Gap years are a great idea for so many reasons. They allow you to get out and see the world. It boosts your career. You’ll learn a ton about yourself and come away with amazing experiences that will stay with you for your whole life. But it’s hard to know what kind of gap year to take! The possibilities are endless and it all depends on your interests and skills.
Your ski instructor gap year will take you to amazing places!
One popular option for gap years is to be a ski instructor! You can spend your days skiing the slopes and your evenings exploring new places. Like any gap year, you’ll meet tons of interesting new people, and you’ll also ski with and teach some of them! You’ll have exciting new adventures. But where should you go for your ski instructor gap year? We’ve got the 411 on the best ski resorts around the world for your gap year.
8 best places to go for gap year skiing
1. Canada
If going far from home seems a bit scary for you, then Canada might be the solution (if you’re from North America, that is)! Canada is close to the States, and over 85% of Canadians speak English. Plus, being on the same continent and everything, the cultural norms will likely be pretty similar to what you grew up with.
Traveling abroad can be scary, we get it. Canada is a great choice if you want an adventure but are feeling a bit nervous about moving to an unfamiliar country. Plus, you know the reputation about everyone there being super nice!
That’s not all though. Canada is also one of the best places for skiing. Its position in the north and mountainous terrain ensures that Canada is one of the top countries for ski lovers everywhere. With the awesome skiing and familiarity, taking a gap year for skiing in Canada will make sure you have a great experience. View ALL Gap Year Ski Programs in Canada
2. Switzerland
Ultimate gap year skiing goals.
If you become a ski instructor in Switzerland, you’ll be surrounded by humongous mountain ranges that are over 13,000 feet tall! Some of these mountains include the world famous Alps and even the Matterhorn that inspired the Disneyland ride. The sheer beauty and majesty is enough to convince us, but mountains also means tons of snow for skiing.
In Switzerland, you can ski and teach year round! You’ll also have picturesque ski towns at your fingertips for exploring and spending your days off. (And all that isn’t even mentioning that the ski instructor pay in Switzerland is fairly high!) View ALL Gap Year Ski Programs in Switzerland
3. United States
You don’t have to leave home to take a gap year. There are tons of spots in the United States that are great for taking a gap year as a ski instructor. Colorado and Utah both have superb skiing locations, comparable to some of the best in the world. And that’s just a few of the possibilities for ski instructor gap years in the states.
It might not feel like traveling abroad since you’re staying in the same country, but the United States is the third-largest country in the world! Visiting another part of the country can be as new and exciting as visiting a new country.
If you grew up in California, then you could spend your gap year skiing in Maine. If you’re a New York baby, maybe try skiing in Washington! There are creative ways to travel and see the world as a ski instructor without leaving the comforts of your home country. View ALL Gap Year Ski Programs in the United States
4. Austria
Gap year ski programs are some of the most stunning you can experience.
The hills are alive with the sound of...skiing? Austria (where the Sound of Music takes place) is home to the world’s first ski school, making it the perfect home for your ski instructor gap year. And when you’re not on the slopes, you’ll be experiencing Austria’s amazing culture and probably trying some Vienna sausage.
Austria’s culture includes a vibrant ski culture, known as aprèski, where a deep love of snow continues outside of skiing as well. (They’ve got a special word for their ski culture. It doesn’t get more obsessed than this, right?) Our ski-loving travelers out there will feel right at home with a gap year as a ski instructor in Austria. View ALL Gap Year Ski Programs in Austria
5. New Zealand
Envision the Lord of the Rings...with skis. (Frodo probably would’ve gotten to Mount Doom a lot faster, we’re just saying.) In all seriousness, the country that is home to the LOTR filming has some gorgeous landscapes and that includes snowy mountains with plenty of ski instructor opportunities!
English is the main language spoken in New Zealand, which means you won’t have to learn a whole new language for your gap year. It doesn’t mean that you won’t be exposed to new culture though! The Maori culture is everywhere in New Zealand, so you can spend your free time touring museums filled with Maori weavings and carvings or going to see a performance of the haka. View ALL Gap Year Ski Programs in New Zealand
6. Japan
Ski instructor courses in Japan will wow you.
Japan may not be the first place people think of for skiing, but it’s an excellent choice! The snow in Japan is legendary for its quality (super soft powder) and quantity (an average of 1,200 inches per year). It’s not all snow though. Being a ski instructor in Japan means views of active volcanoes while you ski.
After a long day on the slopes working up an appetite, you can go enjoy some world-class sushi. Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, maybe try some giant crabs or octopus! The culture, food, and unbelievable ski conditions make Japan a great choice for ski instructors taking a gap year. View ALL Gap Year Ski Programs in Japan
7. France
France is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for skiing, which means it’s super competitive. Only the best instructors, who have passed a timed slalom course, worked for several years as a trainee, and who are certified as a BASI level 4 instructor, get to work in the most elite ski resorts in France.
But if you’re well-qualified, proactive, and determined, you can land a pretty sweet gig. France is also one of the highest-paying countries for ski instructors. Spending your gap year in France also means experiencing world class art, architecture, iconic landmarks, and probably tons of croissants. View ALL Gap Year Ski Programs in France
8. Argentina
We’ve told you about skiing in the Alps, but what about the just-as-world-famous Andes mountains? The Andes are the tallest mountains in both the Western and Southern hemisphere. Basically, that means tons of snow and ski instructor opportunities. Plus, South America mountains means that most ski instructor opportunities open up in June and July.
This can be a handy option for those who don’t want to wait for winter to start their gap year! And there’s plenty of culture to immerse yourself in as well. You can spend your off days learning the tango or just sitting back with a cup of mate. View ALL Gap Year Ski Programs in Argentina
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Your ski instructor gap year will take you anywhere but down hill
Build skills AND friendships on your ski instructor gap year.
If you want to stay close to home, you can try any of the amazing skiing locations in the United States! Or, you can go a little further from home and try somewhere like Canada, where the snow is plentiful and so is English.
You can also go somewhere classic like Switzerland where the legendary Alps offer amazing skiing opportunities. A ski instructor gap year in Austria means being surrounded by a lively ski culture that permeates many aspects of Austrian culture.
If you’re looking for somewhere a little more different, Japan offers legendary snow and a totally new culture for you to get to know. Argentina means a refreshing change of pace with skiing in months that are typically summer. All of these locations are great in different ways, and any one would make an amazing gap year for you. So get out there and hit the slopes!
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