Private Ski and Snowboard Instructor

Parents of young skiers, adult beginners, visiting families and people who want to improve their technique.

Hourly or half-day lesson fees, with higher prices for private sessions and smaller rates per person for small groups. Repeat clients and lesson packs help fill the season.

• Strong skiing or snowboarding ability
• Patient, clear teaching
• Comfort working outdoors in cold weather
• Safety awareness and good judgment with kids

• Many hills only allow their own instructors or charge independents a fee, so check before promising lessons
• Commercial general liability insurance that covers instruction, and check what the hill itself requires
• Strongly seasonal income, so plan for months with little or no work
• Teaching children may call for a background check, and rules vary by province
• Injury risk for you and your students, so check first-aid training and waiver practices
• A sole proprietorship usually needs no separate incorporation, but check your province's business name registration rules if you trade under a name other than your own, and check when GST/HST registration applies

Startup costs are typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on your certification, equipment, insurance and any fees a hill charges independent instructors. Check what each hill requires before you promise lessons.

Monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many lessons you book and which hills you teach at. Income is strongly seasonal, so plan for months with little or no work.

Check whether the hill allows independent instructors or charges a fee, what insurance it requires, and whether teaching children needs a background check in your province. Also check first-aid training, waivers and business name registration.