The Times: Thursday, 15 August 2002

Students can enjoy themselves and make a year’s break pay by training as ski instructors abroad, says Sally Morris

As thousands of students this week contemplate their A-Level results, more of them than ever before will also be planning to embark on their gap year before starting university. For some it is a chance to travel, for others a chance to earn some money. Now enterprising companies are offering students the chance to do both by training to become ski or snowboard instructors.

For about £5,000 students can take an intensive residential course in ski or snowboard instructing that will bring them the qualifications to teach almost anywhere in the Europe, Australasia or North and South America.

The most widely recognised qualification in Europe is the British Assocaition of Snowsport instructors (BASI), which is widely accepted, although to teach in France instructors also have to pass the Test Technique slalom course and the European Speed Test.

The Base Camp Group is starting a course preparing students for the BASI 3 qualification at its centre in Meribel, France. Fergie Miller, marketing director, explains: ‘Our instructors are from BASI and the Snow Systems Ski School, and in addition to the BASI 3 we can also offer more advanced skiers the Test technique, which the French demand as an entry-level requirement for their instructors.’

‘It is fantastic for the gap year because we include French lessons and a follow-up service to help students to find work with ski schools. It gives them a marketable skill, they meet lots of new people with a shared passion, it builds confidence and opens a door to the ski industry which could bring them an income in their holidays.’

Ski instructor earnings vary from country to country but on average a European instructor can earn around £20 an hour. In Canada and America the rate varies enormously but can be boosted by generous tips.

The Base Camp will accept beginners, although Miller points out that BASI recommends a minimum of 16 weeks’ ski experience for instructors so it prefers people with some weeks’ experience.