The website below should have all of the information you need about getting some sort of legal resident status.
I think the thing that everyone is missing here is that he's talking about moving there for a few years. You will need to explore the link I provided if you want to live (and more importantly work) in Canada as a legal resident. Unless of course you're planning on living and working as an illegal resident.
housing is only expensive if you come in the fall and are trying to find something for the winter.....my roomate and I pay 550 per for a two bedroom place that has enclosed, heated, locked steel door storage below our apartment, with two big rooms, laundry, massive pantry and a huge living room, dining room, kitchen area........living in whistler really isn't that much more than living in Vancouver or any other big city......and the quality of life is WAAAAAAY better.
