What a winter season as a ski instructor really looks like, month by month

If you have never done a full ski instructor season, it can be hard to picture what the months actually look like. Every resort is different, but most Northern Hemisphere seasons follow a similar rhythm. Here is a rough guide.

September and October: getting hired and getting ready

Most schools do the bulk of their hiring between spring and autumn. By now you should have a contract, know your start date and have sorted travel and housing. Use these weeks to get fit, service your equipment, replace worn kit and practise the language you will teach in. If you need a work permit or registration, start it now, because paperwork always takes longer than expected. EU citizens can check their rights on the EU’s Your Europe site; everyone else should check with the immigration authority of the country they will work in.

November and early December: arrival and training

You arrive, move in, collect your uniform and pass, and meet the team. Pre-season training is usually a mix of your own skiing or riding, the school’s teaching methods, safety and first aid, and practice lessons with colleagues. Snow can be thin, so expect a lot of time on the same few runs.

This is the best time to make a good impression. Turn up early, ask questions and ski with the trainers whenever you can.

Christmas and New Year: the first big rush

For many resorts this is one of the busiest periods of the season. You may teach long days, often with children’s groups, and very little time off. It is tiring, but it is where you learn fastest. Keep your kit organised, eat properly and get to bed early.

January: quieter weeks and building skills

After New Year many resorts become quieter, although the snow is often at its best. Hours can drop, which is a good time to train for your next qualification, ski with more experienced instructors and get feedback. If you are paid by the hour, this is when a good savings habit from December pays off.

February: peak season

School holidays in different countries fall across February and early March, so many resorts are busy for weeks at a time. Group sizes grow, privates fill up and the days are long. It is also when many instructors take exams, so plan your training around it.

March: spring snow and exams

The days get longer and warmer. Mornings can be icy and afternoons slushy, so lessons often start early. Many associations hold assessments in March, and schools start talking to staff about next season.

April: the last weeks

Easter can bring a final busy period. After that the resort winds down, staff leave, and you pack up. Before you go, ask for a reference, collect any deposit, and tell the school if you would like to come back.

A typical teaching day

Days vary between schools, but a common pattern looks like this. You arrive before the first lesson to collect your list, check the weather and conditions, and warm up. Morning lessons usually run for two to three hours. After a lunch break, often short in busy weeks, the afternoon lessons start. Children’s groups may include lunch with the kids. At the end of the day there may be a short meeting, a training session, or time to write notes for your private clients.

In quieter weeks you might teach only a morning lesson or none at all, and spend the rest of the day training. In peak weeks you can teach from first lift to last.

Making the most of your ski instructor season

• Keep a simple diary of lessons, clients and what you worked on. It helps with privates and with your next qualification.
• Train in your own time, especially in the quiet weeks.
• Look after your body: warm up, stretch and sleep.
• Save money early in the season, because hours can be uneven.
• Be someone people want to work with. Schools rehire the instructors who make their days easier.

Ready for your first or next season? See which schools are hiring, read our qualifications guide and our tips and tricks for instructors.