"Where to move" threads Canada version

All the Where Should I Live??? threads on here got me thinking - how viable would it really be for a Yank like me to up and move to a climber-desirable location in Canada?    I used to live in the inland NW USA and I'd drive through BC on my way to the Banff/Canmore area every winter.   It seems like there are a million cute, livable communities in inland BC.  I don't really need or expect to have world class climbing out my back door (Banff or Squamish would be way too expensive) but I would like some nearby rock and ice climbing and the ability to get on the big rig alpine climbs over a long weekend once or twice a year.  I don't really like big cities, at all really, and I like winter climbing (ice and mixed) and rock climbing roughly equally.  I've lived a over a decade in Alaska so long winters are no problem.  Are there actually any jobs in small towns in the Okanagan valley, southern Selkirks, etc.?   Any American climbers moved there and can give me the inside scoop?

I am at this point searching for some obvious plan.

alaskasworld

If you figure out how to move to Canada,  let me know! 

To smooth your way through the bureaucracy of living there long term, consider marrying someone from your target country. Worked for me… Spain, though, in my case, and it really wasn’t in my/our plan when we married 22 years ago, but here we are. Maybe post a personal ad in the International Partners section???  ; )

First step is to determine what visa/permit you’ll use to reside in the country. Second step is to move to Canmore. 

Golden, BC is the obvious choice. Invermere is similar, slightly farther from some things, closer to others though.

It’s marginally cheaper than it’s closest neighbours (Revelstoke, Banff, Canmore) and it’s close to everything. World class ice/mixed climbing within an hour or two, the Bugaboos are less than an hour, Rogers Pass is an hour and a half, sport climbing in the Bow Valley an hour and a bit, the Icefields Parkway starts north in an hour’s drive time. There are also smaller local crags for the pre/post work days.

Job situation would entirely depend on your skills.

Another option, significantly cheaper, but far more remote option is Valemount, BC. It’s right next to Mount Robson and an hour and a half from Jasper. Amazing skiing and sled-skiing access. Almost no jobs though.

Depending on how far you’re willing to drive, there are other options. British Columbia is where it’s at. 

Ted Ravenwrote:

Golden, BC is the obvious choice. Invermere is similar, slightly farther from some things, closer to others though.

It’s marginally cheaper than it’s closest neighbours (Revelstoke, Banff, Canmore) and it’s close to everything. World class ice/mixed climbing within an hour or two, the Bugaboos are less than an hour, Rogers Pass is an hour and a half, sport climbing in the Bow Valley an hour and a bit, the Icefields Parkway starts north in an hour’s drive time. There are also smaller local crags for the pre/post work days.

Job situation would entirely depend on your skills.

Another option, significantly cheaper, but far more remote option is Valemount, BC. It’s right next to Mount Robson and an hour and a half from Jasper. Amazing skiing and sled-skiing access. Almost no jobs though.

Depending on how far you’re willing to drive, there are other options. British Columbia is where it’s at. 

Golden would be the place indeed, world class alpine climbing (and skiing if that's your thing)

I thought about moving up there (and Valemount too) a while ago, but finding a job is the crux (STEM field)

Another option would be on the west coast, near the Fraser Valley or Pemberton. Both have great access to rock and alpine climbing (tho not at the scale of the Rockies). Again finding a job might be difficult. Can also consider places way up north like Terrace, or somewhere on the Island if you don't mind the slower pace

Nelson would be a nice place to consider as well, the crowd is pretty young there and the vibes are more vibrant, but the housing price is getting up there. More job options there as well

Ex-Californian here, not technically in BC but yes it is great here. The crux will be finding a way through the red tape of the work permit/PR system. But there are a lot of options. Golden and Canmore are the obvious choices. Canmore is getting out of hand for cost of living just like many other small mountain towns but is still workable, and there are lots of jobs to be had at the moment. If you are a skier first and climber second, go to Golden. If climber first and skier second, Canmore. And any number of interior BC towns seem to have more mediocre access to both, but my impression is there's a lot that goes on under the radar that I am ignorant of. For good reason. Will probably be harder to find work in the smaller towns.

Jake907wrote:

All the Where Should I Live??? threads on here got me thinking - how viable would it really be for a Yank like me to up and move to a climber-desirable location in Canada? 

Live and work there as a US citizen (temporary or permanent?) or as an immigrant seeking Canadian citizenship?

Check this article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2022/06/27/escape-from-the-us-how-to-move-to-canada/

My wife and I lived in Canmore full time for 7 years as a climber and horse trainer, and part time for another 3 or 4, as a US citizen.  You are welcome to reach out to me privately if you are serious about it.