What It Takes to Be a Snowboard Instructor: Essential Skills, Gear, and Pathways to Success

Why Become a Snowboard Instructor?

Imagine spending your days in the snow, helping others discover the thrill of snowboarding. For those who love the sport and crave a lifestyle built around being outside, becoming a snowboard instructor is an ideal career path. Here are some benefits of this profession:

• Constant Access to the Slopes: As an instructor, you’ll have regular access to world-class snowboarding destinations.
• Travel Opportunities: Many instructors work in multiple countries and resorts.
• Building a Career on Passion: Transform your love for snowboarding into a fulfilling job.
• Inspire New Riders: From beginners to advanced riders, instructors play a vital role in developing others’ skills and confidence.
• Instructor Lifestyle: You’ll spend every day snowboarding and sharing the stoke with your students. It’s incredibly fulfilling and fun to call “work.

Required Skills and Training

Snowboarding may come naturally to some, but teaching it requires a deeper understanding of both technical and interpersonal skills. Here’s what’s needed to become a successful snowboard instructor:

1. Technical Skills

• Snowboarding Proficiency: You must have an advanced understanding of snowboarding techniques, such as carving, edge control, and balance.
• Adaptability Across Terrains: Instructors need to be comfortable in various conditions, from icy slopes to powder.
• Safety Protocols: Knowledge of safety measures, such as avalanche awareness, is crucial.

2. People Skills

• Patience and Communication: Each student learns differently, so patience and clear instruction are key.
• Motivational Skills: Encouraging students, especially beginners, is crucial for a positive learning environment.
• Observation and Feedback: Spotting errors and giving constructive feedback helps students improve.

3. Physical Fitness

• Snowboarding is demanding, requiring strong legs, core stability, and good endurance. Regular exercise is essential for sustaining your performance throughout the season.

Choosing the Right Snowboard Instructor Course

There are several available courses that provide snowboarding instructors with the skills, knowledge, and qualifications needed to teach. Here are a few suitable program options depending on your experience and goals:

8-12 Week Dual Resort Snowboard Instructor Course
Kickstart your snowboard instructor career with this immersive dual-resort program. Spend eight weeks in Panorama, fast-tracking through your Level 1 and Level 2 instructor certifications to prepare for a successful career on the slopes. Then, head to Revelstoke for four weeks of advanced freeride training in its world-famous powder terrain. Two premier venues in British Columbia, each designed to help you achieve specific and ambitious goals.

All-Mountain Safety & Freeride Progression Course
Transform into an all-mountain expert with our comprehensive training program. Master technical skiing on-piste and develop tactical skills off-piste, building the confidence to excel in freeride terrain. The course includes professional avalanche training, a four-day wilderness first aid certification, and mountain operations skills, all delivered in the legendary setting of Revelstoke.

The Essential Gear for a Snowboard Instructor

As an instructor, you’ll be teaching across the entire resort, as such you’ll need an all-mountain snowboard capable of tackling all kinds of terrain.

For this, Check out the Amplid Singular Directional snowboard. It’s been specifically designed to perform wherever you take it, and is comfortable carving the groomers or hitting backcountry booters. It also comes in unisex sizes ranging from 144 to 166 to suit riders of all shapes and sizes.

Read our full review of the Amplid Singular Directional here or check out the video below for more info:

If you’re looking to do more freestyle riding or want to get your Park 1 qualification, the Singular also comes in a twin version, which makes switch riding a little easier.

Bindings

In keeping with the “Go anywhere, do anything” theme, a pair of Rome Katana Bindings could be a great option and come in both mens and womens version.

Their Aux-Tech straps provide a high level of comfort – an important consideration when you’re riding every day! And the adjustability these bindings offer will benefit both instructors and seasonaires alike. You can bump the ankle strap up higher for more response when carving, or shift it down over your foot for more tweakability when hitting the park. Or, if you’re in the mood, just endlessly play with the settings in your spare time! Learning how these micro-adjustments affect your riding will make it easier to advise your future students if they’re experiencing equipment difficulties during a lesson.

Check out the Rome Katanas, along with some other options in the Whitelines list of Best Snowboard Bindings.
Boots

For men, our testers really enjoyed the Northwave Decade Boots. They’ve recently received a big tech upgrade, have a medium flex rating of 6/10, and come in multiple lacing options (lace, speed lace, and hybrid).

Click the link to read our full review of the Northwave Decade boots or watch the video below.

For women, the Bataleon Mosh Boa boots are a fantastic choice. Similar to the Northwave Decades, they’re a 6/10 flex and come in a speedy double-boa configuration, which helps you dial in the perfect fit.

It’s worth noting that boots—like helmets—are extremely personal and what’s comfortable for one rider might not work for you. We always recommend heading into your local shop for a proper boot fitting and trying on as many brands and boots as possible to find the right pair for you.

Socks & Gloves

A good pair of socks or gloves can really enhance your day, so it’s worth spending an extra few minutes and a couple more pounds to guarantee comfort and protection from the elements.

The Stance Boyd Socks were our testers top pick this winter. Stance puts a lot of work into making their socks as comfortable, durable and stink-proof as possible – and they come in a range of styles and colors.

For gloves, we like the Crab Grab Champ Mitts. They kept our hands warm and dry, and their special grippy palms are like board magnets, helping you lock into grabs effortlessly.

Base & Mid Layers

Effective layering is the key to comfort when snowboarding. Good base layers wick away sweat and maintain a stable body temperature. Generally speaking, you’ll want a good base layer plus a mid-layer to throw on when it gets really cold.

For women, it’s hard to recommend anyone higher than Eivy. They offer gorgeous designs and  unbeatable quality, We love the Ice Cold Base Layers and the Sherpa Vest.

For men, we really like the Mons Royale Yotei Base Layers. They’re technical, stylish, and some of the best in the biz.

Goggles

Not only can the weather change quickly in the mountains, but on instructor/improvement courses, you’ll find yourself darting across the entire resort—from wide-open runs in full sun to shady tree lines and gullies.

For this reason, we think the Spy+ Megalith Photochromic Goggles would be a good choice. They utilize Photochromic technology, which automatically adjusts the tint of your lenses as the conditions change, removing the need for a spare lens.

They’re also bolstered with Spy’s patented “Happy Boost” technology, which, in simple terms, increases the contrast of the world around you, helping you see more clearly. Happy days!

Read more on the Spy+ Megalith Photochromics here  or watch the video below:

Helmets

As mentioned, helmets need to fit your head perfectly, so just like with boots, make sure to try on as many as possible at your local shop to get the best fit for your dome.

Outside of the fit, ensure the helmet has proper safety certification and MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), and that it integrates well with your goggles to avoid the dreaded “Gaper Gap”— a overly large gap between your goggles and helmet brim, which causes not only a cold forehead but probably a few nudges and jokes from the locals.

We recommend the SPY+ Stargazer Helmet. It fit well across our test team, has MIPS, is affordable, and integrates seamlessly with the Megalith Photochromic Goggles.

Check out more helmets, goggles, base layers, and accessories on the Whitelines list of Best Gifts and Accessories.

Outerwear

There’s a huge variety of outerwear options out there, from thick, insulated jackets built for the worst weather imaginable to style-first options designed for warmer spring riding.

As you’ll be riding all season, we recommend going for a shell jacket and pants with 20k/20k waterproofing and breathability. This will allow you to add extra mid-layers or puffy jackets underneath to stay warm on colder days, or run just a base layer in the spring. 

We recommend the Burton Futuretrust Outerwear Line. Coming in a range of color options and styles, these unisex pieces blend style and performance seamlessly so you can look good and feel good while riding.

Check out the Futuretrust Outerwear and some of our other favorites in our list of Best Snowboard Jackets and Pants.

Tips for Success as a Snowboard Instructor

To succeed in this career, you’ll need to go beyond the basics and establish yourself as a reliable, knowledgeable, and approachable instructor.

• Stay Up to Date: Snowboarding is constantly evolving, and staying on top of trends and techniques will make you a better teacher.
• Network with Other Instructors: Learning from colleagues and sharing knowledge creates a supportive environment that benefits everyone.
• Teach Beyond Technique: Snowboarding is not just about skills; it’s about building confidence and sharing a love for the sport.

A Word From Current Instructors 

Final Thoughts

Becoming a snowboard instructor is a rewarding career that allows you to live the snowboarding lifestyle, work in breathtaking mountain environments, and help others discover the joy of snowboarding. With the right skills, training, and gear, you can turn your passion for snowboarding into a profession that takes you around the world, connecting with fellow enthusiasts and building a life on the slopes.

Whether you’re looking to complete a comprehensive instructor course or start teaching at a local resort, Winter Sports Company offers the expertise and support to help you achieve your goals. Embrace the journey and start your path towards becoming a snowboard instructor today!