When me and Martin first considered a WorkAway experience in Canada (if you don’t know what WorkAway is, check out my previous post), we knew we wanted something that was both enriching and fair in terms of compensation. Our initial interview was with the owner of a hostel in the Canadian Rockies. While the location was stunning, the conditions weren’t quite what we were looking for. The hours were long, and the compensation didn’t align with our desire to earn a bit on the side. We didn’t want to spend our savings just to cover daily expenses in Canada, so we decided to keep searching.

How our dreamy WorkAway adventure in Canada started?

After the hostel interview, we had an interview where we both agreed that this was it! This time, it was with a family-owned rafting and yoga resort, just three hours from Vancouver. This opportunity wasn’t just about volunteering; but it was fairly paid as well. Martin was offered a position working on construction projects, while I was hired as a resort assistant and hiking guide. It was a perfect match for both of us.

The process moved quickly, and before we knew it, offers were sitting in our inbox. We couldn’t wait to get out from Europe on this new adventure. The idea of spending our days surrounded by nature, guiding guests through hikes, and contributing to the resort’s growth was exciting. Especially when you’re stuck in the office world.

Here’s a sneak peek from the WorkAway posting—doesn’t it look dreamy?

This was just the beginning of an incredible journey. Our first WorkAway experience in Canada not only allowed us to explore the stunning landscapes of British Columbia but also to become part of a community. It was an adventure that exceeded our expectations in every way.

Top 5 highlights of the adventure

Not in any particular order—I’d rate them all equally! I’ve just listed them this way to give you a better sense of what it was all about.

1. Living in the Nature

Can you imagine living in a glamping tent by the river, go to sleep every night by the white noise of rushing water? (In reality, you can’t really turn off this noise, and it becomes a constant backdrop to all your conversations!) My Garmin watch never showed better sleep scores than during our stay at this beautiful resort by the Nahatlatch River. Originally, we planned to stay for six weeks, hoping to rest after years of office jobs, but the environment was so captivating that we ended up staying for three months.

Our glamping tent was cozy, with a bed, a wardrobe, bedside tables, and a clothes hanger. The nights were chilly at first, but we had plenty of blankets to stay warm. Plus, having two people in the tent definitely helped. Occasionally, our roommates were mice or little frogs, so it was crucial to keep food away from our tent!

By the time June and July rolled around, the weather was much warmer, and during the day, it was almost unbearable to stay inside. Thankfully, we were usually working, and when it got too hot, we could escape to the river for a refreshing dip or relax in the hammock garden. It was even better than I had imagined before we arrived.

The resort was remote, located an hour’s drive from the nearest town of Hope, and the closest gas station was a 30-minute drive down a gravel road. It was fascinating to see how far away everything is in Canada. After the first month, we realized we needed a car to explore the area and occasionally escape to civilization.

But despite the remote location and the challenges that came with it, the experience was magical. Living in such a beautiful, off-grid spot, surrounded by nature and far from the hustle of city life, was exactly what we needed to recharge. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade those three months for anything.

2. Escape from the Stereotype

At the resort, our work varied quite a bit. Martin focused on construction, while I did a little bit of everything, which I really enjoyed. The season began with a lot of preparation, including sanding, staining, and getting the tents ready for guests. After that, I worked as a housekeeper, waitress, and even in the kitchen—though I didn’t enjoy the kitchen work as much, haha! Washing dishes was a daily task, and shifts ranged from the early breakfast shift at 7 a.m. to the dinner shift, which ended around 9 p.m.

My favorite part of the work was going on hikes with guests, though it was challenging at first since I didn’t have much experience in guest services. However, I loved the Canadian/American mentality, and most of the guests were super nice and easy to talk to. One couple from Seattle even offered us a place to stay if we ever traveled there. We didn’t end up visiting the U.S., but maybe one day!

I would say that discovering my communicative and friendly spirit was the highlight of my entire stay in Canada. This growth continued in Canmore, where I worked as a Product Advisor/Sales Associate, pushing myself out of my comfort zone. Before that, I was mostly comfortable only in online meetings via Zoom. Now, I’m much more comfortable around people.

After a while, I also took on the responsibility of managing the resort’s Instagram stories and writing email newsletters. We had two days off in a row, giving us the chance to explore the area. We always took advantage of this time, sleeping in our car somewhere in nature. Each day was a bit different, but we still found time to relax by the river, enjoy the campfire, dive into a book, or have a beer.

3. Community & Friendships

After spending three years working from home, it was a bit shocking for me to suddenly be part of a group of 30 people with whom I spent nearly all day, sharing the kitchen and everyday meals. At first, adapting and building closer relationships was challenging. However, over time, I grew more comfortable and happier within this group of like-minded individuals.

What I loved was that there were no Slovaks or Czechs among us at the time, so the only person I could speak my native language with was Martin. And believe me, understanding the Brits with their varied accents wasn’t always easy. I remember a funny moment when a friend asked if I was okay, and I wondered if I looked sick or something! It turned out she just wanted to know how I was doing.

This experience made me realize how much I missed and needed the sense of belonging and a multicultural environment. Since my studies in France, I’ve cherished being surrounded by diverse nationalities and perspectives. It’s fascinating to learn about various lifestyles and ways of living. Although some people crossed my path for only a short time, I still remember their smiles, the warmth they brought, and the words that shifted my perspective on life. If you’re one of those people, I’m sending you a big hug. I’ll never forget our summer in paradise and our little family.

Not to mention, it was a great start for us in a new country. Many people from our crew stayed in Canada, and we had the opportunity to reconnect with them later during our stay. It always felt good to have a place to go and people to visit.

4. Free Activities

Another beneficial part of this WorkAway experience was the free activities available to us as staff. When the resort was full of guests, there were yoga sessions four times a day with different teachers, and you could attend any of them if your schedule allowed. I had no idea how many types of yoga there are! The yoga shala was right above the river, offering beautiful and calming views—perfect for any yoga retreat.

For more adrenaline junkies, there was a rafting adventure available whenever there was a free spot in the boat. I went rafting about five times during the season, and I must say that the experience at the beginning of the season, when the water is at its peak and sitting at the front of the raft, is a wild ride with basically no time to breathe. The resort also offered rafting training for future guides!

Other activities worth mentioning include the cacao ceremony, concerts by local musicians or talented staff, trivia night, daily access to the volleyball court, and staff trips to the nearby water park. On top of that, we were allowed to borrow paddleboards and head to the nearby lake anytime. A remote location doesn’t mean boredom at all!

5. THE FOOD!

And now to the last, but definitely the best part of my first WorkAway experience in Canada— the food! How does the idea of not worrying about meals for three months sound? Like heaven, right? Especially for someone like me, who doesn’t particularly enjoy cooking.

Are you the same? If so, imagine this: you wake up in the morning and head to the leftover breakfast buffet, where you can find eggs, bacon, fruit, yogurt, and of course, pancakes with Nutella. After your first shift, you share a lunch with your mates, packed with protein, veggies, and tons of flavor. Dinner? It’s just as satisfying, but even fancier, topped off with a sweet dessert. Mmm. I still can’t believe that this was my everyday reality—I’ve never eaten better in my life!

Now, to be honest, we were supposed to have breakfast in our staff kitchen, which was stocked with all the essentials based on our shopping list. But more often than not, there were leftovers from the guest breakfast. I often worked the breakfast shift, and it was pretty normal to get a portion of the fancy breakfast for myself.

As for lunch and dinner, it was basically the same food as the guests enjoyed. At the beginning of our stay, we shared our dietary preferences and allergies, and there was always something for everyone. Whether you were a meat eater, vegetarian, or vegan, you were covered.

Thinking about all this now makes me want to cry when I have to prepare my own meals! I’ll never forget the incredible Indian food, prepared by our friend who was directly from India—it was absolutely delicious. I’m getting hungry just writing this!

But when I imagine the pile of dishes we had to tackle after meals, I’m a little less sad!

Unexpected events

Nearly three weeks after we left for our traveling adventure, the resort was hit by a wildfire, and more than a third of it was destroyed. Fortunately, they were able to repair and rebuild it, and now it’s even more beautiful. I can’t wait to see how it will flourish in the coming years. The river, however, remains the same—perfect for rafting. Rafting down the burnt valley is a unique adventure; we experienced it when we returned this year to help with some preparations before the season for a few days.

If you’re planning to visit the area around Hope, be sure to stop by and support this family business. At the very least, go for a rafting trip on the wild Nahatlatch River, and if you can, book a night in one of the glamping tents – BOOK NOW!