SnowSkool Blog

The kit we love this winter, ahead of black Friday (and Christmas!)

If you’re about to do an instructor course – or a ski season at all – this ace kit list is full of amazing deals and stuff that will look legit, while lasting you long into the future. Find it in the black Friday sales, or ask Father Christmas nicely!

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Coronavirus: How Méribel is preparing

We’ll endeavour to keep you updated, with the latest information from a wide range of sources in the industry. Please check this page often. (Latest update: October)

Below is what we know so far, about Coronavirus measures in Méribel and The Three Valleys: in airports, on transfers, buses, lifts, in shops, accommodation, restaurants, bars etc.

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What qualifications do you need to be a ski instructor?

Thinking of doing a ski instructor course? Here's the info on how to get started, the qualifications you'll gain and how to get work.

To become a ski instructor, the first qualification you will need is a Level 1 ski instructor qualification. Once you have the qualification, you are slightly limited with where you can teach, but it is the first step on the route to becoming an internationally-recognised snowsports teacher. The course aims to provide you with the information and skills that will enable you to instruct other skiers to a basic level on dry ski slopes and at indoor ski slopes... 

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Ski Instructor Salaries - How much do Instructors earn?

If the SnowSkool FAQ page were a team-sheet and questions were names, the first name on that team-sheet would be: How much does an instructor earn? So we've spoken to SnowSkool graduates accross the globe to get you the guideline figures. 

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Life as a Ski or Snowboard Instructor

Most of you will have whiled away the two-hour flight home from Geneva, Chambery or Innsbruck asking yourself why on earth you are not living in the mountains, skiing or snowboarding every day... It is just the way it should be for you.

Yeah you’d be happy to wash pots, shovel snow or help people on and off lifts, just to be out there, but we all know that the Kings & Queens of the hill are the instructors.

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How not to be a Punter on the slopes - 5 Tips

A beginner should not expect to be laughed at for asking Jean-Baptiste, the tanned demi-God ski instructor, if there is a right ski and a left ski before setting off downhill. But, should he ask which way the skis should point or indeed clip into skis with the tips at the tail and the tails at the tip, he should absolutely expect to be laughed off the slopes and taken in a taxi to the nearest airport. For a PUNTER he most certainly is… Here’s SnowSkool’s guide on to how not to be one this season…

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Snowboard Instructor Salaries - How much do Instructors earn?

How much does a snowboard instructor actually earn? This is a really common question we get asked, before people embark on one of our snowboard instructor courses.

There are tons of factors that can influence earnings, from qualification levels, experience, country and resort. We’ve spoken to ex-SnowSkoolers, working across the globe, to get you the salary figures.

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Skiing vs snowboarding - which is faster?

It’s a question that’s been around as long as both snowsports have: which is faster - skiing or snowboarding?

With both sports relying heavily on gravity, to get from top to bottom of a mountain, perhaps it’s not as simple as you think? (We actually think it is...)

But let’s look at the detail...

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A ski instructor course on your gap year: 5 reasons you should do one

If you are looking to ski on your gap year, or you’re taking some time off between jobs and want to ski in the gap, you have a few options.

These range between full-time ski bum, and getting qualified as an international ski or board instructor with global job prospects...

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Three Valleys Instructor Course 2020 - Week 1

The thought of starting SnowSkool brings with it the same questions that accompany the first week of a new term at school/university. Questions such as, where do we get food and how often? What time are our classes? Will they be hard? What will my classmates be like? However, unlike school, with SnowSkool, instead of being inundated with homework and getting lost, we were introduced to our lovely hosts and rep who had all the answers to our questions upon arrival! Even better was that we were on the slopes within less than 24h of arrival!

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