Summer work in Whistler, Canada?

Q: While in Whistler this past summer, there were many students from Australia, NZ, UK, Ireland working in the hospitalitiy industry, including many of the retail shops, and activities such as rafting etc. My son is 17, a US citizen and has solid bike mechanic skills and would like to work in Whistler for the summer. Are there any programs that allow students to work for the summer (cultural exchange type things). Are they available to US citizens? I have heard that there are dorms available but would like know more. Any info would be greatly appreciated on how to proceed.

A: Whistler's great, isn't it? I was there this summer too :) I think it's pretty straightforward to get a seasonal worker's visa in Canada as an American citizen. Check the Canadian immigration website for specifics & how to apply. His best bet is to apply for jobs directly to an employer in Whistler, as you probably have to have a job offer in order to get a worker's visa. From my experience, most hotels offer inexpensive room & board to their seasonal employees, especially in small(ish) resort towns like Whistler. If he doesn't want to work in hospitality/restaurant business, it might be a little trickier to find a place to live, as shops don't tend to have staff quarters. I'd say: look for a job online by doing a Google search for "canada resort jobs" or "hospitality jobs whistler" etc. This should turn up pages that cater specifically to people looking for summer/seasonal work. Most employers in Whistler should know Canadian immigration well enough to tell your son how to get the necessary papers, if they offer him a job. After all, in the hospitality industry there is a lot of turnover, and resorts/hotels rely on foreign workers for necessary language skills, and are used to the immigration process. Good luck!

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