Ski Instructors: Things you wish you knew before you applied....

[Pequenita]

I'm thinking of applying to be a ski instructor at a local (well, relatively) hill. It's 2-hours away, so any day that I'm required to be on the hill is a decent commitment, I don't know anything about the expectations of a ski area with respect to its instructors, ie, the whole line-up thing, etc. Moreover, I'd only want to work 1 day (either Friday, Saturday or Sunday) a week to keep my life manageable (who knows if this is a liability or not in the hiring process).

What's the range of instructors' application experiences? There's a $50 instructor course, etc., that's part of the application process -- in the event that I learn more about this and don't like it, or don't get hired, is the $50 mini instructor course and early season skiing worth it?

 

[Elangirl]

At our ski resort, the hiring workshop is $80, but, hopefully you will learn a little about your skiing and it is not a complete waste if you decide not to work.

There are a few things: I work at a resort in the Pacific North west, Whitefish Ski Resort (formerly Big Mountain) and we have to committ to at least two days per week.

Second, we are only paid when we work. So, if you go to work and there is no lesson for you, we get $3.50 in the am and pm. We can't leave before 1 pm.

At most resorts, you have to teach children for a year or two. Which is fun, but it is physically hard work; helping youngsters back up and keeping track of 7 or 8 kids. And, don't forgetf the memorable bathroom stops!!!

But, you do get a free pass, a locker room and lots of camraderie. Plus, my own skiing has really improved in the 8 years I have been teaching. We clinic every Thursday and Friday afternoon.

The first year or so it seemed like I was always studying manuals and asking other instructors to give me some hints. It is hard work, but rewarding and fun.

 

[Jilly]

Because I'm CSIA not PSIA some things are different in Canada. You cannot teach for a recognized ski school without your level 1. That's a 4 day course offer all over the province. With that in hand you can teach at just about any resort. Some want only higher levels. That said the rest of the experience is similar to Elangirl. With only a level 1, at most schools you get to teach kids. Even with my level 2, last year at Tremblant, because I was new and on the bottom of the ladder, I got mostly beginners or never-evers, but adults. It was fun and I enjoyed it. At my home hill I teach the ladies night, advance class, as I'm one of few level 2's. That's harder as the problems/detection issues are different than a beginner. At most schools it the same as Elangirl says - free pass, cheap eats, place to leave your stuff, sessions and good friends. The CSIA offers discounts on equipment through the manufacturers. Product must be on order early in the fall, like now.

 

[volklgirl]

In the 8 years I taught, I experience 2 different work environments.

The first place I worked as a subcontractor. You signed in on the board whenever you came in as "on-site". If you chose to show up for line-up, fine and if not, fine. The pay was 1/2 the lesson intake so the more you taught and the more people in your lessons, the more you made. Otherwise, you were free to just ski unless they needed you.

At the other place we were paid hourly plus a "bonus" amount per hour while actually teaching. We had to commit to 14 weekend days per season. The base pay rate increased with advancing certification (PSIA level). With a full-time job besides, this just got to be too much.

Either way, the 2 day hiring clinic at the first place was an incredible eye-opener!!!! It was very much like a PSIA event....I learned bunches about myself and my skiing. At both places, we were required to attend scheduled clinics and many optional clinics were offered as well.

Besides that.....they covered it pretty well. Lots of back-breaking work with the little kids and adult beginners.

 

[Jilly]

I guess I forgot about pay. At Tremblant you got paid for the hours you taught only. No show up allowance. If you taught a private lesson, then more money and if you were refered even more. They reward repeat business. As for home hill - you get paid for the hours you work and that's it. No bonus for privates. But I get better pay at home to start with.

 

[tcarey]

When I first applied they had a free hiring clinic.It was alot of fun and they hired everyone.The first year was alot of " I don't know what I am doing".I had alot of never evers adults and kids.

At Okemo the minimum commitment is 25 days. We get paid for lessons taught and if we don't go out we get a 6.50 show up pay.Privates are regular hourly pay unless you are requested and then you get another 10 dollars on top of your base pay. Seniority and certifications dictate your hourly wage.

There is plenty of on hill clinics and certification training.We do alot of laughing and alot of skiing.

7 Seasons later I am still loving it and can't wait to be out there this winter.

T

 

[Pequenita]

Thanks, ladies, for all your insight, and to those people who PM'd me!

I've gone to one day so far of the 3-day instructor course. The hill where I'm taking the course intends to hire everyone unless your skiing is abominable. I don't fit in that category, but I'm also doubtful (read: burnt out at all the driving to/from the slope) I can commit to the 20 days that they want. And, as some of you have mentioned, there's lots of clinics, etc., to improve skiing -- if only I lived closer or thought about doing this during a winter break from school! This particular ski area pays its instructors only for the hours they actually teach, and requires new instructors to shadow the vets for a period of time. It all seems very cool, but it's a pretty heavy commitment for me right now, so I'll have to wait to see if my circumstances change. :(

So, that leaves me with 2 more days of on-slope course time in 2 weeks; this'll be pretty cool, I think!

 

[tcarey]

Pequenita,
I used to do a 3 hour weekend commute and stayed in a room at someones house.I finally decided to purchase my won place so I could kepp doing it.I love my house in Vermont and wouldn't change a thing.

Maybe in the future you will be able to commit to the 20 days! The instructor course is well worth it!

T

 

[perma-grin]

Pequnita,
The fee and drive are diffenitely worth it! I started teaching at our local hill as a 18 yr old girl to get free skiing. That was for $.50 a ticket per student. (5 students=$2.50 an hour). We had to teach three day's a week, and whoa unto the instructor that didn't show up to line up on time!! Now over 26 yrs later I make a little bit more an hour. (Lol) But more importantly I have been given the oppourtunity to meet and teach students from all over the world, from all walks of life. The friendships that I have formed with other instructors over the years have been life changing! You can't measure in dollars what teaching and your students give back to you! If you love skiing share it, teaching is the best way I know to share your enthusiasm! Give teaching a try! And remember to smile! They'll think you know what you're doing!!!

 

[volklgirl]

Pequnita,
That was for $.50 a ticket per student. (5 students=$2.50 an hour).

Mt Holly or Pine Knob??

 

[Pequenita]

You ladies are evil.

Okay. I'll give this more thought....I am super attracted to the benefit of being able to rent tele skis and take tele lessons for free when I'm not teaching.

 

[perma-grin]

Hey Volklgirl!
Good old Jolly Holly! Do you go back far enough to remember those God awful 'SPADEMAN" binding with saftey straps!!! My sister-inlaw still reminds me (and everyone else in our family)that I flunked her on her brown patch, three weeks in a row when she was in the 9th grade!!! Talk about holding a grudge!! Lol! Where did you teach Holly or Knob? Did you work for Wheaton or when Pat and Pam brought it?
P.S.
On a sad note did you know that Grant Hanks just passed away. I felt very old and sad when I heard that news. It just doesn't seem like that much time could have went by.

 

[volklgirl]

Nope, my first were Cubco!

Jolly Holly! Pat & Pam. So sad to hear about Grant :( .
Karen and Mel Karanen are up here...she was still teaching at Crystal last year, but he suffered a mild stroke and is lucky to just be able to walk and talk. Is Woody still around them parts? My fondest memories of Holly is Woody in the starting gate on league race night in the freezing cold, counting us down for starts..."3, 2, 1, hup hup!). I miss him. :(

 

[perma-grin]

our spademan rental bindings were horrible they were always icing up and coming off! Half your class time was spent putting boots back in bindings. Yes is Woody is still around and Henry Walder is still around teaching skiing and flirting(he turned 80 yrs this past summer!) Holly opened up last Saturday, we have been open at 3:00 pm everyday this week. Not to bad skiimg, Mark has the front open and is working dilligently on the back. Sorry to here about Mel!! I see Karl every now and again but he didn't mention the stroke, I hope everythings okay. Could you pass on a big hug and a Hello to Karen tell her Aprill say's Hi!!

 

[volklgirl]

Definitely will do.