   |
|
|
|
|
| |
NAME: CHARLOTTE BATHURST
AGE: 27
YEAR OF COURSE: 2004/05
QUALIFICATIONS GAINED: CSIA Level 1
RESORT EMPLOYED AT: PART TIME INSTRUCTOR AT GROUSE MOUNTAIN, VANCOUVER
After successfully gaining her CSIA level 1 while on our 3 week instructor cousre, Charlotte returned home to her office job as an engineer in the UK but she has now moved to Vancouver and is instructing at Grouse mountain in the evenings and at weekends. Since completing the course she has also done the following; - volunteer instructor for Stockport Cerebral Palsy Society at Rossendale Dry Ski Slope - part-time instructor at Xscape SnowDome at Castleford - school holiday instructor for Ski2 in Champoluc, Italy - part-time instructor for Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver on their famous Ladies Night - CADS (Canadian Association for Disabled Skiers) Instructor Endorsement - volunteer instructor for VASS (Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports) teaching both children and adults with Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome and Autism. Go Charlotte! Great stuff, keep up the hard work!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
NAME: ANNA STEVENS
AGE: 27
YEAR OF COURSE: 2004/05
QUALIFICATIONS GAINED: CSIA Level 2
RESORT EMPLOYED AT: Lake Louise, Banff
When did you apply for your job?Early September Did you organise your own visa? If so, how much did it cost and how long did the application procedure take?No I got sponsored (luckily I know the assistant director!!) How much are you being paid?$11 per hour How much work do you get a day/week/month?For most of the season I worked all day everyday, but towards the end of the season things slowed down . Most days are five and a half hours but I had a four day stint for a special function of 8 hours each day which was wicked. Plus I was skiing with celebs!! How much do you spend a week/month? Do you earn enough to live off?About $100-$150 per week. I earn enough to live off and can save some on good weeks especially if I get tips! How much is your rent?Rent is expensive - $600 per month although I am in a really nice place so there are other cheaper options. I was late arriving and there wasn't much left. I would definitely recommend sorting out accommodation before coming out if possible or in October/early November. How many jobs did you apply for and where did you hear about them?Just this one as I knew I could get sponsored. I missed the BUNAC deadline so couldn't get working visa. Do you feel you are a good instructor compared to your colleagues?Yes I do. I think the NONSTOP instruction helped massively as we learnt lots of teaching techniques while we were being trained. Would you work in the resort you're in at the moment again?Yes I would but I would like to experience working in others too. Is your ski school a good employer? What training do you get outside of lessons? Are you planning on taking any more qualifications?Yes mostly- the usual gripes that you get with a big company employer. The training is excellent and there are so many level 4's here. There is training for one and a half hours each morning always with a level 4 instructor and other afternoon sessions on certain days too. You can join a session group dedicated to achieving your next level in the am and pm. I might take level 3 at end of season, but I would rather just enjoy the skiing this year and perhaps concentrate on the 3 next year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
NAME: SIMON RIDDLE
AGE: 31
YEAR OF COURSE: 2004/05
QUALIFICATIONS GAINED: CSIA Level 2
RESORT EMPLOYED AT: Fernie, BC (Canada)
Where are you currently working and if this is not your first instructing job where have you worked before?I'm working in Fernie and it's my first instructing job. I did try to get employment in NZ on the South Island by turning up with my resume, but unfortunately they weren't taking on any new staff as it was a poor season. I understand it may be a little easier to find work as an instructor on the North Island, but I was committed to the South Island. When did you apply for your job?I applied for this season's job at the end of July last year Did you organise your own visa? If so, how much did it cost and how long did the application procedure take?I arranged a work visa through BUNAC and it cost £161. They say it takes 4-5 weeks after being accepted onto the programme (immediate once money paid) but I had mine after 2 weeks. How much are you being paid?$10 per hour
How much work do you get a day/week/month?As a kids instructor we are very busy this year (partly due to good conditions). During the Christmas period I was working 6 days per week and am now working 5 days per week. How much do you spend a week/month? Do you earn enough to live off?You could live off what you earn ski instructing but you would have to work a lot and wouldn't have too much left over at the end of the month. Most instructors without savings to spend have second jobs. How much is your rent?$450 per month for my own room in a nice place.
How many jobs did you apply for and where did you hear about them?I wrote to ski schools in several resorts in Canada and had a lot of interest from them. I looked up the ski school addresses on the internet. I also used the website: www.snowpro.com.
Do you feel you are a good instructor compared to your colleagues?The NONSTOP course has given me a very good understanding of skiing and how to teach skiing. Experience is very important as an instructor, but I feel I am a good instructor, especially as it's my first season instructing.
Would you work in the resort you're in at the moment again?Definitely - it's a great resort! Is your ski school a good employer? What training do you get outside of lessons? Are you planning on taking any more qualifications?Yep, they are good employers -approachable and reasonable. There are training sessions for all levels of instructing. However, it can be difficult arranging to do these sessions, especially if it means sacrificing your day off. I plan to train for my level 3, but may not take it until next year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
NAME: CLAIRE WILSON
AGE: 27
YEAR OF COURSE: 2004/05
QUALIFICATIONS GAINED: CSIA Level 2
RESORT EMPLOYED AT: Whakapapa, Mt Rueaphu, NZ / Mammoth Mt. California, USA
When did you apply for your job?I applied for Mammoth in July 2005. I applied for many jobs in New Zealand from January 2005 onwards but each resort needed qualified instructors. So I reapplied after passing my CSIA level 2 in April 2005. I actually arrived in New Zealand without a job and after a lot of perseverance I secured a full-time ski instructor job at Whakapapa.
Did you organise your own visa? If so, how much did it cost and how long did the application procedure take?Yes I organised my visa for New Zealand, it cost £50 and I collected it the same day. Mammoth actually sponsored my H2B visa for this season. How much are you being paid?In New Zealand I was being paid NZ$20 per hour. Here at Mammoth I started on US$14 per hour but with an incentive based pay-scale (milestones), all instructors get an extra $2 per hour for every 75 hours worked. For example with 320 hours completed so far this season I am on $22 per hour. Then request rate is an extra $7 per hour. How much work do you get a day/week/month?In New Zealand it can vary from 10 hours to 30 hours a week - many weeks at the lower end. Here in USA a typical week can be 25 hours to 30 hours per week. How much do you spend a week/month? Do you earn enough to live off?It really depends on what I am doing and if I have any big purchases. I earned just enough to live in New Zealand, although I didn't really make much money. Here in Mammoth it is definitely possible to make and save more money as there is more reliable work, plus the very much appreciated tips! How much is your rent?In New Zealand it was NZ$160 per week with meals. In Mammoth it is US$133 with no bills. How many jobs did you apply for and where did you hear about them?I applied to many resorts. I found out about these resorts from the internet and word of mouth from other instructors Do you feel you are a good instructor compared to your colleagues?Yes I do. I have received excellent feedback from all my supervisors at both the resorts I've worked at. I work hard and I have a positive and friendly attitude to both my guests and colleagues. Would you work in the resort you're in at the moment again?Mammoth is a great place, I'd definitely return. Mammoth Mountain resort is an excellent employer. The pay-rate is very competitive and they are a very professional ski school who offer good training. Is your ski school a good employer? What training do you get outside of lessons? Are you planning on taking any more qualifications?Training is offered every morning for 1 hour plus weekly clinics. I'd like to go for my Level 3 (CSIA or PSIA) next winter. Have you any advice for other NONSTOPers keen to start as an instructor?If you really want to be an instructor then go for it and follow your dreams like I did. I've never looked back and have no regrets about my decision to leave my career to work in the ski industry. If you are keen to be an instructor shadow as many lessons as you can to give you an idea of what to expect. Make sure you apply early to resorts as it is very competitive and be persistent. When you accept an offer of employment be realistic about what you want out of a resort - is it plenty of work, varied terrain or a good wage - you will never be super rich as an instructor (it's a lifestyle choice) so when you apply to a resort look at the pay-rate as it will make a difference.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
NAME: SIMON PINEY
AGE: 37
YEAR OF COURSE: 2004/05
QUALIFICATIONS GAINED: CSIA Level 2
RESORT EMPLOYED AT: Fernie, BC (Canada)
Where are you currently working and if this is not your first instructing job where have you worked before?Fernie When did you apply for your job?September 2005
Did you organise your own visa? If so, how much did it cost and how long did the application procedure take?No
How much are you being paid?About C$10 per hour, plus we get a good share of commissions if we "sell" lessons to clients. ie clients coming back requesting us. How much work do you get a day/week/month?I work about 3 days a week (personal preference) and am kept pretty busy during those days. Typically 2 hours teaching in the morning and the same in the afternoon, plus training sessions. How much do you spend a week/month? Do you earn enough to live off?No, but I spent a long time saving over years of better-paid work so that I could come out here with my family to do this. How much is your rent?Own house in Fernie How many jobs did you apply for and where did you hear about them?Just the one at Fernie Alpine Resort
Do you feel you are a good instructor compared to your colleagues?Yes, I wouldn't say better, but I do think that the 11 weeks of constant instruction with NONSTOP means that I have absorbed a lot of teaching techniques that I am able to re-use now that I am teaching. It makes me feel that I am not below the standard of other colleagues who have been teaching longer. If I had only taken the Level 1 and 2 exams without the full 11 weeks training with some of the best instructors on the mountain then I do think I would feel much weaker.
Would you work in the resort you're in at the moment again?Definitely! Is your ski school a good employer? What training do you get outside of lessons? Are you planning on taking any more qualifications?Yes, Fernie takes an active interest in arranging regular training sessions and is sympathetic to time-off for courses etc. We get 2 scheduled training sessions a week up the mountain before it's open to the public. We can request one-on-one sessions for free with the top trainers and we can also join high-end ski group lessons. I plan to do my Level 3 but may wait until next season to do it as I am just enjoying myself at the moment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
NAME: SI SMITH
AGE: 19
YEAR OF COURSE: 2004
QUALIFICATIONS GAINED: CSIA (1 & 2)
RESORT EMPLOYED AT: Fernie, BC (Canada)
04/05 in Fernie - Si breezed through his Level 3 exam and was also awarded 'Most Requested Privates' out of all the new instructors in Fernie - Nice one Si! 05 in Cardona, New Zealand - Si was awarded 'Rookie of the Year'
05/06 in Whistler - Si was voted 'Rookie of the Year' for Ski Espirit, which is Whistler's largest weekly lesson programme. When did you apply for your job?I applied in May/June for New Zealand and late August for Fernie. In hindsight I could have done with applying to the Canadian resorts a bit earlier.
Did you organise your own visa? If so, how much did it cost and how long did the application procedure take?Unless you are ISIA certified then getting sponsored for New Zealand is pretty much a non starter so I ended up getting a working holiday visa through BUNAC and it cost about £160. Once you've got your foot in the door and if you do a good job then the resort you work for may sponsor your visa the following year.
How much are you being paid?At the moment in Fernie I am on CAD$10.50 an hour and that is with having a seasons experience, my CSCF Level 1 and CSIA Level 2 qualification.
How much work do you get a day/week/month?I get about 3-4 hours a day so earn about CAD$30-40 a day and I work 5 days a week therefore CAD$200 per week.
How many jobs did you apply for and where did you hear about them?I applied for Fernie because I had spent a season there on the NONSTOP Ski programme and fell in love with the place and my dream was to work here so it was the only resort I applied to. Do you feel you are a good instructor compared to your colleagues?I definitely feel that I'm up there; I had a performance review yesterday and was given the best report ever so I am pretty chuffed! Would you work in the resort you're in at the moment again?Yes, without a doubt. Is your ski school a good employer? What training do you get outside of lessons? Are you planning on taking any more qualifications?Fernie ski school is great to work for. I have just completed my Level 3 course and have been given the go ahead to take the Level 3 exams in March. I plan to go all the way and get my Level 4 one day!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
NAME: MATT PENFOLD
AGE: 19
YEAR OF COURSE: 2004
QUALIFICATIONS GAINED: CSIA (1 & 2)
RESORT EMPLOYED AT: Sunshine Village, AB (Canada)
When did you apply for your job?I started looking back in July but I could have probably started looking a bit later. I got an interview in about September. Did you organise your own visa? If so, how much did it cost and how long did the application procedure take?I got a visa through BUNAC and it cost £150 and then the insurance which was compulsory was £300.
How much are you being paid?I get CAD$10.50 an hour and CAD$25 an hour for private requests. How much work do you get a day/week/month?On average I get 50-60 hours a fortnight when it's busy but for a few weeks in January when it was quiet I got 30-40 hours a fortnight. How much do you spend a week/month? Do you earn enough to live off?I earn enough to live off but don't save much!
How much is your rent?I share a room for CAD$200.
How many jobs did you apply for and where did you hear about them?I applied for about 7 or 8 jobs and got 2 offers. I chose Sunshine Village because I had been to Banff before and I knew it had decent terrain and snow.
Do you feel you are a good instructor compared to your colleagues?Yes, especially compared with the new people that didn't do a course like NONSTOP Ski but obviously you can't beat getting experience by actually doing the job.
Would you work in the resort you're in at the moment again?I'd definitely work here again. There is such a good atmosphere amongst the ski school and there is heaps of socialising outside work and some great parties!
Is your ski school a good employer? What training do you get outside of lessons? Are you planning on taking any more qualifications?We have at least 2 or 3 different training sessions every morning with Level 3 and 4's and the experienced instructors are always willing to take you for a couple of runs and look at your skiing/snowboarding. I want to take my Level 3 this season so I'll keep you posted! We have since heard that Matt decided against taking his Level 3 but did get his CSCF Level 1 instead
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
NAME: JEZ WHEELER
AGE: 25
YEAR OF COURSE: 2003
QUALIFICATIONS GAINED: CSIA (1 & 2)
RESORT EMPLOYED AT: Panorama, BC (Canada)
When did you apply for your job?In the summer, but I had already checked with the ski school director that I could come back for another season. Did you organise your own visa? If so, how much did it cost and how long did the application procedure take?I did not have to organise a visa because I had already done a season in the resort and they were pleased with my performance so they sponsored my visa. Panorama are pretty good at sponsoring peoples visas which is why they get quite a few English instructors working here. How much are you being paid?I get CAD$11.50 an hour. If you sell private request lessons then the money goes up considerably to CAD$28 an hour for children and CAD$50 an hour for adults. On average I get 4-5 hours work a day but at busy times this can go up to 7 but in the same way when the hill is quiet it can fall to under 4 hours. How much do you spend a week/month? Do you earn enough to live off?It's enough to live off but tips certainly help!! How much is your rent?I rented privately this season so my rent was CAD$500 a month, it's expensive but I got by. The rent in Ski School accommodation is only CAD$350 a month.
How many jobs did you apply for and where did you hear about them?When I started looking for jobs back in the summer of 2003 I used the CSIA website (www.snowpro.com) to find out which resorts needed people. Then I contacted them by e-mail attaching a covering letter and my resume. I set up phone interviews with the ones I liked the look of. In total I suppose I applied to 6 resorts and nearly all of them got back to me. Do you feel you are a good instructor compared to your colleagues?I'd say I am a good instructor, yes! I have made a real effort to attend the instructor sessions that the Ski School put on in the mornings so that my skiing keeps on improving.
Would you work in the resort you're in at the moment again?I really like Panorama but I have been there for two seasons now and I didn't think the session program was very good this year. I haven't decided whether I'm going to return next year or try somewhere new. Is your ski school a good employer? What training do you get outside of lessons? Are you planning on taking any more qualifications?Generally the Ski School's good, they worked very hard to give everyone the same number and range of lessons but this was mainly on the kids programme. I only got about 6 adult lessons this season which was a bit of a shame but then again I was injured for a month so that didn't help. I have found that adult lessons really improve your skiing and your teaching because you have to think a lot more. Yes, I have taken more qualifications. I went for my Level 3 at the end of the season and passed my teaching but missed my skiing only by 2 points which is pretty frustrating. Oh well, there's always next year!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
NAME: NIALL MARTIN
AGE: 23
YEAR OF COURSE: 2003
QUALIFICATIONS GAINED: CSIA (2) & Freeski (1)
RESORT EMPLOYED AT: Mammoth, CA (USA)
When did you apply for your job?I applied to Mammoth at the end of June but I know that by then the resort of Heavenly (also in California) had already stopped taking international applicants. You can generally get away with applying later to the smaller resorts due to less instructors applying. Did you organise your own visa? If so, how much did it cost and how long did the application procedure take?I was sponsored by the resort and therefore managed to get an H2B visa. I was pretty lucky to get my visa sponsored because I wasn't fully certified which involves having your ISIA licence (equivalent Level 3 CSIA) or having a PSIA (American) qualification. It was a long wait, until mid December for my visa to come through. In my experience being able to say you enjoy or have experience working with children makes a difference when applying for jobs. How much are you being paid?Mammoth pay is probably in the top 4 resorts in North America. With CSIA level 2 I started on USD$14 an hour which increased by USD$2 for every 75 hours I clocked up teaching. I finished the season earning $22 an hour but had I hit 375 hours I would have been on USD$24 an hour (which is the maximum you can get). I also got an extra USD$7 on top of that for private requests. When I didn't have any lessons to teach I was getting USD$6.75. How much work do you get a day/week/month?Usually about 25 hours a week over 5 days, but on public holidays and at busy times you can get work for 7 days a week if you really want. How much do you spend a week/month? Do you earn enough to live off?I managed to save a bit while still having a good time. Friends of mine have also managed to save enough to go travelling all summer then come back next season so you definitely earn enough to live off. How much is your rent?Rent varies from say USD$6 a night to live in the ghetto with 4 to a room up to USD$16 a night to live in your own room in a nice building. How many jobs did you apply for and where did you hear about them?I searched the internet and sent my resume to every resort I could find. Mammoth were the first ones to offer me a job after a few rejections and it's a pretty big mountain so I decided to go for it. In my experience it is easier to get jobs to begin with at the smaller mountains.
Do you feel you are a good instructor compared to your colleagues?I'd say that I'm pretty much right in the middle. Experience, training, qualifications and personality all make a big difference. The most important thing is safety and making sure that your clients enjoy themselves. Would you work in the resort you're in at the moment again?I definitely plan on returning to Mammoth next winter if they'll take me! Is your ski school a good employer? What training do you get outside of lessons? Are you planning on taking any more qualifications?We had training from Monday to Thursday for an hour every Monday towards whatever qualification you were working towards. We also had 3 hour 'day off' clinics on powder, steeps, slalom etc. Niall wrote to us after his first season teaching, you may find this earlier account of his useful too:Well, just spent my first season as a ski instructor at Cypress Mountain and loved every second. Thankfully this year will be far easier to get a visa as we can get visas through BUNAC. I ended up working at Cypress Mountain which is a small Resort just above Vancouver. It might have been a small mountain but we had a large and very multi cultural ski school which reflected the city and I wouldn't change the season I had for the world. I got to live in Vancouver for 5 months, the ski school atmosphere was fantastic and you were going to work with all your friends. I was also helped in that I went to work with my fellow Fernie 2003 compadre, Kobe Thomas. With two of us, it made such things as finding accommodation a lot easier and made for a fantastic season, I would definitely recommend it returning with someone else from the course. . Skiing in Canada is much more relaxed than Europe with there being much smaller queues and far less arguing in the lift lines. Your biggest problems are to miss the trees and which line to take in the pow. While in Fernie, this was easier said than done with so many runs and chutes to ski. Cheers to NONSTOP Ski and the team for running an excellent course and putting me in the house with the hot tub, much appreciated! I will be somewhere in BC or Alberta for the 2005 season (Whistler or Lake Louise) with a couple of guys from Cypress, so if your around give me a call. Kobe, don't settle down mate, you know what you'll miss! Cheers, Niall
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
NAME: HERMIONE TAYLOR
AGE: 21
YEAR OF COURSE: 2003
QUALIFICATIONS GAINED: CSIA (1 & 2) and CSCF (1)
RESORT EMPLOYED AT: The Remarkables (NZ)
When did you apply for your job?I only decided to go in May so I missed the on-line application deadline. I had sent a few e-mails to the nzski ski school before going out and they just told me to come along to a 'Rookie selection weekend' right at the beginning of the season. You have to pay to attend these selection clinics (about $180) and they are conducted quite like a CSIA 1 course with continual assessment etc. In my opinion the best thing to do is to just turn up in Queenstown or Wanaka, pester the ski schools and make yourself known. You may be unlikely to be offered a job before arrival unless you have your CSIA 3 or lots of experience, but that doesn't mean you won't get one out there. Last season they hired about 20 of us in one weekend! Did you organise your own visa? If so, how much did it cost and how long did the application procedure take?Yes, I went along to the New Zealand Embassy in London. It took about 30 minutes and cost about £50. The visa I got was a working holiday visa which lasted a full year.
How much are you being paid? How much work do you get a day/week?I earned NZD$16.50 an hour, which is a lot more per hour than most jobs. Sadly you only get paid for the lessons you teach but on average you get about 4 hours a day but this can range from 0-6. The norm is 5 days a week, you can opt for less than this but they don't like it very much! The best money is in getting private lessons where you can be paid up to NZD$40.
How much do you spend a week/month? Do you earn enough to live off?Some party animals may get a second job but you probably earn enough to live off but it is definitely something you do for the lifestyle rather than the money!
How much is your rent?Rent varies massively, but I was paying around NZD$100 a week. Housing is quite a big issue there, it's pretty tough finding rooms at the start of the season, but just be determined or a bit more organised than me and get there a good month before the hill opens! How many jobs did you apply for and where did you hear about them?As I mentioned before I missed the application dates so I just got offered one and it was the one I took. Do you feel you are a good instructor compared to your colleagues?Yes. The Canadian approach is pretty different to the New Zealand style, but once I got into the swing of things I think they really complemented each other.
Would you work in the resort you're in at the moment again?Yes I would work at The Remarkables again, it has a reputation for being very laid back, it had a very fun vibe and more steeps than Coronet Peak and also a good park.
Is your ski school a good employer? What training do you get outside of lessons? Are you planning on taking any more qualifications?nzski who I worked for are a very respectable company and I got loads of training, one full day and 2/3 mornings a week which led up to my NZSIA at the end of the season which is the CSIA Level 2 equivalent.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click here to close...
Steve and Julie Gort (42) took part in our 2003 11-week course in Fernie. After successful business careers in the UK they made the decision to change their lifestyles and head for the mountains. 
Paul Clarke (19) finished our 2003/4 3-week instructor course having achieved his Level 1 CSIA qualification. A couple of weeks after the course he landed a job at Red Mountain. He lived in Rossland the local town and taught skiing 5-6 days a week. 
Spencer Frost (37) took part in the 2003 11-week course in Fernie. He has since instructed in Fernie for 3 seasons and last season he instructed part time on the NONSTOP Ski course. Having recently purchased a condo in town, plans to carry on instructing. 
info@nonstopski.com 
