Chris Oldaker – Why did you decide to become a ski instructor?

I became an instructor back in 2009 after I had graduated from university studying Sports Coaching. During my last year of university I was on a ski holiday in the Austrian alps with my Dad, when my ski instructor asked me what I was doing after university? He then asked if I would be interested in becoming an instructors, and that he ran a gap year course that would prepare me for the exams. My first winter was a lot of fun, and you don’t really appreciate how much fun it is until it is over. Getting to ski and coach everyday, seeing people improve, and also feeling myself improve everyday was and still is an incredible experience. I have always had a passion for sport for as long as I can remember. Being able to not only be an instructor, but also continue to develop as a skiier is such a thrill. Meeting new friends and guests from countries all over the world is also a big enjoyment of the job. But it all comes down to this: once you spend so much of you time in the mountains, no where else compares!

How is your ski-instructor career looking like?

Since 2009 I have done 3 seasons in Austria, 5 seasons in Switzerland and 4 down in New Zealand, for a total of 12 seasons. When you spend so much time away it is hard being away from your friends and family for so long but the new friends you make will keep you smiling every step of the way. I can’t imagine going back to england permanently. I have fallen in love with skiing and the mountains, and

I have a year of winter, doing back to back seasons, in Switzerland and New Zealand. My northern hemisphere starts towards the end of November when I arrive back in Engelberg. The first couple of weeks is mainly used for training until the season kicks off mid December. From then on it is busy, busy until the end of April when the season comes to an end and I leave Engelberg. I have 2 weeks free before I have to travel to NZ, so I am also busy during this time seeing friends and family. Halfway through May I travel to NZ where I work as a Snowsports schoo supervisor. Although the season doesn’t start until around 10th June, I have work as soon as arriving to prepare and plan for the coming season. The season goes on until around mid October, and then my work continues a little longer to pack down, tie up any loose ends and prepare for the following year. I then have a few weeks free to fly home, see friends and family and let the circle start once again.