Ski instructor courses - myths exposed

Season Workers asked a handful of leading training organisations some stupid questions in an attempt to expose some of the nonsense and myths surrounding snow sport instructor training.

Question 1: If you are a great skier you will make a great instructor"

ALLTRACKS ACADEMY: Clearly, all ski instructors must be able to demonstrate correct skiing technique to their students. However, as well as demonstrating technique, the ski instructor has to teach these skills to his class. Therefore, a major part of being a ski instructor is having the communication skills, patience, enthusiasm and teaching ability to pass your knowledge on.

Question 2: "It is getting easier to find work as a ski instructor, especially in France

ALLTRACKS ACADEMY: Nowadays, more and more people want to learn to ski properly as opposed to speeding down the hill like a complete punter – not cool! Therefore, ski instructors are becoming more in demand especially as skiers want to learn to ride with confidence in deep snow and more difficult terrain. The CSIA and CASI qualifications you gain whilst on an Alltracks Academy course are internationally recognised, allowing you to work at virtually any resort throughout the world. However, instructing in France for the Ecole du Ski Francais (ESF) continues to be difficult for foreigners. It is possible, be skiers must demonstrate a very high standard of skiing and pass the ESF exams.

Question 3: "If you can instruct skiing you can instruct snowboarding"

You could instruct skiing and snowboarding if you were proficient in both sports and had the relevant instructor qualifications for both too. Just because you are a good skier does not automatically make you into a proficient snowboarder and vice versa. However, there are some transferable skills which could help people from either discipline learn the other. These include simple matters like being familiar with the mountain environment and chairlifts etc.

Question 4: "There is no point getting a British qualification in the hope of getting work in France, Italy the USA or Canada"

Not really true. BASI is a member of the ISIA (International Ski Instructors Association), which means its qualifications are recognised throughout the world, although working in France for the ESF remains problematic. In Europe, instructors would usually be expected to speak the local language, but speaking English is also an advantage as many clients will be from the UK. For those people who wish to instruct in Canada, gaining the CSIA qualifications is recommended but it is possible to use the BASI qualifications too.

Question 5: "Newly qualified instructors spend most of their day walking up and down nursery slopes"

Inexperienced ski instructors with only a basic qualification will certainly begin by teaching beginners. However, by attending an Alltracks Academy course, many leave with a CSIA Level 2 qualification which means you are better qualified than other new instructors. Provided you gain the CSIA Level 2, you should be in a position to teach intermediate skiers from the start.

Question 6: "Ski instructors can earn £25,000 in one season"

This would not be possible for the vast majority of ski instructors. There may be a handful of very experienced instructors with regular private clients built up over years of experience, who could command this amount of money.

Ski instructing is a lifestyle choice where the benefits of skiing every day, living in the mountains and not having to step into an office are payment enough. However, skiing is becoming more popular and in top resorts like Whistler where Alltracks Academy is based, clients can tip very generously.

"You do not need a work permit to train as an instructor"

Correct- no permits are required.