Many university students have to struggle with mounting debts while still in school. Not everyone can afford to pay off student loans with their own allowances, hence, the need to find part-time jobs during school holidays. One exciting prospect to earn good money and having fun at the same time is to become accredited as a ski instructor. Another upside to this is that you will feel like you are constantly on holiday, yet at the same time earning a living.
Skiing is a favoured recreation in many parts of the world. When it is ski season, ski resorts are full of groups of people who want to enjoy the slopes but do not have the required skills to do so. This is where ski instructors come in. Teaching kids and adults can surely be a great opportunity to make the most out of your free time from university.
Finding the right instructor courses
If you already have the skills and would like to try becoming a ski instructor, the next step is to find ski instructor courses in order for you to get the required accreditation. There are many options out there; for example, if you are in the UK, you can choose the British Association of Ski Instructors (BASI). They are recognised internationally and provide training and grading for advanced skiers who would like to train in order to meet the requirements needed to become a ski instructor.
Level 1 course
One thing every prospective ski instructor should remember is that you need to invest in ski courses first before you can gain the return you are after. During a Level 1 training course, skiers are taught about safety measures, how to plan a basic ski lesson, how to help when there is an emergency situation and improve on personal skiing skills as well as teaching ability.
Level 2 course
Once you have navigated through the basics, the next step is to proceed with improving your skiing skills on different types of terrain such as steep slopes, bumps, powder, and freestyle. You are likely to spend at least five hours each day on the slopes mastering your skills. Your trainers will be there with you to give further emphasis on techniques and communication skills. In addition to the hands-on knowledge, there will be lectures included in the course where you will be taught on aspects of skiing that most tourists are not likely to experience. Training for a level 2 badge is gruelling and difficult and not everyone will pass it but with enough determination and concentration, you can get your badge too.
Where to teach
To progress from level 1 to level 2, you will need to gain several hours of experience teaching in a dry slope or indoor snow centre. While there are two other levels in the BASI system, reaching level 2 should be sufficient to gain entry in many ski schools across Europe. A lot of resorts in Austria and Switzerland are welcoming to British instructors with a level 2 badge.