Policies and Requirements

                                         

 

                                                    Schedule and pay

 

You set your own schedule, but are required to to work least 3 times each week. This can be a combination of weekdays and weekends. If you can not make it in, please notify us by text. If you teach at Pine Knob be sure to adjust your schedule online so you are not booked when you are not going to be here. Also remove yourself from the schedule for any program you regularly teach like Superstars or student lessons.  

 

The busiest six weeks are from January until the middle of February. Weekday evenings from 5-7:30 pm are when we teach the student patch lessons. On weekends, there are a lot of private lessons and programs for children.

​

Most people teach part time for enjoyment. The season is short and business depends on the weather, if you need a steady income this job will not provide it. You will get a season pass, discounts for your family, and be paid for the lessons you teach each week. Hopefully you will enjoy teaching and making friends with other instructors. The percentage of private lessons you are paid depends on your experience and if the customer requested you.

  

                                                       Requirements

​

1. Instructors are independent contractors, so you are responsible for buying your own equipment and uniform jacket. You do not receive health insurance, workers compensation, or unemployment. Instructors must purchase liability insurance from the ski school. New instructors go through a trial period when they are evaluated on their work habits, attitude, and ability. Instructor status is usually achieved after several weeks of acceptable performance.

2. Instructing is more casual and fun than other work, but you must remember that it is a real job and treat it as such. Teaching requires hard work and commitment of time. Be on time to work and text or call when you can't come in. Maintain a professional appearance and keep your uniform clean. Be polite, courteous, and helpful to all the customers and employees at the resort. Work to constantly improve the quality of your teaching.

3. If other priorities prevent you from meeting ski school requirements, you should reconsider your participation.

​

                                                    Policies

 

• You are responsible for your lesson tickets and will be paid only for what you turn in.  Submit them on Monday, and receive a check on Thursday. Pine Knob will be tracking your pay digitally. 

• Sign in and out every time you are at the resort. Any time you are at the resort, we may ask you to work if a need arises. 

• No guests are permitted in the instructor's room. You are allowed to keep only one set of equipment (snowboard and skis) in the instructor's room. Remove your equipment before the end of the season. It will not be safe during the summer.

• The ski school uniform must be worn: jacket with ski school pass, and name tag   

• Instructors are independent contractors and are not an employee of the resort. You are paid on a commission basis. A percentage of the lesson you teach, or a flat rate for student lessons at Pine Knob. Between lessons, you are free to ski/snowboard. Instructors will not be paid for the hours they do not teach.    

• Instructors are not allowed behind the ski school desk unless asked to help out.

• Always listen for pages and frequently check if instructors are needed, especially when the resort is busy.

• You are not permitted in the bar before 9 pm.

• Any instructor being paid directly or not working through the ski school will be dismissed and banned from the resort. It is dishonest, violates resort policy, and your insurance coverage.

• We are not resort security or the ski patrol. You can interact verbally with customers creating dangerous situations for your lesson, but call the desk and report the problem if more help is needed. Do not physically interact with anyone causing the problem, this will put you at risk under Michigan law. 

• You should not be under the influence of alcohol or marijuana while working.

                                             

                                               

                                              Our goal

​

To create safe skiers and riders who have fun and want to return. We do this by teaching at the right pace so students understand how to maintain their speed and control as they progress to more advanced terrain.   

​

                                               

                                                   Our expectations of you

 

1- Evaluate your student's needs  

2- Provide clear goals and specific feedback  

3- Follow our policies and requirements 

​

                                         Our main business 

We teach a lot of beginners. It is important to teach great beginner lessons so students want to return. The more skill and knowledge you have, the greater the chance your students will become life long participants. You will also be able to turn what could be frustrating lessons into fun challenges.

​

Great teaching requires a lot of attention and interaction with your students to meet their needs. A constant focus on how they are doing and what they are thinking and feeling.

​

                                                          Our unique school  

 

We are proud of our long heritage as one of only a few independent schools in the country. The founders of the school Pat and Pam Deibel developed many dedicated instructors who have been responsible for creating many passionate skiers and riders. We have grown the sport and enriched a lot of lives.

​

                                                       Our innovative teaching system for skiers

​

Our school has a unique teaching system for skiers that focuses on constant evaluation of customers to ensure their success. This creates a pace that is not too fast or slow.

                               

The system is called "Ski MovesTM" it was created with V1 Digital Coaching Software over more than twenty years doing side by side comparisons of beginners through world cup athletes. We worked closely with the US Ski Team's National Development System, National Ski Patrol directors, US Special Forces, PSIA Alpine Team members, Vail, Aspen, and many other resort trainers to produce this highly effective approach. It gives us a competitive advantage with clear visual goals and specific feedback.