Volunteer
Volunteers are the lifeblood of this event and we need your help. Earn yourself free Whistler Bike Park Passes and help support the biggest event in Whistler.
Volunteer Positions
Competitor Relations is a liaison between Crankworx staff and competitors. You will assist with the registration process as well as answering general inquiries. Race experience, either competing or organizing registration, will be a benefit for this position. If you want to meet the stars of the event, this position is for you.
Sport Crew is an ‘on hill’ position directly involved in all the action. You will be responsible for assisting with race venue set up, execution and tear down. Other responsibilities include assisting in the start or finish areas, as well as ensuring safe and correct travel on course by all competitors. This outdoor position requires you to be a self-sufficient and a motivated individual willing to get your hands dirty. A downhill bike, helmet and intermediate riding ability is an asset, but is not required for this position.
Event Office Assistants are responsible for making sure volunteers are checked in and out each day for their scheduled shift with their assigned crew. They will assist the Volunteer Supervisor and Volunteer Coordinator with various tasks throughout their shift. The Event Office Assistants may also pitch in and help any areas of the festival including Media check-in, VIP check-in and Expo. An adaptable attitude and outgoing personality is required for this position.
Expo Crew ensures that all aspects of the village Expo run smoothly. Attention to detail, resourcefulness and adaptability are essential for this job. You will assist with what is required by the exhibitors (tent set up/tear down, operations). This position puts you in the centre of the village action. Split shifts available.
The Branding Crew is responsible for the “look” of competition venues. The placement of branding and banners changes daily for each event and the branding crew makes it all happen. This position requires physically fit individuals who aren’t afraid of a little hard work and a lot of dirt. Ideally, the branding crew would have consistent volunteers throughout the festival, so grab a friend and sign up as one today. Split shifts available.
Timing Crew is reserved for approximately four to six volunteers who will be assigned to assist our timing crew for the duration of the festival. Timing volunteers must be available to work every day there is a major competition, or close to it. The duties included in this position are: spotter to finish, manual bib order recorder, scoreboard operator, plate collector, finish line host and manual timer.
Whistler Olympic Plaza (WOP) Crew is responsible for assisting with the three evening events taking place at WOP. If you like to watch bike movies and can stay up past 9pm, then this position is for you. Volunteers will be responsible for assisting with the set-up, security, ushering and teardown of each event.
Kidsworx Crew supports the many Kidsworx competitions and activities, such as Run Bike Races, Scavenger Hunts and the Kidsworx Dirt Pumptrack Challenge. This position is ideal if you enjoy working with up and coming bikers and enjoy interacting with people. Experience in organizing other kids events and activities is an asset for this crew.
Greenworx Crew will be responsible for managing waste generated throughout the festival, helping to ensure our ecological footprint is minimized wherever possible. Volunteers will be educated on the proper diversion of materials and spend the majority of time interacting with guests. Communication skills and an outgoing personality are great assets for this position. Flexible and split shifts available.
The Awards Crew is responsible for helping the Awards Supervisor deliver a smooth awards ceremony. You will be responsible for helping to bring the awards over to the ceremony, keeping the awards organized back stage and assisting the Awards Supervisor. If you like to be in the middle of award celebrations this is the position for you.
Venue Operations crew will provide general support during specific windows at a given venue. Examples of tasks will be to help direct event traffic at various check points, support the flow of traffic at entrances/exits, check-in/out equipment, and more. This role is great for someone who wants to get a taste of the behind scenes action in producing events and wouldn’t mind jumping in to help with a couple of different tasks throughout the event!
Production volunteers will work with the Broadcast and Live Event Production (e.g., announcers) teams throughout the festival providing hands-on support to help these two important aspects of the festival run smoothly. These roles are particularly great for someone looking for experience in the fields of broadcast and film as it will basically be a crash course! It is also ideal if these volunteers can commit to the full festival (not required though).
Volunteer FAQ’s
DO I NEED A BIKE TO VOLUNTEER?
No. Bikes are only an asset for the Sports Crew if you are an intermediate to advanced rider and only if your shift takes place in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Shifts in the Boneyard do not require bikes.
HOW DOES THE VOLUNTEER APPLICATION PROCESS WORK?
Stay tuned for more information on volunteering for Crankworx Whistler 2023
IS THERE FREE ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED FOR VOLUNTEERS?
We do not provide accommodation for volunteers.
HOW DO I GET FROM VANCOUVER TO WHISTLER?
Crankworx can be a tricky time to drive a car in Whistler. We highly suggest that you call our friends at Whistler Shuttle to travel from Vancouver to Whistler on the fastest, most convenient transport provider in town.
WHERE CAN I PARK WHILE I’M VOLUNTEERING?
Pay parking is available in day lots 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. Free parking is available in lots 6, 7 & 8. We highly recommend taking public transit or riding your bike, if possible, as the lots fill up quickly.
WHERE DO I CHECK IN FOR MY FIRST SHIFT?
The event office is located at the Aava Hotel, 4005 Whistler Way, Whistler BC, V0N1B4, call 1 (800) 663 5644. Once in the lobby, our offices are located to the right. If you have not done so already, please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time indicated on your first scheduled shift to allow time to fill out the required paperwork. Otherwise you can show up a few minutes before the start time to get signed in.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY VOLUNTEER SHIFT?
We suggest that you consult the forecast ahead of time and dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Wear comfortable shoes to ALL shifts (indoors or outdoors). It’s handy to carry a backpack with the following: hat, cell phone, sunscreen, water, snacks, camera, jacket/sweater, and umbrella. Weather can change drastically throughout the day.
HOW LONG ARE THE SHIFTS?
The volunteer shifts range anywhere from two to eight hours. Your schedule will confirm your shift lengths, as well as your crew assignment.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT CREWS I CAN VOLUNTEER FOR?
See the descriptions above for the crews that you can volunteer for. You can select which crew you prefer when you are signing yourself up for shifts online starting in June.
WILL I BE OUTSIDE ALL DAY?
Depending on where you are assigned, you may be indoors or outdoors. Even if you’re signed up for an indoor shift, please be prepared to be outdoors as sometimes your responsibilities will require you to work both.
WILL THERE BE A LUNCH PROVIDED FOR ME?
If you are volunteering for the Sport Crew or any shift over four hours in length, you will be provided with a bagged lunch. All other shifts under four hours in length are responsible for the majority of their own food, but we will provide fruit and other snacks based on availability.
CAN I VOLUNTEER IF I’M UNDER 19?
Yes. The minimum age to volunteer is 16. If you are under 18, you are required to submit a waiver signed by a parent or guardian before or at the sign-in of your first shift.
ARE THERE ANY PERKS FOR VOLUNTEERING?
Of course there are! Not only will you receive a stylish Crankworx T-shirt, food*, and a beer ticket after every shift, for every 12 hours volunteered, you get a Whistler Mountain Bike Park day lift pass, valid until the end of the 2022 season. As well, there will be a wrap up party for all volunteers with awesome draw prizes for everyone. The more hours you volunteer, the more chances you have to win big. Volunteering for Crankworx is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people and get a glimpse into the inner workings of the world’s premier mountain bike festival.