Been snowboarding whenever you can and want to pursue a season or few as an instructor? You’ve come to the right place as we’re going to go through everything you need to know and why you should also think about that other snow sport with the long skinny snowboards commonly known as skiing. 

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How good do I need to be to get certified?

Generally you will need at least 3 to 4 weeks of previous experience and be comfortably carving turns down red runs and starting to play on black runs. You’ll want to try and get your level 1 (beginners) and level 2 (intermediates) certifications your first season. The level 2 is considered the international standard and will make it much easier to find work. 

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Where to go.

There are so many fantastic options out there! To help narrow it down, here are some resorts to start with. In the Northern Hemisphere: Japan, checkout Niseko and Hakuba. Canada boasts Revelstoke and Lake Louise. Switzerland, Zermatt and Verbier. In the US, explore Mammoth and Breckenridge. For the Southern Hemisphere: In New Zealand, start with Remarkables and Cardrona. Australia: Perisher and Thredbo. Don’t miss Nevados de Chillan in Chile and Las Leñas in Argentina. Check out Powder Hounds for a full review on most every resort in the world. 

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Types of options to get certified.

When choosing a program, you'll want to consider whether you're interested in an internship or a training program. The main difference between the two is that an internship typically includes a job offer after passing your level 1 exam, while a training program is focused solely on certification. It's important to think about your overall goals, if you are going to work multiple seasons and your timing and availability. 

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Should I train and work?

When deciding whether you want to work during your first season, it's important to keep in mind that work levels as a level 1 instructor can vary and may be lower. You may find yourself spending most of your time on the magic carpet. It's important to budget appropriately and plan accordingly to ensure you have enough funds to cover your expenses. Having a level 2 certification at the beginning of the season can increase your work opportunities and allow you to teach on more of the mountain. 

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Why you should learn to ski.

The beauty of being out for a season is how much time on the snow you’ll get. When we’re on holiday the name of the game is to get as many runs in as possible and have a blast while doing it. We usually don’t slow it down and work on skill sets. When you have 3 to 4 months on the snow you can slow things down and develop your abilities. If you are thinking about working multiple seasons, we would recommend taking a look at learning to ski. Generally, there is more ski instructor work than snowboarding. Getting dual certified will open up many more doors and opportunities. It is possible to get your level 1 and 2 snowboarding and level 1 ski in the same season. Keep working on the skis the following seasons and get your level 2 and you’ll be able to find work at any ski school worldwide. 

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How do I make it happen? 

If you’re looking for a well rounded option consider our 11 week courses in the powder capital of Niseko, Japan. We’ll help you get prepared to get into the industry with everything you need from accommodation, passes, training, exams, future season support, social/cultural activities and much more. If you’re already a strong intermediate level on the snow you would qualify for our level 1 and 2 course, The Epic. If you’ve never been, then our Learn to Ski course The Primer is for you. For full details: https://www.projectsnow.com/experience‍

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Whew, that's a lot, I have some questions.

There are quite a few moving parts and we're available to walk you through everything involved. Please reach out to us anytime at info@projectsnow.com 

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See you out there!!