With A-level results less than 24 hours away, you’re allowed to feel a little nervous. Waiting for “that envelope” is every students sweaty palm moment. But if your results on Thursday morning don’t tick all the right boxes…there’s always an instructing job in the Alps waiting!

We hope it goes well … but if it doesn’t …

We know how important it is to get into your number one choice university.

But if results don’t go to plan, don’t despair – everything will work out in the end.

And, you might not believe it now, but some time out before coming back to university with a host of new, employable life-skills might just be the ticket!

Some time out might just be the ticket!

Improve your CV

First up, the skills you learn on any ski or snowboard instructor course improve your CV. Don’t just take it from us though, even UCAS state on their website: “A gap year can be great for your CV – many employers value the experiences students have gained if they’ve actively managed their time, set themselves goals and stretched themselves.”

Peak Leaders offer real jobs with established ski schools that improve your CV

Learn to be a leader

Becoming a ski or snowboard instructor isn’t just about getting a cool uniform and a free lift pass (although these are good perks!). Important for the future, you learn essential skills – communication, first aid, risk assessment – that not only keep a group of people (from grandkids to grandparents!) safe in the mountains, but are well regarded in the work place. Showing you can lead, be responsible for others, and stay motivating (whatever the mountain throws at you and the group!) puts you ahead of the pack when you get back to university.

From avalanche rescue to knowing the nearest hot chocolate stop – you’ll be the leader!

Jobs waiting!

Some ski and snowboard courses offer internships or other routes to employment…we prefer to help you get a real interview and a real job! We’ve 15 years of experience in running ski and snowboard gap courses, and during this time, we’ve made sure to make some great friends. Employment-wise, companies such as Les Elfes International, European Snowsport, Ski Astons, and others recruit directly from our courses.

Les Elfes International – just one of our partner companies for employment opportunities

Special deals

In addition to employment opportunities, we have some great friends at Burton UK, Faction Skis and Rossignol who all offer special deals to our trainees on equipment and clothing. You might even get to ride with a Burton Pro on our Morzine course, or a Faction Pro on our Verbier course!

Ride with a Burton UK Pro? We got you hooked up!

Life long skills

Whether it’s just one winter then back to university, or you stay longer, the skills – and qualifications – you gain on a Peak Leaders ski or snowboard course stay with you for life.

Plenty of trainees have escaped in university holidays to teach in the Alps and there’s nothing stopping you doing the same.

Don’t think of becoming a ski or snowboard instructor as just a gap year experience.

Who knows? It might be the ticket to a career change later in life.

Check out our instagram @peakleaders for everything happening now in Argentina and Canada …

So to all of you waiting for tomorrow’s A-level results … best of luck!

And remember … the mountains are waiting too.

Peak Leaders has ski instructor courses starting pre-season in Saas Fee (Switzerland) and St Anton (Austria), plus winter courses in Morzine (France) and Verbier (Switzerland).

For a chat about any of our courses get in touch here.