A why, where and with whom story of becoming a ski bum
Imi took part in our Fernie ski instructor training course back in 2007 and went on to work for several seasons as an instructor. Here's how an amazing chapter in her life unfolded...
When I made the decision to make a break from my university plans, I never imagined that one thought, one little change in my life would bring me right back to where I had left off.
I was 19 in 2007, and had deferred university for a year to work full time. This wasn’t exciting me as much as I had hoped so began researching what else I could do. I’d always wanted to be a ski instructor since my first lessons as an impressionable 5 year old. Having found Nonstop online and spent hours gazing at page after page of great pictures; stunning mountain shots with similarly stunning riders in them! I was hooked.
The next thing I knew I was at the airport. Not knowing anyone, flying solo and, in hindsight, with too much baggage!
That initial winter was a blur of amazing instruction and exhilarating experiences such as cat-skiing, winter camping and snowshoeing. I made more friends in that 4 months than in a year of work. And of those friends I made, I am still close to many of them 6 years on.
I left Nonstop with my CSIA level 1, 2 and CSCF race 1 qualifications and the thirst for more. I came back to Fernie in November of '08 and moved in with 7 previous Nonstoppers. I had come to Fernie without a job offer but with a visa. I met with supervisors and tagged along at daily line-ups knowing that if my face was seen enough, eventually I would be noticed and given the chance to work. Within 2 weeks this was the case. Interviewed and fitted for uniform I was out there shadowing my first lesson.
Teaching skiing blew my mind! This is a career? I get to teach a sport I love, to instil my passion in others and give people the holiday of their dreams. Since that first winter of teaching, I have had returning clients, bringing with them family and friends to come and relive their fantastic experiences, and I was part of that. It’s a great job with great perks. The number one thing that kept me going back for 6 years was the social aspect. I found myself a support network of like minded souls; a friendship where age has no importance, only your passion for life and what you did with it.
In my years at Fernie winter sports school I have taught kids, adults and entire families! I became a trainer for rookie instructors and been given some of ski schools unique products to run: First trax and Ladies free-ride to name a couple. I have supervised and been involved in employee relations. More recently I have been involved in the media and was asked to feature in promotional material! It certainly was bizarre to see myself skiing across a billboard in Calgary!
I have also worked in NZ, Cardrona more specifically. The ski and snowboard industry is a small one, the more people you meet and work with, the quicker you will come to realise! Managers and ski school directors will more often than not have worked in other countries too. So with a stunning reference from Fernie, I was welcomed to Cardrona, where my referee had previously worked.
Working in Canada has opened my eyes to a whole world of opportunities. I have met people who have inspired me in so many ways. I have made changes, such as how I see and live my life.
One season with Nonstop meant that I had the tools to get a job I had dreamed about. Each year that I went back for a ski season, I would stay longer until 2011, I just never came home. Winters turned to summers and my Canadian adventure became a year round one.
April 2013 saw me coming back to the UK. I have just started university (I told you this would bring me full circle…) but this time, I am confident in what I am doing. I have a passion and a focus to my learning and that is to continue my travelling and aid me in moving to Canada permanently.
My question to you, if you are thinking about partaking in a Nonstop program is why wouldn't you? It’s an adventure where no previous experience is necessary but experience is just the thing you will leave with.
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