs
4.       16 hr current First Aid (Certificate received at home country or you can register for the course which is held in Whistler. You must supply proof you have registered for this course upon arriving Whistler)
Course Information: www.whistlerguides.com/courses/first-aid-courses (Standard First Aid – 16 hrs)

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

1. Greet customers/groups promptly and enthusiastically in a pleasant, professional manner.
2. Uphold highest level of customer service and ensure a terrific guest experience.
3. Conduct safe and confidence inspiring tours, allowing guests to focus on their personal enjoyment of the immediate situation and surroundings.
4. Present ecological material in an interesting and factual manner appropriate for the group.
5. Manage the tour efficiently within the allotted time frame.
6. Adhere to company policy, procedures and technical training protocols at all times.
7. Be mutually responsible for a fun, positive workplace on a day-to-day basis.
8. Take ownership of customer needs and address areas of concern before they become a problem.
9. Support fellow staff members, putting team objectives above personal objectives and creating a working environment in which fellow employees feel empowered and supported.
10. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and the client base.

Key Qualities:

5. Demonstrate sound judgment and decision making skills appropriate to the environment

6. Thrive in a fast-paced, productive environment where change is a constant

7. Good organizational and time-management skills

8. Enjoy working within a team environment

9. A self-starter who can work with a minimum of supervision

10. Reliable and consistent in facilitating high quality tours

11. Prepared to take the job seriously while promoting a fun work atmosphere

12. Effective communication skills and attention to detail

13. Keen to continue learning and pursue personal growth

14. Second language (Spanish, French, Japanese, German) is an asset

Schedule and Wage:
Training periods: Start End of April 2011 – Mid of June, 2011 (The course will start every 2 weeks)
Training course: Training is 4 days a week for 2 weeks. Training hours will be 9-10 hrs per day
Training paid: CAD $9.00 per hour

Work Period: Mid of June, 2011 – 2nd week of Sept, 2011 (may vary depending on business level and weather)
Work days: 4 days per week with rotating on-call 1 day every 5 weeks (may vary depending on business level and weather)
Work hours: 3 tours per day (each tour is 3 hours). A total of 9 – 10 hrs per day (may vary depending on business level and weather)
Work paid: CAD $11.00 per hour

Housing: You can apply for staff housing (Whistler Blackcomb Staff housing) through your employer once you are hired. The rate is approximately CAD $375 per month.


Title: Action Photographer (1 position available)
Department: Photography, Reports to: Operations Manager.

Job Purpose:

Your primary objective is to take action photographs of Ziptrek guests while on course. You will edit photographs using Photoshop and prepare according to customers preferences. The highest level of customer service is required while you take photographs on course, answer customer inquiries, and sell pictures at the guest services desk. Delivering customer service in such a way that positively affects the customer’s perception of the experience is essential. You will work with in-house camera equipments.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

1. Photographs each Ziptrek customer on course.
2. Plans the composition of the photograph, analyzes subject material, lighting and angle
3. Greet customers on course, at guest services/ photography desk and handle all inquiries promptly and enthusiastically in a pleasant, gracious, professional manner
4. Edits photographs using computers and imaging software.
5. Prepares photographic materials including prints and CDs
6. Responds to emails sent to the photography department on a daily basis
7. Maintains and provides appropriate care for all equipment, immediately informs Operations Manager of deficiencies
8. Has a constant awareness of supply levels at the desk, is proactive in ordering supplies
9. Maintains all tracking sheets, databases, inventories and filing system, updating information as it becomes available
10. Keeps work area clean and professional
11. Able to handle average-weight objects (up to 25 pounds), standing and walking for more than four hours per day
12. Assists with projects during ‘down time’ (e.g. snow removal in winter, trail maintenance in summer)
13. Responsible for the training of new photographers on course and at guest services/photography desk
14. Has a thorough knowledge of all aspects of the job, company policies, procedures and operations
15. Supports fellow staff members, putting team objectives above personal objectives
16. Any other duties as assigned

Key Qualities:

1. Thrive in a fast-paced, productive and dynamic environment
2. Good organizational and time-management skills
3. Enjoy working within a team environment but also a self-starter who can work with minimum supervision
4. Acts as a positive role model for other staff members
5. Reliable and consistent in producing quality, accurate work
6. Must have hands-on knowledge of computer editing software
7. Knowledge of photographic materials, techniques, and media
8. Ability to operate and maintain professional photographic equipment
9. Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical personnel
10. Demonstrates outstanding customer service
11. Second language (Spanish, French, Japanese, German) is an asset
12. Submitting your photo works is optional but will be an asset
Schedule and Wage:
Training periods: Start Mid of May 2011 – mid of June, 2011 (The course will start every 1 day)
Training course: Training is 1 day. Training hours will be 9-10 hrs per day
Training paid: CAD $9.00 per hour

Work Period: Mid of June, 2011 – 2nd week of Sept, 2011 (may vary depending on business level and weather)
Work days: 4 days per week with rotating on-call 1 day every 5 weeks (may vary depending on business level and weather)
Work hours: 3 tours per day (each tour is 3 hours). A total of 9 – 10 hrs per day (may vary depending on business level and weather)
Work paid: CAD $11.00 per hour

Housing: You can apply for staff housing (Whistler Blackcomb Staff housing) through your employer once you are hired. The rate is approximately CAD $375 per month.