How to Become a Ski Instructor - Start Ski Instruction Business



Career eGuides Marketing eReports

Virtual Face-to-Face

Ski Instruction Business
Ski Instructing Class

Breaking Into and Succeeding as a Ski Instructor
How to Start a Ski Instruction Instructing Business
Starting a Ski Instruction Class

You are the type of person who lives for winter. Most of your disposable income goes towards ski vacations and ski equipment. You love talking about skiing and convincing people to try the sport. Does this describe you?

If so, how would you like to have the mountain as your office? If you were a ski instructor, it would be. There are many benefits to being a ski instructor. You and your family members will be able to get a free or low cost season pass to the area where you work. In some cases, your ski area might have a reciprocal arrangement with other resorts.

You will also be eligible for equipment and clothing discounts, as well as discount meals at your home mountain. Even better, you will be able to exchange a work environment of fluorescent lighting and small cubicles for direct sunlight, wide-open spaces and fresh unpolluted air!

Does this sound good? If it does, let’s explore the myths and realities of ski instruction.

What if you aren't a ski athlete or champion?

While you need to be a high intermediate skier to become a ski instructor, your ability to teach and communicate is more important than your skiing skills. In fact, at ski instructor hiring clinics, some ski schools might have you teach a non-skiing activity to the other applicants.

Keep in mind that your average student is not a professional athlete. Some may have even learned the sport as adults, so they might feel that a ski athlete lacks empathy with their situation. An instructor who has struggled with some of the most complex ski skills may be the best person to communicate the subtleties and nuances of skiing. They might even have more empathy and patience. The hiring managers at the ski school will want to see your passion for the sport, as well as a strong desire to teach it to others.

How about professional training in skiing?

Although professional training is not a prerequisite for getting hired, it might be a good idea to take some classes before you apply to be instructor. This is especially important if you began skiing many years ago. In the past eight years, ski instructional methods have changed dramatically. If you audition choosing "old -school" technique, there's a good chance that you will not be hired. You will also want to have a variety of teaching tools in your toolbox. Taking classes from different instructors will allow you to observe different teaching styles.

The more flexible you are with your teaching methods, the greater your appeal will be. If an instructor gives you a particularly good cue, be sure to write it down. This will eventually become part of your teaching toolbox.

Now, what am I going to do in other seasons, other than wintertime?

If you work for one of the Colorado Ski areas such as Loveland or Arapahoe Basin, their ski seasons often last from late October till June. There are a number of other things you can do. If you have an adventurous sprit, you can teach in South America, Australia or New Zealand. Portillo, in Chile, is one of the most popular South American ski resorts.

This luxury, all-inclusive ski area has a gym, a beauty parlor, a cinema, a game room, a spa and many other amenities. It attracts a wealthy and glamorous clientele, making it an ideal place for any instructor who is trying to build a reputation. Portillo also features a variety of unique ski clinics throughout the summer. You present them with your idea, and set your price.

Is it a recession proof profession? You bet it is.

Back in the 1970s, many people believed that American's sudden interest in physical fitness was simply a fad. Thirty years later, this so-called fad is still going strong. However, the fitness industry is evolving, and now, there is an even greater interest in outdoor sports. Fitness professionals are urging their students to take their skills outside. As a result, instead of hibernating during the winter, many people are heading to the ski slopes.

Now consider these possibilities for your skiing lessons:

Basic, intermediate, and advanced lessons
Children, teenager, adult, and seniors
Remedial lessons
Ski Clinics
Resort lessons
Private and group lessons

Now, how much money can you make?

A ski instructor's earning potential will vary from resort to resort. Most ski areas have a highly complex system of pay rate. Since most of them keep this information confidential, it's best to ask questions before you are hired. When you are working for the resort, your pay rate can range from as low as $8 an hour, to as high as $40 an hour.

Your rate will depend upon your level of certification, years at the resort, whether the lesson is for a group or a private. There is also a pay incentive if someone requests you, specifically as an instructor.

The pay scenario is rather tricky. For example, since a private lesson is more expensive, you will get a higher pay rate for teaching one. You will get an even higher rate if your student requested you. However, if you taught a group lesson, and lets say four of your returning students requested you, the rate will be actually be higher for the group lesson than the private. It's important to keep your ultimate professional goals in mind when you decide whether to focus on private or group lessons.

If you are trying to develop your own workshops, you will want to get to know as many people as possible. These folks will be interested in your group dynamics, which will be one of the many things that will attract them to your specialized group clinics. On the other hand, some instructors choose to make their living exclusively in private lessons. Of course, they should focus on this type of lesson. Some instructors have even been hired to accompany their clients to international ski destinations.

Some areas pay their instructors based on how many hours they work throughout the season. For example, they might make $25 an hour for the first 50 hours, then $38 an hour for the next 50. Just about all ski areas give a pay incentive for reaching a higher level of PSIA certification.

Tips can also supplement a ski instructor's income. However, don't count on it.

Most students regard their instructor as professional teachers. They are not even aware that tipping is acceptable. Hinting at it is rude; so don't even think of it.

On the other hand, you might get lucky. Certain Arabian princes have been rumored to tip their favorite ski instructors with luxury cars. Beware of tips that come with strings attached, so to speak. A certain attractive New England ski instructor received an envelope with $50 and the key to his female student's condo.

Need we say more?
This eGuide provides insightful information, advices and tips for anyone who is contemplating to start a skiing class. Numerous hard-to-find resources are included to help you locate pertinent information.

About the Authors

Jennie S. Bev is THE fashion, image and fun careers expert, whose reputation has been acknowledged by prestigious media internationally. She has been profiled and mentioned in Entrepreneur, Teen People, Canadian Business, Home Business, Dong (France), San Francisco Chronicle, The Independent, Daily Southtown, The Arizona Republic, Femina (Asia) and Dewi (Asia).

Editor-in-Chief Jennie S. Bev was named an EPPIE Award finalist in Non-Fiction How To category for excellence in electronic publishing. She has published over 40 books and 900 articles in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany and Southeast Asia. She is also a college professor based in San Francisco Bay Area.

Lisa Mercer is the author of Open Your Heart With Winter
Fitness: Mastering Life Through Love of the Slopes. She is the owner
of Mountain Sport Fitness in Frisco, Colorado and the Ski Fitness
Coach for the Epicski Academy. Her husband, Mark teaches skiing at
Brecekenridge Resort.

This 62-page instantly downloadable StyleCareer.com eGuide Breaking Into and Succeeding as a Ski Instructor brings you valuable insider tips, advice and suggestions not available elsewhere to help you embark on this highly lucrative career path.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Myths, the Realities, and the Basics
I am not a ski athlete; I have never even won any ski tournament. Can I be a ski instructor?
I have no professional training in skiing. Do I need one in order to teach professionally? Where and who regulates it?
I have never started a class before and have no teaching experiences. Can I become a ski instructor?
It sounds like a risky sport. Is it?
Being a ski instructor is only for the wintertime. What should I do in the summer? Can I still teach skiing? Where and how?

Being a Ski Instructor in a Nutshell
Recession Proof
Options of Working
Earning Potentials
Teaching Personality Traits
Personality Traits for Running the Business
Physical Traits for Instructing
Minimum Skills
Polishing Skiing Skills to Instructor’s Level
Minimum Equipment Required for An Instructor
Ideal Locations for Starting Ski Lessons

Starting the Class
Preparations to Start the Business
Legalities
Getting First Students
Creating Training Materials
Creating Promotional Materials

Being Successful
Lessons from Seasoned Instructors
Jeannie Thoren: JeannieThoren.com
Mermer Blakeslee: The Yikes Zone
Bob Barnes: PSIA Trainer/Examiner
Joan Rostad: Administrative Director of EpicSki Academy

Competition
Caveats and Complaints
Students Who Misrepresent their Skill Level
Transportation Issues
Injuries
Students Unprepared for Cold Weather
Altitude Sickness
Poor Weather Conditions
Trade or Professional Associations to Join
Trade Shows to Visit
Keeping Polished All Year Long

Success Profiles

This eGuide literally saves you hundreds or even thousands of dollars spent on professional workshops and training and hundreds of hours of research. It will help you break into the career of your dream faster without having to repeat the same mistakes that most newcomers do.

We have also included resources on the following:

Trade and networking associations
Learning resources

You can have this exclusive eGuide right away by instant download for only $32.95, which you will earn many times over with your first paid job. This special low discount price is reserved for today, Saturday, 07-Nov-2009 09:35:59 PST only. (Regular price: $42.95)

Breaking Into and Succeeding
as a Ski Instructor
62 Pages
Regular Price: $42.95
Sale Price: $32.95

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
If you pay by eCheck via PayPal, it will take 3-4 days for it to be cleared by the bank. You will be sent the automatically-generated download link upon clearing of your eCheck.

The fastest way to enjoy your eGuide is by paying with credit card (the download link will be sent to you immediately without any delay).

Ordering from us is completely safe and secure as we have partnered with two of the most trusted names in providing utmost security to the e-commerce industry: PayPal and E-Junkie.

Within minutes of the approved payment, you will receive an e-mail containing the link where you can download your order.

*Please note that when you place an order on our website, your download link is sent to the email address that PayPal has for you on file.

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED

Satisfaction Guaranteed: You've got nothing to lose.
You have 10 days to review your eGuide. If you're not satisfied for any reason, contact us via this form for full credit that can be applied against future purchases. Due to the nature of digital info products, we cannot provide any refund.

Read your new eGuide with