“It dawned on me as I was riding a chairlift in Colorado how different life would be if I hadn’t become involved with Blizzard as an instructor. I can’t thank you and the rest of my great friends enough!” — Ron R.
We are growing! Join our staff!
You already have a passion for snowsports. Why not teach with Blizzard?
Working with young people and sharing the sport you love is an incredibly rewarding way to spend a few Saturdays or Sundays each winter. If you’ve read our history, you know our Instructors have decades of experience – not only teaching snowsports, but teaching with Blizzard! If you’re an experienced instructor and want to continue your professional development with Blizzard, we welcome you. If you are new to teaching, we will train you!
Blizzard offers mentoring, the chance to teach a variety of skill levels, and extensive dryland and on-snow training opportunities from our own clinicians, who also happen to be some of the best Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA)/American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) trainers around. You’ll be skiing, snowboarding, and teaching better than ever!
A complete job description is available here.
What qualifications do I need to meet to become an Instructor?
- Intermediate or above skiing and/or snowboarding (comfortable on blue slopes)
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
- Basic proficiency with email and internet websites
- 18 years of age or older and out of high school
- Ability to pass a criminal background check
- PSIA/AASI/USSA certification or equivalent experience preferred
- Completion of an independent contractor agreement
What training does Blizzard offer?
While training is not mandatory, attendance ensures your skills stay current with PSIA/AASI standards and teach within the framework of Blizzard’s Color Level teaching system. Blizzard instructors can earn bonus pay for attending clinics. We invest in you! It’s our commitment to putting the best instructors possible on the hill with our members, and it’s a terrific benefit for you. Blizzard instructors are among the best-trained instructors in the country!
- FREE Blizzard dryland (indoor or Zoom) clinics on Tuesday nights in November and Wednesday nights throughout the season to work on Teaching theory and Technical skills through discussion and video analysis.
- FREE Blizzard on-snow clinics on Tuesday nights beginning in late November (weather permitting) through February focusing on personal skiing/snowboarding development, teaching, technical and people skills. Lift ticket additional.
- PSIA-AASI clinics and certification are strongly encouraged. In fact, when you pass a PSIA-AASI exam, we’ll pay for it!
- Many additional dryland and on-snow clinic are offered throughout the season to meet everyone’s schedules. We value great instructors and we invest in professional development!
How do I get assigned to teach a group or lesson?
During the pre-season clinics, our Program Directors will have an opportunity to meet you and get to know your technical, teaching and personal skiing/riding skills. Based on your skills and preferences, you will be placed with an experienced Blizzard Instructor to team-teach in our Mites, SuperMites or SuperKyds programs. Once you have gained proficiency, typically after two or more years, you will have the opportunity to become a group lead in one of those programs, or choose to teach older members in the Classic program using our Color Level (ability-level) system.
What about uniforms?
Uniforms help members and parents recognize Blizzard Instructors, on and off the slopes. Uniforms are required for all instructors after their first season. Our uniform program allows you to purchase high-quality, brand-name clothing at discounted prices (often below wholesale). The uniform is a Blizzard jacket with black or matching green pants. Pretty cool! Please contact the office for more information about purchasing a uniform.
What is the pay rate?
Our pay scale ranges from about $16 – $30 per lesson based on your PSIA-AASI certification level combined with your Blizzard trip attendance. Additional bonuses are paid for attendance, training, professional certification and attending certain national and international events (such as the AASI Rider Rally, PSIA National Academy, Interski, and others). Paychecks are sent once at the end of each season in March. All staff are independent contractors, and Blizzard reports pay using IRS Form 1099 as required by law.
Are there any other benefits?
Instructors can earn discounts on your child(ren)’s Blizzard program and weekly trip fees. Discounts are based on the number of trips you have worked at the start of the season. In other words, your benefits will increase next year if you teach on enough trips this year.
Anything else I should know?
Blizzard needs adults on each bus to help provide members with a safe, fun trip to and from the destination area each week. All first- and second-year instructors are generally required to ride the bus. Many veteran instructors also ride the bus. It’s great to let someone else handle the driving after a long day on the hill! Your responsibilities on the bus may include taking attendance, distributing lift tickets, making announcements, and reviewing the provided weekly lesson schedule with members. You also help escort our youngest members in Mites, SuperMites and SuperKyds both to and from the chalet.
How do I register?
Simply create a new instructor account online! You will be contacted by our New Instructor Coordinator to learn more about your teaching experience, your personal skiing or snowboarding skills, and why you want to teach with Blizzard. We recommend registering by mid-October as our preseason clinics and training opportunities begin in late October. However, you are free to join any time! If you have the passion, we’ll give you the training!
Once you’re registered, your username and password will allow you to access more detailed information on our staff website. For additional information, please contact the Blizzard office.
We’d love to see you on the slopes as a Blizzard Instructor! REGISTER NOW!
Tell us more about yourself. Please submit a New Instructor Questionnaire: QUESTIONNAIRE