Job Description for a Snowboarding Instructor

In the eyes of many, snowboard instructors have an enviable job because they are paid to snowboard, while interacting with like-minded boarders; plus, the skills of a professional athlete are not required. However, the job description includes demands of which many are unaware. It requires hard work, a major time commitment, a diverse skill set and usually low pay. Consider the entire picture to determine if this is truly a career for you.

  1. Getting Certified

    • Almost all snowboard instructors need certification. Only in rare situations will an instructor not have the proper certification. The main body for this is the AASI (American Association of Snowboard Instructors). Through them you can get certified to instruct snowboarding based on your level of certification, from Level 1 to Level 3. To get certified, you must pay for educational materials, then pass a course and final test. The test involves both a written portion and an on-hill demonstration of your skills.

    Instructing

    • Snowboard instructors need to have immense amounts of patience when dealing with beginners and especially first-timers. This is an aspect many overlook when thinking about snowboard instruction, simply picturing it as tearing across a mountain with a group of learners in tow. Instructors need to empathize with learners and make them feel safe and comfortable. Instructors must never become upset or frustrated with someone trying to learn.

    Working with Kids

    • That same patience is required when working with kids, which will inevitably comprise a large number of your students. Previous experience working with kids is invaluable because you will deal with them in an often cold, inhospitable environment where they might get moody and frustrated. In addition, you may sometimes work with large groups of kids, responsible for their safety.

    Skills

    • Snowboard instruction does not require top-level skills on a snowboard per se, but does require solid fundamentals. First and foremost, your ability to transfer your knowledge to the student is what you will be hired on, not your ability to do the latest and greatest trick. Many resources are available that go in-depth into the mechanics of snowboarding. Instructors are well advised to study these materials.

    Salary

    • Pay is generally based upon the actual time you spend instructing, not the time you spend at the mountain. Therefore, how much you earn is entirely contingent upon how much business the ski school gets. There are cases where instructors don't get any work in a given day due to lack of lessons. The pay varies greatly by resort and for a Level 1 instructor is usually around $14 or $15 an hour, according to jobmonkey.com, but increases with years of experience and increased certification levels.