Being a ski instructor

Question
Hello Lisa,
Recently in my speech class we  have been assigned to give a formal speech on a job we would like to have when we are older. I have a great Love of skiing and would really love to be a ski instructor later on in life. One of the requirements for the speech is that we interview somone in this profession. So I was wondering if I could get an idea of what I am getting into. I would greatly appreciate if you could answer the Questions as best as you could for my interview.
Thanks Neil McGarvey

All these questions are based on being a ski instructor in Colorado.

What is the range of salary for a ski instructor?

Does being a instructor come with benifits like health insurance plans?

What type of housing is available for ski instructors?

What did you do in terms of food ,did the resort offer you discounts?

On average how many days/hours did you put in a week?

What are the other duties of a ski instructor besides teaching skiing, is there paperwork and such?

How much time did you have off, and if so how much did you spend it skiing?

What are some of the skills that are required to be a good ski instructor?

What type of skills did you pick up/fine tune through your work as a ski instructor?

What did you do at night?

Where you issued a season pass? Where their certain days where you couldn't use this pass?

What were some of the rules of being a ski instructor?

What were some of the benifits of being a ski instructor?

What were some of the downsides of being a ski instructor?

What did you enjoy most about being a ski instructor?

Do you think this would be a good first job, for a college graduate looking to settle in, in the workplace?

If you could answer all this questions as best you could i would greatly appreciate. Feel free to add anymore input.
Thank you so much again,
Neil McGarvey

Answer
where would we be without the internet... i am doing the same thing for my homework..

What is the range of salary for a ski instructor?

this is depentant on your age, qualifications (instructors do exams too) and the number of years you've been teaching for. Basic wage up to very good.
I cant give you USD, in Australia, 1st year instructor gets around $13/hr, aftrer a few years and exams can make $25/hr.
In the US, alot of income is generated by private clients and tips. Ring any of the ski resorts to get the actual $USD/hr rate.

Does being a instructor come with benifits like health insurance plans?
Not usually, being an international instructor in USA, i would travel over with my own insurance, again you'd have to ring a resort - ask for Human Resources or ski school - they can answer these questions for you.

What type of housing is available for ski instructors?

The resorts sometimes offer staff housing - either  in dorms or as shared housing. Usually at a discounted rate. Sometimes very close to the resort, sometimes a little down the road.

What did you do in terms of food ,did the resort offer you discounts?
Usually there is a staff discount program offered by most eateries, otherwise staff usually bring their own meals (cheaper).

On average how many days/hours did you put in a week?

Usually work 6 days a week - seasons are short and the idea is to male good money so you dont have to work before heading overseas.
On average instructors work 4 - 6 hours a day. Due to short days, unless there are night lessons, it is difficult to work anymore.

What are the other duties of a ski instructor besides teaching skiing, is there paperwork and such?
Paperwork is only time sheets and incident/accident reports, sometimes if been teaching kids have to fill in progress reports for them to take home at the end of the week. Otherwise - none.

How much time did you have off, and if so how much did you spend it skiing?
Usually a day a week off, then usually might have an extra afternoon or two off during the week if it was quiet. Somedays you ski - but often your just glad to have oyur ski/board boots off your feet for a day.

What are some of the skills that are required to be a good ski instructor?
Great communication skills - talking to everyone, teaching, making a great impression quickly and to be confident, solid ski skills to be able to demonsdtrate what you weant them to do,
conflict handling - usually toward cranky parents who want their 6yr old to be an olympic skier by 10... ridiculous  
being able to motivate people to learn a new skill or ski down a hill they are afraid of. If you can speak another language - even better.

What did you do at night?
Somenights go out and party with friends - actaully most nights... somenights you have to stay home and study for your instructor exams if they are coming up.
Sometimes we got to the gym or play sports... somenights go for dinner with friends or a movie.

Were you issued a season pass? Were their certain days where you couldn't use this pass?
If you were sick - don't be seen out skiing woth your pass - that'll be the end of your job or pass altogether.
Yes, you're issued with a season pass for the mountain you work at - sometimes if mountains have a reciprocal deal you can ski at another resort too.

What were some of the rules of being a ski instructor?

Be ontime - wear your uniform as intended, keep it clean - be responsible and professional - take care of your clients (dont injure them) - follow the skier responsibilty code and adhere to the policies of the resort (conduct ect)

What were some of the benifits of being a ski instructor?

only have to work about 4-5 months then you get a few months off before you start work again somewhere overseas, always meeting new people, everyone is jelouse of what you do and how well you can do it, travel, travel and more travel, lots to do, great people to work with.Skiing is tax dedeuctable.

What were some of the downsides of being a ski instructor?

Long cold wet days, shitty kids, cranky adults, earky mornings (be at work by 8am usually), teaching snowplows on powder days, hangovers, sunburn.
A bad day skiing is still going to be better than a good day in an office or shop!

What did you enjoy most about being a ski instructor?

the people, the lifestyle, the travel and the money is good too. Who wants a real job?

Do you think this would be a good first job, for a college graduate looking to settle in, in the workplace?

I suggest having something to fall back on - just in case you need to work a second job to meet the bills in your first season.
Very wise to have some cooking and cleaning skills - everyone hates sharing accommodation with a pig - girl or boy - it is not how you make friends.
Make sure you have the ability to talk to strangers - you'll be doing it several times a day.
Some teach skiing for years - but after about 10, many look for something else to do for a while before returning - like me, i'm currently at uni doing a nursing degree - so i can go back to skiing.

Hope this helps, good luck with your assignment.

lisa