10 questions to ask a ski school before you sign a contract

A job offer from a ski school is exciting, especially if it is your first season. But a ski instructor contract covers your pay, your home and most of your waking hours for four or five months. A short conversation before you sign can save you a lot of trouble later.

Here are ten questions worth asking, and what to listen for in the answers.

1. How exactly am I paid?

Ask whether pay is a monthly salary, an hourly rate, a daily rate or a mix. If there is a base salary, ask what it covers. If you are paid by the hour, ask how many teaching hours a typical instructor at your level gets in January and in a quiet week in March. Ask whether private-lesson commission is extra and how it is calculated.

Also ask whether the figure you were quoted is gross or net. The difference after tax and social insurance can be large, and it varies a lot between countries. If you are an EU citizen working in another EU country, the EU’s Your Europe site explains your rights on pay, tax and social security.

2. What happens on days without work?

Low-snow weeks, bad weather and quiet periods happen every season. Some schools pay a guaranteed minimum, some pay only for hours taught. Neither is wrong, but you should know which one you are signing up for.

3. Is accommodation included, and what is it like?

“Staff housing” can mean anything from a private studio to a shared room for four. Ask how many people share a room and a bathroom, whether there is a kitchen, how far it is from the meeting point and what it costs if it is not free. Ask for photos.

4. Do I get a ski pass?

A season pass is usually included for instructors, but check whether it covers only the home resort or the wider area, and whether you have to pay a deposit.

5. What training do I get, and who pays for it?

Good schools run training before the season starts and keep coaching through the winter. Ask how many days of pre-season training there are, whether they are paid, and whether the school supports you towards your next qualification level. Some schools contribute to course fees if you return for a second season.

6. Who will I be teaching?

Children’s groups, adult beginners, private lessons and off-piste guiding are very different jobs. Ask what a typical week looks like for someone at your level and language skills. If you want to build privates, ask how new instructors get them.

7. What are the working hours?

Ask what time you need to be at the meeting point, how long the lunch break is, and whether you are expected to help with ski-school races, kids’ shows or evening events. Ask how many days off you get per week in peak weeks and in low season.

8. What equipment and uniform are provided?

Most schools provide a uniform jacket and trousers. Ask whether there is a deposit, whether you can get pro deals on skis or boards, and whether the school has a ski room or boot dryers.

9. What is the contract length, and what if I leave early?

Check the start and end dates, the notice period on both sides, and whether there is a bonus for completing the season. Ask what happens if you are injured.

10. Is everything written down?

Whatever you agree, ask for it in writing before you travel: pay, hours, housing, ski pass, training and dates. A good school will be happy to send it. If something you were promised is missing from the contract, ask why before you sign.

Red flags to watch for

Most ski schools are good employers, but a few warning signs are worth taking seriously:

• The school will not put pay, hours or housing in writing.
• You are asked to pay a large fee or deposit before you have a contract.
• The answers about pay keep changing, or nobody can say how many hours a typical instructor teaches.
• You cannot find a single instructor who has worked there before.
• You are pushed to decide within a day or two without time to read the contract.

None of these automatically means the job is bad, but each one is a reason to slow down and ask more questions.

Before you sign your ski instructor contract

Read reviews from instructors who have worked there before, and ask the school if you can talk to a returning instructor. On Snowsports Central, every school profile shows reviews from instructors the school has hired, and schools marked “Verified employer” have been through our employer verification.

When you are ready, browse this winter’s jobs and set up a job alert so new adverts come straight to you.