How old do you have to be to become a snowboard instructor?
You can become a snowboard instructor at 16, depending on your route. A 16-year-old can take the CASI and SBINZ level 1 and 2 exams and can teach once certified if you have a work permit or citizenship for the country where you want to teach.
Snowboarders can take the BASI level 1 and 2 exams at 16. However, the licence won’t be valid until age 18 (you won’t need to retake the exams). Once you are 18, you can work as an instructor with a BASI certification.
There is no such thing as being ‘too old’ to become a snowboard instructor. In fact, becoming a snowboard instructor as part of a career break or retirement is a popular option. At Winter Sports Company, we have had participants as young as 16 and up to age 76 join us in the resort!
Many resorts like their instructors to be aged 18+ to work. However, we have known 16-year-olds to gain employment on a part-time basis in Canada. There is also no upper age limit to work as an instructor, providing you have the right to work in the country where you want to work.
How old do you have to be to become a ski instructor?
The age rules are the same for skiing as snowboarding!
You need to be 16 to take the CSIA and NZSIA level 1 and 2 exams. You can even teach once qualified so long as you have the right to work in that country. This can often be the issue, with most international work visas requiring you to be 18. However, it does mean you can return to your home country and get work at your local hill, dry ski slope or snow dome. Individuals can take the BASI level 1 and 2 exams at 16+. However, your licence won’t be valid until you turn 18, at which point you can apply for work. We have had 16 and 17-year-olds successfully attend our courses at the Winter Sports. They are supported through the entire experience by our 24/7 onsite rep.
There is no upper age limit to becoming a ski instructor; it’s a very popular option to take a course as part of a career break or during retirement. The only factor for work will be finding a country with an appropriate visa. Many have an age cap of 35 on the simple working Holiday Visa. Before Brexit, there were many more options for older instructors within Europe, although this has now massively reduced. Ski schools are often keen to take on more senior instructors who bring another dynamic to the school. So you just need to find the correct visa or an employer who will sponsor you.
We once had a 71 year old join us for an 18-week ski instructor course over the 2018 season, read more here
