Turn a passion for skiing into a career. Become a qualified ski instructor and find jobs all around the world. View our guide to the best ski instructor courses from top rated training companies.
Best Ski Instructor Training Companies
Ski Instructor Course + Job in Niseko, Japan
• 3 months
• Price from £4,145
Travel to Japan and get qualified to be a paid ski instructor! On this 3 week course you will gain a Level One NZSIA certification and then get to work as an instructor in the powder capital of the world – Niseko.
Alltracks Academy
Alltracks offer a wide range of ski instructor courses varying in length from 4 to 22 weeks, allowing you to qualify as Level 1, Level 2 and even Level 3 instructor. Courses can be taken in Verbier, Switzerland, Whistler Blackcomb in Canada and Treble Cone in New Zealand. All are consistently voted amongst the top resorts in the world.
How to Become a Ski Instructor
To work as a ski instructor, you will need to take a course and gain a recognised qualification as a minimum. As a basic you need a Level 1 ski instructor to be recognised by the International Ski Instructor’s Association (ISIA). More advanced courses are also available.
Where to Get Certified
You can take a ski instructor courses all around the world. Popular destinations include France, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, the USA and New Zealand. If you are looking for a truly unique experience you could also choose to take a course in places like Japan and Argentina. Once qualified you can apply for ski jobs abroad.
Requirements
As well as having a recognised ski certification you will need to possess the following skills:
• Be friendly and enjoy working with people
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Have a love of skiing
• An outgoing and fun personality
• Good teaching and motivational skills
Cost
The cost for a ski instructor course can be quite expensive, around £5,000 – £15,000. The total price and what is included varies depending on the training company. Some companies require a deposit and then the remaining balance can be paid off in instalments which can make it more affordable if you are struggling with the upfront fee. You might also like to view snowboard instructor courses.
Ski Instructor Salary
Working as a ski instructor you can make a good living. Salary depends on the recruiter, destination and how long your contract is. As a general guide if you work in Europe, beginning out instructors start on around €20 (£18) per hour.
In North America, wages start from around US$15 (£10) per hour. When working as a ski instructor, it’s not all about the money though and there are so many benefits.
You’ll get to live and work in spectacular destinations worldwide, help people improve their ski skills and also some companies offer free accommodation. The lifestyle of a ski instructor is also amazing, it is a very social job and a great way to get paid to do something you love.