Gap Year Canada
Why choose your Gap Year Adventure in Canada?
If you want to gain impressive experience in a highly regarded hotel whilst earning a reasonable wage and living in a world class ski resort - read on. You must be capable of working hard and playing hard too! We expect you to enjoy the skiing and all the resort has to offer.
Changing Worlds have carefully selected a variety of hotels to suit you. We will manage the job and work permit process, brief you before you depart, take you to your hotel and provide support and regular Changing Worlds ‘meet ups’ during your placement.
View the Changing Worlds site to see how much previous students have enjoyed their Gap Year Canada.
Where will my Gap Year Placement in Canada be?
Many of our placements are in and around Banff and for those keen to be in the heart of the skiing areas we have placements in Lake Louise and Kananaskis in the heart of the skiing areas.
Wherever you are you will be surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery and be close to superb skiing areas.
Banff National Park is one of Canada’s most famous visitor attractions offering hiking, canoeing and rafting in summer and world class snowboarding and skiing in winter.
Both Banff and Whistler are well-placed for travelling into the United States after your placement.
Changing Worlds will place you in top-end hotels that are good to their staff. These range from relatively small hotels whre you will know all the staff to international class hotels with films stars and celebrities on their guest lists. Applicants with plenty of experience dealing directly with customers can apply to work in Whistler’s top hotel.
What will I do on my Gap Year in Canada?
You can chose to work in a top-end hotel or, if you have relevant experience, you can work for Whistler Kids the resort's creche service.
Those working in hotels usually begin as Housekeepers. This involves being responsible for the preparation and cleaning of guest bedrooms. It is physically demanding and requires a positive attitude. In a typical day you might prepare up to 16 rooms with tasks ranging from stocking the minibar to cleaning the bathroom.
After the first three months many workers move to other posts dependent on their performance. At the time of writing we have people working as Ski Valets, Bellmen, Ski Desk, and Bar staff.
All the hotels expect a lot from you. You must be punctual, adhere to a strict dress code (e.g. no earrings for men at work) and be exceptionally courteous to guests. One of the conditions of applying for a Canadian placement is that you must have gained some experience in dealing directly with customers of any kind before you depart.
A placement with Whistler Kids involves looking after children of varying ages while their parents ski. There may be the opportunity to take them for basic skiing lessons. Due to the nature of the work, only those experienced in childcare with appropriate police checks will be considered.
Other Gap Year Destinations:
