Become a ski or snowboard instructor
There are many different ways to qualify as a ski or snowboard instructor and a few key things to consider. It’s an incredibly exciting path to take and the following information will help to set you on your way.
Qualifying as an instructor
One of your first considerations should be where you want to qualify and work as an instructor. There are many national instructor bodies that allow you to not only instruct in the country in which you gained your qualification, but also in many other countries around the world. The most popular qualifications that you may have heard of are Canada’s CSIA (for skiers) and CASI (for snowboarders), New Zealand’s NZSIA, Britain’s BASI and the US’s PSIA (for skiers) and AASI (for snowboarders).
The levels of qualification
Each of the above instructor bodies offer four levels of qualification. Generally speaking Level 1 allows you to teach beginner and novice skills, for BASI it only allows you to teach on artificial slopes, whereas for all the others you can teach on the mountain. Level 2 allows you to also instruct intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders. Levels 3 and 4 are far more technical and include instructor training (pedagogy).
Working overseas
Once at Level 2 standard under each of these bodies you will be eligible to work at ski schools in most countries, with the main exception being France. We find Western Canada to be the best place in the world to train as an instructor, due to its incredible terrain and snow conditions. By gaining Canada’s CASI or CSIA qualifications you will be in an excellent position to get a job in ski schools in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Switzerland, USA and the UK, as well as Canada.
Qualifying and working in France
Instructing in France is an entirely different kettle of fish. Before you get started in a French ski school, you need to pass some extremely challenging slalom speed tests that require a high level of specific training. It’s a challenging system, but it is achievable and we can help you on your way. (NB to teach snowboarding in France you need to first become a ski instructor!)
Guaranteed interviews with Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
Every year Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR) employ hundreds of ski and snowboard instructors at their four Western Canada resorts: Fernie, Kicking Horse, Nakiska and Kimberley. Due to the confidence that their Snow School Directors have in Nonstop’s graduates, RCR offer guaranteed interviews to anyone that successfully completes one of our Fernie based programs and gives them priority in the hiring process.
Fernie and Kicking Horse are renowned for their big mountain terrain and epic snow conditions, so this is an amazing opportunity to work in a truly world-class resort and progress your skills to the limit. Nakiska and Kimberley offer great skiing and more family friendly terrain, and subsequently have ski schools with plenty of work for aspiring rookie ski or snowboard instructors.
Top tips on becoming an instructor from RCR
The value of work experience
On your Nonstop course, you can take part in work experience, which is extremely beneficial when you are applying for a ski or snowboard instructor job.
During our 11 week course, you will be able to shadow experienced instructors at the local ski school, where you'll learn new teaching techniques and get some hands-on experience. Having this on your CV will help you to stand out from the competition, and Ski School Directors will look favourably on the effort you have made.
Experience running your own lessons with Nonstop community days
We believe in giving as much back to the communities that we operate in as possible and have come up with a project that kills two birds with one stone. Our Community Days in Fernie and Red Mountain are designed to get local residents, who don't usually ski or snowboard, onto the slopes. These residents live in the mountains but can't afford to ski. Therefore we have teamed up with local resorts so that they offer free lift passes and equipment and we provide our newly qualified instructors (that's you) for free.
The project has been a massive success. As well as getting more people on the hill, our newly qualified instructors benefit massively from teaching people without supervision for the first time.
Do you need a work visa?
It is only necessary to arrange a working visa if you intend to work outside of you country/territory of origin.
You do not need to arrange a visa if:
- You are taking part in an instructor course but don’t intend to work that season
- You have a British or European passport and intend to work in Europe
If you do intend to work in a foreign country, you need to arrange a work visa with that country before you make your travel plans.
Applying for a Canadian work visa
The Government of Canada allocate a fixed number of 12 month work visas to overseas travellers under the age of 30. These International Experience Canada visas are released in January for the following winter, so it's important to plan ahead and snap up one of these before they run out, they may only last until the spring.
To apply via the Government of Canada, click on your country of origin below:
United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Germany, France. All other countries go here.
Once you've been reserved a visa, you'll be sent through an information pack which will include a Visa Application Form. You will then need to complete this form, and also submit a Police Background check, along with the visa fee.
NB If you are over the age of 30 or have already used your maximum allocation of IEC visas (currently two), you will have to organise a sponsored work visa with your employers. This is quite normal, especially if you have experience in a job that has transferable skills. Make sure you watch the video above when Wendy Lemoine, Ski School Director at Fernie, talks about visa sponsorship.
Careers advice from the experts
As part of our Nonstop courses we offer a careers seminar. These are hosted by the Technical Director in your resort and often the local Ski School Director, plus past Nonstop clients come along to give their advice on how they got their jobs.
You'll get a first hand and realistic view of working as an instructor and you'll learn how to apply for an instructor job and get yourself known. You'll also get advice on visa applications, especially for those over 30, who need to be sponsored by a ski school.
Get a copy of the Nonstop careers manual
At the end of your Nonstop course you'll receive an extremely helpful manual that is a great introduction and will help you to get started in the ski or snowboard industry. It includes:
- Where to work | Where your qualifications are recognised
- Your dream job | Advice on applying for instructor positions
- Visas, costs & pay | Advice on securing visas, securing work and rates of pay
- Case studies | Ex-seasonnaires give advice on working as an instructor
- Winter sports schools | Contact details of over 60 ski schools in 8 different countries
- Sample C.V. | Preparing an effective resume
Instructor pay and perks
Basic pay. As a level 1 instructor in Canada you can expect to earn approximately $12 CAD an hour in your first season. You will work 5-6 days a week for 4-6 or so hours a day. You will get paid approximately double for private lessons and many instructors make quite a bit from tips. You can also get paid more if you are requested for lessons. Many ‘Rookie’ (1st season) instructors supplement their wage with another job; i.e. bar and restaurant staff. Not only does this bring in more money, it also allows you to make more friends in the resort. Although it doesn’t seem like you earn much, life out in Canada is much cheaper (rent, food, beer etc) so it is plenty to live off. Plus, you get to live, play and work in the snow – it’s a perfect lifestyle!
Cheap meals. As a member of the resort snow school, you will be able to get heavily subsidised meals in the main resort restaurants.
Equipment deals. With CSIA or CASI membership you’ll be able to save a substantial amount of money on the purchase of your equipment through pro deals. The exact value of savings varies between suppliers, but discounts for major equipment generally runs between 30-50% off the retail price.
NB If you're willing to make the massive commitment to qualifying in the French system, the rewards are far higher. After passing the Test Technique and Préformation you can join a ski school as a trainee instructor and earn 25€ per hour in your first season.
Case studies from qualified instructors
Watch this video to hear how some of our graduates have gone on to work as instructors and check out some of the case studies below.
Anna Stevens, 29
Working at Lake Louise
Max Gold, 18
Working in Banff after our 3 week instructor course
Claire Wilson, 27
Working at Mt Rueaphu, NZ & Mammoth Mt. California, USA
Si Smith, 24
Working in Fernie
Adam Hillier, 25
My Nonstop course & working at Sun Peaks, BC
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