Have you always dreamed of seeing the snow? Fancy getting to travel, learn new things, and make new friends? You might like to consider taking a Gap Year at a ski resort.
There are lots of providers out there that can help you train up and secure work, so you can earn some money while experiencing life in the snow.
When you’re not working, you’ll also get free time to hit the slopes or just soak up some of the atmosphere at the resort.
What can you do at a ski resort?
Ski and snowboard instructors are the most popular and in-demand roles, so if you’re willing to do a bit of learning and are keen to teach others, this could be an ideal choice.
But don’t worry if you’re not into sports – aside from being a ski instructor, there are heaps of other roles to fill at ski resorts. These include things like lift operators, hospitality work, retail work, and more.
Do you need to know how to ski before you go?
Many providers offer ski instructor training as part of their gap year package – many cater to complete beginners, so you can go even if you’ve never touched snow in your life.
For other roles, it’s ideal if you have some work experience you can show off on your resume – this could help your chances of landing a job.
If you go to a country with a primary language other than English, knowing how to speak that language can also be a huge advantage, but is usually not essential.
Where can you go?
Basically anywhere there’s snow! But some of the most popular choices include:
- Canada
- Japan
- The US
- New Zealand
- France
What else is included?
Most programs will include accommodation and meals, so you don’t have to worry about where you’re staying while on your gap year. You’ll most likely be staying on-site at the ski resort. You might also get perks including free access to the slopes, discounts on gear, and more.
Many gap year providers will also assist with things such as securing a job before you arrive, getting a Visa, and more.
Inclusions vary depending on your provider, so make sure you check what’s included (and what’s not) before you book.
Where can you find out more?
If you’d like to know more, check out some of these gap year providers:
- IEP (Canada, US, Japan)
- Ski le Gap (Canada)
- SnowSkool (Canada, France, NZ)
- Alltracks Academy (Canada, Switzerland, France, NZ)
- Oyster Worldwide (Canada, Austria)
- Jobs at Perisher (Australia)
