Harriet Cunningham on the 3 Week Ski Instructor Courses & Season Accommodation
Hi, I’m Harriet and I did a Nonstop 3 Week Ski Instructor Course in Banff 2009 and then stayed on in their seasonal accommodation to teach for the winter. I, hands down, had the best time of my life! Skiing all day and partying all night with some of the best people I have ever met!
The Nonstop Ski and Snowboard Instructor Courses
The Nonstop Ski Instructor Course was perfect for me; the instructors were able to take my technique apart and build it back up piece by piece, rather than throwing everything at me at once. The “Ski Big 3” instructor pros not only taught me how to teach, but how to enjoy the mountain as much as physically possible. They were really friendly and are ready to answer the endless questions about inclination, stance and balance! I actually learned how to enjoy mogul runs, rather than just celebrating the fact I was still alive at the bottom of the slope!
The Canadian Rockies were nothing like I have ever experienced before. The terrain seemed varied and endless, the snow was light and dry and the slopes were almost empty and really well groomed.
I was worried about the amount of skiing I’d done before the course but it really didn’t matter; some had only done five weeks, others had done a season or so; but that didn't matter as we ALL passed and left the course strong skiers and brilliant instructors. We also had the weekends to practice and make the most of the fresh powder! We also had a course director, Emz, who was there to help whenever we needed her – from where to get our new skis, to where to buy the cheapest beer!
Norquay
Nonstop’s Instructor Course lesson approach taught me not only the Level 1 syllabus, but also tips on how to work well with clients. We were able to get the assistance we needed in applying for work and I got a job working up at Norquay ski hill, which was such fun!
When I wasn’t teaching some of the cutest and funniest kids in the world, I’d be on session with CSIA Level 3/4 ski instructor guys training for my Level 2 or shredding up the park! It was like getting free coaching from the best and getting paid to train! It was great becoming friends with people from all around the world too. The pay is average, but the bonus’s are pretty cool – free skiing at hills such as Kicking Horse, Jasper and Castle Mountain, endless staff parties and trips to watch the Calgary Flames! The best part of working as a ski instructor is the rewarding feeling when you see a three year old doing parallel turns down a blue run, when just three weeks before they couldn’t even put on their skis!
Seasonal Accomodation in Banff
The season accommodation I booked through Nonstop was owned by a company called Gap Year Canada. There were about eight houses GYC used to accommodate seasonaires, the majority of whom worked up in the resorts. Nancy and Noel were really helpful with bank accounts, SIN numbers and Alberta Health, but they also organised parties so everyone could meet up; sports tournaments, rock band competitions and even canoe trips in the spring.
Below, me outside our lovely home: Cougar House!
Our house was super comfortable and we all stayed in twin rooms, shared a bathroom, kitchen and lounge and became a pretty close knit family during our season. I would recommend that anyone who wants to work for the season after taking part in one of the snowboard or ski instructor courses should book their accommodation through Nonstop and GYC - it'll take the hassle right out of it! Plus, finding accommodation in Banff can be really difficult so it's worth booking well ahead.
BANFF - Party town!
Banff is such a great town to be in! The nightlife is amazing with something different going on every night. The beautiful town is home to an abundance of seasonaire skiers and snowboarders from all around the world. I really became one of the locals and we really made the most of it! We’d get money off in the shops, know to go food shopping on a Tuesday because it's cheaper, go to bingo on a Thursday and “Cheapy Tuesdays” at the cinema, Sunday nights are the best in Auroras (a nightclub) and keep your cans for the recycling money! There are loads of things to do when you’re not on the hill or in the bars; the cinema, skating, going to the hot springs, the gym, snowmobiling, husky rides, ice walks and shopping.
Below: All of us on retro dress up day!
I was dreading going home; the people you live with become more like family because you're living, working and partying with them 24/7. Leaving everyone was horrible and we all cried, but I knew I'd see them again and that I'd never forget the fantastic time I had in Banff.
Thank you Nonstop!
----------------------------------
Harriet took part in our Banff 3 Week Instructor Course in November 2009 and taught for the 2009/10 winter season. She is now working in our Bath office as part of her degree, so if you want to chat with her about her experiences just drop her a line, or check out our course pages to find out how to become a ski instructor too.
