How to become a Ski Instructor

Career progression and salary expectations for a Ski Instructor

The average starting salary for a Ski Instructor can vary.

The role of a Ski Instructor

What does a Ski Instructor do?

Thinking about becoming a Ski Instructor? It’s a slippery slope… Ski Instructors teach people how to ski, helping everyone from absolute beginners to more experienced skiers improve their skills and make the most of their time on the slopes.They work everywhere from artificial ski slopes to big snow-filled ski resorts, and could deal with teaching large groups or provide dedicated one-on-one lessons. And, although most ski instructor positions are seasonal, there are year-round jobs available for the top professionals.Typical duties for a Ski Instructor may include:

Greeting new students
Helping people get into their skiing gear, and safety check their equipment
Teaching how to safely enter and exit ski lifts
Teaching core skiing techniques, new skills, and tricks
Planning lessons, answering questions, and supporting all learners
Rescuing and calming distressed skiers
Administering first-aid, and performing life-saving measures in emergency situations

Is a career as a Ski Instructor right for me?

Aside from excellent skiing ability, it will take genuine passion and enthusiasm in order to become a ski instructor, as well as a real desire to work with people.You’ll often be teaching people with little to no previous skiing experience, and the ability to build their confidence and encourage them to push themselves will be similarly essential.Patience is also an absolute necessity for any ski instructor. For some of your pupils, even a slight incline will be a terrifying challenge. Unfortunately, going off-piste won’t always be an option…Other key skills for a Ski Instructor include:

Quick reactions
Good communication skills
Empathy
A flair for languages (if working abroad)
Excellent judgement skills
An in-depth knowledge of first-aid
Physical fitness and stamina

What's it like to be a Ski Instructor?

"I went on my first French skiing holiday when I was about 4 years old, and I’ve been hooked ever since. When I was 18 I did my BASI Alpine Level 1 qualification in Scotland, and I went on to do my first season in Bulgaria. I’ve now taught in six different countries (you have to travel around to keep in business really), and helped hundreds of people start building a love for my favourite sport. It can be tough, especially when you’ve got really young kids or adults who are unwilling to push themselves, and you just want to be out on the powder yourself. But I find a good sense of humour helps – and I get to ski all day. My office is basically a mountain. It’s pretty crazy."

Get qualified as a Ski Instructor

Regardless of your current ability level, you’ll need specific training or certifications in order to become a Ski Instructor. The UK-based BASI (British Association of Snowsport Instructors) is a good place to start, as is the International Ski Instructors Association. However, different countries have different requirements for their instructors, which are always worth checking before you start studying.

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