Harriet speaks: 3-week Ski Instructor Courses & Season Accommodation
Hi, I’m Harriet and I did on of the NONSTOP 3 week ski instructor courses in Banff 2009 and then I used their seasonal accommodation to stay on in Banff and teach. I hands down had the best time of my life! Skiing all day and partying all night with some of the best people I have ever met!
THE NONSTOP SKI & SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTOR COURSES
The NONSTOP ski instructor course was perfect for me; the instructors were able to rip my technique apart and build it back up piece by piece – rather than throwing everything at me at once. The “Ski Big 3” instructor pros not only teach you how to teach, but how to enjoy the mountain as much as physically possible. They’re really friendly and are ready to answer your endless questions about inclination, stance & balance! I actually learnt how to enjoy mogel runs, rather than celebrating the fact I was still alive at the bottom of the slope!
The Canadian Rockies are nothing like I have ever experienced before. The terrain seems endless and varied, the snow is light and dry and the slopes are almost empty and well groomed.
I was worried about the amount of skiing I’d done before the course but it really didn’t matter; some had only done 5 weeks, others had done a season or so; but that didn’t matter as we ALL passed and left the course strong skiers and brilliant instructors. We also had the weekends to practice and make the most of the fresh powder! You’ll also have a course director, Emz, who is there to help you whenever you need – from where to get your new skis to where to buy the cheapest beer!
NORQUAY
NONSTOP’s instructor course lesson approach taught me not only the Level 1 syllabus, but also tips on how to work well with clients. We were able to get the assistance we needed in applying for work and I got a job working up at Norquay ski hill, which was such fun!
When I wasn’t teaching some of the cutest and funniest kids in the world, I’d be on session with CSIA Level 3/4 ski instructor guys training for my Level 2 or shredding up the park! It was like getting free coaching from the best and getting paid to train! It was great becoming friends with people from all around the world too. The pay is average, but the bonus’s are pretty cool – free skiing at hills such as Kicking Horse, Jasper and Castle Mountain, endless staff parties and trips to watch the Calgary Flames! The best part of working as a ski instructor is the rewarding feeling when you see a three year old doing parallel turns down a blue run, when just 3 weeks before they couldn’t even put on their skis!
VISA – Apply on time!
Visa wise I applied in February which is quite early as lots of student- people applied in the summer. BUNAC offer either a Student visa – for anyone holding an unconditional offer at university or within the first year of finishing university which are quite easy to get hold of, or a Non-student visa which obviously applies to everyone else which you should apply ASAP. You can also achieve a sponsored visa however they’re quite difficult to get hold of; but Nancy and Noel from Gap Year Canada who work with NONSTOP helped a few guys to get them when they were too late to apply for a Non-student visa but obviously it isn’t ideal. The application was quite easy – just sending forms they send you back to them once complete! Once in Canada they staple your Visa to your passport and you’re all set to earn some dollar!
SEASONAL ACCOMMODATION IN BANFF – Arranged by NONSTOP
The season accommodation I booked through NONSTOP is owned by a company called Gap Year Canada. There are about 8 houses GYC use to accommodate seasonaires, the majority of which work up in the resorts. Nancy and Noel are really helpful with bank accounts, SIN numbers and Alberta Health; but they also organise parties so everyone can meet, sports tournaments, rock band competitions and even canoe trips in the spring.
Below, me outside our lovely home: Cougar House!
Our house was super comfortable and we all stayed in twin rooms, shared a bathroom, kitchen and lounge and became a pretty close knit family during our season. I would recommend to anyone that wants to work for the season after taking part in one of the snowboard or ski instructor courses that they book their accommodation through NONSTOP and GYC – it’ll take the hassle right out of it! Plus, finding accommodation in Banff can be really difficult so it’s worth booking well ahead.
BANFF – Party town!
Banff is such a great town to be in! The nightlife is amazing with something different going on every night. The beautiful town is in an abundance of seasonaire skiers and snowboarders from all around the world. Living in Banff for the season you really become on of the locals and we really made the most of it! We’d get money off in the shops, know to go food shopping on a Tuesday because it is cheap, go to bingo on a Thursday, “cheapy Tuesdays” at the cinema, Sunday nights are the best in Auroras (a nightclub) and keep your cans for the recycling money! There are loads of things to do when you’re not on the hill or in the bars; the cinema, skating, going to the hot springs, the gym, snowmobiling, husky rides, ice walks and shopping.
Below: All of us on retro dress up day!
I’m leaving from Vancouver to go home in 2 days and dreading it. The people you live with become more like family – living, working and partying with them 24/7. Leaving everyone was horrible and we all cried, but I know I am definitely going to see them again and I am never going to forget the fantastic time I had in Banff.
Thank you NONSTOP!
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Harriet took part in our Banff 3-week instructor course in Nov 2009 and taught for the 2009/10 winter. If you are interested in this option and in our seasonal accommodation then please check out the website and get in touch with us in the office and we can talk to you about it in more detail.
Website links:
Skiers:
NONSTOP 3-week ski instructor courses
NONSTOP – How to become an Ski Instructor
NONSTOP Seasonal Accommodation
Snowboarders:
NONSTOP 3-week snowboard instructor courses
NONSTOP – How to become an Snowboard Instructor
NONSTOP Seasonal Accommodation
