Spending time on a ski break is something that not many of us can do. If only we were lucky enough to ski every day and spend time in the outdoors every single day – right? If skiing has become a passion for you and your skis have hardly got dry yet you can’t wait to get on the slopes again, then perhaps it’s time to think of going a step further by being a ski instructor.
It’s entirely possible, especially if you’re the kind of person who loves the outdoors and going on a great and exciting adventure. If you don’t see yourself stuck at a desk each and every day for the rest of your life, becoming a ski instructor may be just what you need.
But first, the facts. Here’s what you should really know about becoming a ski instructor.
- The earning potential
Although it’s not really about what you can earn, the earning potential is still quite attractive for many. In many parts of Europe, the salary can vary, although if you’re just starting out, you can generally expect payment of around £16/hour. However, in France, it can go up to about £20 per hour; in Switzerland, it can be as much as £30. If you are to become a ski instructor in the US and Canada, the pay can vary as well, ranging upwards from £10 an hour. In Australia and New Zealand, the pay can also vary, but you can expect about £14 per hour.
Of course, as mentioned, there’s a lot of earning potential – which means that if a student likes you, is impressed with how you teach, and asks for more lessons with you, you can easily earn a bonus. In places like the US and Canada, tips are quite common as well, and there have actually been stories of ski instructors getting as much as £650 in tips, along with gifts (think luxury watches and even a car).
- The working hours
The working hours for ski instructors are pretty flexible as well. For instance, if you’re a beginner instructor, you could expect about 20 hours of work every week, although on average, it’s more common to have about 25 to 30 hours of work every week. If you’re in a busy or peak period, such as Christmas and New Year, Easter or half-term, you can work as many as 40 (or more) hours every week.
To get some good working hours, here’s one tip: get to know the person responsible for assigning ski instructors, who is usually the assistant director – a smile and a greeting couldn’t hurt.
- The skiing lessons
If you are a beginner, you may more than likely be assigned to teach kids and adult beginners. If you’re a bit anxious about being with kids, don’t worry – teaching kids can be quite rewarding in itself as they learn pretty quickly! But as you go along, you can become more qualified, and your work can expand as well. If you want, you can take more advanced ski instructor courses and even snowboard instructor courses, which are both offered by Alltracks Academy Ski & Snowboarding.
If you are qualified as both a ski and snowboard teacher or instructor, you will be highly sought after, and your work can become more varied and exciting.
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