working at a ski resort?

Question

I am only 17 but I want to work at Stevens Pass, its a ski resort in Washington.
It says you only need to be 16 to work
but the only job you can have is a youth ski instructor.
I have been skiing since I was 9 and I am good enough to be an instructor.
what do you need to do to qualify to become an instructor?

Answer 1

You start off following other instructors around during their lessons, teaching the really boring classes that nobody else wants to teach (usually little kids who are forced into it by their parents and can barely walk, let alone ski) then work your way up to more advanced classes. After you log a certain number of hours, you can join P.S.I.A. for about a hundred dollars a year. After you pass the level one exam (easy as hell), you can get discounts on all kinds of equipment and the resort usually pays you more. Some resorts require that you become a P.S.I.A. certified instructor to teach advanced classes, but the only real requirement to get started is to just be able to ski well and have a friendly personality.

Answer 2

It's a good way to get some ski time in and learn a lot too. Don't expect to make much money, if any at all, but you will mostly likely get a pass. Treat it as a job though. (Show up when you are supposed, etc). Most places offer training to their instructors as well when it's not busy. Some places require it. I'd suggest to check with the ski school director to get all the details as to what a junior instructor would have to do. Most of the time they do an Instructor's hiring clinic of some type early in the season to see your skiing ability as well as your teaching ability (can you speak well in front of a group, etc.) They will train you in everything else you'd need to know.

I'd agree with the others, you'll probably be expected to help with the kids lessons. Most places require you to be at least an intermediate skiier. You will be teaching or helping with beginner lessons when you start so as long as you are better than they are!

I started teaching when I was in college. At first I did it just for the free pass, but the more I taught, the more satisfaction I got from it and the more I loved doing it. Not everyone is cut out to be an instructor.

Answer 3

it's worth a try to start, even if you do just do the kid school. I realized pretty quickly that i'd rather buy a pass and forget teaching. I hate to teach and found that out before I wasted the money on an organization like PSIA. The best teaching time I ever had was when I was 14 and picking up lessons on my own. I'd charge half of what the ski school charged then doubld the time (since I couldn't cut line) I kept all the cash and still got tips. At 14 I thought that was good. at 18 I realized I just want to ski not teach.

Answer 4

Resort policies and State laws will restrict you as to what you can or can't do. Most places make you be at least 18 to run snowmaking, grooming, and lifts. My local resort pays instructors at 15 and doesn't have "Jr." instructors. However, a few resorts in my area do have a Junior Instructor Program and those kids don't get paid at all...they get a free season pass, that's it. So if they pay you to be a Junior, it's not a bad deal.

Yes...you will have to babysit the little kids. It's part of the progression of the job. It's like a rite of passage that all instructors have to go through.

Getting a PSIA rating will help, but it's usually not required. Ski Schools generally have on-snow clinics for themselves and make everyone go, no matter how long you've been teaching. (I have to go to three of them this year.) Work as a junior instructor and do a good job and the resort may pay for your PSIA training in the future.

Answer 5

It is a fun job, because you usually get a free season pass and easy acess to the mountain, but teaching a youth ski class is really more like babysitting. Parents basically drop their bratty kids off because they dont want to have to deal with them while they are skiing. Some of the kids will be enthusiastic, but most of dont want to be out in the wet and cold trying to do something that is not fun for them. Get used to kids whining about having to go to the bathroom, kids picking on other kids, etc. It all depends on wheather or not you think this is worth the free pass.

Answer 6

regularly u ether assemble them everymorning on the slopes on the hire place and go away them there over nite leaving ur footwear whilst u ski or dependant on the place u pass often times ur hotel has a room a u get a piece and shop them there :D hpe this helped and u have a large trip as snowboarding is large

Answer 7

you do what everybody does when they are first hired...they start at the bottom and work their way up the ladder (slope)..if you are that good then the ski hi-archy will notice...good luck