Beyond the course: Jobs as a skiing & snowboarding instructor...

The Course...

Peak Leaders have planned their courses to give you the option of qualifying either in summer ( New Zealand or Argentina) or winter ( Canada, France or Switzerland.) This flexibility means you can fit in a course in the summer holidays from July - October before, during or after school/ university or qualify during the northern hemisphere winter season January - March. 

Verbier - Trainees that got a job on completing the course

For example, when your school / uni exams are out of the way in June / July you could head south to Argentina or New Zealand. Returning to the UK as a qualified instructor in October, you are either in time for the new academic year or home just to fling your gear into the washing machine before jetting off to a job in November in Canada or Europe.

On the other hand, should you have other plans for the summer then a winter course from December or January in Canada, Switzerland or France training to become a ski or snowboard instructor may be a better option. You could be qualified by the end of February and finish the season working as an instructor (Call Peak Leaders for further info). You could also opt to travel to the southern hemisphere in June to chase the snow and fit in some work experience as a ski or snowboard instructor before going on to other things in the autumn.

The C.V...

To enhance your CV for future employment, Peak Leaders have devised a course structure which includes a wide range of complementary qualifications and skills.   Having completed your Peak Leaders' course, a well presented CV listing qualifications you have gained, with good references, is key to gaining a job. 

Your portfolio...

Understanding customer service and developing your people skills are modules taught on a Peak Leaders' course. As with most jobs, being an instructor often involves starting at the bottom of the ladder in a snowsports' school. Although the money is limited at the beginning, you will be working in the most fabulous outdoor office in the world doing something you love with like minded people. You should also, in a good snowsports' school, expect to receive personal development training, qualifications and job / income prospects.  Once you have built up a portfolio of skills and a reputation with clients who want you as their instructor, your salary will increase.

Job search...

Peak Leaders commitment to helping trainees does not end with the completion of your course. We will give you information and advice to help secure the job you want

Former trainees...

From the Andes to the Southern Alps to the Rocky Mountains, wherever you qualify with Peak Leaders, remember, you may be head hunted for jobs the following season. Destination resort managers look out for good Peak Leaders'trainees who finish the course well qualified, with good CVs and references.  In 2005 there were 12 former Peak Leaders' trainees employed at Sunshine Village alone as instructors, with others working elsewhere in Canada, Europe, North America and New Zealand. 

Visa & Work Permit Advice:

Europe - UK citizens do not need a visa to travel or work in Europe. If you do not hold a European passport you should contact the local embassy of the country you want to visit or your foreign office before applying for jobs.

Canada & The U.S.A - You can go to Canada for up to 6 months as a visitor and no visa is necessary as long as you are on a full British passport and do not do paid work.  If you get a job, you have to apply either from your country of origin or in Canada itself (which will take up to a month to process). If you do the latter, you will have to leave and re-enter Canada with the new paperwork from outside its borders.  Many ski and snowboard schools in Canada and the U.S.A have some jobs which include work permits specifically for their international employees.  Alternatively, BUNAC run a Work Canada program which allows those aged between 18 & 30 to work and travel in Canada for up to 6 months.  BUNAC will issue you with a "Work Authorisation Certificate".  When you arrive in Canada, you take this certificate to Canadian Immigration along with your passport and they will issue you with a stamped visa.

New Zealand - A working holiday visa is a good option for job seekers going to New Zealand.  This scheme allows UK and Irish citizens to stay in NZ for up to 12 months and allows you to work to supplement your travel. There are 8,000 visas available to UK citizens and 1,000 for Irish citizens. There are some Working Holiday Visa Conditions, you must:

• Be a British or Irish Citizen residing in the UK or Ireland respectively at the time of applying
• Be aged between 18-30 years
• Not accompanied by children on your visit
• Have a passport valid 3 months beyond your intended departure date from NZ
• Upon arrival, provide evidence of NZ$4,200 in funds
• Upon arrival, provide an outward flight ticket, or sufficient funds to purchase one (approx NZ$2,000)

Job Opportunities

Snowgurus.com is an independent website, that the public can use to select a Ski or Snowboard Instructor worldwide before their holiday.

All our instructors are of a very high standard and English speaking. Each instructor has their own on-line profile & Calendar. Clients provide feedback to insure levels remain high. Please visit our site if you wish to become a guru or are looking for that perfect instructor! All services are free.

Deer Valley Resort – Park City, Utah, USA

Join the consistently ranked #1 Resort in North America.  Deer Valley Ski School is hiring experienced Alpine instructors.  We are the only resort in Park City, Utah that offers employee housing (expanded for the 2008-2009 season)!

If you enjoy working with children and families we want you!  Preferably you will have certification from your country (BASI etc) You should be an advanced skier that can ski beginner through advanced terrain in variable conditions and would like to teach group or private lessons.

You need to have excellent guest and customer service skills, work well with general supervision and a desire to teach alpine skiing to all ability zones.  Willing to work any day shift and can lift up to forty (40) pounds. 

Pay is commensurate with experience and certification. 

During the season you can expect to work an average between 500 and 700 hours.

Employee housing is available and the rates start at approximately $370 per month.

Contact us for more detailed information about skiing, training and health benefits.

agriffin@deervalley.com

We want to create a company that we are proud of.  For this to happen we need outstanding people. So that's why we are on the look out for talented and dynamic people to come and join us.   We work hard and give people the opportunity to develop themselves and each other and reward when people do so.   So if you're interested in joining our team, either in the office in Scotland or as one of our group leaders in Canada, Argentina, New Zealand, Switzerland and France, we'd love to hear from you.

Each year the Interski Snowsport School will employ approximately 600 part-time ski and snowboard instructors, all of whom will receive the very best in temporary packages.

Click here for more info...

Keep an eye on the Whistler site for work as a ski / snowboard instructor once you finish the Whistler short course.

Work as a ski/snowboard instructor this Easter in Whistler...

There are a number of part time jobs available with our partners European Snowsport  upon completion of the Peak Leaders ski instructor course in Verbier.

Keep an eye on the NZSKI website for jobs available once you finish the Peak Leaders New Zealand course.

Ski/Surf Instructor Wanted ForExtreme Holidays Ltd

Full Time Position

We are looking for passionate and highly skilled Individuals to join our team of exceptional instructors

Essential:   Passion for Skiing, Basi Alpine Ski Instructor/Alpine Ski Teacher ISIA or equivalent with 1-2yrs of Instructor experience. Plus ability to Surf

Desirable:  Surfing Instructor Qualifications/Ability to speak German/Spanish

Location:   Europe

Start Date:  July – September 2008

Salary:        £15k - £25k

Contact:     Emma 01622 719719

Email:         chris@extremeholidays.com

Web:           www.extremeholidays.com