Ski & Ride School Instructor - Part Time

Alterra Mountain Company; Colorado; On-site; USD 28,240 - 48,560; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free season pass

Discounted friends & family tickets

Discounted Ikon Pass

401(k) plan with company match

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Job summary

Alterra Mountain Company at Arapahoe Basin is hiring Ski and Ride School Instructors to teach skiing and snowboarding to guests of all ages. In this role, you'll create a safe and enjoyable learning atmosphere while providing top-notch customer service.

The position requires availability during weekends and holidays, and instructors must provide their own ski or snowboard equipment. Relevant experience in customer service or teaching is preferred, along with respect and care for snow sports.

Qualifications

• Must be a minimum of 17 years old.
• Availability on weekends and holidays is required.
• Background check must be completed.
• Must provide own ski or snowboard equipment.

Responsibilities

• Teach skiing/snowboarding to guests in various formats.
• Create a safe learning atmosphere.
• Nurture a love for snow sports.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Communicate effectively with guests.

Skills

Customer service experience

Teaching or coaching skills

Excellent communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Ability to multitask

Education

PSIA or AASI certification

Job description

Seasonal

Arapahoe Basin is a small ski area 60 miles west of Denver that offers big‑mountain challenges and life‑changing experiences for our employees and guests alike. Whether you're here for a season or a lifetime, A-Basin is a place where dedicated and hard‑working employees have a chance to shine! We are not your typical big‑box resort, and that’s what makes the vibe here so awesome – we know you by name. The number‑one reason our employees continue to work here is their incredible coworkers.

Apply now to be part of The Legend!

Perks & Benefits

• Free season pass to Arapahoe Basin and all Alterra Resorts
• Discounted friends & family tickets
• Discounted Ikon Pass for all eligible employees*
• Medical, dental, vision, life, paid parental leave, and more for eligible employees*
• 401(k) plan with generous company match
• Ski Area discounts for Rentals, Retail, Silverthorne Rec. Center, and our food and beverage outlets
• Discounted equipment rentals, pro‑deals, and more
• Financial assistance and mental health resources through TELUS

Position Summary

At the Arapahoe Basin Ski and Ride School, we like to have fun while doing great work and hope to instill a love of snow sports in every guest we meet. Likewise, we want all of our instructors to have rewarding careers working alongside people they can trust and respect. As an Instructor at A-Basin, you will teach skiing / snowboarding to adults, children, and families in a high‑energy and high‑alpine environment. While doing so, you aspire to nurture a love of snow sports and create a day worth repeating. Our instructors teach group lessons, private lessons, and an 8‑week program.

Part‑time commitments start at 20 days a season. The estimated start date for this position is December 5, 2026. More scheduling details will be discussed during the interview.

Wage

Hourly pay range: $20.50 – $35.25 per hour. The base hourly pay range below represents the low and high end of Arapahoe Basin’s hourly pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors, including but not limited to experience, education, training, location, merit system, quantity or quality of production, and responsibilities. Ski and Ride instructors are eligible for a staging program that relates to applicable pay based on experience.

Essential Duties

• Introduce guests to snow sports and A-Basin’s culture.
• Create a safe and fun learning atmosphere while providing excellent customer service to create a day worth repeating for A-Basin’s guests.
• Accurately describe and demonstrate how to ski and/or snowboard while adapting to the specific skill level of any individual guest.
• Work with kids, adults, and families to nurture a love of the sport.
• Understand, adhere to, and educate guests on the Responsibility Code and Skier Safety Act.
• Communicate with others in an honest, accountable, transparent, and respectful manner.
• Take ownership of and maintain a specific work schedule.
• Make an ongoing effort to improve personal skiing and riding.
• Follow all department sustainability guidelines as expected.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Previous customer service, teaching, coaching, or other related experience – preferred.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Strong interpersonal and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to multitask and work independently without supervision.
• Must be a minimum of 17 years old.
• Must be available on weekends and holidays.
• Must provide own ski or snowboard equipment and other necessary gear to work outside in a high‑alpine, snowy, and cold environment.
• This position requires successful completion of a background check.

Education Requirements

• PSIA or AASI certification – preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to ski, ride, walk, kneel, crawl, carry, reach, stand, stoop, squat, and lift equipment or students up to 35 lbs while actively teaching and coaching.
• Ability to withstand a high‑altitude environment at all times.

Working Conditions

• This position will spend most of the time outside in a high‑altitude, high‑alpine, and snowy environment. Instructors usually wear ski/snowboard equipment for the duration of their shift and are on their feet interacting with customers most of the day. Riding a chairlift is required for this role.

Ski and Ride School Instructor Staging Program

• Entry wage: $20.00 per hour, increased based on current PSIA–AASI certifications:
  • Level 1 – $21.00 per hour
  • Level 2 and Children’s Specialist 1 – $22.00 per hour
  • Level 2 and Children’s Specialist 2 – $22.75 per hour
  • Level 3 – $23.50 per hour
• Additions to the entry‑level wage for inexperienced pros will consider prior experience teaching snow sports, outdoor education, and other teaching or guiding experience.
• In-house training exists to verify instructors to act as Ski and Ride School Leads on specific days. This would be a paid activity at an increased rate and would encompass heightened responsibilities. Inquire with SRS management for details.
• Further staging guidelines are available upon request and will be provided upon starting work.

This job description is not an exhaustive list of all functions and responsibilities that an employee may be required to perform in this position. Arapahoe Basin and its affiliates reserve the right to modify, increase, decrease, suspend, and or eliminate any of the essential duties and/or the position in its entirety.

Arapahoe Basin is an equal opportunity employer and maintains drug‑free workplaces. All employees and candidates are reminded that Arapahoe Basin adheres to all applicable labor and employment laws, and State, County, and City‑specific labor and employment regulations, where applicable.