When Rohan signed up for SnowSkool in Banff, he had barely set foot on skis. Just five days of school-trip experience sat behind him — but he was determined to turn his dad’s stories of instructing into an adventure of his own. Fast-forward a few months and he was skiing black runs, gaining his Level 1 and Level 2 instructor qualifications, and realising this could be more than just a one-off experience.
What Were You Doing Before SnowSkool?
Before heading to Canada, Rohan was still in college, studying public services. “I was actually still enrolled while I went out,” he says. “I spoke to my teachers in first year and told them I wanted to do this instructor course. They were really supportive and let me leave halfway through the year to go for three months so I was very lucky.”
The inspiration came from his dad, who had been an instructor when he was younger. “He always said it was the best thing he’d ever done. I’d barely skied before, but I thought — why not?”
With his mum’s encouragement (and the condition that he’d need to pay for it himself), Rohan worked two jobs as a lifeguard and swim teacher to save up for the trip.
Why Did You Sign Up?
“I’d been on a five-day school ski trip in Year 10, and it was amazing,” Rohan says. “That, plus my dad’s experience, made me want to go for it. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
First Impressions of Banff and the Course
“Gobsmacked” is how Rohan describes arriving in Banff. “The mountains, the town, the wildlife — you can’t beat it. And the standard of instructors was incredible. Within a week I’d gone from barely skiing to black runs.”
Being surrounded by more experienced skiers was tough at first. “They’d ski off ahead while I fell over ten times on one run. But the group was really supportive. One person even skied behind me just to help me back up. Within two weeks I was skiing with them.”
How Was Life in Banff?
Being away from home for the first time was daunting, but Rohan quickly settled. “It went so fast. There were hikes, social nights, exploring town — but the highlight was being on the slopes every day. I learned something new from start to finish.”
The reps were a big help too. “I had to buy all my kit when I got there, and they drove me into town and sorted me out. They never complained and were brilliant from day one.”
What Have You Been Doing Since SnowSkool?
Back home, Rohan returned to swim teaching and lifeguarding full-time. But the mountains are calling. “Sunshine offered me the chance to come back, either that season or the next. I’m saving money now and deciding whether to head back to Canada or maybe New Zealand.”
What started as “just an experience” soon felt like something bigger. “By the end, I thought — this could actually be a career.”
Advice for Others Starting With Little Experience
“For anyone with no experience, my advice is:
- Keep an open mind. You’ll fall down a lot, but get back up.
- Show up to every lesson.
- Learn from the people around you.
- Enjoy it — don’t overthink it.”
Looking Back
From nervous first runs to earning two qualifications, Rohan’s time in Banff gave him more than just skills. “Looking back, I can see how much I learned and how far I came. I went out there for the experience, but I came back thinking this could be the start of something.”
Has Rohan got you thinking about the Banff course? Go on, read more about it Banff Ski Instructor Course