Why training as a ski instructor in Banff is the perfect gap year recipe

Training to be a ski instructor doesn’t have to mean a complete change of life plans. While some people are pursuing full-time ski careers, others like Jake are looking for an amazing one-off winter before university.

A Nonstop course is an incredible way to spend a gap year, and can bring a host of other benefits too.

The perfect season before university

If I was going to do a gap year after school, I knew it would revolve around skiing. I thought about working in a restaurant or a chalet so that I could pay my way in the mountains, but then my priorities changed.

For me, this would be a one-off winter to do something amazing before university, so I decided to go all out. Nonstop’s 11 week instructor course in Banff seemed to fit the bill perfectly. I’d get to ski every day with no pressures or responsibilities, and come out of the season with some life-changing qualifications and friends.

I’d get to ski every day with no pressures or responsibilities, and come out of the season with some life-changing qualifications and friends.

I needed to earn some money and save to make it happen, but I also wanted to explore more of Europe. If I was super-organised I was sure I could fit it all in, so that’s exactly what I did: after inter-railing through Europe in the summer, I worked several jobs to save and was on a flight to Calgary.

Everyone is in the same boat

What surprised me most when I met the other Nonstoppers was just how many people were doing this. Our course in Banff was 70-strong, not to mention everyone else at Fernie and Red Mountain. This felt daunting at first, as everyone seemed to be sizing each other up.

It didn’t take long to settle in though. On a Nonstop course, everyone is in the same boat. Having lots of like-minded people about meant you could always find people to go on an adventure with, whether building a kicker in the sidecountry or exploring the Banff National Park.

It was like living with a bunch of close friends, and we went through it all together, on a mission to experience an epic season. Nights out, powder days, movie nights, park sessions, pool competitions, exam celebrations, bonfires, après, fancy dress. We did it all, and you will do.

You’ll push your skiing

Perhaps the most unique thing about spending a ski season in Banff is having the choice of three different mountains to ride: Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Norquay are on your doorstep, and Nonstop train you across all three.

The most unique thing about spending a ski season in Banff is having the choice of three different mountains to ride.

Each mountain is unique and this gives you plenty of freedom to explore based on snow conditions and the vibe you’re after. With so much terrain and some of the best parks in Canada, it’s impossible to ever get bored. Riding across three resorts also helped with our training and development, as there were always fresh challenges for the group.

By the end of the course, my skiing had improved beyond expectation and I was a qualified ski instructor as CSIA level 2. Along the way I also learnt to snowboard and made some heroic friends. Not bad for 11 weeks of fun in the mountains.

There’s always an adventure to be had

How much you get from your season is totally up to you. Whether it’s hiking Tunnel Mountain, ice skating or heading to Sasquatch for a night out, you’re never short of something to do. Nonstop set up varying trips and experience each week as part of their MORE program. We got to cheer on the Calgary Flames, head cat skiing in the backcountry, and road trip to Revelstoke and Kicking Horse on a hunt for powder. There’s really something from every adventurer.

Banff is paradoxical in a sense. While the town is forever buzzing, you’re bounded by a serene and wild national park. It felt crazy when we watched The Revenant in the cinema one afternoon, then went exploring in the place it was filmed hours later. I’d never been a big one for hiking but some of my most memorable days were spent exploring our the Banff National Park.

You’ll have the world at your feet

Looking back, training as an instructor was truly the best way I could have spent my first winter, rather than doing a working season in a chalet. I know loads of people who loved doing seasonaire jobs but, for me, it was amazing to be able to spend every day out on the slopes, pushing myself and not having to worry about work or the real world.

When I signed up for the course, I didn’t realise the impact it would have.

When I signed up for the course, I didn’t realise the impact it would have. Aside from the sense of achievement, qualifying as a ski instructor gives you something super impressive to put on your CV, and teaches you skills that can be transferred to other jobs, from leadership to communication.

And while I never intended on using my instructor certifications, I soon realised how lucky I was to have them. Rather than working in dull UK jobs during my university holidays, I now had the opportunity to spend my winters working peak season jobs in the Alps and summers in New Zealand – how many students do you know that get to do that?

Get your ski or snowboard instructor qualifications before uni by joining one of our ski instructor courses / snowboard instructor courses.