After developing your skills as a skier, you may want to turn your passion into cash by becoming a ski instructor. Several options for ski instructor courses exist, and you will need to do some research into each option to choose the one that will be best for you. Start by determining where you want to work; if you want to be an instructor at the local ski area, make sure to check in with them to find out which schools they recommend, or if they offer ski instructor courses on site.
The certifications required to become a ski instructor can vary by region, so you will first need to find out what the requirements are at the area or resort where you intend to work. The ski area will also probably have recommendations as to where you can get such training at a decent price. If they do not have any suggestions, do a search on the Internet to find courses that will suit your budget, time constraints, and certification requirements. Try to find a reputable school by talking to other ski instructors who have gone through such training. If the ski area offers training on site, this is often the best option because it will be convenient and usually inexpensive.
Snowboards have become increasingly common at many ski areas, so if you are proficient at snowboarding, you may want to consider ski instructor courses that focus on snowboard instruction. If you are certified to teach both ski and snowboard classes, you will be a more valuable job candidate at a ski area, though you may need to take extra ski instructor courses to become certified to do so. Remember, however, that you will need to be a proficient skier and snowboarder if you choose to attempt certification in both areas.
Be sure to research the first aid training you will need to work at ski areas, and find out if the ski instructor courses you are considering include such training. Just about all ski areas will require first aid and CPR certification, though others may require more advanced first aid training. You may even need to obtain a wilderness first responder (WFR) certification to work at some ski areas with a high percentage of backcountry terrain. If these certifications are necessary, be sure to allot the appropriate amount of time to obtaining them, as you cannot get hired if you have not obtained first aid training.
