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Become a snowboard instructor!
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Looking for something to do this winter? Want a new a way to lose weight? How about make some new friends? You can even get discounts on new equipment! How? Well become a snowboard instructor and all that could be yours!
So why become an instructor? Well if the reasons above aren't enough, think of it as a part-time job that's more fun than work.
Most mountains have a some sort of hiring weekend. They run you through your paces and then hire from there, but we'll get to that.
What do mountains look for when hiring? Well here's a quick overview of some of the things they look for.
Teaching ability & experience: This is what instructors do, they instruct! So any experience you have in teaching or coaching will make a big difference. Beyond that, any experience you have working with people in a responsible capacity will make a difference. Think camp councilor, babysitting, or lifeguarding.
Snowboarding ability: How good do you need to be? Well it depends on the mountains needs. Since most lessons take place on the beginner hill, you don't need to be a full on X-Games rider to teach. If you are unsure if your riding is up to snuff, talk to the Director and see if they need help with the kids program. OR just tell them you are willing to work solely on the beginner hill.
Professionalism: Hey I have to be professional? Snowboarding is all about attitude and it's the only sport where marijuana is a performance enhancing drug. Well most mountains are run as professional businesses that serve thousands of customers. Walk into a hiring clinic late, stoned and acting a fool and many mountains won't bother with you. They need people who will show up on time and teach anyone who steps onto the snow. So take a shower, show up on time and be polite.
Equipment: Yeah it's a good idea to bring your board! Make sure everything is working. You don't want a strap to break halfway through things. A good waxing is a fine idea also. Don't worry if your stuff isn't the hottest new thing. Just don't be upset if some young punk drops attitude about your gear.
Mountains need instructors to teach lessons, simple as that. Since it's a seasonal job that doesn't pay much, their turnover can be pretty high. So they need to hire a a whole batch of people every year.
Next time we'll discuss the hiring process more in-depth.
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