.png)
Harrison spent his 2022/2023 winter ski season with EA Ski and Snowboard Training in Banff, Canada.
He did the ski internship at Mount Norquay and spent his winter skiing, sled racing, hiking and boogieing. We caught up with him to discuss his winter season experience.
Q) Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I am 23 year old from England that has always wanted to do a ski season. I wanted to do something I love for a job.
Q) Why did you decide to become an instructor with EA Ski and Snowboard?
After not being able to go to the EU due to visa problems I found EA online after looking at coming to Canada to become a ski instructor.
Q) What resort did you choose to go to and why did you choose that?
I chose Mount Norquay because it was so close to the beautiful ski town of Banff. I wouldn’t have changed it.
Q) Tell me about living in Canada?
It is a different change of life which is so nice and peaceful. It’s hard to believe that I actually lived in a place like Banff. I have been living the dream.
Q) Why do you think other people should consider an internship? What has been the favourite part of becoming an instructor for you?
The internship is the best option to get the full experience of being a ski instructor. It helps a lot with passing exams as you have real world knowledge for when you have to perform a ski lesson in your exam.
Q) Since becoming an instructor, what opportunities have you had?
My next winter season I have be able to land a job instructing at Whistler Blackcomb. This is because the EA internship gives you a guaranteed job offer. You get experience in the industry which is so hard to break into. It has opened up so many doors for me.
Q) Where do you dream of skiing in the world?
I would really like to ski in Japan and see how good the snow really is. This is also a location that EA works with and was a big reason why I chose to go with EA.
Q) What’s your go to chairlift snack?
Endless amount of IGA jelly sweets in my pocket as they are easy to eat with gloves on.
Q) Are you first lifts or last at the bar?
I am the last at the bar from the night before then first lift up, especially on pow days. Its always good to get a early morning pow run before my lessons start.
Q) What’s your best icebreaker on a long, quiet chairlift?
Bust into a song and see if anyone else will join in.
Q) What do you enjoy about being an instructor?
The joy on the guest's face when they go from not even knowing how to put skis on to being able to ski down the mountain which they thought they would only dream about. Its very fulfilling.
Q) For those people out there who are considering doing a course with EA, what advice might you give them?
DO IT ! EA is a great company and it helped me so much with making friends as soon as I came to a new country on my own. Having a EA member in Banff and working at Mount Norquay also helps so much as any questions or problems there was someone to talk to. It was extra helpful as Joe Buckley was a previous EA student so he knew what we were all going through.
Considering a ski season in Canada?
Harrisons video encompasses the extraordinary lifestyle of ski instructing. Make friends all over the world, enjoy your work and everyday life, and make some memories.
