Naniesha began her career as a ski instructor in Whakapapa, New Zealand in 2018 with EA Ski and Snowboard Training.
Since then she has travelled the world instructing four ski seasons and just spent her winter in the Japanese alps. She has gone down the adaptive ski instructing route and hopes to open an adaptive ski school! Read the Question and Answers below.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Naniesha, I am 27 years old from the UK and I currently live in Yuzawa in Japan. I have been skiing since I was 4 years old and I have always wanted to work in the mountains and be a ski instructor.
Why did you decide to become a ski instructor with EA Ski and Snowboard Training?
EA Ski and Snowboard Training was the easiest route for me. I wanted something that provided me with the training and a job at the end. The guaranteed job offer if you pass your exam at the end, was an amazing opportunity for me. It was a great way to see the world. I like that you get put in a group with other people, get massive help with your visa and the process. Everything I needed to do was well-outlined, my training consultant Ray had so much contact with me. I especially enjoyed the people I met from the course and how they helped me through the process of the visa, the flights, everything.
Which ski resort did you go to and why did you choose that?
I wanted to go somewhere that spoke English. I had heard wonderful things about New Zealand, so I headed to Whakapapa. I wanted to go far across the globe, and the southern hemisphere winter was about to kickstart, so it was a good opportunity to flee to New Zealand and start my ski instructor career.
Tell me about living in New Zealand?
New Zealand was amazing. It was crazy different to where I grew up skiing in the French Alps. In Whakapapa I worked as a ski instructor on an active volcano! I enjoyed how remote I was. I was nowhere near a big city and was surrounded by beautiful nature. There was lots of adventure and I felt like I was in my own little world with my colleagues living at the bottom of the mountain. As for the ski town I was living in, Ohakune. It is a really sweet to see how close and tight knit the ski community is.
Why do you think other people should consider a ski internship with EA Ski and Snowboard Training? What has been the best part of becoming an instructor?
For me, I just found my calling. I just want to teach forever now. I love skiing and I love installing my passion onto other people. At the end of the lesson, I can see how happy they are when they turn around to me and scream ‘I love skiing’ makes me really appreciate my job. The job allows me to help people create memories, a new skill, and makes them become happier as well.
Seeing the clients face at the end of the day, and the fact that you taught someone is truly rewarding. Working on the mountain is the best life ever.
Since becoming a ski instructor what opportunities have you had?
I am now a level 2 ski instructor. I also have my adaptive which is great because I have found a new route I want to go down. I have my adaptive level 1 which means I can teach people with all disabilities, whether that be amputees, people blind, people on the spectrum. This has opened up a whole new world for me, especially teaching people how are impaired, has shown me how amazing it is to teach this sport, and the happiness it brings them.
I have also had the opportunity to travel across the world. I have had two years in Canada, one in New Zealand, and now I am in Japan. I have many more countries to check off the list. Its an incredible way to see the world.
What do you enjoy about being a ski instructor?
Witnessing people's achievements. How happy people can be. Working in a fun environment.
For those considering doing a course with EA Ski and Snowboard Training what advice might you have?
Do it sooner. Don't wait. Do it right now.
Start when you are young so you can get all your visas. I started when I was 21, then I saved up for a while during Covid and then I came out when I was 24. You can only get really good visas until you are 30, and some places 35. Get your qualification, explore as many ski towns as possible. The skiing community is wonderful. Everyone knows everyone.
I would be open. Don't be scared. I have met so many people that were scared when they first came on the EA course, and now they are my closest friends. It really brings out your confidence. You have no idea how much being on the snow and talking about something you love will change you.
Watch Naniesha's video here:
If your are interested in a career as a ski instructor you can Download Your Instructor Guide HERE
