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Instructor Gap courses

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sambob
Posts: 73 - Karma: 187
Hi again people, you may have read my previous post about doing my level 1 BASI, well now i'm looking for people who have done a gap course, as i'm looking into doing the CSIA level 1 & 2 11 week course in Banff,

Why Banff? Because its the best resort i've even been to!

Why the 11 week level 2 & 1 if you already have BASI 1? Because the 7 week course is only a £1000 less so for an extra grand i may as well get an extra month in the rockies!

Now i'm interested to find out just how hard the financial strain was whilst on the course, personally for me to take one of the courses i'll have to get a bank loan of i'd guess at about £10,000 to cover the £6995 cost of the course with £3000 left over for visa apps and flights. Now did any of you get part time jobs whilst out on the course? Because i feel that i will point blank need some kind of part time job for sustenance whilst i'm there, yes you get breakfast 5 days and dinner 7 days a week but you have social events and nights out and eating and drinking mid day whilst on the mountain.

Did any of you go without getting a part time job? If so how did you find it?

Overall how much did the course cost you in total? i mean everything, course, visa, flights, social aspect, equipment (if you didnt have it), food.

I'm trying to find enough reason to get into debt to take this course, as i'm a student who's just finished Uni i'm already in about £45,000 of debt so i need to justify a bank loan.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and any responses are appreciated.

Sam
May 18 2013 9:11AM
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sambob
Posts: 73 - Karma: 187
I think people are free to wear what they want anyway, and yes im in debt for a degree that I wont directly use, however that degree will make the difference between me being hired and someone without it, My degree and all the experience i gained with it will directly help me aquire a job in the ski industry + anyone doing a degree will be in that kind of debt. Also if you'd have read my replies you'd have seen I have more than taken the advice on board... so all in all your another prick on this forum.
May 22 2013 11:54AM
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jca
Posts: 4171 - Karma: 6,311
no one will let you instruct wearing your cute little robot helmet.
May 22 2013 11:54AM
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sambob
Posts: 73 - Karma: 187
You sir are a pretentious arsehole, i'm a moron? So what exactly are you basing this judgement on? I WEAR THE FUCKING HELMET BECAUSE I HAVE METAL PLATES IN MY JAWS YOU PRICK, AND I WEAR THE BODY ARMOR BECAUSE I HAVE METAL PINS, PLATES, WIRES AND HOOKS IN MY UPPER BODY, shove your 5 years of instructing and suck on 18 years of skiing, 3 years of competing for GBR and 5 years of professional sports coaching, all by the age of 21. Who in gods fucking name are you to judge me and my skiing skills? My equipment evidently cost more than your education, great grammar and poor people skills are evidently your best selling points so please, feel free to crawl back into your hole.

Also I hope acting big over the internet and being a general prick makes you feel good, At this point i'll revert to acting like you and i'll make the assumption that you were bullied in school and had an abusive childhood.

My advice, go see a councilor and talk about your issues.

As for ''the terrible BASI system'' again please do show all your research and evidence that this system is ineffective and ''terrible'', also if you were capable of reading more than a few posts and judging me on a photo, you'd know my previous experience and you'd understand the photo.


May 22 2013 12:05PM
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sambob
Posts: 73 - Karma: 187
Butters I do have experience, i've skied for 18 years, competed for GBR for 3 years, and coached sports professionally for 5 years, I accept that it's an expensive thing to do but a 3 month ski holiday would be great, and I intend to eventually progress to a level 4 instructor and make it my full time career.
May 22 2013 12:08PM
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sambob
Posts: 73 - Karma: 187
Lol this is quite amusing, I started emailing Blake a few months ago!
May 22 2013 12:09PM
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sambob
Posts: 73 - Karma: 187
Again, if you would have read my previous posts you would already know that I only wear the helmet during park sessions or if im dropping anything big, Its not something i wear on a day to day basis for general riding ...
May 22 2013 12:11PM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,299
Im living in a house with 4 other guys, and my rent is $250 a month plus 20 in utilities, and some food $. 10k / 400 = 25 months. take out season pass $ and other expenses, thats at least a year and a half living and skiing the dream.
May 22 2013 12:31PM
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sambob
Posts: 73 - Karma: 187
I'm looking for a seasonal job now as a rep, skiing everyday (even if it is with guests) and then any spare time ill spend shredding and hopefully getting regular jib sessions in with the rest of the crew.
May 22 2013 12:38PM
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closeyetfar11
Posts: 387 - Karma: 1,079
What an angry thread.

I think what posters are trying to tell you, sambob, is that the N. American ski industry is not something you should have to pay thousands of dollars to be a part of (that's for customers/guests/insertPCtermhere).  On the other hand, we are free countries, so go ahead and spend that cash as you see fit.

Hope your season works out well, and you get a good gig.  You'll find your place soon enough.

Enjoy! 
May 22 2013 7:25PM
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sambob
Posts: 73 - Karma: 187
It wasn't an angry thread to begin with, people just decided to abuse me so I replied thats all. Most of the thread has been great advice and I have since decided to drop the idea of a gap course and take a few seasons instead and do my certs while out there.

Thanks for being capable of reading what came before and ignoring it unlike most others.
May 23 2013 8:05AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,499
Why not try to get some relevant experience in the uk before you head out? You could try to get a job in a snow and rock or brighams, do that and you can walk into a ski shop job in a resort. Or work as a rentle tech at a dime or a dry slope. Again you can get a job in a shop no probs.

With regards to Banff it's ok I did a season there 12 years ago. But it's true what was said before it does not really snow there much when compared to bc. Why not look at whistler? They have uk hiring fairs so you can get your job before you leave the country. Also you work for the hill you may may make huge money but you can do free instructor courses, you get a free pass cheaper acomadtion and can ski until aug, not just may.

I used to help out a lot of people who did the courses you were originally looking at and they are not worth it. If you ski every day you will become a better skier.

One more thing, maybe atop being so cocky about your skiing. How many days a year have you done for those 18 years? I can hate tee unless it was 80 plus a year that the 12 year olds who shredded from day 1 will be better then you at first.
May 23 2013 11:13AM
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-SnowSnoli-
Posts: 756 - Karma: 1,703
You're 21 and competed for GBR?

doing what? racing?

If so I should probably know you....

Though saying you compete for GBR is really nothing to be proud of. Soon as i started racing in Switzerland gives you an eye opener as to how shit 99% of english skiers are.


May 23 2013 2:20PM
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SwitchMisty540
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 629
just a heads up....ditch the ego.

if you end up teaching at a reputable ski school you are going to find yourself surrounded by instructors who have been teaching for longer than you have been alive. 

am i the only one who thinks OP should post a vid of his skiing so we can all do a little MA??
May 23 2013 3:46PM
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sambob
Posts: 73 - Karma: 187
Again you miss judge, its not ego and was not posted to make me look good, It was posted in response to the person saying I should get some experience, you state your previous experience on your CV, does this mean you have an ego issue? No, it just allows people to judge you more accurately. When in the work place whether that be skiing, or behind a bar I accept there are things I will always have to learn, i'm not so narrow minded or egotistic to place too be that much of a douche.
May 23 2013 10:38PM
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SwitchMisty540
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 629
post a vid of your skiing so some of the certified instructors on NS can determine where you fall in the grand scheme of things.  i don't doubt that you are a strong skier, but some vid and MA will help determine whether an intensive would benefit you or not. 
May 23 2013 11:02PM
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sambob
Posts: 73 - Karma: 187
I'm not being cocky about my skiing, I'm stating my previous experience so people can better assess me. People automatically seem to presume the worst on here.

Anything and everything I've posted on here was not meant to make me come across in a bad way. And i havnt skied 80 days a season, I live and work in the UK so I dont get to ski terrain i'd like but I do get to ski about 50 days a year (4 hour sessions) thats not counting any comps or camps i go to. I try go ski at least twice a month, more when i can afford it and i try to comp when i can and attend grom camps. I also trampoline a few times a month to get tricks down in a safe environment.

And I have applied all over the country as well as looked into job fairs, i've emailed the recruitment team at sunshine village, i've applied for loads of positions in Canada. I've just been offered a job in France next season a Ski Gap company just asked me to create their next promotional video, its only a few days but its a foot in the door. I'm hoping to get a job repping and guiding next season, I've also been offered a position in NZ once I pass my level 1 next month.

I also agree that the courses I first asked about are a waste of time and money, as a rep / guide ill be skiing every day (even if its not on the runs i want) i'm planning on doing my level 2 while im out there then once ive done a few seasons and worked on my French ill take my level 3 and 4 in due course.
May 23 2013 11:15PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,499
Sounds like you are getting things sorted out. Regarding your skiing in sure you will be fine with level 1 and 2. I'm guessing your 50 days a year are indoors though so not really 50 days. What did you do indoors park or racing. If you did park then obviously it will take a bit of time getting used to riding a mountain.

Just for reference for you, I have skied now for 25 years I used to work at cas so ski 2~4 days a week so double what you do, I also competed and won a few indoor comps while at uni. I had also liked you skied resorts all over the world for a week or so a time. I then moved to Canada and was shocked just how much better most of the skiers were then me. I forgot that places like whistler is we're a load of pro's call home. At first it's like shit I suck, but then as you ride the mountain and ride with those really good guys you develop great technique. I can say now I'm a super strong skier but I has taken me 3 years to get there.

So just be realistic even if your one of the best at the slope you ride at, don't expect to be at that level at a real resort.

Good luck with everything and if you decide to look at whistler (it really is much better then Banff) let me know. I may be able to help you out
May 24 2013 7:10AM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2089 - Karma: 1,346
Why France?

You will find Austria way cheaper, more friendly, easier to secure jobs, and easier to build a career/life in. I've never quite understood the allure of France, sure the skiing is great, but everything else is absolute shit. And the skiing in Austria is just as good.
May 24 2013 8:03AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,499
Also have a look at jobs which may not be on the mountain but will let you everyday. I worked
as a boot fitter but could ski 5 days a week and did not have to ski blues a d greens guiding holiday makers.
May 24 2013 8:13AM
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D_Elgar
Posts: 210 - Karma: 391
Still that the most gaper thing ever.....everyone been hurt...I have a fair share of metal in me....doesn't me I need to look like a punter on vacation
May 24 2013 7:58PM
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D_Elgar
Posts: 210 - Karma: 391
And if you showed up with that attitude in any ski town about getting jobs because you have a degree you will be laughed at everyone has a degree I have 2 for fuck sakes. We make a choice to live in these towns and to get good jobs it take time and connections....if you came to a ski school over here you will be at the bottom of the barrel of lessons because everyone has done it for so much longer....sorry no one wants to be rude but you sound like every cocky English kid that shows up to whistler to work, I came to whistler 4 years ago after teaching and coaching in Ontario for 7 years. I had to start at the bottom and only this last season was I able to coach freeride full time. Don't think your experience and degree will get you good lessons or jobs in town because your just another English kid that shows up year in and year out.
May 24 2013 8:14PM
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.squirrely.
Posts: 7563 - Karma: 7,546
trololololololol
May 24 2013 8:25PM
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