THERE are grave concerns for a former North East teenager who has been missing in Canada for more than 10 days.
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Melbourne's Jake Kermond, 19, was last seen in the lobby of the hotel at which he was staying on April 26.
The teenager, who has ties to Myrtleford and Harrietville, was in the popular resort town of Whistler, British Columbia, on a skiing trip.
Hotel staff reported him missing on April 30, after he failed to check out.
His belongings, including his ski boots, were left abandoned in his room, Canadian police said.
Investigators have discounted the possibility the young man had a skiing accident, said Staff Sergeant Steve LeClair from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
"We initially explored the possibility the young man was lost on the mountain," he told radio station 3AW.
"But we've discounted that because we located his ski boots in the hotel room."
Sergeant LeClair said police had obtained CCTV footage showing that Mr Kermond had left the hotel in his ski boots on April 26, and therefore must have returned to the hotel room before he was reported missing.
Police believe Mr Kermond had asked hotel staff to extend his stay to April 28.
The teen's financial accounts are being monitored, but no activity has been recorded since his disappearance.
Canadian police have been unable to trace Mr Kermond's mobile phone, and he has not been active on social media.
Sergeant LeClair said foul play was unlikely.
"The area here is not known for that type of activity and there is no indication or evidence that he's met with foul play," Sergeant LeClair said.
"[It is a] possibility he has abandoned his belongings and gone travelling, but it would be strange for him to do that."
The family of Mr Kermond told Canadian police they had not heard from him since his disappearance.
It is understood the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to Mr Kermond's family.
Speaking to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on Tuesday, Sergeant LeClair said police suspected he may have been "short of funds".
"One of the suspicions was that maybe he was attempting to sell his skis. But we don't suspect any foul play at this point."
Mr Kermond travelled to Canada in early March.
According to his Facebook page, he has attended Deakin University in Melbourne.
