More than a gap year: What my season as a ski instructor gave me

My name is Gitte and I worked as a ski instructor in Sun Peaks, Canada during the 22/23 season. It was an experience that not only gave me memories for life, but also developed me in ways I only truly understood the value of once I returned home.

The time leading up to departure

I have always loved skiing and have endless memories from ski school and my favorite ski instructors. I had never really considered that it was something I could become myself – until a friend went on a season with Snowminds. I visited him and got a glimpse of the instructor’s life, and from that moment on, I dreamed of going myself.

Three years later, during my second gap year, I could feel that it was time to step outside the safe and familiar surroundings of Denmark. I made the decision, and the choice fell on Sun Peaks in Canada. Even though it was a huge dream of mine, it also felt like a big step to move to the other side of the world – completely on my own. Before departure, I attended info meetings, Snowminds social Day and the Kick Off event, and had countless phone calls with the Snowminds Team. I felt well prepared for the start of the season, met some of my future co-instructors, bought my equipment, and had a stomach full of butterflies.

The entire process leading up to departure had been going on for a long time, and it felt as though the departure date was still far away in the future. But the closer I got, the more the nerves and the knot in my stomach grew. What if I don’t make any friends or don’t feel comfortable? Am I even good enough to be a ski instructor? Can I speak English every single day? And most of all, can I handle being away from my family and friends for that long?

Already at the airport, the nerves started to fade. I was greeted by lots of happy and familiar faces from Kick Off, my team leaders, and the Snowminds office staff who sent us off.  None of us really knew each other yet, but we were in the same boat – alone, excited, nervous, and ready for what awaited us. That was where the first feeling of community began.

Before I knew it, I was settled into my new home in Sun Peaks, and everyday life had begun with training, community, work, and new unforgettable experiences. Time flew by because it was the best!

What it take with me from the season

Living abroad for the first time

Not only did I leave on my own – it was also the first time I had ever lived away from home. We were five people sharing only a few square meters, and it required consideration and respect for one another. Daily life was not just about skiing, but also about cooking, cleaning, and making everything work together. We held house meetings, aligned expectations, and learned to have the difficult conversations when something wasn’t working.We became a small family and could fully rely on one another.

In general, the sense of community was completely unique. All of us instructors lived in the same building and spent time together across groups, went to events, and spent our days off on the mountain. When you are together every single day, you grow close in a very special way. The close living arrangements created strong relationships, and it truly felt like home. It was impossible to be bored – there was always something fun to do.

Speaking another language

In the beginning, speaking English all the time was a big challenge. Training sessions, lessons, and everyday life took place in international groups, and I hardly spoke Danish the entire season.

The hardest part was expressing my personality and humor in another language. But after just a few weeks, it became a natural part of everyday life, and my language skills developed quickly. Today, I see it as a huge gift to be able to communicate confidently and naturally in English.

The training

One thing that truly surprised me was how much my skiing improved. The training did not only focus on technique, but also on how to teach and communicate effectively. I was challenged on all types of terrain and progressed more than I thought possible. After passing our Level 1 exam and starting work, it was still possible to join morning or afternoon training sessions with the ski school’s top instructors. That is incredibly valuable, as it allows you to keep pushing yourself and improving throughout the season. At the same time, it strengthened the sense of community with the other ski school staff.

The job

Working as an instructor comes with responsibility. I was responsible for my guests’ safety and overall experience, and it was important to show up prepared and professional. I taught both children and adults, which required adapting to different levels, personalities, and needs. It was not only about technique, but very much about pedagogy, patience, and the ability to create a positive learning environment.

You quickly learn to be flexible and adaptable. Plans change – and when they do, you need to stay calm and find solutions. I also learned how to navigate a new and different work culture compared to what I knew from Denmark.

Personal development

The season developed me in more ways than I had imagined. I learned to stand on my own two feet, take responsibility for both myself and others, and step outside my comfort zone.

Teaching in a foreign language and working in international teams strengthened both my communication skills and my self-confidence. It made me more independent, more resilient, and more aware of what I can contribute.

At the time, I did not think about how it would look on a CV. But looking back, it was far more than a gap year – it was experience that can truly make a difference, even when applying through quota 2.

How you can use your seasons as an Instructor to get into your dream study program

For some, it becomes more than a personal development journey. It can be exactly the kind of experience that makes a difference when applying through quota 2.

That was the case for Kasper Jakobsen. After spending two gap years skiing in Canada and Austria, he was admitted to his dream program, International Business and Politics at CBS, through quota 2. Quota 1 required a GPA of 11.7, and with an average of 9.6, it was not his grades that opened the door. Instead, it was his international experience, language skills, and responsibility as a ski instructor that made the difference. Working in a foreign country, teaching both children and adults, and operating professionally in multiple languages demonstrated maturity, independence, and leadership. What started as two gap years skiing ultimately became the key to gaining admission to his dream education.

For me, a season as a ski instructor became a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I can only recommend to anyone with the interest. If you are considering going on a season yourself, you can read more about the opportunities through Snowminds here.