Tell me about Northstar
Northstar is home to the world's best parks and pipes, including one of only three Burton Stash Parks in the World! Northstar's training staff are led by Mike Hafer, who is a member of the PSIA Western Demonstration Team. This resort is also the training ground for Shaun White, two-time Olympic champion in halfpipe.
Patricia Gunn
Northstar Ski Resort Facts
Annual Average Snowfall: 350 inches (29 feet!!)
Snowmaking Coverage: 50%
7 Terrain Parks including Burton Progression Park and one of the only Burton ‘Stash’ Parks in the World! Plus, 1 Superpipe & 1 Halfpipe!
On mountain village including 9,000 square foot ice skating rink, outdoor bars and restaurants
Terrain: 73 trails – 25% Beginner / 50% Intermediate / 25% Advanced + total no. Lifts: 19 including 7 express chairs and two gondolas
SKI INTERNSHIP
INTERNSHIP INCLUSIONS:
- Accommodation is included until after the level 1 exam
- Guaranteed job offer
- Level 1 training
- Internationally recognised qualification
- Employee season pass
- Level one exam costs
- Association membership
- Transport to resort for training if applicable
- Future job opportunities with our network of 26+ resort partners around the globe
- Program manager
- Preseason preparation webinars
PRICE
$5,975 USD
SNOWBOARD INTERNSHIP
INTERNSHIP INCLUSIONS:
- Accommodation is included until after the level 1 exam
- Guaranteed job offer
- Level 1 training
- Internationally recognised qualification
- Employee season pass
- Level one exam costs
- Association membership
- Transport to resort for training if applicable
- Future job opportunities with our network of 26+ resort partners around the globe
- Program manager
- Preseason preparation webinars
PRICE
$6,975 USD
Living and working at Lake Tahoe
At Lake Tahoe, you will quickly become one of the locals. People are often keen to know how much it costs to buy food so here’s our shopping list rundown:
- A bowl of chicken wings from Jason's Bar & Grill (a local favourite) USD 6
- A cold apres ski beer from Rubicon Northstar Village USD 5
- A Burrito big enough for the whole family from Big Wave Dave’s USD 8.50
- A pack of five bagels from the Safeway Supermarket USD 4
What about accommodation?
Training accommodation while training is at Kingswood Condominiums. Kingswood is in the heart of North Lake Tahoe, conveniently situated close to Kings Beach and Northstar Resort. Condos are cozy three and four bedroom units that accommodate between five to eight trainees. After the level 1 exam you are required to find alternative season long accommodation, we provide some assistance here through contacts/links to explore, as does the team at Northstar, and you'll get to know your fellow course participants before the season so you can look together in groups!
- Twin or triple share rooms
- Large living area
- Fully equipped kitchens
- Laundry and linen provided
- Walking distance to restaurants and supermarkets
Example Photos
Certification Overview
Our ski instructor course at Northstar, Lake Tahoe allows you to obtain a globally recognised qualification with The Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI).
PSIA-AASI is at governing ski and snowboard instruction body in the United States that provides resources and qualifications to enhance individuals success as an instructor and inspire excitement about skiing and snowboarding. PSIA-AASI is a member of the International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA) so the qualification you gain through this program will be recognised worldwide.
Program Manager
EA Ski & Snowboard want you to have the best season possible at Northstar, Lake Tahoe. We have two program managers who oversee the running of our Ski and Snowboard courses in Northstar who are easily contactable and there to offer advice and support at all times. Not only are they familiar with Northstar itself, but they also work for the ski school and will be a familiar face to make your gap year and first winter season that much easier.
REVIEWS FROM EA ALUMNI
Getting paid to snowboard is so amazing...I do not want to go back to my other job! Everyone who has a passion for the sport should at least try this out for a season! ...see more
I chose to do the ultimate plus programme because it would give me the best chance at getting an instructing job in the future... Being able to ski every day if you wanted was the dream. ...see more
I was looking for a fast-track. I knew I needed a lot of training so that's [EA] what I was looking for. ...see more
It's been a blast so far, I've met a lot of cool people. The trainings' really good! ...see more
The EA program helped me get the coolest job in the world... See more...
Where can you go?
Choose from more than 30 ski resorts across five countries to learn, earn and play
Train and become a ski or snowboard instructor at Big White Ski Resort. Known worldwide for its light, dry, champagne powder; Big White is an award-winning resort that offers a variety of terrain.
Niseko Village Ski Resort, famous in Japan and around the world as Japan's premium snow resort. Located in Hokkaido and towered over by the giant Mt. Yotei, this ski resort is renowned for its consistent snowfall and dry, light powder.
Queenstown is known as New Zealand's adventure capital and has a global reputation as the place to experience the best of New Zealand’s outdoors.
Verbier located in the Four Valleys is Switzerland’s largest resort, and one of the world’s largest linked ski areas.
‘The Star’ as locals know it is EA's USA training base. We are thrilled to work with Northstar, which is one of the leading resorts in the USA and part of the Vail Resorts family.
Tucked in the southwest corner of Alberta, Canada is Castle Mountain Ski Resort. Known for its dry powder and challenging terrain, Castle Mountain was created by skiers, for skiers.
Winner of New Zealand's Best Ski Resort three years in a row, Mt Hutt offers an authentic Kiwi experience and has fantastic terrain to suit everyone.
Zermatt is one of the world’s ultimate ski resorts offering excellent skiing, snowboarding and breathtaking mountain scenery.
At Niseko ISG, you'll enjoy visiting local onsens, big powder skiing, delicious ramen, and a fun nightlife scene.
Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows) was home to the 1960 Winter Olympics. It boasts an average 400 inches of snowfall every year and is part of the Ikon Pass collective.
Cypress Mountain is located only 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver and offers the most vertical drop, terrain, lifts and best snow conditions on the highest skiing and riding peak of Vancouver's North Shore Mountains.
Saas-Fee is famous for long runs and picturesque landscapes. Nowhere else in the world are you surrounded by so many 4000m peaks.
Niseko is well known as the hub of Japanese skiing, the mix of culture, incredible skiing, and amazing people make the resort town a must-see destination for skiers from across the globe.
Culture, fun and an immeasurable amount of yearly snowfall. If you are up for a steamy combination of authentic Japanese culture, deep fluffy powder and great people then this is for you.
Club Med is an exclusive ski resort offering world-class powder and top facilities in an English speaking environment.
Located in the North Island of New Zealand, Mt Ruapehu is a live volcano home to two world-class ski resorts offering majestic views, ample snow, and some of NZ's best ski and snowboard terrain.
Verbier located in the Four Valleys is Switzerland’s largest resort, and one of the world’s largest linked ski areas.
Grouse Mountain is located only 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver and offers 33 runs, night skiing, 6 terrain parks and Vancouver's North Shore's most extensive snowmaking system for reliable coverage.
With pristine views and varied terrain, Lake Louise Ski Resort offers skiers and snowboarders an authentic Canadian winter experience.
Located in the North Island of New Zealand, Tūroa, Mt Ruapehu offers majestic views, ample snow and some of NZ's best ski & snowboard terrain.
Located in the North Island of New Zealand, Whakapapa, Mt Ruapehu is NZ's largest ski area with 550 hectares of lift-accessed & patrolled terrain. You'll discover mellow slopes for first-timers & epic chutes, drops & bumps for the most experienced.
With the longest season in its region, impeccable snow, and night skiing on offer, Mont Sainte Anne Ski resort offers an amazing winter alpine experience.
Mt Norquay Ski Resort is the best-kept secret of the Canadian Rockies. Located close to Banff, Mt Norquay offers outstanding conditions for skiers and riders of all levels.
Hakuba Snow Sports School is a privately owned business catering to holiday-makers skiing and snowboarding in Hakuba Japan. Based at the Iimori Ski Resort, it has the best teaching terrain in Hakuba as well as steeps, powder, trees and the biggest terrain park in the valley.
Hakuba is famous in Japan and across the world for great skiing and boasts some of the best ski resorts and snowfall in the country. For more than 70 years, Hakuba has been providing skiers, snowboarders and outdoor enthusiasts the ideal conditions for an epic winter experience.
Calgary's closest ski resort, Nakiska offers a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to get lots of practical teaching experience to kick off their snow sports career.
Fast becoming the biggest and best ski resort in Canada, Revelstoke is a powder paradise. If you're looking for big snowfall, big vertical and big terrain, look no further than Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
Rusutsu Resort is located in the village of Rusutsu, Hokkaido. Famous for consistent annual snowfall and some of the deepest and lightest powder snow in the world. The winter resort has the largest skiable area of any single resort in Hokkaido.
Train and become a ski or snowboard instructor at SilverStar. The SilverStar Ski Resort has a charming magic about it. The quaint village has colourful buildings and the resort is a bit like a mini Disneyland for skiing and snowboarding. You will never want to leave.
Welcome to Japan's largest interconnected resort area. EA partner with Shiga International Ski School, in Shiga Kogan where there are 19 ski resorts, all interconnected on one ski pass, Shiga Kogan is no laughing matter!
