Applicants must have Canadian citizenship, permanent residency or a valid work permit for the duration of the season (November through April)
Reports to: Snow School Assistant Director and Director of Skiing
Position Overview
Teaching ski or snowboard lessons to students of all ages. Teaching all abilities within the scope of current certification. Providing guided services for Mountain Tours, or FAM tours. Providing safety orientations for school and youth groups. Assisting with other duties as assigned by the Snow School Supervisors.
L1 Instructor – – Level 1 instructors can be expected to teach all age groups from 3 years through to adults. A Level 1 will be trained to take a student who has never skied/snowboarded before and correctly fit their equipment before leading them through a progression to the point that they can safely control speed and direction on blue terrain. They will be trained on how to safely navigate simple tree trails whilst leading a group. They will also be responsible for teaching the safe use of all lift systems and in educating students in the Alpine Responsibility Code. The instructor will tailor the lesson around the student depending on: age, ability, lesson type (private, group, youth group) to meet the expectations of the client in a safe and fun manner. All instructors will receive basic training from the rentals department to assist guests using these service independently or as part of a lesson package.
Marmot Basin encourages professional development in our instructors and will strive to provide training towards future goals.
L2 Instructor - Level 2 instructors will be expected to fulfill all the roles described above in the L1 job description. Additionally, a L2 instructor will be expected to have the skills and knowledge to safely progress students from blue groomed terrain to black groomed terrain & safely introduce techniques and tactics for Off Piste skiing/snowboarding in small bumps, powder, and choppy snow conditions. L2 instructors will be expected to take on a leadership role in group organization and should be competent in leading ability splits and organizing large groups in the meeting area.
These are both full-time and part-time seasonal roles running from November through May. Shifts will be scheduled in both the Snow School and rentals department for Instructors Level 1 & 2.
The candidates should expect to work in a fast-paced environment with a flexible daily schedule.
Alberta Employment Standards regarding probationary periods apply.
Additional Duties and Job Share
Due to fluctuations in lesson bookings throughout the day, and the season, Marmot Basin strives to provide additional hours of work to Instructors to provide a sustainable lifestyle. Whilst scheduled to the Snow School an Instructor could expect to receive additional hours in the following roles:
Meet & Greet - Greets guests with a friendly disposition and excellent customer service in the mezzanine area and directs them to the correct department.
Transportation – Prior to and after teaching lessons, assist in directing and parking traffic.
Special Events – Assisting in the set-up and maintenance of events including but not limited to: Racecourse netting, tents, ski packing, fencing.
Marketing – Modelling for photo shoots, modelling as: Jasper the Bear, Santa, The Easter Bunny, etc...
Rentals – All Marmot Basin Instructors are trained through the rentals department to adjust equipment following the rules and regulations as set forth by the rentals management team. Instructors will be assigned full shifts or part shifts in the rentals department as business levels require
Job Share
Full time Level 1 and 2 instructors will be enrolled in our job share program. They will select and be trained in one of the following departments:
Lift Operations
Rentals
Nursery
Guest Services
Throughout the season shifts will be split equally between the Snow School and the secondary department. The balance between departments on a weekly basis will depend on business levels. The Job share program provides some stability in hours and earning throughout the season. To be eligible for staff accommodation a L1 or L2 instructor must participate in this program to be deemed as full time employee of Marmot Basin.
A Day in the Life of a Snow School Instructor
Upon arrival to Marmot Basin, you will head to Boot Up (locker room) where you will put on your uniform and equipment ready to ski/snowboard for the day. From there you will head to 8:45 Line Up (Some days you may be assigned additional duties earlier than 8:45. Your schedule will reflect this in advance).
Line- Ups/Morning Meeting – 8:45 sharp – Role call, Safety briefing and daily announcements. 9am lesson assignments. For instructors not working at 9am a morning session will often run with a senior instructor.
Line- Ups – 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm
Instructors must check in 5 minutes prior to each and every line up. The exception is if you are already assigned a lesson. At line ups instructors will be ready in full equipment and uniform to teach any lesson the Snow School supervisor has assigned them. Lessons will vary in length from 1 hour to a full day. Depending on the product a lunch break will be scheduled, this lunch break will be paid if the instructor has to stay with the client.
If not scheduled to any lessons or additional duties Instructors are free to ski/snowboard in between line ups. On quiet afternoons after 1pm ski/snowboard improvement sessions will often run with a senior instructor. At 2pm Instructors who are not working will be let go for the day.
Line Up – 3pm
A handful of instructors may be asked to return to 3pm line up in case of late lesson sales.
Lesson Types
Mite Private
Ages 3-6. Private lesson with up to 2 children from the same family/group.
Meets at the top of the magic carpet.
Duration 1- 2 hours.
Tiny Tracks
Part of the full day nursery package.
Ages 3-6. Group lesson of up to 2 students
Meet in the nursery – Kids must be signed in and signed out of nursery by Instructor.
Kids Camps
Ages 6-12.
Half day and Full Day options – Full day includes lunch with the kids.
10am – 12pm morning session
1pm -3.30pm afternoon session
Max 8 per group
Discover and Next Step Ski/Snowboard Packages
Group product for students age 13 +
Discover – Never/Ever skiers introduced to a skiing/snowboarding for the first time.
Next Step – Students have had some introduction to skiing/snowboarding but are not yet comfortable riding green terrain by themselves.
Both products start at the Magic Carpet
Private Lessons – 1hr, 2hr, 3hr, 5hr
Premium product
All ages
Up to 5 people may join for the same price.
Tailored to suit the client’s needs.
3hr and 5hr may request an early phone consult, and video analysis.
Domestic School/Youth Groups
2 hours for new skiers/snowboarders. Regular beginner progression. Goal is to have students prepared to safely descend School House run and ride School House chair by themselves.
1 hour safety orientation for students who can already safely ride lifts and a green run.
Reminders on safe lift protocol.
Review the alpine responsibility code.
Review the trail map and make recommendations on where students should ski after the lesson.
Quick technical pointers that will assist students navigate safely for the rest of their day : “Feel your shins touch the front of the boot to help stay in control”, “Balance against the downhill ski to help grip on the steep parts”.
Full Day School/Youth Groups
Generally, multi day international groups.
Work within a team of Instructors assigned to a specific school.
With the aid of a senior lead Instructor create a group to ski/snowboard with for the rest of the week.
Pace your lessons and balance technical improvement, terrain exploration, and the social experience to maximize students’ safety, achievement and enjoyment.
Attend an end of day debrief with the schools’ lead Instructor.
General Responsibilities for Snow School Instructors:
Advocate Safety! In your lessons and in your personal skiing or.
Punctuality for all line ups.
Professionalism – In and out of lessons. This includes wearing your uniform and equipment professionally. Your conduct on the hill, in the lift lines, in the chalet etc.
Be approachable and friendly to all guests and other staff members.
Acquire a proficient knowledge of the mountain to answer questions.
Demonstrate a good understanding of high-performance skis, boots, and snowboards.
Relay customer comments to supervisors.
Point out safety concerns that may be harmful to other staff members or guests.
Assist in emergency situations to the best of their knowledge.
Respond to customers in a courteous and professional manner.
Ensure compliance with Alberta Occupational Health and Safety legislation as it relates to the job.
Assist any other departments as needed and perform any other tasks as assigned.
Supplementary:
Respect and adhere to the company’s policies and procedures as set in the “Corporate Policies”, “Employee Handbook”, and “Safety Operations Training Manual”.
Qualifications:
Minimum CSIA or CASI Level 1 certification or international equivalent.
Physically fit and able to assist clients with standing. Can assist with some breaking of a student by skiing backwards in front of them. Be capable of skiing with students for a full day.
Willingness to help with roles described in Additional Duties.
Ability to work well under pressure (during busy periods, emergency situations, or difficult customers).
Previous experience in a Snow Sports School is valued.
Additional teaching qualifications are considered an asset. For example: dual certifications, Park, CADs, ACA, etc.
Core Competencies:
A friendly, professional manner when dealing with customers and other staff.
Exceptional customer service skills.
Cheerful, outgoing, easygoing personality and the ability to adapt to all situations.
Self-motivated and able to work alone.
Attributes:
Strong team member able to take direction easily.
Passion for Skiing and or Snowboarding.
Motivated and observant; able to perceive needed tasks and complete them without direction.
Self-aware; able to identify strengths and gaps in own abilities and training.
Able to use taught skills and previous experience to problem solve.
A drive for personal development of Ski or Snowboarding skills and teaching skills.
CSIA level 1, level 2 or ISIA equivalent
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