We caught up with our Banff rep Niamh who completed her instructor course with us in Canada in 2014 and since has been travelling and instructing all around the world. We asked her to give us her honest opinion of life as a snowboard instructor and if it is all it is cracked up to be.
I kicked started my snowsports career back in 2014 with Basecamp when I completed their 11-week ultimate snowboard training course out in Banff. Since then I have worked a season at Lake Louise in Canada, Perisher in Australia and Niseko in Japan. It’s safe to say I am living the dream!
A day in the life
As a 9-5 job goes I’ve got to say snowboard instructing is definitely up there with one of the best. As an instructor, we wake up early most days but getting out of bed is no troubles when you’re surrounded by epic mountain ranges while the sun rises. At most snow schools you’ll kick off your morning with a line up before heading out for morning laps with the trainers. What a way to start a day, making fresh turns with an awesome snowboard crew! After you’ve got your snowboard fix for the day it’ll be time to get to your lessons. Lessons change daily, sometimes you’ll be teaching kids and sometimes adults. For me I love the variety, getting the chance to teach all ages and abilities really allows you to progress as an instructor and test out lots of different teaching techniques. As 4 o’clock rolls around your job is done for the day and you get to take a moment to realise how fantastic your life is as an instructor then heads to the bar for an ice cold beer while you take in more stunning views.
Yes, I ski instruct as well!
What my 9-5 looked like in Japan
Hanging out with some legends in Australia
Lifestyle
Being set up for the season in a mountain town is pretty epic! Every place is different and that’s one if the things I love most about the job. Travelling to different countries every six months and getting to experience something new, meet tonnes of great people and make that place home is beyond incredible. Over the last couple of years, my lifestyle has been amazing. I tend to work for five months for the Northern Hemisphere winter then take a month travelling before kicking off a four-month winter in the Southern Hemisphere followed by another two months of travelling having three months of vacation a year can’t be too bad, surely?
What my days off look like
Travelling around Japan
Just another day in the office
Instructing / Riding
I have two absolute favourite things about my job. Number one being that I get to share something I am passionate about with each and every person I teach, it doesn’t matter what country I’m in, how old the client is or whether I’m teaching skiing or snowboarding I still get to stand there every day and watch someone get so stoked on something that I love and for me that feeling is second to none. The second one must be a given but getting to ride every day at all of these incredible resorts I’ve worked at is amazing. Whether it’s riding knee deep pow in japan, riding incredible tree lines in Canada or shredding slush in Australia, it’s what ignites the passion and makes every day worth it.
I wouldn’t trade the job I do for anything.
Niamh x
