Ski instructer?

Question

i am back from a ski hoilday and with my faimly (ive been a few times) anyway i was talking to a women about how skiing is so expencive and that we save all year so we can ski yet ski instructers ski so they can make money and i said how cool it would be. i was talking to the women and the rest of the group and they said that they could really see me in the furture becoming one, so i was wondering how would you become one and whats the money like cus i herd its not great.

i am also doing a sports corse at the moment so i know alot of sports bioligy. and all there is to know about sports devolpment. thanks

Answer 1

To start as a ski instructor all you need is a phone. Call you local hill and get the info. Most people are hired over the phone. No skiing is required. As for pay as a first year expect 10 to 13 an hour for group lessons with 12 to 15 kids in your class. Your best bet is to get your PSIA certifications. With each level your pay is  increased and the level of skiing you can teach. To make any real money you will need your level 3 and make the switch from group lessons to privet. Keep in mind this will take several years and commitment to the sport. This is a tough job, most people think you just ski around and have fun. Yes it is fun but 100+ days on the hill is taxing on both your body and psyche.

Answer 2

About the only special skill required to teach beginning children is a rapid poleless uphill skate.  But, if you can do that you're surely a decent all round skier too.

Answer 3

Depends on where you live.  I live in Utah, and I almost got a job last year as a ski instructor's aid even though I'm only 15.  The only reason I didnt was because I didnt have a car and couldnt drive myself up there. That woudl be a good option to help you break into the job because if you worked as an aid for a few years while you were young, then when you got old enough then the resort you were working for might be more likely to hire you.  It would also look good on an application, having experience in the field.  

But you will have to be very good at skiing to be an instructor, very patient, friendly with people, and a good teacher.  It would be nearly impossible too if you dont live within about an hour or two's drive of a ski resort.

Answer 4

Ive been skiing a few times..

Ski Instructors tend to be college students doing it for experience.. And from talking to some i heard its not very good pay at all..

They're in it for the fun.

Answer 5

To be a good ski/ snowsport instructor, you need to know how to teach and to apply that information and skill to the job at hand.  A good personality and a winning smile will help.  The ski school will teach you to ski better than you do when you start. Most beginning instrutors teach young children in an enclosed area where they are secure. More experienced instructors teach the public at all levels of skill from never evers to experts who will ski anything that has snow on it.

In North America the money will very from resort to resort along with your certification level and your client list. A resort is trying to make money as are you so the balance changes as the season progresses.  The first year or 2 at a ski school, you will probably make a minimum wage while teaching, plus tips and sometimes a volume premium. Some private/ concession schools will pay higher but have a lower volume of hours to work. Ask the resorts where you want to teach about their policies and pay structure.  Also ask some of the rank and file instructors for those schools what the group is like.  This is a social sport as much as a snow sport and the camraderie is important.  A good command of the proper language skills in your country is important. You will need to be able to read and write concisely, and correctly for the numerous other tasks you will need to do.  Injury reports, greeting cards, evaluations of children for their parents, thank you cards, are all part of the trade.

Maintain a high ethical standard at all times, come join the industry, go to the fall hiring fair and welcome.

Answer 6

In Colorado a first year instructor will make about $9-$10 per hour and will work 20-25 hours per week. It is hard to make enough to live without 2-3 jobs. After a few seasons and Certification through PSIA it is possible to make a good living. I make about $28k a season but have been doing the job for 11 years and have invested close to $10k  over the years to become and maintain certification. To learn more about teaching opportunities I suggest you contact PSIA.org

By the way------ Ladies, how do you know you are talking to a ski instructor at the bar?

He will tell you!

Answer 7

You have to be an incredibly good skier to become an instructor. The ability to ski is not good enough. You also have to be very patient with people of all ages.

Answer 8

I was a ski instructor in Whistler, Canada for a season.

In order to become a kids instructor in north america, you dont actually have to be of that good a standard to pass your level 1.  comparatively in Europe, you have to be almost semi-professional in order to become an instructor at all.

In Whistler i was being paid around $10.50 an hour. If you can speak a foreign language or have and survival courses you get more. In all honesty its c**p pay, but is one of the most enjoyable jobs i have ever had!

Hope that helps, feel free to ask me any other questions you want!