Snow Sports Instructor
Seat: Snow Sports Instructor
Discipline/Qualification: Ski | Snowboard | Dual
Department: Snow School
Reports To: Snow School Manager / Designated Snow School Leadership
Status: Seasonal | Full-Time or Part-Time
Schedule: Weekends and holiday coverage expected; schedules vary based on lesson demand, weather, and resort operations.
Compensation:
- Starting or L1: $18-$20
- Intermediate or L2: $20-$32
- Experienced or L3: $$23-$27
Seat Overview
The Snow Sports Instructor delivers safe, engaging, and effective instruction to guests learning or developing their skiing or snowboarding skills. Instructors work with guests of varying ages, abilities, confidence levels, and learning styles to create positive experiences that build skills and encourage continued participation in snow sports.
This is a highly guest-facing position that combines technical snow sports ability with teaching, communication, safety awareness, and Midwest hospitality. Instructors are expected to adapt lessons to the needs of each guest while maintaining established Snow School teaching and safety standards.
Lesson assignments may include private lessons, group lessons, youth programs, specialty programs, or other Snow School offerings based on instructor qualifications, experience, and operational needs. Instructors are also expected to participate in ongoing training and development throughout the season to continually strengthen their technical and teaching capabilities.
Seat Purpose
Deliver safe, engaging, and effective snow sports instruction that builds guest skills, confidence, and enjoyment.
Key Accountabilities
- Instruction & Skill Progression: Deliver ability-appropriate lessons using established Snow School teaching standards to develop guest skills, confidence, and progression.
- Guest Experience: Create a welcoming and engaging learning environment, adapt instruction to guest needs, and provide clear feedback that supports achievement and enjoyment.
- Safety & Mountain Responsibility: Maintain appropriate supervision and terrain selection, model safe mountain practices, and educate guests on the Skier Responsibility Code and applicable safety expectations.
- Lesson Execution: Arrive prepared and on time for assignments, manage lessons effectively from introduction through completion, and support organized guest transitions and communication.
- Training & Development: Participate in required training, coaching, evaluations, and development opportunities to continually strengthen technical and instructional ability.
- Professional Standards & Teamwork: Maintain dependable attendance, appropriate uniform and presentation, professional conduct, and positive collaboration with Snow School and resort teams.
Qualifications & Competencies
Required
- Ability to ski or snowboard safely and confidently at the level required for assigned instructional responsibilities
- Ability and willingness to teach guests within assigned skill levels and instructor qualifications
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively with guests of varying ages and abilities
- Ability to provide patient, encouraging, and constructive instruction
- Strong awareness of personal, guest, and mountain safety
- Ability to follow established Snow School procedures, teaching standards, and leadership direction
- Dependable attendance and ability to report prepared and on time for scheduled assignments
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced, outdoor resort environment
- Willingness to participate in required instructor training and ongoing development
- Ability to work weekends, holidays, and other peak operating periods based on business needs
Preferred
- Previous ski or snowboard instructional experience
- Previous experience working with children, families, or guests in a teaching, coaching, recreation, hospitality, or customer-service environment
- Current PSIA-AASI certification or progress toward certification
- Previous experience working in a ski resort or outdoor recreation environment
- Knowledge of the resort's terrain, products, programs, and guest amenities
Physical & Environmental Requirements
This position works primarily outdoors in a winter mountain environment. Team members must be able to:
- Ski or snowboard for extended periods while maintaining sufficient control to safely teach and supervise guests
- Remain outdoors for extended periods in cold temperatures, snow, wind, variable visibility, and changing winter weather
- Stand, walk, bend, reach, crouch, and move frequently throughout the workday
- Load and unload chairlifts and other applicable surface lifts safely while assisting or supervising guests as appropriate
- Navigate varying snow surfaces and mountain terrain appropriate to assigned lessons
- Assist guests who may need additional support during lessons or transitions
- Carry or move instructional materials and other equipment associated with lesson delivery
- Wear required uniform, protective equipment, and appropriate winter clothing throughout assigned duties
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Schedule & Availability
Snow School operates based on resort operations, weather conditions, and guest lesson demand.
Instructor schedules may vary throughout the season and may include mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Peak periods, including weekends, holiday periods, and other high-demand operating dates are critical to Snow School operations, and instructors are expected to maintain the availability agreed upon at hire.
Lesson volume can fluctuate based on reservations, weather, and operating conditions. Scheduled hours and lesson assignments may therefore vary throughout the season.
Professional Development
Snow School instructors are expected to continually develop both their technical snow sports ability and instructional skills. Training may include on-snow clinics, teaching workshops, observations, coaching, evaluations, and PSIA-AASI development opportunities.
Participation in required training is considered part of the position and helps determine the lesson types, ability levels, and programs an instructor may be qualified to teach.
Guest Service Expectations
Every Snow Sports Instructor contributes directly to the guest's perception of the resort. Instructors are expected to provide welcoming, thoughtful, and friendly service; communicate clearly; remain patient when guests are challenged or uncertain; and approach problems with a solutions-oriented mindset.
Disclaimer: The statements above describe the general nature of the seat, but they are not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or skills required.
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities as needed. In addition, as we are a recreational business, availability on peak holiday timeframes and weekends is required.
