After finishing her A-levels and working at a golf club back home, Bo (on the right in the photo) knew she wanted to do a ski season. Now, after completing SnowSkool Banff and earning her Level 2 qualification, she’s working full-time as an instructor at Norquay and already planning her next step.
We caught up with Bo to hear about her SnowSkool experience and how it helped launch her instructing career.
What Were You Doing Before SnowSkool?
Before joining SnowSkool Banff, Bo had just finished her A-levels and was working full-time at a golf club.
Ever since learning to ski on family holidays, she’d wanted to spend a full season in the mountains.
“My parents and I were originally looking into chalet jobs, and then we came across SnowSkool,” she says.
Why SnowSkool Banff?
Bo looked at several different companies before deciding Banff was the right fit.
“I did look at other companies, but they were longer courses, so SnowSkool was kind of the top choice the whole time, really.”
After speaking with Steve and researching the different locations, Banff stood out because of its balance between skiing, social life, and scenery.
With SkiBig3 resorts nearby, plus restaurants, bars, shops, and scenic walks all within the town, it offered exactly the experience she was looking for.
Ski Experience Before the Course
Before SnowSkool, Bo already had a solid background in skiing through annual family trips.
“My family and I would go for a week every Christmas,” she says. “Probably around ten weeks of skiing altogether before SnowSkool.”
First Impressions of the Course
From the beginning, Bo felt welcomed by both the reps and instructors.
“We definitely got the jackpot with our reps,” she says.
She describes CJ and Nathan as a huge part of the experience, helping create a fun and supportive atmosphere throughout the season.
With breakfast and dinner provided during the week, the setup also made day-to-day life easier while balancing training and exams.
“The instructors we had were insane skiers,” she says. “It was really cool learning under them and watching how they teach.”
Favourite Memories from the Season
One of Bo’s standout memories was the end-of-season scavenger hunt organised by the reps.
“It was such a fun way to celebrate after exams,” she says.
But earning her Level 2 qualification was the moment that meant the most.
“Getting my Level 2 was quite surreal. Being able to celebrate with everyone afterwards and appreciate such a big achievement was really special.”
What’s Bo Doing Now?
After SnowSkool, Bo returned to Banff and began working in the food and beverage department at Norquay before moving into instructing full-time.
“I started instructing at Norquay in the new year, which is pretty sick,” she says.
She also credits connections made through SnowSkool for helping open doors.
“Tom offered to give me a reference for Sunshine Village, which was really helpful. Even if you don’t get the job, those connections are so useful for the future.”
Bo says the course gave her a realistic introduction to instructing life.
“SnowSkool helped me figure out what teaching style I prefer. It prepares you for how physically demanding the job is, but also how rewarding and fun it can be.”
What’s Next?
Bo is already looking ahead to another season, with plans to continue progressing through her qualifications.
“I’m hoping to be in Big White next season instructing. I want to get my Level 3 and hopefully my park qualification too.”
Advice for Future SnowSkool Students
Bo’s advice is simple: if you love skiing, it’s worth taking the chance.
“If you have a passion for skiing, it’s so worth doing because you get to share that passion with other people,” she says.
“But you can also take it another way, too. Three months of making new friends, meeting people from all over the world, and making loads of memories together."
Just finished A-Levels and looking for something new? Try a ski instructing course, such as the Ski Instructor Course in Banff