Updated August 12, 2025
Ever thought about ditching the 9–5 and trading it for crisp alpine mornings and fresh turns?
Becoming a ski instructor might be the perfect way to do it.
Whether you’re just daydreaming or already planning your first season, this guide breaks down what it actually takes to become a certified ski instructor. From training and qualifications to what the job really looks like day-to-day, this is everything I wish I’d known before I started.
Why Become a Ski Instructor?
If you’re here, chances are you already love skiing. Most instructors had that one perfect day on the mountain where it just clicked… and we never wanted to leave.
But ski instructing isn’t just about chasing powder (although, yes, there’s a lot of that). It’s about:
Escaping the desk job
Working outside in the mountains
Helping people learn something new
Travelling the world while staying active
Turning your passion into a real profession
It’s not just a job. It’s a lifestyle (cringe).
My Path (If You’re Interested)
I started instructing after taking my BASI Level 1 and 2 in Tignes. My first season was in Austria, teaching at a smaller ski school just outside Zell am See. From there, I chased winter, working back-to-back seasons in Japan and New Zealand, and slowly chipped away at my ISIA modules over a few years.
These days, I’m no longer instructing full-time. Having a family shifted my priorities, but I still take the occasional private lesson each season (including with my own kids) and like to keep my hand in. Once you’ve taught, it’s hard to completely walk away. The stoke sticks with you.
This guide is basically a condensed version of a process that took me almost a decade!
Your Path to Becoming a Ski Instructor
1. Choose Where You Want to Teach
Different countries have different systems, qualifications, and job markets. Before you dive into training, ask yourself: where do you want to work?
Some popular destinations:
Europe (France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy)
Canada
USA
Japan
Australia or New Zealand
Not all certifications are recognized globally. For example, BASI (British) or CSIA (Canadian) might not transfer smoothly between countries. Make sure the course you choose lines up with where you want to teach.
2. Understand the Qualification Levels
Most ski instructor certification systems are broken into four levels. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Level 1
Your entry point. Lets you teach on dry slopes, indoors, or with first-timers. Usually only valid in the country where you train.Level 2
The first real international ticket. You can teach both beginners and intermediates on-piste in most countries.Level 3 (ISIA)
Big step up. Often includes off-piste teaching and more advanced clients. Globally recognized and opens up better-paying roles.Level 4
The highest level. In Europe, this is what you need to teach in places like France. It’s tough, competitive, and takes years—but it’s the gold standard.
3. Try Teaching Before You Commit (Optional)
You don’t have to do this step, but it’s worth it.
Shadowing at a local ski hill or dry slope can give you a feel for what instructing is actually like. Skiing for fun and teaching others how to ski are two very different things. It takes patience, solid communication and a genuine love for helping people progress.
Plus, it’s a great way to meet instructors, start networking, and get a bit of experience before your course.
4. Join a Ski Instructor Course
This is where it all starts. Instructor courses give you the training, coaching, and qualifications to get hired.
They usually run for 8–12 weeks and are based in ski resorts or on dry slopes (if you’re starting pre-season). Some are full-time, some part-time, and some include paid internships or guaranteed jobs.
Most courses include:
On-snow coaching
Teaching methodology and theory
Video analysis of your skiing
Lift pass and accommodation
Exam prep and support
Example BASI-Based Courses:
Meribel Level 1 & 2 – 10 Week Program
Verbier Level 1 & 2 – Season-Long Internship
St Anton Level 3 – Full-Season Internship
5. Start Teaching on Snow
Once you’ve got your first qualification, it’s time to get out there. Most new instructors start by teaching:
Total beginners
Nervous adults
Kids (lots of kids)
Basic turns and progression lessons
It might not sound glamorous, but honestly? This part is way more fulfilling than you’d think. Watching someone go from barely standing to linking turns, or seeing a scared kid grin their way down the bunny hill – that stuff sticks with you.
It’s real teaching. And it’s where you learn the most.
6. Keep Progressing
Most instructors don’t stop at Level 1 or 2.
The more you teach, the more you’ll want to push your own skiing – and unlock bigger opportunities. Higher levels mean better pay, more advanced students, and the chance to teach off-piste or even coach other instructors.
For a lot of us, working toward ISIA (Level 3) or Level 4 becomes a multi-season journey. You teach during the day, train with peers, chase snow across hemispheres, and slowly build your career.
It takes time. But if you’re in this for the long haul, it’s 100% worth it.
7. Enjoy the Ride
This job isn’t always easy. You’ll have cold mornings, tricky clients, and moments where your body’s begging for a break.
But you’ll also get powder days, stunning sunrises, lifelong friends and moments on the hill that remind you exactly why you signed up.
Don’t forget to keep skiing for you, not just for work. Keep progressing. Keep exploring. Keep loving the mountain.
That’s what makes this more than just a job.
What Makes a Great Ski Instructor?
It’s not just about being a good skier.
Sure, you’ll need solid technique and control. But the best instructors are the ones who can connect with people. They’re:
Clear, confident communicators
Patient (even when it’s chaos)
Encouraging without being pushy
Passionate about teaching, not just skiing
Able to adapt when someone isn’t getting it right away
You’ll be teaching all kinds of people – nervous adults, overconfident teens, 5-year-olds who’d rather eat snow – so it takes more than just ski skills to do this well.
If you genuinely enjoy helping others improve and can stay calm under pressure, you’re already ahead of the game.
Do You Need to Speak Another Language?
Not necessarily.
Most instructor qualifications are offered in English, and plenty of international ski schools (especially in Japan, Canada, or the US) operate fully in English too.
That said, speaking another language – especially French, German, or Italian – can open doors. In Europe, it might mean better clients, better pay, or a shot at working for more exclusive schools.
If you’re aiming for top-level certs like BASI Level 4, you’ll eventually need to pass a second-language test anyway. So if you’ve got the language skills, use them. If not, don’t stress – it won’t hold you back from getting started.
How Good Do You Need to Be?
You don’t have to be some big-mountain ripper. But you do need to be confident and controlled on groomed runs.
Think:
Comfortable making short turns on blacks
Able to carve on blues
Stable at speed
Good balance and edge control
Don’t worry if you’re not quite there yet. We’ve seen plenty of people show up a little rusty and improve fast – especially if you’re athletic or have a background in things like surfing, skating, dance, or gymnastics.
Balance and coordination go a long way. The technical skills will come with time and coaching.
How Much Do Ski Instructors Earn?
It really depends on where you work, your certification level, and your experience.
But here’s a rough idea of what you can expect:
Level 1 – Entry Level
USA/Canada: $12–$20 USD/hour
Europe (e.g. Austria, Italy): €900–€1,200/month + accommodation
Japan: ¥1,000–¥1,800/hour (often includes lodging and meals)
At this level, you’re mostly teaching beginners and kids. If your resort provides staff housing and a meal allowance, you can live comfortably – but you’re unlikely to save much.
Level 2 – Intermediate
USA/Canada: $18–$30 USD/hour
Europe: €1,200–€2,000/month
Japan/NZ: Similar to North America, often with better perks (like free accommodation)
You’ll get more consistent work and better lesson types. If you’re good with kids or group management, you might also land some private sessions, which tip better.
Level 3–4 (ISIA & Beyond)
France/Switzerland/Japan: $40–$80 USD/hour (private lessons can exceed $100/hour)
Top instructors in high-end resorts: Can earn $30,000-$60,000+ per season
At the top level, instructors are often booked for full-day private lessons with wealthy clients — and that’s where the real money is. But it takes years to reach this tier. Many people move back to “real life” long before that.
TL;DR: You won’t get rich teaching skiing, but you can cover your costs, live the mountain lifestyle and (at higher levels) earn a solid seasonal income.
How Long Does It Take to Qualify?
Level 1 can be done in as little as 5–7 days. If you’re already a confident skier who can carve clean turns on blues and control speed on reds, you’ll probably pass with a bit of prep.
Most people aiming to actually work as instructors go for both Level 1 & 2 in one go. That usually means joining a 10–12 week instructor course, where you’ll train full-time, ski every day and sit both exams by the end of the program. It’s intense, but doable.
Getting to Level 3 or 4 is a different beast.
That’s where it becomes a multi-season journey. Expect:
2–3 seasons minimum to reach Level 3 (ISIA)
3–5+ seasons to go all the way to Level 4 (especially if training part-time)
You’ll need more than just skills. Level 3 and 4 require teaching hours, second-language tests, off-piste safety training, and often race coaching or technical modules.
But it’s worth it if you’re serious. The higher your cert, the more freedom (and income) you’ll have long-term.
What’s Life Really Like as a Ski Instructor?
Let’s be honest. It’s not all powder laps and beers at après.
You’ll earn your turns. That means early mornings, tired legs and teaching in all conditions – whiteouts, sleet, screaming kids in rental boots that don’t fit. Peak holiday weeks? Full-on chaos.
But here’s the thing: it’s still incredible.
You’ll ski almost every day. You’ll meet people from all over the world. You’ll help total beginners link their first turns and watch their faces light up. And when the sun comes out and you finally get a run to yourself, there’s nothing better.
It’s work. But it’s also the best kind of work.
How to Land Your First Ski Instructor Job
The easiest route is through a course that includes a job placement or internship. Many training programs are tied directly to ski schools, so once you pass your Level 1 or 2, you’re straight into work.
If you’re applying on your own:
Tailor your CV to each school. Make it clear you’re not just here to party.
Highlight any teaching, coaching, or leadership experience – even if it’s not skiing.
Include dry slope or volunteer instructing if you’ve done it.
Most of all, show you’re passionate, reliable, and willing to learn.
No one expects you to be perfect on day one. But they do expect you to care.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a ski instructor isn’t just a job. It’s a lifestyle shift. One filled with early mornings, cold hands, unforgettable friendships and more powder turns than most people get in a lifetime.
Whether you’re chasing a meaningful gap year, pivoting from the 9-5, or dreaming of a long-term career in the mountains, this path can will change your life.
Got questions about training, courses, or what it’s really like?
Drop them in the comments or reach out. I’ve been there… and I’m stoked to help you figure it out.
