How Adam Became a Snow School Director After his Nonstop Course.
Adam took part in our 11 Week Snowboard Instructor five years ago, in this interview Founding Director, Rupert asks him what affect it has had on his life. Turns out it was pretty life changing...
What were you doing before the course and why did you decide to take a Nonstop course?
I was working for Mercedes-Benz as a technician; I had been there for three years up until a trip to Bulgaria where I fell for snowboarding and the mountains. I had been starting to think that I needed to take some time away from work as I had left school and gone straight to Mercedes. A friend of mine had previously taken a couple of Nonstop courses and had just spent the season working in Fernie. After a night in the pub chatting about skiing/boarding I set about saving money for the course and applying for a sabbatical year from work. It wasn't long before I found myself in Fernie for the season.
Tell us a bit about your Nonstop course experience? What are the days or experiences you particularly remember?
The course as a whole had everything. Our accommodation was great, the resort was one of the best in North America, we had lots of different options as far as trips away go (my favourite was the winter camping) and lastly, everyone on the course, and the time I spent with them, really made it a special experience.
One of the best and most memorable days I had in Fernie was towards the end of our Level 2 training. The Whitepass chair had been closed for two days because I believe some small rodent had chewed through some wires and parts needed replacing. It had been dumping the whole time so on the third day of the chair being closed we hiked from the top of Timber chair to the top of Whitepass and got fresh lines down the whole of Currie Bowl. That was easily the best run of the season. Ever since then I go hiking on my days off to find new runs and explore the mountains I'm at.
How did you go about getting an instructing job?
After the course I applied for work down in New Zealand but unfortunately wasn't able to get an instructing job. Being determined to get over there I bought a season pass for Mt. Ruapehu and later found work with them, although it was only inside. I spent the season in NZ having fun on the board and not taking things too seriously, looking towards the next Canadian winter. I had been sending out my C.V. to snow schools all across Canada and, because it was the Vancouver Olympic year, international instructing jobs were fairly slim pickings. I had a few interviews and finally got offered a job at a small resort in B.C. called Hemlock Valley, which has since become a home away from home. This season was my fourth at Hemlock.
What was that first lesson experience like?
My first lesson was a bit of a shock to the system. I remember my time-keeping wasn't quite up to scratch, and nothing my evaluators told me had prepared me for a kid in a full-face motocross helmet digging holes in the snow with the visor instead of listening to what we were doing.
What's a typical day instructing like?
A typical day instructing changes from resort to resort, however, at Hemlock we show up at around 8am to get the bunny hill and lesson area set up in time for opening at 9am. We'd normally get it sorted in about 15 minutes which leaves us time for breakfast and a coffee. Every day we have a session/training from 9am until 10am (if you don’t have lessons). This is always the best time to ride as we normally have the resort to ourselves. We'd then check in at each lessons time slot generally getting around 4.5 – 5.5 hours per day. Any time that we weren't teaching we'd go riding, build huge snowmen or chill out in the cafe (everyone has their own preference). At the end of the day we'd help out ski patrol by sweeping the hill and making sure that nobody has been left out there after hours. Getting last chair can sometimes be as good as first chair, late in the season watching the sunset before your last run is a pretty special feeling.
What pay, tips, perks, training, etc does the job offer you?
I guess everybody takes something different from the job; the main things for me were finding a resort that wanted me to return year after year and gave me the support and opportunity to progress in both my riding and a career. In my four seasons at Hemlock I've gone from being an instructor to a Snow School Director as well as gaining my CASI Level 3 and becoming a Level 1 evaluator. During this time I also worked for Mount Baw Baw in Australia where I am the head snowboard trainer and run Level 1 pre courses for the APSI.
I think the greatest thing I got from instructing was confidence; if you believe in yourself nothing is unachievable.
Do you have any particularly special stories from your seasons instructing?
I taught one kid called Beren, he was from a school group that do lessons each week. He took to his board faster than anyone else I have taught. Within three hours (two lessons) we were riding tree runs and doing some basics in the terrain park. After our last lesson I received an e-mail from his parents saying how grateful they were and how much fun he had had and that he was writing his next school paper on his snowboard instructor. That is probably one of my fondest memories.
What's it like "doing seasons" - community, culture, sport etc
You get to meet so many people that, whereever you decide to travel to, you are more than likely going to have a couch to sleep on. You'll experience so many exciting new things that you'll barely be able to wait for the trip to the next place.
The reason we do this is to ride and it never gets old. After my seven seasons I still get butterflies as the first snowflakes fall, or when I'm standing at the top of a run I just spent two hours hiking for. The sport will take you places you never saw yourself going and everything else stems from it.
Tell us about the resort(s) you worked at - any tips or advice?
I've worked at three resorts Mt Ruapehu, Hemlock Valley and Mount Baw Baw. I found that each resort has it's own perks whether that’s the amazing views or bottomless pow. My big tip would be: speak to and ride with as many people as possible because, in the end, the people around you will make your season one to remember.
What are your plans for the future?
Plans for the future are always tough when doing seasons but I'd like to say that one day I'll go for my Level 4 and direct a snow school at a larger resort. Between now and then my goal is to ride and visit as many different countries and places as I am able to.
And finally what advice do you have for people thinking of taking a course?
Heading to Fernie with Nonstop was probably one of the best decisions I've made. Everything about my experience there was amazing, from the people, to the town, to the riding. It was everything Nonstop said it would be and more. The course also opened pathways for me to get to where I am now. So if you have any doubts about it I believe taking a chance will pay off no, matter what your reason is for wanting to do it.
Without Nonstop I would not be running the Snow School at Hemlock, or heading back over to Australia, so thank you to everyone that worked at Nonstop and made this possible for me.
If Adam's story has inspired you to widen your horizons then find out how to become a snowboard instructor with Nonstop.
