What is your favorite travel memory?
It would have to be taking a trip to Japan to do a season as an instructor. I had always heard the snow was of epic standards. However, I wasn't aware of it being such a different culture, which can be scary and exciting at the same time!
There was nothing to be concerned about though, there is no requirement for you to know the language. The people, snow, and the Japanese hospitality blew me away.
We saw the infamous snow monkeys that reside in hot pools, more powder days than I can remember, and yes, as you must do in Japan - a bit of Karaoke.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
What attracted me most to working for the company initially was the actual paid work experience people gain after becoming a trained and qualified instructor in their first season.
Throughout my time here it has compelled me to take further steps to develop some more of the educational content that helps best prepare interns for the transition of entering the industry.
We have hosted many live video Q&A sessions with past interns, trainers, and snow school directors. I love to be able to impart what knowledge I have, and certainly feel enlightened by having these conversations with some amazing industry professionals.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
Just actually in the last two weeks I received an email from a past intern from the 2014/15 season. He is returning to the same location he started out as an Intern - Club Med Hokkaido, Japan.
He has since worked in the USA, New Zealand, and believe it or not, Dubai! He has become certified in both disciplines and working on his top level instructor certification - Level 3.
He has approached us as he wants to help in the progression of our new interns for the coming winter season.
It is awesome to hear what people can make from using the first season as their launching platform, often turning it into a year round career!
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
Good question. It is a tough one as there are so many!
I think the top destination would be our Revelstoke Ultimate Plus Ski Internship. It's got the good snow - we are talking 12-18 meters average, and challenging terrain. Plus heli and cat accessible slopes. It has only been open since 2007 so is very modern in terms of its facilities.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
I have always had a massive enthusiasm for all things snow. What attracted me the most to working for the company was the fact that they combined paid full season teaching experience for those seeking to get qualified in their first season.
What is often a lesser known problem people face in this industry is that there can be a bit of a disconnect from when people get certified to applying for a job another season.
Employers are often inundated with applications so it is all about making yourself stand out from the pack. Having experience showcases to the employer that you have a track record and references to back it up.
The team here is very keen on the snow sports industry and we all get on really well, it's at its best when we can go out in our free time for a slide together.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
Providing an innovative solution to a common problem people face and having a highly motivated team to help execute it.
Our biggest pay off is getting to see people achieve something that often is a lifelong interest unfold into a professional lifelong career.
