Become an Instructor
| | "It dawned on me as I was riding a chairlift in Colorado how different life would be if I hadn't become involved with Blizzard. I can't thank you and the rest of my great friends enough!"
-- R.R. |
Whether you're an experienced instructor or just looking to get started, teaching skiing and snowboarding with Blizzard and watching our members grow into responsible young people is an immensely rewarding way to spend a few Saturdays or Sundays each winter. Blizzard offers mentoring, the chance to teach a variety of skill levels, and extensive dryland and on-snow training opportunities from our own clinicians, who also happen to be some of PSIA/AASI's best trainers! They'll have you skiing, snowboarding, and teaching better than ever!
Below you'll find information about the responsibilities and benefits of being a Blizzard instructor. If you decide to join the staff, simply submit a
staff registration form online. Once you're registered, your username and password will allow you to access more detailed information on our staff website. For additional information, please contact the Blizzard office.
We hope you'll consider joining us!
General
Blizzard instructors are independent contractors. Instructors are provided with a description of Blizzard's
color levels and are expected to teach according to the standards of the
Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and the
American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI). New instructors generally begin teaching in our
Mite program, which provides an opportunity to team-teach with an experienced instructor. Background checks are required for all instructors.
Responsibilities
Bus Supervision
Blizzard needs adults on each bus to help provide members with a safe, fun trip to and from the area each week. All first- and second-year instructors are generally required to ride the bus. Many veteran instructors also ride the bus. It's great to let someone else handle the driving after a long day on the hill! Your responsibilities on the bus include taking attendance, distributing lift tickets, making announcements, and reviewing the provided weekly lesson schedule with members. You also help escort our littlest members, the Mites, SuperMites, and SuperKyds, to and from the chalet.
Teaching Skiing & Snowboarding
Because of our flexible pay-as-you-go system, different members show up for lessons each week. In our
Classic program, the lesson format offers instructors a lot of flexibility. We simply pair up the members we have with the instructors we have. It's a very fluid process, and it works great!
Our
Mites,
SuperMites, and
SuperKyds programs are built around fixed groups and relatively fixed staff. These groups are staffed with two instructors each to maintain low member-to-instructor ratios. Staff commit to the entire program, but we have "float" staff to fill in for absent instructors and provide some flexibility.
Training
While training is not mandatory, clinic attendance ensures your skills stay current with standards of PSIA/AASI. Blizzard instructors accrue training points for different types of clinics, and bonuses are paid accordingly. Our investment in staff training demonstrates our commitment to putting the best instructors possible on the hill with our members, and it's a terrific benefit for Blizzard instructors. Blizzard instructors are some of the best-trained instructors in the country!
Benefits
Program Discounts
Many instructors teach with Blizzard to earn discounts for their children's membership fees. Discounts are based on the number of trips you have attended as an instructor at the
start of the season. In other words, your benefits will increase next year if you are available to teach for enough trips this year. Full details are available from the office or the staff website (login required).
Pay & Bonuses
Blizzard encourages all instructors to become PSIA/AASI certified. Our quality depends entirely on your training! Our pay scale is based on certification level and the number of years you have taught with Blizzard. Bus supervision is paid and additional bonuses are paid for attendance, training, passing certification exams, and attending certain national and international events such as the AASI Rider Rally, PSIA National Academy, Interski, and others. Paychecks are sent once at the end of each season in March. All staff are independent contractors, and Blizzard reports pay to the IRS using form 1099-Misc. Full details are available from the office or the staff website (login required).
Free Blizzard Clinics
If you're interested in becoming an instructor, be sure to take advantage of Blizzard's excellent training opportunities! Blizzard clinics are a great way to develop skills according to standards set by PSIA/AASI. They're also some of the best clinics available anywhere!
We hold several dryland clinics before the snow flies. These are informational and technical clinics designed to prepare you for the coming season. Once our regular trips begin, we typically run on-snow clinics on Monday nights and occasional Sundays. We also offer some pick-up clinics on Saturdays in February.
Staff at some schools have to pay for training. At Blizzard it's not only free, it can earn you a training bonus! All you need to pay for is your lift ticket. Our investment in staff training demonstrates our commitment to putting the best instructors possible on the hill with our members, and it's a terrific benefit for Blizzard instructors.
Uniforms
Uniforms help members and parents recognize Blizzard staff on and off the slopes. Uniforms are required for all instructors after their first year teaching with Blizzard. Our uniform program allows you to purchase high-quality, brand-name clothing at discounted prices, often below wholesale. The uniform is a Blizzard jacket with black or matching green or gray pants. Please contact the office for more information about purchasing a uniform.