Winter sports

Like the idea of spending your winter at a ski resort instead of in the office? You can:

• Learn to ski or snowboard
• Qualify as a ski or snowboard instructor
• Work in a ski resort

Also on this page:
Where can I do it?
When should I go?
Top tips
Further information

Learn to ski or snowboard

The big ski resorts will all have beginners' classes. If you're a bit nervous, consider having a few lessons at an indoor ski centre before you leave. You can also try cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice canyon walking and other winter sports if you find downhill skiing or snowboarding isn't your cup of tea.

Qualify as a ski or snowboard instructor

This is a hugely popular option for gappers and career breakers alike. As an instructor, you can get paid work in ski and snowboard resorts around the world. As well as the normal ski instructor courses, you can also train to become an instructor for children or disabled people, or do a first aid or snow patrol course. Many courses offer help finding a job after you qualify.

Work in a ski resort

If you want to work abroad, spending the season in a ski resort can be a great way to spend the winter. Hotels, restaurants and bars are always looking for seasonal workers. You can brush up on your snowsports while you're there too! If you're working in an EU country you won't need a visa, but if you're working elsewhere, you'll need a working holiday visa. Your employer or agency may able to help you with this; otherwise, contact the embassy of the country you're visiting.

Where can I do it?

"Somewhere with snow" is the obvious answer. Canada has a number of resorts popular with trainee instructors, and the colder, hillier bits of Europe (Austria, Switzerland, France, Scandanavia) are also well-travelled destinations for winter sports enthusiasts. Australia, New Zealand and Scotland all have ski/snowboard resorts, as does the USA.

When should I go?

Whether you want to learn for fun, or to qualify as an instructor, you should start arranging your course, flights and accommodation from September. If you want to work in a resort, the earlier you can make arrangements the better, as competition for jobs can be fierce. If you're going to the southern hemisphere, the winter ski season there is June to October.

Top tips

• Make sure your insurance covers you for whatever snow sports you're doing.
• Organise everything as far in advance as you can.
• Find out before you go what's included and what you'll need to pay for (eg equipment hire, lift pass).
• Investigate the other things to do at your destination - many ski resorts are set up for people with non-skiing friends or partners, so there are a lot of other activities for you to try.
• Enjoy yourself! Ski resorts have a great social scene and it's a great way to meet fellow career breakers.

Further information

Search our list of career break companies for a ski/snowboard instructor course.

Need to know something else? Email us
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