Thinking about turning your love of skiing or snowboarding into a full-blown job? You’re not alone. Every year, thousands of rookie instructors try to break into the snowsports world - and with a bit of guidance, you can too.
Whether you’ve just finished your instructor course or you’re gearing up for it, here are some insider tips from us at SnowSkool, plus Natasha and Michael from Big White Ski School, to help you land that first job on the mountain.
First Things First: Where Can You Actually Work?
Before you apply, check if your qualification is recognised in the country you want to work in. Just because you’ve passed an instructor course doesn’t mean you automatically have the right to teach or work there.
Here’s what we advise:
The good news? We only train people in internationally recognised qualifications. Countries where you can work after a SnowSkool course include: Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, China and European coutries (but not France).
But remember - having a qualification doesn’t automatically give you the legal right to work. You’ll need:
A passport or working holiday visa
And unless you’re heading to Japan, you probably won’t get a sponsored visa as a rookie. Resorts are often reluctant to take on the paperwork.
Top Tips From SnowSkool
When applying for instructor jobs:
- Apply widely. Don’t just try three or four resorts - cast a wide net.
- Go where others don’t. Target lesser-known resorts or ones just outside big cities.
- Sort your own visa. Many resorts won’t even read your application without it.
- Speak to your instructors. They might recommend you or have contacts.
What to Highlight in Your Application
- Key skills: Communication, time management, friendliness, and being hard-working all go a long way.
- Second language? Big bonus.
- Relevant experience: Worked with kids? Taught sports or music? Done any customer service? Include it.
- Add a clear, professional photo
- Check for typos. Always.
- Keep it short - 2 pages max
- Good referees make a real difference
Insights from Big White’s Ski School Team
We spoke to Natasha Ellwood, who’s worked in the ski industry for over 13 years and now manages the adult Ski School at Big White. Her job is to build and lead a world-class team of instructors - so she knows exactly what makes a candidate stand out.
One of the biggest things she values? Speed.
“First thing I'd say is look early - be the first to apply because most ski schools are only going to have limited spots for people with no experience."
And when ski schools reach out? Don’t leave them hanging.
“Click the link when they send you an invite to speak to them. The amount of people that take ages to reply to my invitation to talk to me - at that point the job’s gone.”
If you’re training on a course like SnowSkool’s, you’re being noticed. Natasha says: “When people train with us, our trainers are watching them - their professionalism, work ethic, studious nature and application to the process."
“By the end of the season I know who I'm looking out for - these were the exceptional candidates and the people who will fit well with the team."
What NOT to Do (According to Natasha)
She’s seen plenty of rookie mistakes that are easy to avoid:
- Incomplete applications. “Lay it out clearly. Visa: yes or no? It shouldn’t be hard to read."
- Generic cover letters. “Tailor it. Tell us who you are, why you’re applying, and what you’ll bring to our guests."
- Overly AI-generated content. “We want to hear from you!”
What Makes You Stand Out?
Natasha says the best candidates:
- Manage their time well
- Have a growth mindset: “We’re not full of superstars - we’re full of people who want to learn."
- Can connect with guests
- Bring something unique (Think: healthcare workers, landscapers, IT techs, cabin crew - she’s hired them all!)
Michael’s Advice: Think Like a Product
Michael Richards, Ski School Director at Big White, also highlights the importance of quality.
“My advice is that people need to know we look for those who show attention to detail - filling out their application, responding to emails, getting people’s names correct. Simple things one takes for granted.”
He says applicants need to be prepared - especially for interviews.
“They are the product; we are looking to buy this product. Be prepared to talk about the product's development (its past), what the product is like today (its current state), and how this product is going to benefit us (its future state)."
Interviewers often ask personal, open-ended questions - and you need to be ready. Such as:
“Describe how your friends would describe you. What adjectives would they use and why?” In short: know yourself, and sell us on the value you bring.
“They know the most about themselves and need to be able to describe their abilities, their strengths and desires."
Final Advice?
Natasha puts it simply: “For anyone who wants to do this, be open to any opportunity. Sometimes you don't get your first pick, and that's ok.
“Be open to hard work and learning new things - anybody can excel in this career. Don't take it to heart if you get a rejection - find what you can learn from it, and keep moving forward and stepping up.
“It’s a fun career, but it’s not for the faint of heart."