ski instructor coarse

Question
Hi
I was wondering if you could help me out I am wanting to do my ski instructor coarse and I have been recommended to do the Mike Dempsey one but I can not find any information on it, but I notice you did your coarse with them and I was wondering if you had the link for the coarse.
It would be much appreciated if you could help me out.
THANKS

Answer
Hi Graham and thanks for the question.

You didnt say which country you are in?
I did begin my training on a Mike Dempsey trip and loved it. Very well organised and nothing was too hard for them. Instructors were fantastic as was the resort Whistler/Blackcomb. I gained my CSIA cert2 [not quite equal to APSI cert1].

After extensive searching - i too came up blank with the Dempsey Tour info. It appears to still be running but not sure how you find out. When i went it was through one travel agent somewhere in Melbourne. There is every chance it has ceased operating too.

I did come across the following info - have a look and see which would suit your needs:
http://www.ultimate-ski.com/Ski-Resorts/Canada/Whistler,_BC/Ski_schools_and_guid...

That then had links to other companies who organise tours to get qualified. In Nth America you need at least cert 1 & first aid cert to get a job [legal reasons so if you balls up big time they can tell the insurance/lawyer you had a piece of paper to say you knew what you were doing]. If you can stay and do the level two - applying for a job in a canadian resort could work out if you are able to get a holiday work visa before you go.

Gaining the level two will give you enough to hit the ground running when it comes to teaching. As well as ironing out all your bad habits to ensure your teaching the right thing. Id recommend you start to look at what the instructor is seeing as well as how they are fixing problems and the drills they are doing as well. Most of what an instructor does is use/teach drills to change how a person skis - if you've had lessons in the past and got frustrated at the instructor making you do them - now you will start to understand why and how they are used.  The other key point is to be open to trying new things - even if it feels like rubbish and seems to be too simple.

The key bit of advice i was once given "if you dont know why you're doing it [a drill], ask why - if they cant give you a good answer then maybe it doesnt need to be done" otherwise just do it and try to feel what it is they are asking you to feel/do. Skiing is very much kinesthetic and minor changes can make big differences.

Becomming an instructor is costly in your first 1-2 seasons as you lose money when you need to go out and train rather than work. You need to train to complete exams each season to ensure your pay goes up as does your rank within the ski school. Also, exams are a costly expense [but tax deductible] & before you know it your equipment will be in need of an upgrade as well. Have a job you can fall back into or take skills you can use in other areas [like hospitality] to supplement your income for the first season or two if you prefer to not live like a pauper.

In Australia you will need to apply to the resorts you'd like to work at and they will require you to complete a hiring clinic. Approx 5 days at your expense. You may then be offered a job at the end if you meet their criteria - skill, personality, teachability. A canadian certification will help you get through the onsnow 'interview' but wont automatically get you a job. Those with years of teaching under their belt still have to pass the 'interview' - they just find it a whole lot easier.

Sorry i cant give you more specific info for Depsey, but if there is anything else i can help you with, just ask. Good luck

lisa