Ski Instructor Gap Year Programs

Go where the snow is dude—you probably won’t find gap year skiing programs in Mexico… duh! But where is the softest powder with the longest winter season? Can’t forget about the wicked mountain ranges. Well, there’s heaps of places in the world that has snow, but you have to find the gnarliest location to call home. Luckily, GoAbroad has the inside scoop on where the best gap year skiing locations are.

Canada. O Canada! My home and native land… of maple syrup and steep mountains. If there’s one thing that Canada knows what’s up, it’s winter. Hit the slopes at Whistler and Blackcomb, one of the best ski instructor gap year locations with breathtaking views-home to the 2010 Winter Olympics. Just north of Vancouver, British Columbia, the town of Whistler hosts hundreds of cool gap year ski instructor jobs to teach kids and adults how to hang loose and ride the wild mountains. Not ready to teach? Sign up for ski instructor course in Canada—they’re really easy to come by.

USA. Take a ride on the wintery wild side of Colorado and sink your skis into Cooper Mountain. This place is a (once kept) secret of the locals and it’s waayyy less touristy than Breckenridge (20 minutes away) or Vail (30 minutes away). While there are a few noble ski bunnies who know of this beautiful oasis, Copper Mountain offers notorious ski lessons. Want to join in on the success? Sign up for a paid gap year ski instructor program here!

Switzerland. Ok, who doesn’t enjoy one of the tallest mountains in Europe AND Swiss chocolate? *cough* Toblerone saves lives. Come to the heart of the continent to find gap year ski instructor courses in Europe. Hop on a gondola at Zermatt Ski Resort in Switzerland. Famous for the location of Matterhorn Mountain, tons of people flock to view the iconic nature structure. In Zermatt, you’ll never go a day without meeting someone new or teaching a couple new tricks to a first time snow bunny. Find cool gap year ski instructor jobs here!

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Latest Program Reviews

My Unforgettable experience in the Canadian Mountains

May 21, 2025by: Aron Horemans - BelgiumProgram: Pre-arranged Jobs in Canadian Summer and Winter Resorts

10

During my gap year, I had the incredible opportunity to work abroad in the Canadian mountains. Surrounded by amazing landscapes I gained hands-on experience in a dynamic environment. Whether assisting guests at a ski resort or living in the mountains, I developed valuable skills in teamwork, adaptability, and communication. The process for applying for an internship was made really easy as I was offered all the help I needed. This experience helped me grow personally but also professionally and I would recommend it to anyone who is thinking about doing an internship abroad.

My project in Namibia

August 12, 2024by: Emily Ormond - United KingdomProgram: Gap Year Travel with Oyster Worldwide

9

I have recently come back from my gap year and while I was there I spent a month working on the relationships between humans and elephants. So why would I recommend Oyster? I am so glad I picked to do this project with Oyster because they made me feel very well taken care of and looked after me before and during the project. They talk you though everything you need to know before the project takes place and what clothes and necessities you may need to pack. So what does the project consist of? I would do this project a million times if I could, and if you don’t believe me lots of people who were doing the project had already done it before and had come back because of how much they enjoyed it. So the project is on a two week program and you have the option to stay from two weeks to 3 months. The first week is amazing because you build walls for the local community. Some days some of the locals will come and help, or a few kids will come and keep you company, that is amazing because you feel so immersed, it’s definitely a once in a lifetime experience. The second week is spent tracking elephants. This was my favourite out of the two because you learn all about the elephants foot prints. We also managed to see a two day old elephant which we were lucky enough to name !!! So why pick this project? I think this project and Oyster have a lot of selling points. For starters Oyster takes very good care of you and help you organise yourself before the project starts so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Secondly you are in the middle of the desert, I don’t think you could get anymore rural than that. You don’t really have much service so it’s lovely to disconnect for two weeks. You get to spend some time with lovely people who you may not meet on a day to day basis, people from different countries, locals, and different ages. You camp under the stars which is also amazing. Overall I would always recommend this amazing project, such a special experience!!

My Unforgettable experience in the Canadian Mountains

May 21, 2025by: Aron Horemans - BelgiumProgram: Pre-arranged Jobs in Canadian Summer and Winter Resorts

10

During my gap year, I had the incredible opportunity to work abroad in the Canadian mountains. Surrounded by amazing landscapes I gained hands-on experience in a dynamic environment. Whether assisting guests at a ski resort or living in the mountains, I developed valuable skills in teamwork, adaptability, and communication. The process for applying for an internship was made really easy as I was offered all the help I needed. This experience helped me grow personally but also professionally and I would recommend it to anyone who is thinking about doing an internship abroad.

My project in Namibia

August 12, 2024by: Emily Ormond - United KingdomProgram: Gap Year Travel with Oyster Worldwide

9

I have recently come back from my gap year and while I was there I spent a month working on the relationships between humans and elephants. So why would I recommend Oyster? I am so glad I picked to do this project with Oyster because they made me feel very well taken care of and looked after me before and during the project. They talk you though everything you need to know before the project takes place and what clothes and necessities you may need to pack. So what does the project consist of? I would do this project a million times if I could, and if you don’t believe me lots of people who were doing the project had already done it before and had come back because of how much they enjoyed it. So the project is on a two week program and you have the option to stay from two weeks to 3 months. The first week is amazing because you build walls for the local community. Some days some of the locals will come and help, or a few kids will come and keep you company, that is amazing because you feel so immersed, it’s definitely a once in a lifetime experience. The second week is spent tracking elephants. This was my favourite out of the two because you learn all about the elephants foot prints. We also managed to see a two day old elephant which we were lucky enough to name !!! So why pick this project? I think this project and Oyster have a lot of selling points. For starters Oyster takes very good care of you and help you organise yourself before the project starts so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Secondly you are in the middle of the desert, I don’t think you could get anymore rural than that. You don’t really have much service so it’s lovely to disconnect for two weeks. You get to spend some time with lovely people who you may not meet on a day to day basis, people from different countries, locals, and different ages. You camp under the stars which is also amazing. Overall I would always recommend this amazing project, such a special experience!!