More Ski Instructor Questions

[Swamp Dog]

I guess what I really want to know is if anyone has taught at Sunday River. Now I know there is new ownership this year so things might be different, but if you've worked there before or know anything about the working conditions, I'd love to hear from you.

On a whim the other night I applied for a job as an instructor. I've taught swimming lessons for years and would love to teach skiing. The director called back and we've been playing phone tag.

Sunday River is a 4.5 hour drive for me so it would mean finding a place to stay. I would do full-time and weekends are fine. I've always wanted my weekends free to ski, so skiing for work is cool.

My concerns are:
1. the pay, is it worth my time now that it's almost $50 to fill my tank?
2. I have a 17 yr old son at home. He has school, a girlfriend, and a job. The best I can hope for this year is that a pass will get him to Maine to ski with me! LOL
3. Husband. He'll be fine as long as the $$ is ok.

4. A new puppy. She's almost 5 months old and house broken. Hopefully I can find a place where I can have her with me some of the time.

So, tell me what you think. This is something I've wanted to do for a while and it could be my last chance to do it for a while. I've been working as a substitute teacher but have my hat in the ring for a full-time job. The sub gig is tough, not knowing if you're working tomorrow or not. I'll need something more reliable (and with better pay) for next year.

ok, I've rambled on long enough..... TIA!

 

[perma-grin]

Hi TriMom,
I don't know anything about Sunday River's program, but I think that you kind of answered your own question. You said that teaching skiing is something that you have always wanted to do! You'll never make a lot of money teaching skiing,( nobody does). But if you like people,(all kinds of people)teaching skiing can be alot of fun, and sometimes it can be a character building experience(translation=frustration). All and all I would say the pros of the adventure out way the cons. We never know how many tomorrows we have left to us, so if the door of oppourtunity has opened itself to you then I would advise you to walk through it. You never know when that door is going to close. Ski happy!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

I have not done any teaching, but I ski at both Sunday River and Sugarloaf and have family members who have taught at both. None any longer teach at either. And we are within an hour of each. Why?

1. Pay. The pay scale is (or was) very low. My guys are all PSIA-certified. DH taught for 20 plus years before we moved to Maine. He started at 30% less than where he used to teach -- make that 30% less than what he made as an instructor there in 1978. When you are committed to line-up, you have to be there - that doesn't guarantee you'll work.
2. The time commitment: it used to be 45 days per season. (Is it still?) For anyone who works full-time, that's 23 weekends! Plus a lot of holidays. I thought a full-time commitment required at least one weekend day....that may have changed. That's when the help is critically needed at this resort, which packs 'em in on weekends. You'd be far better off having quiet weekdays to free-ski and teaching when they need you most and the slopes are busy-crazy.
3. For you, obviously the commute/distance factors will be large. Whether you can find a house-share or any kind of nearby housing at this late date is questionable. Your best resource would be to check out the Sunday River website, community message board to see if there are still house-shares being listed. Housing is expensive.

I don't want to discourage you from teaching, but this is a big undertaking, mostly due to the fact that you'd be a long way from home for a major chunk of time. Caveat: most first-year instructors wind up with lots of beginner lessons also, but this is probably true at any resort and ski school.

Everyone in my family pretty much gave it up in favor of the reasonably priced pass. 28 consecutive years of weekend and holiday teaching for DH was enough. You'd enjoy it, given your enthusiasm, but it sounds like there could be some hard times for you if you need to stay there. I wish you much luck. PM me if you'd like any further info.

 

[Swamp Dog]

well, as much as I really want to do this, I just don't see it happening. Hubby is not on board 100% and there are just too many other obstacles.

makes me sad. but thanks to all those who replied.