What inspired you to work for Viamonde?
I was inspired to work at Viamonde because I had heard good things from current and former employees. They mentioned great colleagues and good pay with board and food included.
Describe a typical day at work.
Every counsellor is on wake-up duty once a week, meaning you are in charge of waking the children up between 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Otherwise, my day usually starts with breakfast at 8:00 a.m. I teach snowboarding until 1:00 p.m. with a 30 minute lunch break.
The rest of the day is free until dinner at 6:00 p.m. We give out daily awards to the children at 7:00 p.m. and then hold evening activities from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Then it’s bedtime for the kids and the counsellors are free!
What is your favorite part of your job?
The team at Viamonde is great and I’ve become lifelong friends with my colleagues. Everyone is upbeat and friendly, and you really feel part of a team.
Incredible views up in Saas Fee.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
It can be challenging when you have a real split of abilities within your snowboard group. Generally, we keep our pace to the slowest member of the group. This can frustrate the speedier snowboarders, so I spend some 1:1 time helping the slower person learn. If the problem persists, I speak to the resort manager who will reshuffle the groups to make sure each participant is in the correct group.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
I would say let go of any expectations of what you think your experience might be like. It will be different and better than you could have ever hoped! I would also say learn some of the language before you go. Learning a little German would have made my life a lot easier!
What makes your Viamonde special?
Viamonde is special because instructors are paid well. Board and food are included even if there is no work. You can save a lot of money during a season at Viamonde.
Viamonde team, 2018.
Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?
I think Viamonde offers a good all-round package for its employees. As a British snowboard instructor, the pay is good compared to other companies, plus they always hire a great crew of like-minded people, so you will definitely make friends here. Everything is provided for you (board, food, and lift pass), which means you get to keep what you earn!
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
Whether they are total beginner or intermediate snowboarders, I hope all participants come away from Viamonde feeling more confident in their own ability. Sometimes you will have a rubbish day on your board, but I want participants to know that the next day will be better. They should persevere and it will get easier!
Myself and fellow counsellor, Alyssa.
How do you help support participants?
I support participants by following the BASI method for teaching snowboarding, which takes you step-by-step through the learning process in a clear, understandable way. I make sure I remain patient and offer lots of tips and advice to each snowboarder as they gain confidence.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
It is really important to travel and experience new cultures because it takes you out of your comfort zone. You meet people and learn about their lives in ways you would never be able to in your hometown. It broadens your perspective of the world and teaches you lessons that will last a lifetime.
Watching the snow fall in Saas Fee.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
I would say: go for it! Going abroad and working in another country is a truly eye-opening experience. There will be some similarities, but many differences. You will become a more well-rounded, better informed individual with a global perspective.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel means visiting a place to learn more about it and gain a deeper understanding of the world around you, rather than just passing through. It means getting to know the local culture and people, not just sticking to what makes you comfortable. It means actively participating in your new country, keeping an open mindset, and treating others (and the environment) as you would like to be treated.