So you’re thinking of doing a ski or snowboard instructor course? Great decision! But it’s all very well saying you will have the time of your life and hopefully gain a good qualification at the end of it. We are totally aware that it is also a huge decision. It is a lot of money to invest in your future, and often with parents on one side asking where is it going to lead, and the possibility of university or a secure job in the UK on the other, having some assurances of what it could lead on to is understandably important.
At Ticket To Ride, we’ve all committed to the action sports lifestyle, and can wholeheartedly advocate the life of a ski or snowboard instructor. But what are the facts? What can a 10 or 11 week course in Canada, France or New Zealand really lead to?
The Lifestyle
Whether you are just finishing school or university and think this is the career for you, or wanting a change from the 9-5 you are currently stuck in, it is undeniable that ski or snowboard instructing offers an amazing quality of life doing what you love. It is the job that gives the most hours on the mountain in a ski resort, you spend everyday outdoors doing what you love in the beautiful mountains and you can pass on your passion to others! It is so rewarding seeing progression in those you work with over a week, especially in children or someone lacking in confidence. You have the power to make someone fall in love with the sport as you once did.
Aside from the job, there are many more perks to the lifestyle of an instructor. A ready made group of friends from the Ski School you work in, deals and discounts available to instructors in resorts or just by being qualified (BASI have many deals with top brands for example). Plus, feeling that ultimate sense of belonging that can come from wearing the uniform.
The Wages
So no jobs in a ski resort really earn that much unless you sacrifice ski time and get a 9-5 or work your way right up to the top. But compared to earning £80 a week scrubbing toilets in a hotel, teaching skiing or snowboarding is a great job, and pays enough to maintain a good lifestyle. Money doesn’t seem to matter if you are happy and have enough for some beers after a day on the mountain, and enough not to worry.
Above is a guide to basic salaries in different countries but is definitely not the end of the story. Many Ski Schools offer their own pay systems, many rewarding loyalty and those who come back year on year to work for them. If you get to Level 3 pay will increase again, and some countries increase wages based on the number of teaching hours an instructor has. So the longer you travel and work, the better paid you can be!
You can also often expect tips for instructing, especially for private lessons, which could double your hourly wage. And some ski schools provide accommodation as well as your lift pass and uniform, which means the package you get is very good indeed!
The Travelling
In my mind the best reason to become a ski instructor is to give you a licence to travel all over the world, living in different ski resorts in different countries and fully getting to know that ski area over a season. From my instructor friends’ instagram profiles, every day is beautiful, every day is a ski day, and every day is fun! From Canada to New Zealand to Japan to Australia, you could plan your next few years based on the countries you want to go and ski in. With shoulder seasons in between to travel in that country, or go home and visit family, you could have the perfect work-life balance.
The Real Stories
Here are some real things that real people have done following a Ticket To Ride Instructor Course:
Niamh did her CASI Level 1 & 2 Snowboard Instructor Course with us in 2014. She has since worked in Canada, Australia, Japan and is now in Zermatt in Switzerland as a CASI Level 3 snowboard instructor, and teaches skiing as well.
Saul did his BASI Level 1 & 2 Ski Instructor Course with us in Meribel in 2015 when he was only 16 years old. His aim is now to become the youngest person ever to reach BASI Level 4 ISTD as he passed his Eurotest this year which is a key step to achieving that goal! He is currently training in Meribel with us, and has worked in Italy and Switzerland.
Andrew did his BASI Level 1 & 2 with us in Meribel when he had only done 4 weeks of skiing before. He went on to work in Italy, Verbier, Quebec and New Zealand, gaining extra qualifications along the way!
“I would recommend Ticket To Ride to anyone wanting to gain a ski qualification or have some time out, but more so anyone wanting to make a career out of skiing – it’s a long hard road to gain the full qualifications but so worth it!” – Andrew Galbraith, Meribel BASI Level 1 & 2
Hannah did her BASI Level 1 in the UK, then her Level 2 with us in Meribel. She then worked for Chelski indoor ski centre in London as an instructor, showing there are opportunities closer to home as well!
The Plan
So now the plan seems pretty simple to me.
1. Book yourself on a ski or snowboard instructor course in Banff, Meribel or Mt Ruapehu.
2. Convince your parents/ grandparents/ career advisor that there are many good prospects and it is a viable career plan for the next few years at least, teaching you many life skills along the way!
3. Work hard and pass your qualifications, and try and gain as many as you can, for example first aid and AST avalanche awards to make you more employable.
4. Work straight away in the Southern Hemisphere if you qualify in the North, or vice versa. Apply for jobs as soon as you can, maybe even before you have fully qualified. Look into visas for different countries in advance as well.
5. Do a season in Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Europe, travel the world, meet some incredible people and have an amazing time!
If this sounds like the dream life get in contact with our snow advisors on 0208 7888 668 or email [email protected].
