Working as an Instructor……

Its never too early to start thinking about what you are going to do when you qualify… it is best to keep it in mind at all times during the course – remember the course is the prime opportunity to impress local or schools!

Here is some great advice for you on where to start!

USA

When should I apply?

May to July

Which should I apply to?

Only a small number of resorts in the US are offering to sponsor H2B Visa’s (Visa’s for people who aren’t students) but far more resorts are offering jobs to people with a J1 Visa. Go through the following website, get the names of all the resorts you’re interested in working at then check their employment/Jobs policy: http://www.skiresortguide.com/

Do I need a Visa?

Unless you have a green card to work in the of America, your chance of gaining employment in a ski is limited. However, all is not lost as there are two visa options available for internationals, the J-1 Visa and the H2B Visa.

J-1 Visa Must be a registered student Must apply for visa through work and program. The travel programs include obtaining the appropriate visa so you can work, a guaranteed job for the season with a wage and . These companies are listed in our guide Endless Winter – your guide to working in ski resorts. The J-1 Visa is valid for a four month work period and 30 days for travel

H2B Visa

Those who have previously worked in a resort on a J-1Visa are sometimes asked to return and this will be under the H2B Visa. As the resort will be sponsoring you under this visa you are not authorised to work in any other capacity other than what you are employed to do. In general, resorts won’t accept first-timers on this visa if you wish to undertake general work, however ski and snowboard instructors may be accepted, partly due to the fact they are in short supply.

How long is the season?

The season runs from November through to April but this depends on the . Many resorts hold recruitment fairs a month or so before the season start.

What wage can I expect?

Depending on experience you can expect between $12 - $20ph but the Americans are very generous with tipping!

Accommodation

Generally your accommodation will be provided by the resort and they’ll take a weekly amount from your wages……don’t worry it won’t be extortionate.

CANADA

When should I apply?

As soon as possible, the IE visa is usually released in December/January/February. It does vary each year. So you do need to plan ahead for the following year. In 2012 there were approximately 5000 for UK citizens, all were taken by May. The best thing is to start researching the process. You can do this by going to the Government of Canada website here. http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/visas/index.aspx?view=d

Which resorts should I apply to?

Apply to as many resorts as possible! Ask us for a list of contacts.

Do I need a VISA?

To work legally in the Canadian ski fields you must have a work visa or working visa. It is known as the IE Visa.

Canada has a working holiday visa available to citizens aged 18 to 30 years inclusive from a number of countries including , , Britain (students only), , , , , , Korea, The , , and the USA. How long is the season? The season runs from November through to April but this depends on the snow. Many resorts hold recruitment fairs a month or so before the season start. What wage can I expect? Depending on experience you can expect between $12 - $20ph but the Americans and Canadians are very generous with tipping! Accommodation Generally your accommodation will be provided by the resort and they’ll take a weekly amount from your wages……don’t worry it won’t be extortionate

EUROPE

When should I apply?

May – October

Which countries can I work in?

Austria (possibly) UK (for a few weeks a season) Bulgaria Germany Sweden Finland

Norway

Which resorts should I apply to?

Unless you have language skills I would concentrate on resorts in the following countries:

Austria (St Anton, Solden, Mayerhofen) Andorra (Pas De Le Casa, , Pal-Arinsal) – May need to take an ‘enhancement’ course Bulgaria (Borovets, ) Sweden (Are, Riksgransen) (Hemesdal, Geilo, Trysil) Italy (Interski – Aosta Valley) Switzerland (Verbier, Davos, St Moritz, Champery, )

If you have language skills then is your Oyster……with the exception of France!

Having graduated from a Peak Leaders course you will be looked upon favorably by European Snowsport who have schools in Zermatt and Verbier. Unfortunately, being a first timer means you won’t get a great deal of work…..probably just the peak times like the school holidays. www.europeansnowsport.com

Also, if you’re not looking to work an entire season then working for Interski could be a great experience. They will pay you £200 a week plus accommodation, food, liftpass and travel…you’ll probably be responsible for teaching school groups. If you’re interested then go to http://www.interski.co.uk/employment.php asap and get in contact.

Do I need a VISA?

Not if you’re British or hold a European . However, if you’re working in Switzerland then you will need to obtain a work permit through your employer.

Citizens 18-30 years inclusive from Non-EU countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada have working holiday visas with some European countries. These are mentioned under the appropriate European country. It should be noted that Ancestry Visas, Right of Abode and UK Working Visas are not normally sufficient to work in EU countries.

How long is the season?

Depending on the resort the season runs from December through to April but this depends on factors like snowfall, aspect, altitude and latitude. Some Scandinavian resorts are open until June!

What wage can I expect?

The amount obviously depends on which country and specifically which resort you are working in. If you work in Verbier then you can expect 22chf an hour as a first-time instructor (around £16). But remember rent will be around £100p/w and a beer costs £5 a pint!

Accommodation

With the exception of Scandinavian resorts you won’t be working for the resort, you’ll be working for a privately owned school. Therefore you will usually need to provide your own accommodation and food; obviously the cost differs massively depending on which resort you decide to work at. In a popular Swiss resort you could easily spend £250 a week on rent, food and a few beers each week; if you worked in a smaller Austrian resort your expenses would be half that amount; and in Bulgaria you could happily live on £60 per week.

JAPAN

When should I apply?

June – October

Which resorts should I apply to?

Japan has more ski and snowboard resorts than any other country in the world, with over 600 resorts dotted over the Japanese islands, from the northern island of Hokkaido to the main southern island of Kyushu. Japan is renowned for its epic powder which tends to settle on in the Northern islands more consistently. Check-out the following site for loads of useful info: http://www.snowjapan.com/e/features/working-at-japanese-ski-resorts.html

Do I need a VISA?

To work in Japan you will need a work permit where an employer will sponsor you to work for them or a working holiday visa.

At present, Japan has a working holiday visa available to citizens aged 18 to 30 years from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the (25 years) and The Republic of Korea. Applicants must enter Japan within three months of issue date of the visa. A period of six months is usually granted at the port of entry. This may be extended up to another six months by immigration authorities in Japan to their home country. To apply for a working holiday visa contact your nearest Japanese Consulate or visit www.mofa.go.jp.

You will need a valid first-aid qualification to work as an instructor in Japan!!

How long is the season?

The season generally starts around mid-December and goes through until around mid-April but this does depend on the white stuff. Some resorts open longer thanks to the help of machines. The peak of the season is from mid- January until the end of February.

What wage can I expect?

Between 600 – 1,500yen per hour depending on experience (£5 - £13). As you do not require an instructor qualification to teach or in Japan you can expect to earn a wage closer to the top of this guide.

Accommodation

Ski Resorts in Nagano, Niigata, Gifu, Guma Dormitory style Accommodation, Meals, and a Season Ski-pass are all provided FREE by the Resorts.

Ski Resorts in Hokkaido Dormitory style Accommodation and a Season ski-pass are provided FREE by the Resorts. Meals are provided at subsidised rates (approx. 1000yen per day).

Summer Resorts in Okinawa, Kyushu, and Honshu Dormitory style Accommodation and Meals are provided at subsidised rates. Summer resorts do NOT offer free meals or accommodation as of 2010. AUSTRALIA

When should I apply?

December – May

The call for workers begins with advertising appearing in the Saturday employment sections of major papers (Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Queensland Courier Mail, etc.) in March. Employment National offices list ads in their offices in April/May.

Which resorts should I apply to?

The majority of resorts are in New South Wales and Victoria, the main resorts being:

Falls Creek, Hotham, Mt Baw Baw, Mt Buller, Mt Sterling, Perisher, Charlotte’s Pass, Thredbo

Do I need a VISA?

Australia has a one year working holiday visa available to citizens aged between 18 and 30 years inclusive from , Canada, , , Finland, France, Germany, , Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, , the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. If you are from one of these countries and have a working holiday visa stamped in your passport then you may like to apply for a position working in the Australian ski fields. For details and to apply for a working holiday visa visit www.immigration.gov.au .

How long is the season?

The season officially begins with the long weekend in June (the second weekend) and ends on the long weekend in October.

What wage can I expect?

A similar amount to working in NZ ($15 - $20 per hour). Nevertheless, the ski fields in Australia are far busier with beginners so you’re likely to work far more hours and earn more money.

Accommodation

Although some resorts may provide accommodation the likelihood is that this won’t be on the , similarly to NZ. You’ll most probably have to find your own accommodation in a small town or village at the bottom of the hill. This should be much cheaper than European or Queenstown prices. NEW ZEALAND

When should I apply?

December – May

The call for workers begins around January. Most of the resorts advertise in the major papers or undertake recruitment through their websites.

Which resorts should I apply to?

There are lots of resorts in New Zealand but as Peak Leaders have a professional relationship with NZ Ski you may be more likely to be offered a job at Coronet Peak, or Mt Hutt. Applications have to be done online and are open from around January time. www.nzski.com

The largest in New Zealand is Whakapapa which has twice the vertical descent of Coronet Peak; previous PL trainees are currently working there and loving it! www.mtruapehu.com

Do I need a VISA?

New Zealand has a working holiday agreement with , Belgium, Canada, , Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, , Malta, Netherlands, Norway, , Sweden, , , United Kingdom, and USA. A working holiday visa allows citizens aged between 18 to 30 years inclusive from these countries the opportunity to spend up to one year in New Zealand. For further information on visas for New Zealand please refer to the New Zealand Immigration Service website www.immigration.govt.nz . If successful in obtaining this visa you are able to apply for work in the ski fields.

How long is the season?

The season runs from June through to October and sometimes into November.

What wage can I expect?

Between $15 - $20 per hour depending on experience and qualifications. Although Coronet Peak is busy with learners if you are offered a job at the Remarks you are likely to get far fewer hours.

Accommodation

Accommodation and living in Queenstown is really expensive, expect to pay in excess of $160 a week for a room and $5 a beer. If you were to live in Wanaka, Arrowtown or Ohakune then rent and living expenses would be greatly reduced…….but you would need a car.