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!